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Systematic Breakdown of Backlash

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Diva Dirt presents it’s “systematic breakdown” of last night’s Backlash pay per view, in the same vain as RAW Redux last week. So on with the show:

Thoughts & Reactions
Hmm, did someone from WWE Creative read Diva Dirt, yesterday? I don’t mean to brag, but it seems they followed our prelude pretty closely. Promote Beth Phoenix and Mickie James‘ feud above all else? Check! Keeping the inexperienced (“inferior”) Divas out of the ring for the most part of the match? Check! Promote the likes of Michelle McCool? Check! The inevitable rush at the end of the match? Check! Have Beth go over and look strong? Check! All in all, I thought that match was handled really well. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it, but I did!

One of the immediate standout moments that comes to mind, is the spot at the end of the match with all the Divas getting one over on each other. I mean come on, Victoria hitting Mickie with the Widow’s Peak made me mark out a little! Melina‘s splits thing on Michelle and Jillian‘s face buster were awesome too! Good stuff! Given WWE’s logic, I wasn’t expecting a strong match – I was expecting Maria, Ashley, Kelly and Layla to have a lot more ring time like last year’s Survivor Series; but it’s a good thing they didn’t! Instead, they managed to utilise the top five heel Divas effectively: Beth, Melina, Victoria, Natalya and Jillian were all tagged in and wrestled for parts of the match. I wasn’t really expecting Jillian to get tagged in or do much in the match, since she’s pretty much the “forgotten Diva” but WWE booked this one really well.

There were a lot of fun scenarios in the match, the prospect of Mickie-Natalya was promising, that’s a match I wouldn’t mind seeing in future. Melina and Michelle is another one, given that they are “second in command” to Beth and Mickie, respectively, this could be another feud they could develop. Victoria’s Widow’s Peak on Mickie was amazing, I don’t care how much they build up Beth Phoenix – she will always be a badly produced carbon copy of Victoria. The girl still has it!

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Prelude: Divas Feel Backlash

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Given the fact that this Divas match was booked on the fly six days before the pay per view, WWE did a pretty good job selling it in a spectacular 5 minute segment this past week on RAW. Able to condense their storylines from all three brands into one match, gives the Divas some meaning … Read more

Torrie’s Wrestling Career “Finished For Now”

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Speaking to Chinese television during her trip over there, Torrie Wilson confirmed what many a fan has been dreading – telling audiences her career is “finished for now.” The veteran Diva is however, renegotiating her contract with WWE to become an official spokesperson for the company which will see her take part in autograph signings, … Read more

Yahoo! It’s Michelle McCool

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Apparently, Diva Dirt aren’t the only ones seeing a rise in Michelle McCool‘s star power, it seems in the past year or so she’s gone from Amerie to Mariah Carey. We can now solidify that fact with fully fledged proof… Michelle is the #1 searched item on Yahoo! today ahead of the NFL Draft among … Read more

Is Melina Jaded?

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Melina‘s rants blogs are becoming part of our weekly routine lately. This time the former Women’s Champion launches another scathing attack on the inexperienced, or as Beth Phoenix put it on Monday night, “inferior Divas.” Melina’s blogs are always very passionate, I’ve always assumed they are part shoot-part character, but with every week that passes – and I hate to say this – I can see where all those rumours might come from. I’m sure you’ve all heard rumours about Melina over the past few years, as given her raw and honest personality, it would be easy to assume that her comments are “bitchy.” Don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Melina – but as hard as I try, a part of me can’t help but roll my eyes at a Diva that I actually admire. I guess (and hope) my ability to critique my favourite Divas makes me more of a fan and not a mark, who laps up everything served by their favourite celebs.

Obviously, she knows that Monday Night RAW is scripted, so to me her comments in this blog are somewhat redundant. Where does Melina the character end and where does Melina the person begin? Is Melina just a tad bit (or a lot) jaded? Read for yourself:

Last year at Backlash, I had one of the most competitive matches of my career for the Women’s Championship against Mickie James. We fought tooth and nail for that title! We are wrestlers! We work so hard and put ourselves on the line for the highest honor to hold … the Women’s Championship.

One year later, bravo to Mickie James for regaining the championship. A win is a win. I give it to her. But my anger is not at her championship win. I’m upset because I feel that these girls who gave Mickie the party do not take wrestling and what we do seriously. I am still in awe that these girls threw a little party to celebrate Mickie’s championship win. They just did it for attention! Come on people!!!! So they can get dressed up and prance around. Don’t any of these women want the championship?

Every girl who hugged Mickie saying congratulations was hugging her thinking, “I want that championship, and I am going to take it from you”? Well, I hope so, because it’s a normal thing to think if you are a true competitor. If none of those girls had that thought cross their mind, they shouldn’t even call themselves wrestlers.

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Eve Turns Up The Heat, Cools Down

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Hot damn! Look who just turned it out! Eve is the latest Diva to get the “April Showers” treatment following Candice and Maria, but unlike her colleagues has turned in a gorgeous, classy and sexy photoshoot. There are no “trashy” overtones in this one like Candice’s. Eve has put the rest of the Diva roster … Read more

Apologies From Diva Dirt

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Diva Dirt would officially like to extend an apology to the member of SmackDown!’s Creative Team who is really responsible for the recent rise in women’s action on Friday Night SmackDown! Over the past few weeks, I have praised the SmackDown! writers – specifically head writer, Michael Hayes – for the strong and compelling viewing … Read more

Playlist – April 24, 2008

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playlist.jpg
Welcome to another edition of the Playlist, our regularly scheduled music column! This week we have a little mixture of everything… some news, YouTube videos and new music!

mariah.pngNews & Tidbits
Here at the Playlist, in previous issues I’ve heavily touted two of my favourite artists – Mariah Carey and Leona Lewis! Well it’s with extreme pleasure I’m able to share some chart news on both of these talented divas (of the musical kind)!

• Last week, Leona Lewis made history when she became the first British female artist in history to top the Billboard album charts! Leona’s debut album Spirit sold just over 200,000 copies to give her the number one album in the United States. In fact, Leona also had the #1 single in the country too making her week extra special as she topped both the singles and album charts! (More Leona after the cut, when we YouTube her American Idol performance last night!)

• Last week was Leona’s week, but this week – the original diva, Mariah Carey knocked her off the top spot as her new album E=MC2 topped the album charts, giving Mimi her highest selling debut week of all time! Her 11th studio album sold 463,000 copies over the course of a week. Mariah’s last album, The Emancipation of Mimi was her previous record setter with 404,000 copies in it’s first week. (More Mimi after the cut in our new music section!)

For new music and a YouTube video of Leona on Idol:

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A Few “First”s For Natalya

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WWE.com has finally added Natalya Neidhart‘s profile, and along with it, her first photoshoot. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s nice to see her officially listed among the Divas. Stay tuned for another Natalya first as she will be competing in her first WWE match on this week’s SmackDown. You know us – we’ll be sure … Read more

100 Posts!

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Having logged into the WordPress admin panel to write a new post, I saw that the stats area said “You have 100 posts” much to my surprise and joy! With Erin’s YouTube Classics post yesterday, we have officially achieved 100 posts in just two short months! Thanks to everyone who’s visited and supported Diva Dirt … Read more

Beth Phoenix vs. Michelle McCool?

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WWE.com has posted video interviews with both Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool concerning their recent run-in on RAW. This begs the question – are they hinting at a feud between the two? This would hardly make sense, as both women have been developing feuds on their respective shows. The WWE has finally managed to put … Read more

Shameless Plug: NattieNeidhart.net

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Please do forgive my shameless plugging, but I thought I would like to invite you all to check out NattieNeidhart.net, a new fansite dedicated to SmackDown!’s newest Diva, Natalya. Erin and I were both impressed by Nattie enough to make a site for her and would love your support! Thank you!

TNA to Rhaka Khan: You “Ain’t Nobody”

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What’s that smell? Oh right… the smell of fire purging TNA Knockout, Rhaka Khan. According to Internet reports, the former WWE developmental talent has some heat on her over, wait for it… trading cards! Rhaka Khan also has backstage heat. She attended the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony yet nothing much was made about that, … Read more

Take a Seat?

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WWE have posted a new photoshoot of Maryse entitled “Take A Seat” It’s a nice change from recent photoshoots, WWE have finally posted a nice one.. well almost. Some are definitely misses, but apart from the tacky boxes and trying to figure out what exactly Maryse does in the WWE, err okay, maybe that’s a … Read more

Killing 12 Birds With 1 Stone

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Looks like the Divas are getting the shotgun treatment – WWE.com has announced that all 12 girls who participated in RAW’s “West Side Story”-style face-off are going to compete in a 12-Diva tag team match at this Sunday’s Backlash. Now, I’m not saying this match was made ridiculously late because most matches not featured on … Read more

RAW Redux – April 22, 2008

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We’re ripping a page out of PWInsider’s book today, with our very own look at last night’s edition of RAW. However, we won’t be looking at the whole show, rather the Divas segment! So we welcome you to RAW Redux!

Thoughts & Reactions
Wow, I was really impressed at how WWE utilised what was essentially a filler segment and made it meaningful! It’s been a long, long time since the Divas have been involved in a promo (the last time I can remember was the days of Trish and Lita), and this was one of the best things they’ve done on RAW since then. Sure it wasn’t a match, but this segment achieved much more than just throwing all the girls in the ring for a tag match or worse – a battle royal. It told a story, better than just a match could, WWE has really been down in the dumps with Diva booking on RAW over the past year with illogical decisions. Wherever this one is going (a 12 Diva tag match at Backlash?), it started out strong. Having Maria and co. come out to congratulate Mickie was a nice touch, adding to the prestige of the Women’s Championship (finally!) and of course, led onto the heel Divas hitting the ring. I loved the two rival Diva gangs, the entrance of Team Phoenix had me popping, anyway!

Golly gosh… Beth Phoenix has gotten her voice back! For a while there, we worried whether she had become a mute. Beth oozed charisma and confidence on the microphone, if you ask me, had WWE let her cut more promos when she was Champion maybe her reign would have been more enjoyable? I wasn’t checking for Beth to get a rematch with Mickie at Backlash, as I’ve found their previous matches boring but by adding a story to it, actually I may be a little more inclined to see another Beth-Mickie match somewhere down the line. Beth showed more personality and charisma than she did in her entire title run. The problem was, with Beth being this wrecking machine with no story to it, not letting her cut promos etc. it made her dull. Please keep it up, WWE!

Of the “supporting cast”, they did a pretty good job by establishing Michelle McCool in this segment also. Michelle has been growing on me of late and it’s only now that I see her as a true top level Diva, although it’s not hard when your face counterparts (Mickie excluded) are Ashley and Kelly Kelly. Michelle in my eyes, is second only to Mickie James at the moment on the face side. RAW isn’t Michelle’s brand, but Creative sort of gave us a little bit extra for our money – having Michelle, SmackDown!’s top Diva, come off strong in this segment also. They didn’t need to do that, but by doing so they’re acknowledging that “Hey, SmackDown! is growing a pretty impressive women’s division too” and opening up the doors, not restricting the women’s division simply to RAW.

What I don’t agree with and what I find laughable, is having the face Divas clear house of the likes of Beth Phoenix, Melina, Victoria, Jillian and Natalya – all of whom could pummel most of their asses in a heartbeat. It wasn’t realistic, but obviously WWE is going for the big face pop here.

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Payton Banks Done With TNA?

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Word has it on the Internet, TNA’s Payton Banks may be done with the company. Banks is not under contract and is paid per appearance. Apparently, the LockDown pay per view at which Robert Roode gave Payton the brush off ended their relationship and Banks’ tenure. The reports persist however, Banks may be brought back … Read more

Wanna Be A Diva?

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Well if you’re Brazilian or Latina, you could be in with a chance because WWE is holding casting calls, yes casting calls for new Divas. You just know the glory days of the WWE Divas are gone when WWE is actually casting what they want. It feels almost sordid, a pimp and ho situation if … Read more

Oh, Maria… Just No

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Has anyone else noticed that WWE tries to make Maria out to be the epitome of fashionable? Calling her RAW’s “resident style queen” and such, when any woman – hell make that man, woman or child – alive knows that she dresses tacky as hell. Well WWE.com has really outdone themselves in the latest edition … Read more

Melina Remembers Ric Flair

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Melina can’t seem to get enough of blog writing these days, because she’s penned yet another one, this time talking about Ric Flair and his recent retirement:

Woooooo!

It’s no secret that my favorite female wrestler/manager/entertainer is Sherri Martel. She is a woman that I love and cherish. I look at what she has accomplished and what I saw when I watched her work. She simply was the complete package. She was one of a kind; original, strong and larger than life.

Amongst the men, there is a single man who fits that mold for me. I looked forward to watching him no matter what he did. He is an incredible man that will stand alone in wrestling. So unique and captivating. He is the one, the only, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair.

Ric Flair is beyond the complete package. There are people in this world that are amazing when it comes to mic skills, are incredible wrestlers or just have a phenomenal look. Ric Flair has all of the above and then some.

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Enough With The Gimmicks Already!

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I almost feel blasphemous for being negative towards the TNA women’s division, but felt compelled to write openly to TNA’s writers: give the gimmick matches a freakin’ rest already, okay?! We’ve just come off the heels of a Queen of the Cage match at LockDown, which we appreciate – but these gimmick matches are okay … Read more

Not So Sweet…

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In keeping with their terrible photoshoot streak, WWE.com has posted a new one featuring Melina brandishing the unfortunate prop of cotton candy. What’s with the WWE’s obsession with food-related photoshoots? It’s an all-around unflattering look. You’d think a more “covered up” look would be a lot more flattering than this one is – maybe it’s … Read more

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