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SmackDown Redux (August 27th, 2010): Goodbye Serena (For Now)

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There’s really not much to talk about this week in the SmackDown Redux because there wasn’t any Divas action. Sorry Lay-Cool fans! Instead, you can get your fix of those two Monday night on Raw.

Tonight’s episode of SmackDown, however, was Serena‘s final appearance on WWE television. Shortly after this episode was taped last Wednesday, Serena was informed of her release. The news broke this past Monday and quite eerily, it makes Serena’s final moments all the more poignant:

After picking up a win over JTG, CM Punk brings his minions into the ring for a dressing down. Perhaps I’m watching that much more closer since I know that Serena’s been let go, but interestingly, she was the only of the three disciples not to raise her arm in salute to their Straight Edge Savior. Defiant!

More eerily, when Punk bellows: “Be better or be gone,” he’s pretty much looking at Serena. ‘Be gone’? Well, that she certainly did do. I expect that they’ll explain next week that Serena caved and couldn’t handle it anymore — if they explain her absence at all.

More after the cut:

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NXT Lay-Kav-Ool Watch (August 24th, 2010): Are You Smarter Than Kaval?

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A lot of us, myself included, were skeptical that the WWE could follow up their best NXT episode of the season with something amazing this week. And low and behold, those of us who were skeptical were right. NXT was nothing more than a lackluster show tonight and unfortunately, that meant all of us got the shaft when it came to Laykavool awesomeness. Maybe the WWE is simply saving all their cards for a jam packed season finale next week?

NXT kicked off with Jamie Keyes introducing the WWE pros. Laycool come out in their Flawless hoodies, with Michelle McCool in skintight jeans and Layla in small little shorts. MVP, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, and Zach Ryder are there in attendance as well. The remaining pros are still on tour seeing as how this episode was taped last week. The rookies come out next and it’s insane to me that it’s down to the final three. Kaval, Alex Riley, and Michael McGillicutty walk out and join Matt Striker in the ring. He introduces them as the final three and asks them how it feels to be in the finals of NXT. McGillicutty goes first.

Michael begins his speech by acknowledging the WWE Universe. He says he has the greatest job in the world and how these have been the greatest days of his life. He gives a shout out to Kofi, for helping him along the way, and Michael says that performing in the same ring as his father has made his entire journey worth it.

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Raw Redux (August 23, 2010): Three Champions, Two Belts, One Offer

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Last week, Jillian managed to score her first win in almost a year, pinning Eve in a 6 Diva tag match. As a reward for her hard earned win, WWE decided to give her a shot at the Divas Championship against Melina on this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw. Will The Shrill Songstress be able to pull out the win over The Paparazzi Princess? Check out the match below and find out:

We come to ring after commercial to find Jillian in the ring with her ever-present headset. She lets everyone in attendance know that she’s about to become Divas Champion once again, before torturing serenading us all with her own rendition of “Not Afraid” by Eminem, prompting Michael Cole to start singing as well. Kill me now… Fortunately for us, Melina’s music hits, cutting Jillian’s performance short. Melina makes her way to the ring in her usual extravagant fashion and the referee rings the bell, signaling the start of the match.

The two start off with a lock-up with Jillian getting the upperhand and pushing Melina to ropes, forcing a break. Surprisingly, Jillian breaks clean but goes right back on the attack with a stiff forearm. Jillian tries to follow up but is stopped in her tracks by a headscissor/heel kick combo from the champion. Melina tries to keep the heat on Jillian with a kick to the gut but is caught and pulled down into a painful looking split. Jillian goes to kick Melina in the back, but the A-List Diva ducks the attempt and lands a kick of her own, sending Jillian across the ring and into the ropes.

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Raw Response: August 23rd, 2010

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Get your Monday night Divas fix by tuning in to Raw tonight at 9pm ET on the USA Network. Be sure to watch to witness all the SummerSlam fallout. Discuss the show in the comments! Be sure to tune in to the Post-Raw Show LIVE at 11pm ET following Raw! PLEASE DISCUSS THE SHOW AS … Read more

SmackDown Redux (August 20th, 2010): Straight Edge Success, “Lady Wawa”

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This week’s SmackDown saw the WWE television in-ring debut of one Serena, a Diva who has been much buzzed about ever since she was signed to a developmental contract last year. Why? Because Serena, prior to WWE, was one of the most talented young things on the independent circuit and shot to the top of the card in SHIMMER. The time has finally arrived for Serena to step into the WWE ring in a mixed tag also featuring Kelly Kelly.

As background context to this segment, in an earlier backstage scene, Luke Gallows and Serena were told by their stable leader CM Punk that if they didn’t win tonight, they would be kicked out of the Straight Edge Society. Would Serena and Luke go the way of the dodo and er, Darren Young from Monday night? Let’s find out…

Serena is billed as having trained hard over the past few months under the tutelage of Punk. We’re to believe that she has no previous wrestling experience and is a beginner in the ring.

Say what you will about the Big Show’s in ring work (*cough*), but for Kelly to be teamed up with one of the SmackDown brand’s top stars is a big deal and a huge coup for her. After all, the most that the Raw Divas can muster up is teaming with the Superstars roster.

We kick things off with Show and Gallows but Gallows quickly tags out to Serena which means it’s Diva time! Kelly goes to lock up with Serena but get a kick to the stomach and an elbow across her back. Serena picks up Kelly and begins screaming in her face but K2 uses her legs to kick free of Serena’s hold and hits her with a couple of really flimsy looking forearms. (Need some work on that K2). Kelly whips Serena into the corner, riles up the crowd and goes for her handspring elbow. Serena, meanwhile, sees the move coming and clubs her opponent over the back, knocking her to the ground.

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NXT Lay-Kav-Ool Watch (August 17th, 2010): Rule One of NXT: Never Mess With Laycool’s Rookie.

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Tonight’s episode of NXT was nothing short of epic. We were treated to two dramatic eliminations, Laykavool cuteness that was almost unbearable, another amazing match featuring Kaval and Husky Harris, and a down right brilliant promo delivered to us by Cody Rhodes. So much went on tonight that I’m not sure where I should even begin. One thing is for certain, the double elimination proved to be the catalyst of the best episode of NXT this season.

Jamie Keyes, who looked stunning like always, kicked the show off this week by bringing out the NXT rookies. Husky Harris, Kaval, Joe Michael McGillicutty, Alex Riley, and Percy Watson all took their turn walking out to the ring. Once everyone had made their entrance, Matt Striker (looking yummy in nice man jeans, navy button down, and nude colored vest) took over. Striker reminded everyone that tonight was a double elimination and in two weeks, NXT would crown the winner of season two. Striker said that tonight the pressure was on and that the WWE was going to give the rookies one minute to speak their mind about any topic they wanted… except for why they should NOT be eliminated. “Showtime” stepped up to the plate first and his topic was 3 D.

Percy opened up with a joke that had the potential to be funny, but because it came from it was a big fail. He said the 3 D’s are how he lives his life: desire, determination, and dedication. Desire because you have to know what you want, and dedication because you have to be dedicated to your craft. He said that he has the determination to succeed and win this season of NXT. He basically failed on that account, but more on that later!

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Raw Redux (August 16, 2010): Jillian, It’s Your Lucky Day!

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As we all know, Melina picked up a huge win last Sunday at SummerSlam over Alicia Fox to win the Divas Championship, but her moment was ruined by the BFF champs, Lay-Cool. Will Melina get her revenge on the Flawless Ones? Will Alicia get a chance to redeem herself and win back the Divas Title? Will Melina come to the ring as a Vegas showgirl again? No. None of that happens. Instead we get a 6 Diva tag match pitting the team of Melina, Gail Kim and Eve Torres against Alicia Fox, Maryse and Jillian. Check out the match below:

Out first are the babyfaces and I must say, they look like a rag-tag group of super heroines. but I like it for some reason. Next, we have the heels, led to the ring by Alicia, who gets right in Melina’s face. This lead to a bit of a scuffle between the two teams. The referee finally gets control of the situation and signals for the opening bell.

Gail and Maryse start the match off for their respective teams. In her usual arrogant manner, Maryse shoves Gail, before narrowly dogding a bitchslap to the face. Maryse charge but is quickly taken down by a drop toe hold. Gail follows up by slamming Maryse’s face into the canvas repeatedly. Maryse tries to get back into the game by reversing an Irish Whip but Gail using the ropes to hit a springboard crossbody. Gail ties Maryse up it the Tree of Woe and tags in the Divas champion, Melina. Gail grabs the still incapacitated Maryse by the hair and Melina leapfrogs over her partner, coming down hard on Maryse’s mid-section.

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SummerSlam In Review: Melina is Comeback Queen, But Lay-Cool Steal the Spotlight

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After Monday night hit-and-miss match between Melina and Divas champion, Alicia Fox, fans and critics alike were curious about how these two would fare at SummerSlam with the title on the line. While it wasn’t as sketchy as Monday’s match, these two hardly put on a mat classic. Check out the match below:

Out first is the champ, sporting some new attire. I’m not crazy about it, but it’s probably my favorite out of her new pinata gear. Melina is out next and… wow. Going all out for her hometown return, Melina has donned an over the top and blindingly bright Vegas showgirl outfit, complete with headdress and feathered boots. While it may not be my cup of tea, I have to give Melina points for originality and creativity. Rarely do we see a Diva put so much effort into her ring gear, so kudos to her.

After a few awkward moments of Melina removing her boot covers, the referee rings the bell and our way is underway. The two fierce competitors square off in the center of the ring, each trying to assert their dominance and show their opponent that they’re not intimidated. At long last, the Divas lock up with Melina getting the upper hand and muscling Alicia into the corner. The challenger breaks clean and they tie up again, but this time Fox get the advantage with a headlock followed by a takeover. Melina manages to get to her feet and to the rope, forcing the champ to break the hold.

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In Pictures: Divas at SummerSlam Fan Axxess (Beth, Maryse, Michelle & More)

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SummerSlam may be over but the goodies keep coming! Diva Dirt reader, Rob sent in these pictures from Fan Axxess weekend. Among those snapped include now former Divas Champion, Alicia Fox, Beth Phoenix, Jamie Keyes, Maryse and Michelle McCool. All the Divas look great. Maryse looks especially adorable! [nggallery id=402]

Lay-Cool & Melina: Where Do We Go from Here?

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Last night’s SummerSlam pay per view is in the history books and while Steven will be reviewing the Divas match at length later, I wanted to broach the subject of Lay-Cool vs Melina, which was teased to us at the end of the Divas Championship match. Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but last night’s attack on Melina at the hands of SmackDown’s mean girls opened up a world of opportunity and to me, was the Diva equivalent of the then-NXT season one rookies hitting the ring on Raw back in June, in that now infamous ‘Tiegate’ segment.

“Why was Lay-Cool there?” “Why did they attack Melina?” Those were just some of the questions that people were asking last night. Did it all make sense? No. But then again, did that NXT invasion all make sense that Monday night in June? Answers, I expect, will come tonight and in the coming weeks on Raw and SmackDown.

For what it was, however, last night’s angle was an explosive and exciting way to begin what seems like a new cross-promotional feud between the self-professed co-Women’s Champions and the new Divas Champion. WWE quite literally kicked things off with a bang, with Michelle McCool hitting that devastating running knee into a defenceless Melina, who was propped up against the announcers’ table. Kudos to all involved, because that had me — and I suspect many of you — anticipating what would happen next.

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Melina Wins Divas Championship… But Lay-Cool Get the Last Laugh

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A-List Diva, Melina became Divas Champion just moments ago at SummerSlam, defeating Alicia Fox in her hometown of Los Angeles, California. However, Melina’s celebration was cut short by SmackDown Divas, Lay-Cool who attacked the new Divas Champ, leaving her unconscious after Michelle hit her with a sick running knee into the announce table. EDIT: As … Read more

PPV Predictions: WWE SummerSlam 2010

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Will Melina complete her comeback trail by winning the Divas Championship before her hometown in Los Angeles? She faces Alicia Fox tonight at SummerSlam. Our predictions below…

Cryssi: It seems surreal to me that this match is actually taking place this Sunday. Melina has been back on television for two weeks now and she’s already earned a championship match. Unreal. To me, this just goes to show how little thought and effort goes into the Diva’s division these days. I understand that my girl never officially lost the title. And maybe that has something to do with why she is getting a chance to face Alicia tonight. What needs to happen is Alicia retains in some ridiculous fashion and then a feud for Night of Champions should start heating up. Let these two girls have a proper rivalry and give us all a chance to watch them grow together and become comfortable in the ring with one another. I’ve NEVER gone against Melina, even in matches I knew she would lose, but tonight I’m going with Alicia Fox to retain. I doubt it happens, and my heart tells me it won’t. But stranger things have happened in World Wrestling Entertainment. They did give Jack Swagger a World Championship reign after all.

David: Years from now when I look back at SummerSlam 2010 I will remember this match differently. I will remember it as a quality Divas Title match and forget that it was booked too quickly and that it moved some deserving talent to the sidelines. Melina’s return should have been handled much differently, to show her chasing Alicia and to build great anticipation for an eventual showdown. (I would have booked it for Survivor Series in the fall.) The WWE, however, pushed Melina right over Eve, Maryse, and Natalya and gave her this high profile title match only a few weeks after her return. To that end, I think Melina is a safe bet to defeat Alicia Sunday and will leave her hometown as the new Divas Champion.

Erin: It’s wayyyy too soon for Melina to win the gold, especially given how she already defeated Alicia on Raw. Despite the WWE’s tendency to screw over Alicia mid-push, I really feel that they’re going to stretch her title reign a bit longer, if only to make for a more interesting build up to Melina’s eventual win. It would seriously shortchange this feud if they were to switch the title too soon, because I think babyface Melina is best suited at the moment to chase the title, not hold it. Alicia Fox wins and retain the title.

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Diva Dirt LIVE Does SummerSlam Tonight at 11pm ET: How to Call In & Interact

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No need to adjust your eyes… it’s not Wednesday! Diva Dirt LIVE, however, returns tonight for our first ever post-PPV special in honour of SummerSlam. join David, Jennifer and guest co-host Cryssi tonight live at 11pm ET right after SummerSlam!

In true Diva Dirt LIVE fashion, you get to call in and have your say on the show, but we’ll also be analysing the event in our usual ‘Post Show’ fashion.

Make sure you tune into this very special edition of DD LIVE!

PS: DD LIVE will continue, as usual, this coming Wednesday also.

All the details you need to call in, tweet and comment are after the cut:

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SummerSlam YouTube Classics: Beth Phoenix & Santino vs Mickie James & Kofi Kingston (2008)

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Delve into the archives with Diva Dirt‘s YouTube Classics and remind yourself of a time you may have forgotten or never seen before. Every now and again, we’ll bring you archive footage from a time gone by that we think deserves some spotlight! Today on YouTube Classics: This weekend it’s all about SummerSlam! Today, check … Read more

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