Much like our coverage of women’s wrestling, Diva Dirt MMA (http://diva-dirt.com/mma) will aim to bring fans of women’s MMA the latest news, analysis and interviews.

“Women’s MMA is hotter than ever and like female wrestlers, female fighters are bold, daring and courageous. We are excited to expand into another area of female grappling as we believe that all of these fighting females deserve coverage here at Diva Dirt,” said Editor-in-Chief Melanie Rob.

More news on our expansion into women’s MMA will be revealed this week, so keep your eyes pealed! Additionally, if you are interested in writing for Diva Dirt MMA, we are looking to add another one or two contributors. Details can be found here.

Keep up to date with Diva Dirt MMA by visiting http://diva-dirt.com/mma and following @DivaDirtMMA on Twitter.

Follow @DivaDirtMMA

What we are looking for
1. We are looking for writers who are well versed in women’s wrestling news be it WWE, TNA, North American independents or international. Do you have a wealth of knowledge on women’s wrestling history, as well as the current landscape? Do you have a good grasp of the Joshi scene, or perhaps women’s wrestling in Mexico, or somewhere else around the world? Candidates should be on the ball in covering the latest news & results, as well as be able to pitch and write interesting editorials and features. You may also be asked to write weekly reviews (similar to the Raw Redux etc).
2. Additionally, we are looking for well versed writers/fans of female MMA, particularly North American female MMA, to cover the latest female MMA news, conduct interviews, review live fights and more. Candidates should have a good grasp of and interest in female MMA.

Guidelines
1. Please ensure you have a suitable amount of time to devote to contributing to the site.
2. Good use of the English language is a must.
3. Ideal for college/university level students or young writers looking to gain exposure and experience writing for a publication.
4. Duties will include the tasks listed above. Additionally, candidates will be expected to be able to write, source and research their articles to high standards.
5. Positions are unpaid at this time. However, candidates will gain valuable experience in the world of online journalism. Transferable skills include: writing copy, researching stories, creating contacts, working within a team, working to deadlines, image editing and more.
6. The editor (Melanie Rob) and the publisher (Jason Deadrich) are able to provide candidates with references upon request.

If you think you have what it takes, please email the editor, Melanie Rob, at the following address: melanie@diva-dirt.com. Please include the following in your email:

1. Covering letter. This should include details about yourself i.e. age, where you live, education, occupation (if you have one), why you’d be suitable for a role at Diva Dirt, and whether you can meet the requirements of the tasks listed above.
2. Examples of work you’ve previously produced.

Please note: Due to the volume of emails, we will only be able to respond to prospective candidates.

Good luck!

Diva Dirt wins the ‘Best Website’ award for 2011, our third consecutive win in Lethalwow.com’s annual awards. You can look up the full winners’ list here.

On behalf of the Diva Dirt team, you to Lethalwow.com and the award committee which was compromised of several wrestlers.

2011 saw some big interviews for Diva Dirt (Maryse, Gail Kim, Tara and more), as well as some big events including our first featured match and DVD release with ChickFight, partnering with WSU for its Breaking Barriers II pay per view, presenting the Diva Dirt Legacy Award to Manami Toyota at JoshiMania, and becoming the first and only wrestling related website to be verified on Twitter. And even with all of that under our belt, we’re not content!

We hope 2012 will bring more exciting challenges and as announced last week, we’re kicking off the year in a big way! Join us on February 18th as we present our first Internet pay per view presentation with Pro-Wrestling: EVE.

- Lethalwow.com awards

The people have spoken!

In the 2011 Year-End Awards as voted by you, the Diva Dirt masses, Sara Del Rey, Mickie James and Beth Phoenix walked away with the biggest prizes as Independent Wrestler, Knockout and Diva of the Year respectively.

Of the trio, Del Rey was also selected as Diva Dirt’s Wrestler of the Year, meanwhile, James is two-for-two as the Diva Dirt writers also picked her as Knockout of the Year in the Writers’ Choice Awards. As for Diva of the Year, the fans voted for the current reigning Divas Champion, while the Diva Dirt writers felt that Kelly Kelly had the better year in the Divas division.

Full Writers’ Choice Awards results

In other big awards, even in retirement and injury respectively, Michelle McCool and Layla made a big impact on readers as you voted for them in the Best Feud and Televised Match of the Year categories.

SHIMMER walked away with wins in two of the big independent categories: Independent Match and Independent Promotion of the Year. The SHIMMER Vol. 44 main event featuring Cheerleader Melissa‘s emotionally charged SHIMMER Championship victory over Madison Eagles won the Match of the Year.

In a very WWE-dominated awards, Impact Wrestling’s Brooke Tessmacher was the only other Knockout to make an impression on voters, being selected as Best Breakthrough and Most Improved Wrestler. Elsewhere, in the battle of the television shows, Impact Wrestling proved to be most popular, perhaps telling of fans’ frustrations towards WWE’s current product and lack of time and effort devoted to the WWE Divas.

Finally, as we move ahead to 2012, you voted Maxine as your One to Watch this year.

- Full fan voted Year-End Award results here

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

WWE Diva of the Year

The nominees were:

AJ
Alicia Fox
Beth Phoenix
Brie Bella
Eve Torres
Kaitlyn
Kelly Kelly
Layla
Maxine
Natalya
Nikki Bella
Rosa Mendes
Tamina
Vickie Guerrero

And the winner is…

Beth Phoenix – 31%

Runners-Up:
Kelly Kelly – 29%
Eve Torres – 7%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

TNA Knockout of the Year

The nominees were:

Angelina Love
Brooke Tessmacher
Gail Kim
Karen Jarrett
Madison Rayne
Mickie James
ODB
Rosita
Sarita
Tara
Toxxin
Traci Brooks
Velvet Sky
Winter

And the winner is…

Mickie James – 33%

Runners-Up:
Velvet Sky – 22%
Gail Kim – 8%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Independent Wrestler of the Year

The nominees were:

Athena
Cheerleader Melissa
Hailey Hatred
Jenny Sjodin
Jessicka Havok
Kalamity
LuFisto
Madison Eagles
Mercedes Martinez
Mia Yim
Nicole Matthews
Portia Perez
Sara Del Rey
Serena

And the winner is…

Sara Del Rey – 20%

Runners-Up:
Cheerleader Melissa – 19%
Serena – 16%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

FCW Diva of the Year

The nominees were:

Aksana
Audrey Marie
Cameron Lynn
Caylee Turner
Eden Stiles
Leah West
Naomi
Raquel Diaz

And the winner is…

naomi – 36%

Runners-Up:
Aksana – 26%
Raquel Diaz – 18%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

One to Watch in 2012

The nominees were:

Allysin Kay
Athena
Britani Knight
Brooke Tessmacher
Courtney Rush
Evie
Kaitlyn
Kalamity
Lexxus
Maxine
Rosita

And the winner is…

Maxine – 25%

Runners-Up:
Brooke Tessmacher – 19%
Kaitlyn – 16

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End 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:

Kelly Kelly & Edge vs LayCool & Dolph Ziggler (February 4th, SmackDown)
Gail Kim & Daniel Bryan vs Melina & Tyson Kidd (March 24th, Superstars)
Layla vs Michelle McCool (Loser Leaves WWE, Extreme Rules)
Beth Phoenix vs Gail Kim (June 30th, Superstars)
Alicia Fox vs Natalya (July 7th, Superstars)
Mickie James vs Winter (No Surrender)
Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly (Night of Champions)
Beth Phoenix vs Eve Torres (Vengeance)
Knockouts Gauntlet Match (November 17th, Impact Wrestling)
ODB vs Mickie James (December 1st, Impact Wrestling)

And the winner is…

Layla vs Michelle McCool (Loser Leaves WWE, Extreme Rules) – 22%

Runners-Up:
Beth Phoenix vs Eve Torres (Vengeance) – 17%
Kelly Kelly & Edge vs LayCool & Dolph Ziggler (February 4th, SmackDown) – 13%

Did the right match win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Independent Match of the Year

The nominees were:

Athena vs Rachel Summerlyn (January, 10,000 Tacks Match, ACW)
Angel Orsini vs Mercedes Martinez (January, Ladder Match, WSU Final Chapter)
Ayako Hamada vs Ayumi Kurihara (March, SHIMMER Vol. 38)
Jessie McKay vs Nicole Matthews (March, SHIMMER Vol. 39)
Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa vs Ayumi Kurihara & Hiroyo Matsumoto (April, ROH Takes Center Stage)
Alicia vs Jessicka Havok (No Holds Barred, June, WSU Uncensored Rumble)
Lexxus vs Mercedes Martinez (August, WSU)
Kana vs Sara Del Rey (October, SHIMMER. Vol 42)
Portia Perez vs Serena (October, SHIMMER Vol. 43)
Cheerleader Melissa vs Madison Eagles (October, SHIMMER Vol. 44)
Kalamity vs LuFisto (October, NCW Femmes Fatales Vol. 7)
April Davids vs Jenny Sjodin (October, Pro-Wrestling: EVE)
Midwest Militia vs Team WSU (Steel Cage War Games, November, WSU Breaking Barriers II)
Aja Kong vs Sara Del Rey (December, JoshiMania Night 1)
Aja Kong, Mio Shirai & TAja Kong, Mio Shirai & Tsubasa Kuragaki vs Manami Toyota, Hanako Nakamori & Sawako Shimono (December, JoshiMania Night 3)
Ayako Hamada vs Sara Del Rey (December, JoshiMania Night 3)

And the winner is…

Cheerleader Melissa vs Madison Eagles (October, SHIMMER Vol. 44) – 18%

Runners-Up:
Aja Kong vs Sara Del Rey (December, JoshiMania Night 1) – 11%
Ayako Hamada vs Sara Del Rey (December, JoshiMania Night 3) – 11%

Did the right match win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Television Show of the Year

The nominees were:

Raw
SmackDown
NXT
Impact Wrestling
WWE Superstars

And the winner is…

Impact Wrestling – 38%

Runners-Up:
Raw – 27%
NXT – 13%

Did the right show win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Independent Promotion of the Year

The nominees were:

ArenaChicks
Ice Ribbon
NCW Femmes Fatales
Pro-Wrestling: EVE
SHIMMER
WILD Wrestling
Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU)

And the winner is…

SHIMMER – 54%

Runners-Up:
Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) – 27%
Pro-Wrestling: EVE – 8%

Did the right promotion win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

News Story of the Year

The nominees were:

Chyna returns to wrestling
Gail Kim quits WWE
Kharma announces pregnancy
Lilian Garcia returns to WWE
Maryse released
Melina released
Michelle McCool retires

And the winner is…

Kharma announces pregnancy – 32%

Runners-Up:
Gail Kim quits WWE – 16%
Maryse released – 14%

Did the right story win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

OMG Moment of the Year

The nominees were:

Belle Saints break up at WSU Breaking Barriers II
Beth Phoenix’s Super Glam Slam on Eve Torres at Survivor Series
Beth Phoenix’s hometown response at Night of Champions
Chyna returns to wrestling on Impact Wrestling
Crowd reaction for Cheerleader Melissa’s title win on SHIMMER Vol. 44
Gail Kim’s return to TNA on Impact Wrestling
Hailey Hatred is first gaijin to win JWP Openweight Championship in Japan
Karen Jarrett tears Jeff Hardy a new one on Impact Wrestling
Kelly Kelly successfully defends the World Heavyweight Championship for Edge on SmackDown
Kharma’s debut at Extreme Rules
Lita returns at the Slammys
Portia Perez speared off table by Serena
Sara Del Rey main events CHIKARA with Claudio Castagnoli
The Knight Dynasty make an impactful debut in SHIMMER

And the winner is…

Kharma’s debut at Extreme Rules – 25%

Runners-Up:
Beth Phoenix’s Super Glam Slam on Eve Torres at Survivor Series – 24%
Kelly Kelly successfully defends the World Heavyweight Championship for Edge on SmackDown – 12%

Did the right moment win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

WTF Moment of the Year

The nominees were:

1-2 minute Divas matches
Britani Knight vs Jenny Sjodin match result spoiled online
Eve Torres randomly added to Divas Title match at Royal Rumble
Gail Kim eliminates herself from Raw battle royal
Kharma breaks down & cries in the ring
Knockouts Title changing hands on a monthly basis
Midwest Militia threaten Mercedes Martinez with a machete
Rosa Mendes’ Twitter antics

And the winner is…

1-2 minute Divas matches – 34%

Runners-Up:
Kharma breaks down & cries in the ring – 20%
Gail Kim eliminates herself from Raw battle royal – 17%

Did the right moment win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Breakthrough

The nominees were:

AJ
Allysin Kay
Brooke Tessmacher
Davina Rose
Evie
Kay Lee Ray
Maxine
Reby Sky
Rosita
Veda Scott

And the winner is…

Brooke Tessmacher – 29%

Runners-Up:
AJ – 28%
Maxine – 18%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Tag Team or Group

The nominees were:

AJ & Kaitlyn
Alicia Fox, Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly
Angelina Love & Winter
Ayako Hamada & Ayumi Kurihara
Bella TwinsBelle Saints
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Britani & Saraya Knight
Brooke Tessmacher & Tara
Canadian Ninjas
Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa
Gail Kim & Madison Rayne
Hiroyo Matsumoto & Misaki Ohata
Midwest Militia
Regeneration X
Rosita & Sarita

And the winner is…

Beth Phoenix and Natalya – 21%

Runners-Up:
Brooke Tessmacher and Tara – 18%
AJ and Kaitlyn – 10%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Most Improved Wrestler

The nominees were:

April Davids
Brie Bella
Brooke Tessmacher
Cherry Bomb
Courtney Rush
KC Spinelli
Kaitlyn
Kelly Kelly
Lexxus
Luscious Latasha
Maxine
Mia Yim
Nikki Bella
Niya

And the winner is…

Brooke Tessmacher – 27%

Runners-Up:
Kelly Kelly – 17%
Maxine – 14%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Most Skilled Wrestler

The nominees were:

Ayako Hamada
Beth Phoenix
Cheerleader Melissa
Hailey Hatred
Jenny Sjodin
LuFisto
Madison Eagles
Mercedes Martinez
Mickie James
Natalya
Sara Del Rey
Serena
Tara

And the winner is…

Natalya – 18%

Runners-Up:
Mickie James – 17%
Beth Phoenix – 14%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Most Underrated

The nominees were:

Brittney Savage
Eve Torres
Hailey Hatred
Jackie Moore
LuFisto
Natalya
Nikki Roxx
Nikki Storm
Sarita
Tara

And the winner is…

Natalya – 24%

Runners-Up:
Eve Torres – 23%
Sarita – 19%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Champion

The nominees were:

Athena (ACW American Joshi Champion)
Belle Saints (WSU Tag Team Champions)
Beth Phoenix (Divas Champion)
Brie Bella (Divas Champion)
Brooke Tessmacher & Tara (Knockouts Tag Team Champions)
Eve Torres (Divas Champion)
Jenny Sjodin (EVE Champion)
Kelly Kelly (Divas Champion)
LuFisto (Femmes Fatales Champion)
Madison Eagles (SHIMMER Champion)
Madison Rayne (Knockouts Champion)
Cheerleader Melissa (SHIMMER Champion)
Mercedes Martinez (WSU World Champion)
Mickie James (Knockouts Champion)
Rachel & Jessica (ACW Tag Team Champions)
Rosita & Sarita (Knockouts Tag Team Champions)

And the winner is…

Beth Phoenix (Divas Champion) – 19%

Runners-Up:
Mickie James (Knockouts Champion) – 17%
Kelly Kelly (Divas Champion) – 15%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Heel

The nominees were:

Athena
Bella Twins
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Britani & Saraya Knight
Gail Kim
Jessicka Havok
Karen Jarrett
Madison Eagles
Madison Rayne
Nicole Matthews
Portia Perez
Vickie Guerero

And the winner is…

Vickie Guerrero – 22%

Runners-Up:
Beth Phoenix and Natalya – 18%
Karen Jarrett – 14%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Babyface

The nominees were:

AJ
Alicia (WSU)
Cheerleader Melissa
Jessie McKay
Kelly Kelly
LuFisto
Mercedes Martinez
Mickie James
Rachel Summerlyn
Serena
Tara
Velvet Sky

And the winner is…

Mickie James – 21%

Runners-Up:
AJ – 20%
Kelly Kelly – 20%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Finisher

The nominees were:

Alicia Fox – Somersault Leg Drop
Angelina Love – Break-a-Bitch
Athena – O-Face
Beth Phoenix – Glam Slam
Cheerleader Melissa – Kudo Driver
Gail Kim – Eat Defeat
Kharma – Implant Buster
Madison Eagles – Hellbound
Madison Rayne – Rayne Drop
Maxine – Untitled Finishing Move
Mia Yim – Corkscrew Moonsault
Natalya – Pin-Up Strong
Tara – Widow’s Peak

And the winner is…

Kharma‘s Implant Buster – 17%

Runners-Up:
Beth Phoenix‘s Glam Slam – 15%
Tara‘s Widow’s Peak – 12%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Feud

The nominees were:

Alicia vs Jessicka Havok (WSU)
Angelina Love & Winter vs Velvet Sky
Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly (WWE)
Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs Alicia Fox, Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly (WWE)
Britani Knight vs Saraya Knight (SHIMMER)
Cheerleader Melissa vs Madison Eagles (SHIMMER)
Gail Kim vs Melina (WWE)
Jessie McKay vs Nicole Matthews (SHIMMER)
Karen Jarrett vs the Knockouts Division (TNA)
Karen Jarrett vs Velvet Sky (TNA)
Layla vs Michelle McCool (WWE)
Madison Rayne vs Mickie James (TNA)
Madison Rayne vs Tara (TNA)
Mickie James vs Winter (TNA)
Midwest Militia vs Team WSU (WSU)
Portia Perez vs Serena (SHIMMER)

And the winner is…

Layla vs Michelle McCool – 17%

Runners-Up:
Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly – 10%
Beth Phoenix and Natalya vs Alicia Fox, Eve Torres and Kelly Kelly – 10%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Gimmick

The nominees were:

AJ
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Jessicka Havok
Karen Jarrett
Kharma
Madison Rayne
Maxine
Portia Perez
Regeneration X
Rick Cataldo
Vickie Guerrero
Winter

And the winner is…

Kharma – 23%

Runners-Up:
Beth Phoenix and Natalya – 13%
Vickie Guerrero – 12%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Tweeter

The nominees were:

AJ
Gail Kim
Jessicka Havok
Kaitlyn
Maryse
Natalya
ODB
Sara Del Rey
Tara
Trish Stratus

And the winner is…

AJ – 23%

Runners-Up:
Maryse – 21%
Trish Stratus – 12%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Interview

The nominees were:

Jazz (March 2011)
Trish Stratus (March 2011)
Gail Kim (October 2011)
Nicole Matthews (November 2011)
Tara aka Lisa Marie Varon (November 2011)
Maryse (December 2011)

And the winner is…

Maryse (December 2011) – 28%

Runners-Up:
Trish Stratus – 25%
Gail Kim – 22%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Best Photoshoot

The nominees were:

* AJ
* Alicia Fox
* Bella Twins
* Beth Phoenix & Natalya
* Eve Torres
* Gail Kim
* Kelly Kelly
* Kharma
* Rosita & Velvet Sky
* Tara

And the winner is…

Beth Phoenix and Natalya – 17%

Runners-Up:
Kelly Kelly – 15%
Rosita & Velvet Sky – 12%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

The results are in! Over the past two weeks you have been voting in your thousands for the winners of the 2011 Fan Voted Year-End Awards. All of the votes have been counted and verified, and it’s now time to reveal who you’ve picked…

Most Stylish

The nominees were:

Alicia Fox
Christy Hemme
Karen Jarrett
Kelly Kelly
Maryse
Rosa Mendes

And the winner is…

Maryse – 44%

Runners-Up:
Alicia Fox – 17%
Christy Hemme – 12%

Did the right person win? Tell us what you think in the comments or by tweeting @divadirt.

This year, just when fans thought she had done all there was to do and accomplished all there was to accomplish in the ring, the Queen of Wrestling continued to set the bar high and won praise for her body of the work in 2011, including a main event bout with Claudio Castagnoi;, not one, but two stellar matches with Joshi star Kana; a dream match with Aja Kong, as well as another great clash with Ayako Hamada at JoshiMania.

As we wrote earlier this week when we announced Del Rey as our Wrestler of the Year, Del Rey’s in-ring resumé in 2011 was simply “heads and shoulders above the rest of her competition.”

Speaking exclusively to Diva Dirt on her win, Del Rey said: ‘Wrestler Of The Year!!! I am a bit curious how I won… don’t get me wrong, I’m not surprised, just curious what the exact qualifications are.”

“All kidding aside, this has been a huge year for me and it is just now sinking in. From traveling across the globe to wrestling my idol [Aja Kong] it has been non-stop (awesomeness). I didn’t have time to really look back and realize what was happening, it just all kind of [happened], [but] seeing the efforts of all my hard work pay off with a great recognition like this is really something.”

As we pinpointed above, the Diva Dirt writers had a few specific matches that we loved this year, but does Sara have any particular favorites of her own? “I am very proud of every match I had and it would be impossible to choose one that stood out above the rest.”

Speaking of those matches, some of Del Rey’s best bouts from 2011 are featured on a new “best of” DVD which also contains a 50 minute interview with the Queen.

Of the future ahead, Del Rey signed off by saying: “I hope 2012 brings even bigger and better things for Sara Del Rey.”

With a Ring of Honor women’s division possibly on the way, we’re confident that Del Rey’s statement will ring true, as she will no doubt be a big part of the division and hopefully receive much deserved television exposure. However, as she revealed to us last month, Sara’s goal is to join WWE in 2012. Can she make it happen? We couldn’t think of anything bigger or better.

But for here and now, all hail the Queen of Wrestling and the Wrestler of the Year!

“The Queen of Wrestling: The Sara Del Rey Story”, featuring a 50 minute interview with Sara and over 20 matches, is available now at Smart Mark Video.

RELATED:
- Exclusive: Sara Del Rey Previews SHIMMER This Weekend, Future of ROH Post-HDNet, Michael Cole & More
- Sara Del Rey and Brooke Tessmacher on DD360

Diva Dirt revealed the winners of its 2011 Writers’ Choice Awards over the past few days, and many of the women who picked up a blue ribbon have shared their excitement.

Full list of Writers’ Choice Award winners

Diva of the Year Kelly Kelly tweeted her thanks to our Twitter page, as did Knockout of the Year Mickie James.

Meanwhile Independent Star of the Year, Jessicka Havok, who notched up quite a few wins including Best Heel and Tag Team or Group of the Year with the Midwest Militia, commented on her wins, writing on Facebook: “I’ve caught the eyes of the world as I make my climb from the bottom all the way to the TOP.”

Writing about Midwest Militia’s win for Tag or Group of the Year, as well as their part in our Independent Match of the Year winner, Havok wrote:

My team, my girls, my BEST FRIENDS Allysin Kay and Sassy Stephanie helped me make sure we made our statement at WSU wargames… We may have crossed the line but it won us “independent match of the year” w/ what we did at wargames.
These girls are just as thirsty as me and u better believe that they will make a mark in this business. After all, we are voted “tag team/group of the year”. ;-) thanks diva-dirt.com!

Havok’s protege, Allysin Kay, added: “Thank you, Diva Dirt! For the great write up, and for understanding us.”

Speaking on winning Televised Match of the Year along with Beth Phoenix, Eve Torres tweeted: “Wow! Thanks for the support.”

NXT Diva, Maxine, voted Best Breakthrough, tweeted about her win, as well as being one of our Women of the Year. She tweeted:

Wow @divadirt and everyone who supported me and my work!!! Thank you and I plan on showing everyone why the only place for me is on top :-P

I’m very happy to be named one of the woman of the year…Thank you all! For your support and accepting something different like me.

Another person touched by her win and inclusion as one of our Women of the Year, Most Improved Wrestler winner, Brooke Tessmacher.

On her award win, Brooke wrote:

what an honor! This is definitely something I will keep close to my heart. Thank you @divadirt @TNADixie for believing in me!

In a further note on her Facebook page, Brooke talked about the emotional journey she’s had this past year from recovering from a broken jaw to her improvements in the ring. She added:

Exactly one yr ago today I had my jaw broken. The thoughts that went through my head in such a tragic event I can’t even explain. I was forced to give up my passion and what I loved most..WRESTLING. I thought for sure once AGAIN my dream of being a wrestler was over and didn’t think I could bounce back. Still today my teeth and face on my jaw remain paralyzed
but that won’t stop me!! Just to name a few accomplishments since that horrific day: I returned to ring and have built my TESSFLOCER ARMY worldwide and created #ASSTASSTIC as a trend. I was selected for the Hooters calendar, I won $10,000 for the Hooters viewers choice award, was chosen 1 of 16 out of the entire world as a part of the HOOTERS dream team and traveled to Aruba to compete for Miss Dream Girl 2012(this will air in JAN), shot a pilot for a reality show, appeared in the Dorrough music video “BOUNCE DAT”, two full spread in Power Wrestling magazine, TNT was born and one of my greatest accomplishments occurred..winning the Knockouts Tag Championship. Closing out this yr couldn’t be any better. Listed as one of the Women of the Yr in wresting for diva dirt as well as named most improved wrestler for 2011. WOW!! All you have to do is believe! Thank you IMPACT WRESTLING for all the opportunities and thank you my fans, friends, and family for sticking by my side and believing in me!!!

Congratulations to all of the winners.

Reminder: Voting is still open for the fan voted Year-End Awards here.

Diva Dirt presents the first annual Writers’ Choice Awards, the awards that celebrate the year in women’s wrestling, as decided by the editors and contributors of Diva Dirt. The Diva Dirt team has watched hundreds of episode of wrestling television this year, as well as hundreds of live events on DVD, additionally, we’ve followed a countless number of wrestlers over the year, and reviewed tons of matches. Now, as we come to the end of 2011, we have picked the best of the best to be awarded our Writers’ Choice blue ribbons.

How it works
Based on the nominations for the fan-voted Year-End Awards, each writer was asked to make their pick for a select number of categories. Seven team members took part and the majority vote for each category determined the winners.

The results of the Writers’ Choice Awards will be published in three blocks over the next week.

Please note: The Writers’ Choice Awards are not the results of the fan-voted Year-End Awards. The Year-End Awards voting is still open until December 31st and the results of your vote will be published on January 1st, 2012.

PREVIOUSLY:
- Part 1: Best Breakthrough, Best Feud, Best Babyface, Best Heel and Most Improved Wrestler
- Part 2: Promotion of the Year, Independent Match of the Year & Televised Match of the Year

Continue to the next page for the results…

Diva Dirt presents the first annual Writers’ Choice Awards, the awards that celebrate the year in women’s wrestling, as decided by the editors and contributors of Diva Dirt. The Diva Dirt team has watched hundreds of episode of wrestling television this year, as well as hundreds of live events on DVD, additionally, we’ve followed a countless number of wrestlers over the year, and reviewed tons of matches. Now, as we come to the end of 2011, we have picked the best of the best to be awarded our Writers’ Choice blue ribbons.

How it works
Based on the nominations for the fan-voted Year-End Awards, each writer was asked to make their pick for a select number of categories. Seven team members took part and the majority vote for each category determined the winners.

The results of the Writers’ Choice Awards will be published in three blocks over the next week.

Please note: The Writers’ Choice Awards are not the results of the fan-voted Year-End Awards. The Year-End Awards voting is still open until December 31st and the results of your vote will be published on January 1st, 2012.

PREVIOUSLY:
- Part 1: Best Breakthrough, Best Feud, Best Babyface, Best Heel and Most Improved Wrestler

Continue to the next page for the results…

Diva Dirt presents the first annual Writers’ Choice Awards, the awards that celebrate the year in women’s wrestling, as decided by the editors and contributors of Diva Dirt. The Diva Dirt team has watched hundreds of episode of wrestling television this year, as well as hundreds of live events on DVD, additionally, we’ve followed a countless number of wrestlers over the year, and reviewed tons of matches. Now, as we come to the end of 2011, we have picked the best of the best to be awarded our Writers’ Choice blue ribbons.

How it works
Based on the nominations for the fan-voted Year-End Awards, each writer was asked to make their pick for a select number of categories. Seven team members took part and the majority vote for each category determined the winners.

The results of the Writers’ Choice Awards will be published in three blocks over the next week.

Please note: The Writers’ Choice Awards are not the results of the fan-voted Year-End Awards. The Year-End Awards voting is still open until December 31st and the results of your vote will be published on January 1st, 2012.

Continue to the next page for the results…

Diva Dirt is excited to reveal the nominations for our fourth annual Year-End Awards!

Taking into consideration your suggestions, as well as discussing amongst the Diva Dirt team, we’ve compiled the nominations looking back at the best of women’s wrestling in WWE, TNA and the independent scene (predominantly North American).

Voting is now open and will continue until December 31st, 2011. As is annual tradition, the winners will be revealed throughout the day on January 1st, 2012.

Check out the full list of nominations below and then head over here to vote!

Nominations

Diva of the Year
AJ
Alicia Fox
Beth Phoenix
Brie Bella
Eve Torres
Kaitlyn
Kelly Kelly
Layla
Maxine
Natalya
Nikki Bella
Rosa Mendes
Tamina
Vickie Guerrero

Knockout of the Year
Angelina Love
Brooke Tessmacher
Gail Kim
Karen Jarrett
Madison Rayne
Mickie James
ODB
Rosita
Sarita
Tara
Toxxin
Traci Brooks
Velvet Sky
Winter

Independent Wrestler of the Year
Athena
Cheerleader Melissa
Hailey Hatred
Jenny Sjodin
Jessicka Havok
Kalamity
LuFisto
Madison Eagles
Mercedes Martinez
Mia Yim
Nicole Matthews
Portia Perez
Sara Del Rey
Serena

One to Watch in 2012
Allysin Kay
Athena
Britani Knight
Brooke Tessmacher
Courtney Rush
Evie
Kaitlyn
Kalamity
Lexxus
Maxine
Rosita

Televised Match of the Year
Kelly Kelly & Edge vs LayCool & Dolph Ziggler (February 4th, SmackDown)
Gail Kim & Daniel Bryan vs Melina & Tyson Kidd (March 24th, Superstars)
Layla vs Michelle McCool (Loser Leaves WWE, Extreme Rules)
Beth Phoenix vs Gail Kim (June 30th, Superstars)
Alicia Fox vs Natalya (July 7th, Superstars)
Mickie James vs Winter (No Surrender)
Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly (Night of Champions)
Beth Phoenix vs Eve Torres (Vengeance)
Knockouts Gauntlet Match (November 17th, Impact Wrestling)
ODB vs Mickie James (December 1st, Impact Wrestling)

Independent Match of the Year
Athena vs Rachel Summerlyn (January, 10,000 Tacks Match, ACW)
Angel Orsini vs Mercedes Martinez (January, Ladder Match, WSU Final Chapter)
Ayako Hamada vs Ayumi Kurihara (March, SHIMMER Vol. 38)
Jessie McKay vs Nicole Matthews (March, SHIMMER Vol. 39)
Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa vs Ayumi Kurihara & Hiroyo Matsumoto (April, ROH Takes Center Stage)
Alicia vs Jessicka Havok (No Holds Barred, June, WSU Uncensored Rumble)
Lexxus vs Mercedes Martinez (August, WSU)
Kana vs Sara Del Rey (October, SHIMMER. Vol 42)
Portia Perez vs Serena (October, SHIMMER Vol. 43)
Cheerleader Melissa vs Madison Eagles (October, SHIMMER Vol. 44)
Kalamity vs LuFisto (October, NCW Femmes Fatales Vol. 7)
April Davids vs Jenny Sjodin (October, Pro-Wrestling: EVE)
Midwest Militia vs Team WSU (Steel Cage War Games, November, WSU Breaking Barriers II)
Aja Kong vs Sara Del Rey (December, JoshiMania Night 1)
Aja Kong, Mio Shirai & TAja Kong, Mio Shirai & Tsubasa Kuragaki vs Manami Toyota, Hanako Nakamori & Sawako Shimono (December, JoshiMania Night 3)
Ayako Hamada vs Sara Del Rey (December, JoshiMania Night 3)

Television Show of the Year
Raw
SmackDown
NXT
Impact Wrestling
WWE Superstars

Independent Promotion of the Year
ArenaChicks
Ice Ribbon
NCW Femmes Fatales
Pro-Wrestling: EVE
SHIMMER
WILD Wrestling
Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU)

News Story of the Year
Chyna returns to wrestling
Gail Kim quits WWE
Kharma announces pregnancy
Lilian Garcia returns to WWE
Maryse released
Melina released
Michelle McCool retires

OMG Moment of the Year
Belle Saints break up at WSU Breaking Barriers II
Beth Phoenix’s Super Glam Slam on Eve Torres at Survivor Series
Beth Phoenix’s hometown response at Night of Champions
Chyna returns to wrestling on Impact Wrestling
Crowd reaction for Cheerleader Melissa’s title win on SHIMMER Vol. 44
Gail Kim’s return to TNA on Impact Wrestling
Hailey Hatred is first gaijin to win JWP Openweight Championship in Japan
Karen Jarrett tears Jeff Hardy a new one on Impact Wrestling
Kelly Kelly successfully defends the World Heavyweight Championship for Edge on SmackDown
Kharma’s debut at Extreme Rules
Lita returns at the Slammys
Portia Perez speared off table by Serena
Sara Del Rey main events CHIKARA with Claudio Castagnoli
The Knight Dynasty make an impactful debut in SHIMMER

WTF Moment of the Year
1-2 minute Divas matches
Britani Knight vs Jenny Sjodin match result spoiled online
Eve Torres randomly added to Divas Title match at Royal Rumble
Gail Kim eliminates herself from Raw battle royal
Kharma breaks down & cries in the ring
Knockouts Title changing hands on a monthly basis
Midwest Militia threaten Mercedes Martinez with a machete
Rosa Mendes’ Twitter antics

Best Breakthrough
AJ
Allysin Kay
Brooke Tessmacher
Davina Rose
Evie
Kay Lee Ray
Maxine
Reby Sky
Rosita
Veda Scott

Best Feud
Alicia vs Jessicka Havok (WSU)
Angelina Love & Winter vs Velvet Sky
Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly (WWE)
Beth Phoenix & Natalya vs Alicia Fox, Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly (WWE)
Britani Knight vs Saraya Knight (SHIMMER)
Cheerleader Melissa vs Madison Eagles (SHIMMER)
Gail Kim vs Melina (WWE)
Jessie McKay vs Nicole Matthews (SHIMMER)
Karen Jarrett vs the Knockouts Division (TNA)
Karen Jarrett vs Velvet Sky (TNA)
Layla vs Michelle McCool (WWE)
Madison Rayne vs Mickie James (TNA)
Madison Rayne vs Tara (TNA)
Mickie James vs Winter (TNA)
Midwest Militia vs Team WSU (WSU)
Portia Perez vs Serena (SHIMMER)

Best Champion(s)
Athena (ACW American Joshi Champion)
Belle Saints (WSU Tag Team Champions)
Beth Phoenix (Divas Champion)
Brie Bella (Divas Champion)
Brooke Tessmacher & Tara (Knockouts Tag Team Champions)
Eve Torres (Divas Champion)
Jenny Sjodin (EVE Champion)
Kelly Kelly (Divas Champion)
LuFisto (Femmes Fatales Champion)
Madison Eagles (SHIMMER Champion)
Madison Rayne (Knockouts Champion)
Cheerleader Melissa (SHIMMER Champion)
Mercedes Martinez (WSU World Champion)
Mickie James (Knockouts Champion)
Rachel & Jessica (ACW Tag Team Champions)
Rosita & Sarita (Knockouts Tag Team Champions)

Best Babyface
AJ
Alicia (WSU)
Cheerleader Melissa
Jessie McKay
Kelly Kelly
LuFisto
Mercedes Martinez
Mickie James
Rachel Summerlyn
Serena
Tara
Velvet Sky

Best Heel
Athena
Bella Twins
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Britani & Saraya Knight
Gail Kim
Jessicka Havok
Karen Jarrett
Madison Eagles
Madison Rayne
Nicole Matthews
Portia Perez
Vickie Guerero

Best Tag Team or Group
AJ & Kaitlyn
Alicia Fox, Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly
Angelina Love & Winter
Ayako Hamada & Ayumi Kurihara
Bella TwinsBelle Saints
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Britani & Saraya Knight
Brooke Tessmacher & Tara
Canadian Ninjas
Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa
Gail Kim & Madison Rayne
Hiroyo Matsumoto & Misaki Ohata
Midwest Militia
Regeneration X
Rosita & Sarita

Best Finisher
Alicia Fox – Somersault Leg Drop
Angelina Love – Break-a-Bitch
Athena – O-Face
Beth Phoenix – Glam Slam
Cheerleader Melissa – Kudo Driver
Gail Kim – Eat Defeat
Kharma – Implant Buster
Madison Eagles – Hellbound
Madison Rayne – Rayne Drop
Maxine – Untitled Finishing Move
Mia Yim – Corkscrew Moonsault
Natalya – Pin-Up Strong
Tara – Widow’s Peak

Best Gimmick
AJ
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Jessicka Havok
Karen Jarrett
Kharma
Madison Rayne
Maxine
Portia Perez
Regeneration X
Rick Cataldo
Vickie Guerrero
Winter

Best Tweeter
AJ
Gail Kim
Jessicka Havok
Kaitlyn
Maryse
Natalya
ODB
Sara Del Rey
Tara
Trish Stratus

Best Interview
Jazz (March 2011)
Trish Stratus (March 2011)
Gail Kim (October 2011)
Nicole Matthews (November 2011)
Tara aka Lisa Marie Varon (November 2011)
Maryse (December 2011)

Best Photoshoot
AJ
Alicia Fox
Bella Twins
Beth Phoenix & Natalya
Eve Torres
Gail Kim
Kelly Kelly
Kharma
Rosita & Velvet Sky
Tara

Most Improved Wrestler
April Davids
Brie Bella
Brooke Tessmacher
Cherry Bomb
Courtney Rush
KC Spinelli
Kaitlyn
Kelly Kelly
Lexxus
Luscious Latasha
Maxine
Mia Yim
Nikki Bella
Niya

Most Skilled Wrestler
Ayako Hamada
Beth Phoenix
Cheerleader Melissa
Hailey Hatred
Jenny Sjodin
LuFisto
Madison Eagles
Mercedes Martinez
Mickie James
Natalya
Sara Del Rey
Serena
Tara

Most Underrated
Brittney Savage
Eve Torres
Hailey Hatred
Jackie Moore
LuFisto
Natalya
Nikki Roxx
Nikki Storm
Sarita
Tara

Most Stylish
Alicia Fox
Christy Hemme
Karen Jarrett
Kelly Kelly
Maryse
Rosa Mendes

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Legacy Award series:
- Legacy Award Feature: A Look at Manami Toyota’s Historic Career
- Legacy Award Feature: A Look at Manami Toyota’s Greatest Matches

We at Dirty Dirty Sheets were ecstatic when Diva Dirt reached out to us at DDS for this series of articles on Manami Toyota’s career. She is an incredibly important wrestler and very worthy recipient of the Diva Dirt Legacy Award. For our final article in this series, we decided to do some reaching out of our own. We’ve talked to some great people from around the wrestling world so that they may offer their thoughts Toyota and her legendary career.

First we spoke with Nami, our own amazing photographer, who captured all the stunning photos you’ve seen included in these articles. Nami is Toyota’s most dedicated fan and, besides attending most of Toyota’s events in Japan, came to the United States for Toyota’s CHIKARA debut.

“As a Joshi pro-wrestler, Manami Toyota is very strong in every sense. Her power and beauty always go together wonderfully. I think it is of supreme value that women have these qualities, so she is my idol.”

The third-generation, pin-up strong WWE Diva Natalya is also an admirer of the Flying Angel: “I watched Manami Toyota wrestle when I was training in Japan and she made me want to be a champion. She had a presence about her that was fierce. Manami was as tough as nails, but poised and beautiful like a butterfly. These are where my diva roots started. Manami Toyota is the epitome of pinup strong: bold, bright and beautiful!”

Ring of Honor star Mia Yim has had the opportunity to get in the ring with Toyota during her recent tours of Japan. Just think: Mia was born almost two years after Manami Toyota debuted!

She had this to say about her experience:“I learned so much from wrestling Manami Toyota. Even outside the ring, she is such a sweet and down to earth person. I feel extremely honored to have wrestled her twice. I will never forget my time in and outside the ring with her. She is truly a legend.”

Portia Perez, worst person in the world, scourge of ACW, SHIMMER, NCW: Femmes Fatales, and life in general, stepped in the ring with Manami Toyota at JoshiMania. She simply had this to say: “That was the hardest I’ve ever been hit in my life.”

Perhaps no woman in wrestling is a better example of Manami’s influence than WSU and AAA star Rain. As one of the pioneers of the recent women’s wrestling renaissance, the 11 year veteran Rain has competed in IWA-MS, ChickFight, SHIMMER, ACW, FIP, and numerous other notable promotions. Through it all she’s always kept one thing of Toyota’s handy: The Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex. This nod to Toyota has sent many US fans to look up the woman who innovated the incredible maneuver.

Here’s what Rain had to say about Toyota: “Manami Toyota was one of the first Japanese women wrestlers I ever watched. From watching her on VHS, DVD, and later YouTube, I could tell she was a strong woman and competitor. I was instantly drawn to her and her wrestling style. I’ve looked up to her over the years and even borrowed a few things from her that had really stuck with me, things I could introduce into American women’s wrestling. She had done things I was never taught until later in my career. Watching how she wrestled and gave her all every time really made me want to give everything I’ve had every time I stepped into the ring. This is a woman who has worked so hard and earned everything she’s received, and much more. This is a woman I will respect for the rest of my life, and I hope to meet her at least once in my life time. I would just like the opportunity to say, ‘Thank you’, to her.”

And finally, the Queen of Wrestling and top CHIKARA star Sara Del Rey has faced off against Manami Toyota many times throughout her career. As competitive as they have been against one another, there has always been mutual respect.

The Queen on her fellow wrestling monarch: “Manami Toyota is maybe the most influential Joshi star in women’s wrestling. At least to me she was one of the first women I saw doing things equally spectacular as the guys. You could tell she had a heart and passion in the ring that was like no other. She presented herself with style, grace and a feminine beauty, but you also knew she could downright kick your butt. She is the perfect combination of everything people love about the sport and she appeals to everyone. There are a million reasons why she is considered the best and none can be argued because she is.”

That’s just a small sample of the people, fans and wrestlers alike, who have been touched and influenced by Manami Toyota’s career. Her skill is unmatched. Her grace is unparalleled. She’s put on countless stunning matches over a 24 year career, yet continues to this day to amaze fans across the world. Manami Toyota is, simply, the greatest professional wrestler of all time.

We hope everyone has seen the Legacy Award ceremony as well as the exclusive backstage interview Diva Dirt conducted with Toyota. Likewise, we hope you’ve all put the JoshiMania DVDs on your Christmas list. They were three stellar nights of wrestling where Manami, with 11 other amazing women, showed exactly what makes Joshi Puroresu must-see for all wrestling.

We leave you with one more video, prepared by DDS’ own Chris (@ChrisC06). We call this “Manami Toyota – Legacy.” It’s a special look back at her long and amazing career. Enjoy!

Thanks again to all of you for following our series of articles on Toyota. Thanks from all of us at Dirty Dirty Sheets to our friends at Diva Dirt for allowing us to be a part of this celebration.

Leslie is the founder and lead writer of Dirty Dirty Sheets. Follow Dirty Dirty Sheets on Twitter at @dirtydirtytweet.

Image credit: Nami, Dirty Dirty Sheets

In March, Trish joined us for an exclusive chat during ‘Mania week to discuss her return to WWE, teaming with Snooki at WrestleMania and becoming a Tough Enough trainer. Indeed, we felt it was a most Stratusfying interview — and it seems the folks at the Wrestling Radio Awards did too!

Our interview with Trish is up for ‘Female Interview of the Year’, but it has some tough competition, so please we would consider it your Christmas gift to us if you spend just a minute to vote!

Click here to vote.

Can you believe it’s that time already? With just three weeks till we crack open our 2012 Divas calendar (not really), it’s time to look back on 2011 and cast your votes in the fourth annual Diva Dirt Year-End Awards.

Who will succeed Michelle McCool, Melina and Beth Phoenix as Diva of the Year? Who will follow in Madison Rayne, Tara and the Beautiful People’s footsteps as Knockout of the Year? And who will Cheerleader Melissa‘s successor be as Independent Wrestler of the Year?

If you’re just joining us for the Year-End Awards this year, or if you need a refresher, here’s a breakdown of how our awards work…

Year-End Awards: How it works
The Diva Dirt Year-End Awards are voted for by you and only you, the readers. We consider your input throughout the entire awards process, from voting for your winners to even informing the nominations process!

Each year, we open our awards season with the nomination suggestions ballot. Here, you’ll have the chance to suggest potential nominations for categories such as Match of the Year. We’ll take all of your suggestions into consideration when forming the official nominations shortlist.

The nominations will be revealed and voting will commence on the day after the final WWE/TNA pay per view of the year. This year, that PPV will be WWE TLC on December 18th. Voting, therefore, will commence on December 19th.

The winners will be revealed, as is annual tradition, throughout the day on January 1st, 2012.

Nomination suggestions ballot
To get the process under way, we are looking for your suggestions for the following categories. These suggestions will help us decide the official nominations shortlist which will be revealed on December 19th. To have your say, simply leave a comment copying & pasting the form at the bottom of this post.

Remember: This is not the official voting ballot. The categories here do not reflect all of the categories in the Year-End Awards, simply the ones we want your input for.

The categories are…

Independent Wrestler of the Year
Independent wrestler that has had the most exceptional year. Locations considered: North America (US and Canada), Europe, Japan and Mexico.

Televised Match of the Year
Match of the year that has taken place on television or pay per view. Open to WWE, TNA and ROH only.

Independent Match of the Year
Match of the year that has taken place in an independent promotion and is available on DVD, online or pay per view. No matches that are not available for public viewing i.e. simply on a live event.

News Story of the Year
What has been the year’s biggest and most interesting news story? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Moment (previously ‘Best Angle’)
What was the best moment in women’s wrestling this year? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Feud
What was the best feud in women’s wrestling this year? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Tag Team/Group
Who was the best tag team or group in women’s wrestling? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Most Improved Wrestler
Who has improved the most? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Most Skilled Wrestler
Who was 2011′s most technically-gifted wrestler? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Newcomer
Who was the best new entrant in women’s wrestling this year? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Finisher
Who had the most exciting finishing move? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Babyface
Who was the best fan favorite? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Heel
Who did you love to hate the most? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Gimmick
Who best portrayed their character in 2011? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Most Underrated
Who was the most underrated in 2011? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

One to Watch in 2012
Who should we watch out for next year? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Most Stylish
Who had the best fashion sense? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Best Photoshoot
Who had the best photoshoot? Open to WWE and TNA only.

Biggest WTF Moment
What was the biggest moment that made you go ‘WTF?’ Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

Most Social
Who is the most entertaining on Twitter? Open to WWE, TNA and independents.

To submit a ballot, copy and paste the following form into the comments section.

Please answer each category succinctly. No additional details, reasons etc. necessary.

Last Friday in Philadelphia, PA, Diva Dirt inducted the second member of its exclusive Legacy Award winners’ circle — arguably the best female wrestler in the world, the iconic Manami Toyota.

We were honored to team up with CHIKARA to present the award as part of JoshiMania Night 1, in the historic building formerly known as the ECW Arena.

Watch our exclusive footage of the award presentation below:

CONGRATULATIONS, MANAMI!

A big thank you to CHIKARA for their help. Please be sure to pick up JoshiMania on DVD. More details at www.joshimania.com.

RELATED:
- JoshiMania Night 1 Results & Extensive Photo Gallery: Del Rey vs Aja Kong, Manami Toyota & More
- JoshiMania Night 2 Results (Everett, MA): Aja Kong vs Ayako Hamada & More
- JoshiMania Night 3 Results (Manhattan, NY): Sara Del Rey vs Ayako Hamada & More
- Detailed JoshiMania Night 3 Report & Extensive Photo Gallery: Del Rey vs Hamada & More

Diva Dirt welcomes guest contributors Leslie and Hanan from our partner site, Dirty Dirty Sheets, who will be bringing us a series of articles looking at the incredible career of Manami Toyota, the 2011 Diva Dirt Legacy Award recipient.

Legacy Award series:
- Legacy Award Feature: A Look at Manami Toyota’s Historic Career

Manami Toyota has been in countless great matches and memorable feuds over her illustrious career. It would be impossible to talk about more than a fraction of them, but here is a sampling of some of her most important moments in the ring, with a focus on her classic run in All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling. After seeing her in action, it should be abundantly apparently why Diva Dirt has chosen to award her with its second annual Legacy Award at this weekend’s Joshimania.

Manami Toyota vs Bull Nakano – WWWA Title Match – July 21st, 1990 | First, let’s look at a match from early in Toyota’s career against a name many female wrestling fans are quite familiar with. In only the 3rd year of her career, the 19 year old Toyota made her first attempt at capturing AJW’s WWWA Championship, hell then with an spiked iron grip by Bull Nakano.

Manami went on offense early, hoping to take the fight to the champ, but her attacks failed to faze the more experienced and incredibly powerful Nakano. Toyota didn’t stand a chance, a fact she refused to acknowledge as she put forth a grand effort in this losing battle. One of Toyota’s greatest traits as a wrestler is her ability to survive almost any punishment and there’s plenty of that on display here.

Manami Toyota vs Toshiyo Yamada – Hair vs Hair, IWA Title Match – August 15th, 1992 | Next we have one of Toyota’s most famous matches, due to it’s heart-wrenching ending. Here Toyota faced her friend, partner, and rival Toshiyo Yamada. Toyota and Yamada joined AJW on the same day and were linked constantly throughout their careers. This match represents the emotional high-point of their relationship. In this pivotal match in the Yamada/Toyota rivalry, Toyota agreed to put her hair on the line for one more shot at Yamada’s IWA Title. Yamada put her hair on the line as well.

The action was absolutely non-stop. Yamada put her vast arsenal of martial arts kicks and throws against Toyota’s aerial techniques and various Japanese Ocean suplexes. Neither held the advantage for long in this fast paced, back-and-forth match.

While neither woman wanted to lose their hair and both wanted the title, there’s seems so much more at stake. The extremely emotional end makes that clear. Toyota weeps upon victory, tries to stop the cutting ceremony, and even shears off some of her own here in solidarity with Yamada. Easily one of the greatest matches of all time.

Toshiyo Yamada & Manami Toyota vs Dynamite Kansai & Mayumi Ozaki – 2/3 Falls – November 26th, 1992 | In her prime, Toyota took on all comers from both inside and outside of AJW. She was at the forefront of the interpromotional feud with rival JWP. In this first of three amazing tag team encounters, Toyota teamed with Yamada to take on the hard hitting Dynamite Kansai and noted bad girl, Mayumi Ozaki (Ozaki will also be appearing at Joshimania).

Both teams were determined to prove which promotion is the strongest. With neither willing to give an inch we see plenty of bruising action, and as always Toyota was often the victim of it. The greatest of all time was undeterred and after three hard fought falls scored the victory for her team and promotion.

Manami Toyota vs Akira Hokuto – September 2, 1995 | As we said in our last article, Manami Toyota’s climb to the top of AJW was all the more amazing because of the numerous other all time greats she had to compete with. There was perhaps no greater rival star than The Dangerous Queen, Akira Hokuto. As you see Hokuto enter wearing the black veil and Toyota enter wearing an all white dress, you know immediately that these two women were vastly different, but equally important members to the AJW roster.

You can read our in depth career retrospective on Hokuto here (http://www.dirtydirtysheets.com/2011/09/21/spotlight-akira-hokuto/ ), but all you need to know before watching this match is that she is one of the most incredible performers to ever grace the ring. Many feel she was even better than Toyota and, of course, Toyota couldn’t have that. Perhaps that’s why she started the match by flying at Hokuto before she had even taken off her entrance attire.

Things got even crazier when the bell actually rang. Both women absolutely tried to destroy each other, which was difficult considering Toyota is invulnerable and Hokuto once wrestled a match with a broken neck. Two of the best at their best in a truly special match.

Manami Toyota vs Aja Kong – V*TOP Tournament – November 20th, 1994 | And then, of course, there is Kong. Toyota named Aja Kong as one of her best friends outside the ring, and one of her greatest opponents inside the ring. Their battles have spanned decades, and will continue this weekend at Joshimania as they are across the ring from one another in a six woman tag match.

This is their most famous match against one another, and it’s easy to see why. Toyota pushed the unstoppable monster Kong to her limits. Even after 17 years the moment Toyota unleashes the Victory Star Drop leaves people breathless, and that’s just a few seconds in a non-stop, total war between two of the all time best.

Manami Toyota (c) vs Kyoko Inoue – WWWA Title – May 7th, 1995 | And finally, THE match. The match that beat out Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon. The match that beat out Kenta Kobashi vs Toshiaki Kawada. The Wrestling Observer Match of the Year in 1995, Manami Toyota vs Kyoko Inoue.

What made this match so special? Itw as over an hour of continuous, energetic, relentless action. Yes, an hour where neither Toyota nor Kyoko seem to take more than a second to breath. Kyoko and Manami had many incredible matches against one another in both singles and tag team competition. This match was the biggest though, and both showed not only their incredible physical ability and endurance, but also their mental toughness and pure artistry as professional wrestlers.

No one had done anything like this before. No one has done anything like it since. This match embodies everything great about professional wrestling, and is a perfect illustration of why Manami Toyota is the greatest wrestler of all time.

We at DDS hope you enjoyed this look back at some of Toyota’s greatest matches and rivalries. We’ll have much more Toyota greatness coming to Diva Dirt soon, so stay tuned. Peace!

Leslie is the founder and lead writer of Dirty Dirty Sheets. Hanan is a contributor for Dirty Dirty Sheets. Follow Dirty Dirty Sheets on Twitter at @dirtydirtytweet.

Manami Toyota will be presented the Diva Dirt Legacy Award on December 2nd at CHIKARA’s JoshiMania Night 1 in Philadelphia, PA. For more information click here. For tickets visit www.joshimania.com.

Image credit: Nami, Dirty Dirty Sheets

Diva Dirt welcomes guest contributor Leslie from our partner site, Dirty Dirty Sheets, who will be bringing us a series of articles looking at the incredible career of Manami Toyota, the 2011 Diva Dirt Legacy Award recipient.

Manami Toyota is the greatest professional wrestler of all time. From her endless list of epic matches, to her storied rivalries with other all-time greats, to her unique and innovative style, to her regality both in and out of the ring, to her influence on wrestlers of both genders across the world, Manami has spent the past 22 years of her life giving wrestling fans the most amazing career they will ever have a chance to see. There is no question that she is a deserving recipient of the Diva Dirt Legacy award. In fact, her acceptance of it elevates the award itself. We at Dirty Dirty Sheets are honored that Diva Dirt has asked us to participate in this great moment. This is the first of a series of articles we will be posting here about Toyota and her career, leading up to the Diva Dirt Legacy Award presentation at CHIKARA’s JoshiMania event in December.

The Legacy Award is one of many accolades Toyota has received throughout her career. She has held the top title in multiple major promotions including JWP, GAEA, and Oz Academy. Of course, she is most known for her run in the legendary All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling. From the late 80’s to mid 90’s AJW was the foremost women’s wrestling promotion in the world, and Toyota regularly found herself at the top of it. She won numerous titles and tournaments as both a singles and tag team competitor. AJW was the home of WWWA title, the most prestigious title in women’s wrestling history, which Toyota won a record four times. Toyota’s high level of wrestling has received recognition from fans and journalists worldwide. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has rated ten of her matches “five star”-worthy, with two of those matches being named Match of the Year. In 1995, Toyota was named WON Outstanding Wrestler of the Year, beating out all other male and female wrestlers.

With her death-defying dives, innovative maneuvers, and classically beautiful appearance, it is no wonder that Toyota has developed a following across the world. Matches like this classic 1994 bout, with good friend and constant rival Aja Kong, have introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the unique style of Joshi Puroresu:

Before becoming the wrestling Queen we now know, Toyota was just shy teenage girl with a passion for wrestling. She became a fan after watching some wrestling videos and discovering the Red Typhoons. Desiring to do something different from the norm, and deciding that she possessed no other talents, Toyota chose to audition for AJW. At the time, there were thousands of young girls who wanted the glamorous life of a Joshi star. Only a few were allowed to pass the audition process, and those that did were put through a brutal and rigorous training process, which drove the majority to quit. Toyota was never deterred from her dream. It wasn’t long before the quiet school girl turned into a breakout Joshi wrestler. She gained early recognition as part of the “Tokyo Sweethearts” tag team with Mima Shimoda. Here is one of their matches, where they take on the Dream Orca team of Toshiyo Yamada and Etsuko Mita in a match where these relative newcomers stole the show:

Toyota showed signs of greatness very early in her career. This was by necessity as the level of competition she was surrounded by was unmatched: Bull Nakano, Akira Hokuto, Kyoko Inoue, Aja Kong, Toshiyo Yamada, Mayumi Ozaki, Dynamite Kansai. Joshi in the ’90s held a plethora of top level talent. Not even famed men’s promotions like New Japan and All Japan had rosters as deep or put on shows at as consistent a level of quality. Toyota could have easily been lost in the shuffle of all those great wrestlers and great matches.

Never was there a more fiercely competitive locker room than AJW in the 80’s and 90’s and they all had to compete as a group against promotions like JWP and LLPW. Joshi Puroresu was at its height in both mainstream popularity and artistic quality but, in the end, it was Toyota who rose above the hundreds of other tremendously talented women.

As she told me during one of her US visits, Toyota was driven to have the best match on every single show. She even refused to watch other wrestlers because she wanted to create her own unique style. Toyota’s struggle and triumph is no more evident than in the below match where she is forced to face the entire AJW roster, gauntlet style. An amazing feat, one that probably no other wrestler could take on.

As one of the top stars of a promotion like AJW, Toyota’s influence would be impossible to overstate. Her appearance, wrestling style and demeanor are constantly emulated by aspiring stars. She created numerous moves including the Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex, Toyota Roll, and Queen Bee Bomb. Seemingly every female wrestler from Natalya Neidhart to Gail Kim to Rain to Sara Del Rey name Toyota as an inspiration. Even male competitors like NJPW’s Shinsuke Nakamura and MVP proudly call themselves fans of her work.

Toyota’s recognition has gone far past the respect of her fans and peers. In mainstream Japanese culture, she is considered the representative of Joshi Puroresu. Toyota has appeared in manga, anime, and numerous TV programs. When Fuji TV, broadcaster of AJW, ran their yearly women’s wrestling special, Toyota was the only wrestler that was always included in the main event. When Japanese game developer AKI produced WCW/NWO World Tour video game, Toyota was the only female they chose to include. Here’s a clip of Toyota’s cameo in the Ayane’s High Kick anime:

Despite all this international admiration, it was not until 2010 that Toyota had the opportunity to perform in the United States. CHIKARA, a promotion formerly known for its comedic lucha-libre influenced stylings, dove headfirst into Joshi by bringing in its most recognizable figure for two northeast events. Toyota headlined a sold out show in Brooklyn, New York where she and Mike Quackenbush took on Sara Del Rey and Claudio Castagnoli. The match itself was outstanding, but the atmosphere surrounding Toyota was indescribable. Even though many of the fans had probably never seen one of her matches before, everyone knew that they were in the presence of greatness. Afterwards, Toyota said that the love of the fans and talent of the CHIKARA locker room had reinvigorated her passion for wrestling. Toyota returned to the United States earlier this year for CHIKARA King of Trios. Here’s one of her three matches from that weekend, as she teamed with Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw to face the SAT.

Even after the closing of several once great Joshi promotions, even after many of her colleagues (some many years younger than her), have retired, even after 22 years of top rope dives and piledrivers, Manami Toyota remains. As elegant as ever, Toyota continues to proudly represent the history of Joshi Puroresu for yet another generation. Manami Toyota defines what it means to be a female pro wrestler, as well as what it means to create a legacy in wrestling. It is only fitting that Diva Dirt, the world’s top female wrestling website, present her with the Legacy Award.

We at Dirty Dirty Sheets could not be prouder to do our part to join Diva Dirt in this celebration of Toyota’s career. In future articles we will discuss in depth some of her greatest matches and rivalries, as well as look back through our archives of images and articles on Toyota, and talk more on the influence her wrestling has had on today’s wrestling. Until next time!

Leslie is the founder and lead writer of Dirty Dirty Sheets. Follow Dirty Dirty Sheets on Twitter at @dirtydirtytweet.

Manami Toyota will be presented the Diva Dirt Legacy Award on December 2nd at CHIKARA’s JoshiMania Night 1 in Philadelphia, PA. For more information click here. For tickets visit www.joshimania.com.

Image credit: Nami, Dirty Dirty Sheets

Got a favorite Toyota match or moment? Tell us in the comments…

Read the details below:

The wait is over! Diva Dirt is pleased to announce today the newest member to our elite circle of Legacy Award recipients — the legendary Manami Toyota.

After months of discussions between Diva Dirt’s editors and Female Fight League‘s Jason Deadrich, we came to the unanimous conclusion that there is no better recipient for 2011 than the iconic Japanese star.

Toyota joins WWE legend, Trish Stratus, in our Legacy Award winners’ circle. (See Trish Stratus’ acceptance speech here.)

Manami will be honored with the Diva Dirt Legacy Award in a presentation at CHIKARA‘s JoshiMania extravaganza on December 2nd in Philadelphia, PA.

Full details below:

Watch Manami Toyota’s JoshiMania video package:

Tickets for JoshiMania can be purchased here.

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