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Raw Redux (November 8th, 2010): From the Geniuses Behind ‘Diva Bowl’, it’s the Divas Cup (with No Actual Cup)

Instead of following up on the feud going on between Natalya and Lay-Cool at the moment, WWE opted to go with a six Diva gimmick tag match. Go figure. This week, the team of Eve and The Bella Twins face off against Alicia Fox, Maryse and Tamina. But this is no ordinary battle, oh no! From the geniuses that brought us ‘Diva Bowl’ last year, comes the ‘Divas Cup’… except, there’s no cup in sight? Cheapskates! Check out the match below:

The babyface team makes their entrance first, sporting Manchester United uniforms, to a chorus of jeers from the crowd. I’m told this is because of rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool (which is being represented by the heels). I’m not really a soccer fan, so this was completely wasted on me and the majority of Americans watching at home.

Out next are the heels, and apparently Tamina missed the memo for this match. Doesn’t she know that they’re supposed to be ‘sexy’ soccer players? She looks like she’s an actual soccer player! *shock horror* All jokes aside, I kinda like the fact that Tamina doesn’t try to be as overtly sexy as her counterparts. I think it makes her come across as a more serious competitor. That said, she really stuck out like a sore thumb coming down the ramp with Maryse and Alicia. The Divas take their places in their respective corners, Mike Chioda signals for the bell and the Diva Cup is underway with Eve and Tamina kicking things off.

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Lay-Cool vs Natalya Confirmed For Survivor Series

Just announced tonight on Raw: The third generation Diva, Natalya will be facing off against not one, but both members of Lay-Cool at Survivor Series. Natalya has come up short on two occasions due to Lay-Cool’s antics in the past. How will she fare when both of the flawless ones are legal participants in the … Read more

Raw Response: November 8th, 2010

Get your Monday night Divas fix by tuning in to Raw tonight at 9pm ET on the USA Network. The show was taped earlier today in Manchester, England so spoilers are available here. Be sure to tune in to the Post-Raw Show LIVE at 11pm ET following Raw! Discuss the show in the comments!

The Women of Tough Enough: Where Are They Now? (Part 2)

Lee Burton returns with the second part of his look at the women of Tough Enough, this time focusing on the best of the rest. Click here to read part one.

In the original part of this look back of The Women of Tough Enough, we checked out the three winners – Nidia Guenard, Linda Miles and Jackie Gayda Haas. In this concluding part, we should take a peek at some of the other contestants who ended up in the biz, as well as the applicants who didn’t make it into the house but still forged a career in wrestling anyway.

So let’s go through it season by season…

Tough Enough 1
As mentioned in the previous article, Nidia won the original season after being picked over her only other real competition, Taylor Matheny (now 30). At the finale, Taylor promised that she wouldn’t quit her dream of making it as a wrestler, and stuck to her promise… at first.

Taylor was a salty character on Tough Enough. Participating in the show at the disapproval of her parents and being very focused on the prize at the end, she pushed herself in the ring and was dedicated to learning the craft. However, things went south when the remaining contestants went on the road with Al Snow, as she got utterly hammered in a bar and was very delicate the next day. If anything, this might have been an indicator to the WWF that she had pangs of irresponsibility and had some growing up to do. If anything, Taylor wanted it TOO much.

Nobody could doubt her desire though – as evidenced on the final live episode where she looked utterly crushed when Nidia was announced as the victor.

After TE1 ended, Matheny wrestled dates in the US, Canada and Japan (most notably with the celebrated ARSION promotion), defeating the likes of Cheerleader Melissa along the way, and tangling with the likes of SHIMMER co-founder Allison Danger, earning her a 3rd runner-up spot in the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie of the Year rankings. The problem was that by the time she had earned that honour, Taylor was starting to wind down as a wrestler.

In 2004, Matheny quit wrestling to take up a course studying Hollywood make-up, though she did appear in the Florida promotion Full Impact Pro in a special guest appearance with her then-boyfriend, now-husband. His name: Brian Kendrick.

Yes, THE Brian Kendrick – the one who held the WWE Tag Team Championship for a year and currently plies his craft in TNA. Even after removing herself from wrestling, Taylor’s still associated with it, thanks to her marijuana-loving beau.

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YouTube Classic: Mickie James vs Victoria at New Year’s Revolution 2007

Tonight at TNA’s Turning Point pay per view, Mickie James meets Tara in a battle of two former WWE Divas. It’s been nearly four years since their last pay per view encounter which took place at New Year’s Revolution in 2007 when Mickie defended her Women’s Championship against the then-Victoria. Relive that match as a … Read more

SmackDown Redux (November 5th, 2010): The Vickie, Dolph, and Kaitlyn Show Rolls Into SD

It’s no secret that NXT rookie Diva, Kaitlyn, has a thing for Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler, and as we found this past week on NXT, those lustful feelings and that undeniable sexual attraction is more than mutual. Kaitlyn and Dolph paint a pretty picture; they’re both hot, passionate, young. They have all the makings of a professional wrestling supercouple. Too bad there’s one giant roadblock standing in their way.

Dun…dun…duuuuuuuuun!

Dolph has a girlfriend. She is Vickie Guerrero. And Vickie, who just so happens to be Kaitlyn’s mentor on NXT, was none to happy to witness Dolph’s giant betrayal on Tuesday night. To make matters worse, the official consultant of Friday Night SmackDown ended up with cake, all over her face!

Things take a nasty turn this week as this little triangle comes to a head on SmackDown. Like sands through the hourglass….

Tonight’s episode of SmackDown kicked off in dramatic fashion for our trio. Dolph, who last won a match in God knows when, took on former tag team competitor, JTG. Interesting tidbit for all of us JTG fans: JTG and his former tag team partner, Shad Gaspard, never won the tag team titles during their tenure together.

It’s fair to say that Dolph basically dominated the match. It could even be deemed a squash. Dolph hit his finisher, the aptly titled Zig Zag, but decided to yank JTG up mid-cover. Our savvy champion didn’t just want to settle for a routine pinfall tonight. He wrapped JTG up in the most devastating of sleeper holds and pretty much sent Brooklyn native to sleep. The referee called for the bell and Ziggler was awarded a much needed victory.

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WWE Realises Aksana is Comedic Gold, Launches Soundboard to Prove It

For weeks now, we’ve been giggling away as our favorite billion dollar baby from Lithuania has dropped some classic one-liners. Now, WWE.com is getting in on the action with an epic(!!!) soundboard dedicated to Aksana. To check out “Bleep Aksana Say” (an pop culture reference that is actually relevant to today and not six months … Read more

WWE Superstars Redux (November 4, 2010): Is That Gail Kim? It is!

This week on Superstars, we finally get to see her doing something other than entertaining the guest hosts – it will be Gail Kim taking on Alicia Fox in a battle between two former champions. Can Alicia outfox Gail, or will she eat defeat? (I’ll leave the jokes up to David!) Let’s find out.

Out first is Alicia Fox in her brown and blue gear, looking sassy as ever. It’s now that I realize there’s a new commentator beside Lawler, who’s name is Scott. As I watch and listen to the match, I have to wonder where they got this man. He’s as wooden as…well, as a piece of wood. I mustn’t be too harsh, and honestly I tune out the commentary during the women’s matches anyways. Gail Kim’s music hits and tonight she’s in her light purple gear, which she looks stunning in. I must say the extensions look very good on her. She gets a good pop from the crowd as she makes her way into the ring.

The bell rings and the two lock up, jockeying for position. Gail winds up forcing her against the ropes. The referee breaks them up, Alicia shoving her face and smirking. Another lockup, Alicia getting Gail into a side headlock, then flips her over to the canvas. Gail reverses, wrapping her legs around Fox’s neck.

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NXT Redux (November 2nd, 2010): The Internet Wedding of the Century Ends With a Resounding Slap!

Previously on NXT….

The Halloween edition of NXT certainly left a positive taste in the mouths of viewers. Brie Bella and AJ put together a match that was perhaps one of the best Diva matches on television this year. Nikki Bella continued her descent into WWE heeldom much to the disgust of her twin. Maxine won a Halloween candy eating contest, while Kaitlyn took home top prize in the costume contest for her Vickie Guerrero impersonation. Was it mentioned that the sexual tension between Kaitlyn and her mentor’s boyfriend, Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler, reached an all-time high?? Oh, lets not forget the fact that Ted DiBiase and everyone’s favorite French-Canadian Diva, Maryse, invaded the show. They set out on a quest to get the Million Dollar Championship back from Goldust and Aksana. Aksana saved the day once again and looked amazing while doing so.

Tonight, the highly anticipated wedding between Lithuanian-born Aksana and the adorable Goldust will take place. Will Maryse and Ted show up? There’s an elimination too. Which rookie is going to be sent packing during the ninth week of competition? Lets take a look!

Note: Please excuse the audio on the videos. It looks like a production copy of the show leaked.

Striker is in the ring and he brings out the rookie girls. Kaitlyn, Maxine, Naomi, AJ, and Aksana make their way to the ring. All the girls look gorgeous tonight as they’re in street clothes which leads me to believe no one will be wrestling tonight. Striker explains to them that tonight is the elimination but adds that with three challenge wins Naomi is eligible for immunity. He also says that with the exception of Aksana, the other three girls can catch and tie Naomi. Since mathematics is not on Aksana’s side, Striker excuses her from tonight’s competitions so she can get ready for her wedding. Aksana waves, walks off, and we’re told that the first challenge tonight is a kissing contest. Striker wants a special guest judge so of course, Hornswoggle is brought out. Maxine is not happy about this but Horny, on the other hand, is overjoyed. Striker tells him that he gets to pick which Diva kisses the best.

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Maxine Eliminated from NXT

It looks like Maxine won’t be on top after all. The Rookie Diva, whose Pro is former Divas Champion Alicia Fox, was cut tonight in the second elimination of NXT season three. After being eliminated, Maxine said she wasn’t the ‘typical Diva or woman’, but she knows she’ll be back someday and will be where … Read more

NXT Discussion: November 2nd, 2010

Watch and root for your favorite as the Rookie Divas compete for dominance in the 3rd season of NXT. Who will go home tonight in the second elimination? Remember: NXT is now airing online at 10pm ET and is only available to US viewers. Click here to watch. Be sure to tune in to the … Read more

Raw Redux (November 1st, 2010): Natalya’s Last Chance + Lita Returns to Raw

In an effort to get this Divas Championship feud rolling again after last week’s lull, WWE gave us another Michelle McCool vs Natalya match, but this time with a twist: If Natalya could beat Michelle McCool in singles action, she’d receive one last shot at the Divas Championship at Survivor Series. Can Natalya overcome the odds and get another crack at the title? Will Lay-Cool cheat their way to another victory? Find out… after this pointless Divas segment. Damas y Caballeros, I present to you: Diva Twister!!! (With a very special cameo):

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t expect the majority of the Raw Divas to be lumped into a segment with Pee-wee, so I wasn’t really surprised. The jokes were cheesy and the acting bad, no surprise there either. Another typical Guest Host segment, all in all. If I feel bad for anyone, it’s everyone in the audience under 21, who had no idea who Pee-wee Herman was and The Bella Twins for having to share their “Guest Host Arm Candy” spot with Eve and Melina and any other Divas that don’t happen to have a match on Raw or Superstars that week.

Believe it or not, there was a silver lining in this black cloud of a segment. Four-time Women’s Champion made a rare appearance, accompanying her self-professed idol, Pee-wee Herman in this segment. As a huge fan of Lita, I almost blacked out when I saw her pop up on my screen. She could have eaten a live puppy on the air and I’d probably say it was the best moment of Raw this week. That said, even Lita’s appearance couldn’t save this bomb of a segment. Thumbs down for Diva Twister and two thumbs way up (I wish I had more thumbs) for Lita’s cameo.

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Miss USA Winner to Appear on Raw

2010 Miss USA winner, Rima Fakih will be the special guest star on Monday Night Raw on November 29th. WWE.com writes: The 24-year-old University of Michigan graduate is an ambassador of the Pink Fund, a financial assistance organization dedicated to relieving breast cancer patients from short-term financial strain. As Miss Michigan USA 2010, Fakih was … Read more

Raw Response: November 1st, 2010

Get your Monday night Divas fix by tuning in to Raw tonight at 9pm ET on the USA Network. Be sure to tune in to the Post-Raw Show LIVE at 11pm ET following Raw! Discuss the show in the comments!

Former Women’s Champion Lita Appears on Raw

Former WWE Women’s Champion, Lita made an unexpected cameo appearance on Raw tonight. Lita, real name Amy Dumas, is a big fan of Pee Wee Herman as has been well documented, so that is likely why she was there. Lita appeared in a backstage segment with Herman and some of the WWE Divas including Eve, … Read more

SmackDown Redux (October 29th, 2010): Lady Gagool, Layonce, Spider-Melina & Friends

It’s not Halloween without the Divas breaking out a costume — or eight, and that’s exactly what we saw this week on SmackDown. Some were uninspired (Batman & Robin? Yawn.) and some (Lady Gaga, Beyonce) tried to capture the pop culture of the day, even though WWE is about a year behind in what’s relevant.

Watch as what begins as a Halloween costume contest becomes a full-fledged eight Diva tag team match:

A rarity for the Divas, they each get their own entrance in order to show off their costumes. The Bellas are out first dressed as Batman and Robin. Out next is Alicia Fox dressed as Cleopatra; a valiant effort but not quite as breathtaking as Asha on last night’s episode of ‘Outsourced’. Kelly Kelly, rather predictably, goes for a ‘sexy’ Little Bo Peep costume. Rosa Mendes is a leprechaun? Doesn’t she realise Hornswoggle is in the ring and likes to sexually assault Divas? Former Divas Champ, Melina is Spiderwoman and then it’s the pièce de résistance: Lay-Cool as Lady Gaga and Beyonce. You’d think they’d go for the matching Telephone outfits, but nope — Layla is Beyonce in the two year old ‘Single Ladies’ video (which is what we suggested for Alicia Fox last year and sorry Lay, it would’ve suited her much better) and Michelle is Gaga in the equally old ‘Poker Face’ video. Still, A for the effort of trying to do something relatively current.

Onto the costume contest now, but before Teddy Long can begin his officiating, Michelle takes to the microphone and pretty much says Lay-Cool should win and save us from the laborious task of watching each of them shake their rumps and embarrass themselves. Melina takes exception and argues with Lay-Cool only to be hit with a zinger from McCool. “Why are you even dressed up? You’re scary enough as it is.” I giggled. Sorry Melina… Layla shoves Melina but before she can fight back, Hornswoggle intervenes and knocks poor Michelle on her butt in fright. Didn’t that little sex pest troll learn from last time not to mess with Michelle?

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NXT Redux (October 26th, 2010): Halloween Edition of NXT: Trick or Treat?

Previously on NXT…

Rookie Divas Maxine and Kaitlyn stunk it up in what was perhaps one of the worst matches in WWE history. Naomi swept the challenges, putting her first in line for immunity from elimination. Aksana received her engagement ring from Goldust and fawned over it, even during challenges. And last, but certainly not least, the highlight of last week’s episode was the beginning of perhaps the end of the Bella twins as Nikki Bella showed some fire (as well as major heel tendencies) during the tag team main event which pitted Nikki and Brie Bella against Naomi and her pro, Kelly Kelly.

This week can only be better, right?

Mr. Blue Eyes, Matt Striker, was waiting for us as the program began. He introduced us all to the Halloween edition of NXT and brought out the rookie Divas. They were dressed in Halloween costumes of course and kudos to them for not being so stereotypical. AJ was out first this week and she was dressed as Ninja Turtle Raphael. Naomi followed her and was dressed up as the Hamburger Helper hand. Wow. Kaitlyn is out third and she’s wearing a dead-on Vickie Guerrero costume complete with padded backside. Out fourth is Maxine and she’s playing the part of “Ice Queen” tonight. And last, but certainly not least, the future Mrs. Goldust walks out and she’s dressed in a fire engine red devil costume. The girls get in the ring and Striker lets us know that elimination is next week and that currently, Naomi is leading the pack with immunity challenge wins. He tells the girls that there is plenty of time left to catch Naomi and even pass her, and with that being said the first competition of the night is about to take place. Of course, it’s a Halloween costume contest. Each girl will have fifteen seconds to impressed the WWE Universe with her costume and the fans will be the judges.

Aksana went first. Music started to play and Aksana really did nothing but blow kisses, pose, and move around a little bit. She didn’t even dance. She probably should have just done her push-ups again. Maxine went next. Striker asked her what her costume was and she told everyone that she was an ice queen. Striker remarked that she could certainly melt that costume, and Maxine looked up at him. She said that she could melt that costume and that she could send shivers down his spine. Maxine asked Matt if he knew what cold water did to a man. She looked away from him and revealed that she would hate to embarrass him so she is going to use the rest of her time to say that there is only one place for this queen, and that place is on top.

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