The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2012 Diva Dirt Fan Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…
Televised Match of the Year
The nominees were:
Alicia Fox vs Natalya (Superstars, Sept. 13)
Beth Phoenix vs Natalya (SmackDown, Sept. 28)
Beth Phoenix vs Tamina Snuka (Elimination Chamber)
Brooke Tessmacher vs Gail Kim (Slammiversary)
Gail Kim vs Madison Rayne vs Mickie James vs Tara (Impact Wrestling, Aug. 2nd)
Gail Kim vs Mickie James (Impact Wrestling, Nov. 29)
Gail Kim vs Tara (Against All Odds)
Layla vs Natalya (Superstars, Aug. 2nd)
Mia Yim vs Sara Del Rey (ROH)
And the winner is…
Beth Phoenix vs Natalya (SmackDown, Sept. 28) – 42%
Runners-Up:
Brooke Tessmacher vs Gail Kim (Slammiversary) – 10%
Gail Kim vs Mickie James (Impact Wrestling, Nov. 29) – 9%
Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.
38 Comments
at 8:09 pm
I think these are the only results everyone will agree on.
at 8:10 pm
Meh tbh its more the thought of Beth VS Natalya that had the winning this match. Personally, I didn’t find the match very interesting. Maybe its because it was just throw at us or something, but I only remembered this happenec because, well, it’s beth VS Nattie, but thats the only reason I remembered it. Most of the matches were like that this year in all honesty.
Hopefully someone in WWE, TNA or even ROH can do something about that for this year.
Rhawk Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 8:11 pm
But with that said, I think Beth VS Natalya was a deserving enough winner for the thought alone.
Mikas Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
There werent really many alternatives to win this year. This was a bad year for WWE/TNA, hopefully 2013 will be better.
Rhawk Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 8:17 pm
We can only hope. Or even still, maybe ROH can pull something out of the hat again, I mean they apparently have MsChif VS Athena for the TV tapings tomorrow, which the thought alone of that match has my head spinning.
Piggie James Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 2:35 am
Thank goodness Cornette seems to be gone. ROH in my opinion had a very bad year under his booking. It was worse for their women’s wrestling too (which has had its highlights in previous years).
Looks like their starting to put things back on track (especially if they have MsChif vs Athena), but it could be too late for the company after all the damage Cornette did.
Piggie James Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 2:36 am
*they’re (eesh >.>)
madslam2009 Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 2:59 am
I was surprised Allisyn Kay vs Mschif wasn’t nominated, then again, the match was never reported her on DD I don’t think……………….
Rhawk Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
@madslam2009
I agree, I actually preferred that match to Sara Del Ray VS Mia Yim, since the crowd there seemed to be a little more into it, and I just though it felt more memorable, and more like because it was the most recent ROH TV match either.
But again it was reported on DD so I suppose thats why it never got mentioned. Which I sadly feel that IF MsChif VS Athena is aired on TV for them, then I doubt that’ll be mentioned either, even after the email I dropped to them about it.
at 8:27 pm
I think the thought of Beth and Natalya in a match caused everyone to vote for it. I won’t disagree but TNA has been putting on some clinic matches this whole year. What’s left of their division is still pretty strong.
NY Pollard Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Finally something positive,I’m impressed and I agree. Gail Kim vs Mickie James was great in November. Just beautiful match they had. And even their RAW match back in the day was so good, minus the end botch.
Marlon Eric Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
I agree. I feel Gail has not had a bad match with anyone on the TNA Knockouts roster since she’s returned. Mickie had abit of a learning curve or readjustment period when she first got there. But once she got settled, Mickie has been hitting it out the ballpark as well.
With the addition of Tessmacher greatly improving, Tara always having a strong showing, and ODB and Madison Rayne being decent as well – I can’t really see anytime the Knockouts have had a bad match. I can probably name one but just one.
Divas on the other hand usually always have awkward matches due to time constraints and maybe some slip-outs. I feel Beth/Natalya won only because that’s like…the first good match we’ve had out of the divas after being saturated with less than stellar-ones.
Piggie James Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 2:49 am
The only weak link in the Knockouts division (in my opinion) wrestling-wise is Velvet Sky. Even Madison and Brooke who are usually regarded as the weaker wrestlers in the division had a pretty good match together on Xplosion (a month or so ago). So TNA is fortunate to have a very talented group of women to work with if they chose to push them to the forefront of the show (like they used to be much more consistently).
This week’s Impact which had the lengthy Knockouts tag match (longer than all the men’s matches) rated pretty well, so I hope that signals to TNA creative once again that Knockouts = ratings, and I think those ratings would be even stronger if they actually gave them a proper story to tell in the ring (rather than the random tag match-ups).
I agree completely with you two about Mickie and Gail. Both of them have put out some great matches since returning to TNA (both together and with other Knockouts). They have great chemistry with each other (which was seen too for most of their Raw match besides that unfortunate ending).
Now as far as the Divas are concerned, with Gail and Michelle both confirming what most of us have believed for ages (that the Divas have ‘restrictions’ placed on them to stop them outshowing the men), it’s unsurprising why their match quality tends to be underwhelming.
at 8:29 pm
I feel like a few PPV matches got left off, in favor of some Superstars stuff.
Marlon Eric Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Yeah, there’s been pretty strong PPV matches this year as well. On Divas and Knockouts sides.
at 8:52 pm
We have two divas matches tonight! Well sorta.. tamina vs layla & great khali and natalya and hornswoggle beat primo and epico and rosa
at 9:08 pm
I’m really confused. How is Layla constantly overlooked? Layla’s match vs Eve on Superstars that aired right before Beth vs Natalya’s match is not even nominated.
People too often overlook Layla and Eve’s wrestling abilities. Although I do agree that Beth vs Natalya was the best match all year.
Acrant Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 9:10 pm
WWE matches are only if nominated if Beth or Natalya are in it.
CandiceChampion Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 1:21 am
That’s True… Those Girls Are Talented, It’s Sad We Only Get To See What Management Wants Us To See On TV
Piggie James Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 2:55 am
I actually agree that Layla and Eve have both improved a lot as wrestlers this year (Kaitlyn for that matter too, and perhaps Tamina who we hardly ever see).
But as I said above, the stupid WWE ‘restrictions’ prevent them from putting on any truly spectacular matches (if they want to do any ‘sick’ bumps they usually have to keep it a secret from the agents and risk getting reprimanded after).
I agree that Natalya and Beth (who are of course great wrestlers) tend to get a bit of a pass as if they can do no wrong, and that anything they’re in must be good. I suppose that’s just a little bit of the indy/IWC preference going on (same as AJ).
Choko Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 4:50 am
That Layla vs Eve match was miles better than the Beth vs Natalya match. It amazes me how much the diva-dirt community stinks of delusion. Beth and Natalya had a pretty basic, boring, little technical match. It told a story but everything was boring, Layla and Eve outshined them completely. Before one of their marks jumps on my dic.. uh, I’m female, watch their match.
at 10:07 pm
Paige vs Alicia Fox? No?
at 10:30 pm
I think the TNA Knockouts have had alot of good matches in 2012.
The ones that come to mind include:
-Steel Cage match between Madison and Mickie
-Gail vs Tara at Against All Odds
-Brooke Tessmacher vs Gail Kim, their last match as well as Brooke’s first title shot and Gail’s rematch clause
-Fatal Four Way between Velvet, Tessmacher, Tara and Mickie.
-Both Mickie and Tara matches
-Knockouts Tag Title Match: Mickie and Traci vs Gail and Madison
-Velvet and Angelina had good Xplosion matches
-Six way elmination #1 contenders match
And there were a TON of solid matches. I disagree with those saying that TNA had a bad year for the Knockouts. Not the best, but not the worst
As for the Divas, yeah they had a bad year. Beth vs Nattie being THEIR MOTY is understandable, but the Knockouts matches I listed would personally beat that match for me. At least the majority of them.
Piggie James Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 3:00 am
I definitely agree that the Knockouts had tons of good matches this year. ‘Wrestling’-wise I don’t think it was their worst year, but as far as storylines and focus goes from the company, in my opinion the Knockouts did indeed have a poor year.
It means much less being able to put on a great match, when hardly anyone wants to actually watch it. The fact that they put on so many good matches with minimal storyline ‘help’ is a testament to the skills of the individual Knockouts, but I think to make the matches much more memorable, they have to be given an interesting story to tell.
at 10:56 pm
I might be the odd man out, but the Natalya vs Beth match wasn’t all that good.I think if the match would have been on Superstars instead of Smackdown they would have the match of the year. But they only got like three minutes and only did a handful of moves.
It seemed like people just overly praised it because who was in it. The match was nothing special.
DJ8946 Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
This!
LightsOut Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Yes.
at 10:57 pm
I think that this match was overrated.A lot of people voted for because 1.) Its Beth & Nattie, they can do no wrong (Nattie really can’t, I’ve only seen her botch once) & 2.) Because Nattie kicked out of the GlamSlam. The Natalya vs Alicia Fox matches this year were better imo. So were the Eve vs Layla matches.
kio3j2 Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Omigod I loved the Natalya vs Alicia Fox matches, those matches highlighted both of their talents.
at 3:11 am
Sorry to say but some of you are just a tad bit stupid.
Beth vs. Natalya was only 3 minutes and they made it seem like it was a 10 minute worthy match which is why it’s considered the best DMOTY.
The other Divas of course have had great matches this year but it took more than 3 minutes to make it good.
Crazy_J Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 11:29 pm
I think that’s the problem with the diva’s division somewhat is people really hype up matches and they aren’t all that special, causing people to complain. I didn’t find Beth vs Natalya the best match of the year either.
Crazy_J Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 11:30 pm
I hope I worded that right.. I feel sometimes the internet rumors/hype can really ruin a match, or make you think it’s going to be a lot better, and because of that people consider it good, or they consider it horrible.
Knoxvillehaha Reply:
January 6th, 2013 at 12:35 am
I’m sorry, but you can’t make a three minute match Match of the Year, no matter who is in the match. Just my honest opinion, the match wasn’t bad for the time it was given, but it wasn’t the Match of the Year for me.
at 3:58 am
Like other people here, I thought the match was overrated, and only won because of the names. I’m going to be lazy and just quote what I said in another news post verbatim:
“I don’t think the Beth Phoenix vs Natalya match was long enough to even be a MOTY nomination. Technically there were some nice spots in it, but overall there was nothing spectacular about it, and there wasn’t really much of a story being told. I think it meant a lot to us women wrestling fans though who have followed their careers, and of course is a ‘dream match’. We should be grateful that we got it at all, but if they had have been given more time, then it would have credibly been a MOTY contender.”
And yeah, there were quite a few Diva matches that I thought were actually better than this match. Personally I would have gone with Gail vs Mickie, overall though, much like 2011′s awards, there wasn’t any real ‘stand out’ match to vote for (that everyone talks about weeks on end like the late 2010 cage/table matches). Perhaps that’s why the Beth vs Natalya match won on name value alone.
Marlon Eric Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
agree with you completely. I’m replying here rather than your response on my comment.
I do feel Gail Vs Mickie was much more noticeable among a series of really good Knockout matches. But there wasn’t much of a stand-out. It’s funny with those two because, ever since their RAW match that pretty much ended in disaster, these two have been stepping up times ten. Almost like over-compensating (for lack of a better term) for fear of putting on a bad match and reliving a nightmare.
Not that that’s the case. But I’m sure they’re both motivated to outdo each every previous match they had.
With Beth/Natalya, it was a strong showing but yes – overrated because of name value. I love love love Natalya as a competitor and even as a character (lately, she just blurts out whatever is on her mind) but Beth I feel is overrated. And I’ve felt that even when WWE does give the Divas a chance to produce awesome matches.
The strength is there. She can pull out good matches with anyone. But on her own level, I don’t feel she’s on the same level as Natalya, Gail or Mickie. IMO
at 5:00 am
personally this match was so freaking underwhelming.
at 7:48 am
Where is the cage match with Mickie and Madison that was the most watched segment of the episode? That was televised match of the year.
at 2:54 am
It was the Televised match of the year because EVERYONE saw it! Everyone were expecting to see them in the ring one vs the other at some point…