Get your weekly dose of Knockouts action on tonight’s Impact. To watch, tune into Spike TV from 9pm ET.
Discuss the show in the comments!
Impact Wrestling Feedback: January 5th, 2012
WWE.com Wants to Bring Back Women’s Tag Team Championship
In the latest article in its “Bring It Back!” series, WWE.com wants to see the return of the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
The belts were introduced in 1983 but dropped just six years later. During the belts’ run, they were perhaps most notably held by the Glamour Girls and the Jumping Bomb Angels.
WWE.com argues that with so many Diva tandems such as Eve & Kelly Kelly, the Bella Twins and Beth Phoenix & Natalya, it would make sense for the belts to make a comeback.
The article says:
In more than any other type of match WWE has to offer, the Divas have showcased their tremendous abilities in tag team action – an arena in which they have excelled time and time again. It stands to reason that since they are taking such an active role in this particular level of competition, there should be championship gold in place for which to compete.
It continues:
Without question, Beth Phoenix & Natalya have exhibited a spirit of dominance similar to that of Demolition, The Bella Twins the tag team savvy of the Hart Foundation and Kelly Kelly & Eve the explosive charisma of current WWE Tag Team Champions “Air Boom.”
By throwing such a grand prize like the Women’s Tag Team Titles back into play, WWE would add a crucial dimension to today’s Divas picture, raising the stakes on their matches overall while adding to their stunning nature that has captivated the WWE Universe over the years.
Read the full piece here.
NXT Watch (January 4th, 2012): Kaitlyn & Maxine Square Off, Wedding Bells Chime Once Again
In a week filled with the controversy over a comedienne’s comments and the heartbreak of a former wrestler’s quest to lose weight, let me take you on a ride to sheer peace for the next few minutes with the delight that is this week’s episode of NXT. You see, not only did we have a match between Kaitlyn and Maxine, and NOT ONLY did we get one of the greatest backstage segments I’ve ever witnessed, but — hear me out — we also get to once again plan for an NXT wedding! Maxine tries her luck once more in two weeks on the 100th episode of the show which emanates from sin city: Las Vegas! Although, I do stand behind BateMax, it seems that Curtsine is the way of the future, so let’s delve right into this week’s show!
We first spot a brief video recap of the BateMaxTis (trademark to my good friend, Shirlz) shenanigans from last week which saw Maxine dump Derrick for that whippersnapper, Dirty Curty. Following the masterpiece, Derrick can be seen chatting up resident bounty hunter, Kaitlyn! He talks about how everyone keps telling him how crazy Maxine was but that he kind of liked it until it got to be too much. Kaitlyn tries to pump him up, as the two agree he will no longer write in his dream journal. After she dubs him Derrick “Sweet Meat” Bateman and they share a baseball reference, Maxine and Dirty Curty pop up like a pimple on prom night!
Maxine accuses Derrick of doing the deed with Aksana as Dirty Curty and his sweat pants seem to be executing some funky dance moves behind his lady. Derrick tries to tell Maxine he doesn’t understand where this rumor came from, but this only fires her up. Dirty Curty tries to calm everyone down, but Maxine shrieks at him to SHUT… UP! He attempts to proclaim they are all friends here, but Derrick corrects him that they are not. Kaitlyn then chimes in and calls Maxine a hussy! Maxine retaliates by questioning if anything Kaitlyn says is interesting because no one cares! Kaitlyn then makes a sound to try and drown Maxine out, but Maxine fights it with the greatest come back I’ve ever heard… “What? Are you giving birth?!” Genius.
As I try to regroup myself after 20,000 replays of Maxine asking if Kaitlyn’s giving birth, Derrick interrupts the two by informing Dirty Curty that he’s going to enjoy watching their relationship go down in flames. He tells Maxine that when she comes crawling back, he’s not going to be there, to which she says that will never happen. She says that she knows what Derrick did, and that after crossing her, he’s going to regret it. She lays a big ol’ kiss on Dirty Curty right in front of Derrick and Kaitlyn, before walking off and leaving the three together. Derrick then decides to follow suit and head out, as Dirty Curty tries to make a move on innocent Kaitlyn. She informs him that she’s not getting in his van (once again, genius comeback) before heading out and leaving Dirty Curty all alone to grovel in his cloud of dust like Pig-Pen of Charlie Brown fame.
We’re told that if we want it, come and get it, and I do want more NXT so let us continue on with a match pitting Kaitlyn against Maxine. The arena turns the greatest color in the world, bright green, as out walks the star of the season, Maxine herself! I take great joy in hearing the voice of William Regal grace our computer screens once again, as the red headed greatness climbs into the ring and poses for the camera. The green then turns to pink, as out pops the benevolent, Kaitlyn, to grace us with her baseball themed presence. She skips down the ramp and slides into the ring, as Maxine gives her a pretty devilish look. The bell then sounds and we get underway!
They lock up and circle around the ring until Kaitlyn shoves Maxine back and breaks the hold. Another lock up as Maxine takes advantage this time and slams Kaitlyn’s head into the turnbuckle. Kaitlyn reverses Maxine’s hair pull attempt into an arm lock that she then uses to hoist Maxine in the air and drop her in the corner! She tries to Irish whip the lady in black, but Maxine counters with a knee to the mid-section. She then goes for an Irish whi herself, but this time it is Kaitlyn who counters and lifts Maxine up with a bodyslam. She follows it up with a leg drop for a few two counts, before striking with a great European uppercut. Kaitlyn looks to go for a power slam but Maxine smartly counters into a beautiful reverse dragon sleeper! Kaitlyn tries her hardest to fight out, but ultimately falls to the hold and submits. Maxine then proceeds to make her way up the ramp as the referee tries to help Kaitlyn regain her composure.
As Derrick Bateman competes in the main event against Darren Young, he is suddenly interrupted by the voice of an angel, as Maxine screams out his name from the stage. She and Dirty Curty walk out hand in hand, as she questions if this is a distraction for him during his match? Following that, Maxine informs the world that in two weeks for NXT’s 100th episode, Maxine and Dirty Curty are having a LAS VEGAS WEDDING! The world celebrates at this magnificent news, which ultimately provides distraction for Derrick as Dirty Curty chimes in that they’re in “looooooveee”. Derrick tries to exit the ring, but Darren Young capitalizes with the finishing move that Jinder Mahal used in FCW (sorry, but that will forever be how I remember it!) to pick up the victory. Bateman then stares at the two, who proceed to make out on the stage to close the show.
Thoughts: I feel like a choir should stand around me just repeatedly singing “Hallelujah” over and over. This show seriously has to be written for me. I firmly believe that WWE creative stalk my Twitter page in order to find ideas of what to do next because this season has been everything I’ve wanted in wrestling and more. The backstage segment rivals Agnes Bateman and Portia Perez in hilarity, especially with Dirty Curty’s random dancing, Kaitlyn’s “sweet meat” and “hussy” comments, and Maxine asking if the sound Kaitlyn was making was her giving birth. I legitimately don’t have enough good things to say about this because I’ve already re-watched it so much my computer might be facing a possible meltdown.
The match, unfortunately, was insanely short, which is a shame because these two have proven in their earlier showing a few months ago that they can have a solid bout given the time. I loved the fact that Maxine finally won though, because I can only recall two matches against AJ since her return that she emerged victorious. Her dragon sleeper finisher was killer, and I love how unique she is from all of the other Divas. From her ring gear, to her moveset, to her mannerisms, she stands out possibly more than almost anyone else on the roster. Kaitlyn was also solid, albeit, like I said, the time didn’t really give them a lot to do together. Much like Maxine, I think Kaitlyn stands out a lot too in the sense that she uses a lot of power moves instead of the usual one legged dropkick of doom, haha. Overall, I do wish it got more time obviously, but I’m fortunate for anything that gives these two screen time.
The wedding of Dirty Curty and Maxine will be an event that I look forward to covering. We never got to see Maxine’s big day with Derrick, as the duo ultimately split before their rings were exchanged, and it would be a travesty to not get an NXT Wedding. The 100th episode will surely deliver in every way possible, and I can’t wait to see just who attends this ceremony. Could Aksana be Maxine’s flower girl? Could Tyson Kidd be the best man? Could a random return of Naomi as the maid of honor happen?! So many questions… but like all of you, I must wait another two weeks to find the answers.
Martinez vs Kalamity to Headline NCW Femmes Fatales VIII
Just five days after defending her WSU World Championship against Jessicka Havok live on Internet pay per view, Mercedes Martinez has another big challenge on her hands as she faces standout star and NCW Femmes Fatales Champion, Kalamity, in the main event of Femmes Fatales VIII.
The match takes place on March 10th in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Also set to appear on March 10th are former WWE Divas Serena and Jazz making their debuts.
More on Femmes Fatales VIII here.
In Video: Former TNA Star ‘Desire’ Kim Nielsen on The Biggest Loser, Footage of Breaking Back in TNA
As previously noted, the new season of The Biggest Loser kicked off on NBC last night featuring former TNA star Kim Nielsen, who wrestled as Desire.
On the premiere episode, Kim talked about the story of her career-ending back injury when she broke her back during a TNA dark match. The show also featured never seen before footage of that match and Kim’s injury. It looks as though TNA supplied the footage to NBC.
Watch the clip below:
Thoughts: Pretty emotional scene involving Kim. Wishing her the best on the show.
Ratings Are in for Impact Wrestling’s Knockouts Main Event
Quarter-hour ratings are in for last week’s final Impact Wrestling of 2011 which was headlined by a Knockouts Championship match.
The show averaged a 1.16 cable rating, according to PWTorch.
Meanwhile, in the quarter hour breakdown, unfortunately the Knockouts weren’t able to grab the highest ratings for the night as the Gail Kim versus Mickie James main event match scored a 1.13 rating in the final quarter of the two-hour show. While it wasn’t the most watched segment of the night, the good news is that the match didn’t lose viewers either. The segment held on to the 1.13 rating from the previous match which featured Kurt Angle vs RVD.
The opening segment, which featured Madison Rayne, Gail Kim, Tara and Brooke Tessmacher, achieved a 1.17 rating, higher than the main event.
The most-watched segment of the night was quarter two which pulled a 1.22 rating.
On the whole, the show was on par with TNA’s average ratings for 2011, reports PWTorch.
Beth Phoenix is Not Happy with Comedienne Chelsea Handler!
Divas Champion Beth Phoenix‘s next feud may not be with a fellow Diva, but a celebrity!
Balls-to-the-walls comedienne Chelsea Handler apparently made some “off-color” comments about women’s wrestling which resulted in the mighty Glamazon taking to Twitter in a flurry of angry messages.
Beth tweeted:
@chelseahandler made some off color comments about Women’s Wrestling last night…Being WWE’s Diva’s Champ I can tell you with confidence that if @chelseahandler has any question about what a “women’s wrestler” can do or how well we entertain, Id be happy to show her. @chelseahandler please allow me to invite you to see a WWE event, live first hand 2/24 at the Staples Center. Of course, the invitation to @chelseahandler extends to the ring…any time …any place…if you would like to see what the Champ is made of.
The comments of which Beth speaks took place last night on Handler’s E! talk show, Chelsea Lately. Handler commented on the recent romance between former Diva Torrie Wilson and MLB star Alex Rodriguez.
Handler commented: “Is that a real thing… women’s wrestling? I know that this Stacy Keibler girl’s a wrestler but I just don’t understand what context are they wrestling [in]? They have wrestling matches that are real? Is it like mud wrestling?”
Thoughts: It came across more as though Chelsea didn’t know much about wrestling or women’s wrestling, rather than bashing it.
Watch the clip from Chelsea Lately below:
Torrie Wilson and A-Rod Go Public at Lakers Game
Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson has gone public with her new beau Alex Rodriguez aka A-Rod.
After being linked to one another in recent weeks, Torrie and A-Rod pair made their first appearance together at a public event last night at a Lakers game. Spotted with the new couple were supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber.
See more here.
Raw Redux (January 2nd, 2012): On the Second Day of 2012, a Force Brings Upon Us Divas Galore and Actual Entrances!
Greetings potentially new audience who has no idea that I ever existed at Diva Dirt, it is I, Bobby, here to take over Khaleesi Cryssi’s Redux this week. Thankfully, it was a week where the Divas segments of Raw weren’t too shabby and I was able to watch with a smile on my face as Brie and Nikki Bella took on the team of Kelly Kelly and Eve. If you’re curious as to the reason I was smiling, why it’s because everyone got — brace yourselves — an actual ENTRANCE! Yes, clearly a gift from the heavens above for the New Year, but don’t get too comfortable just yet as we all know it won’t last.
In other news, we had some brilliant backstage segments with the Bellas, Eve, and Vickie Guerrero, who also managed the Khal to Cryssi’s Khaleesi (Game of Thrones reference score for me), Dolph Ziggler in a WWE Championship match!
Now without any further ado, let’s kick off the first Raw Redux of 2012 with things that make Cryssi happy: Bella Twins and Khaleesi approved ring gear!
As we become informed that we can look, but can’t touch, out pops Brie and Nikki B (sorry, I have that Super Bass video stuck in my head right now) looking killer in their black catsuits. The duo shake and shimmy down the entrance ramp which nearly gives Jerry Lawler palpitations. They then flip inside the ring and taunt the fans, as suddenly it’s time to “holla, holla, holla”, and the crowd does just that as out comes Eve and Kelly Kelly. The two looks top notch in some awesome new orange/gold type gear. (I’m not the best with clothes, but per contract negotiations with Cryssi, I must acknowledge this.) They walk down the ramp and into the ring, as the fans continue to go wild for the two. From there, the bell sounds and we get underway!
Brie and Kelly start things off, as our Bella applies a waist lock to Kelly and smacks her off. This does nothing but anger the feisty K2, who in turn, smacks Brie across the face and on the booty! Kelly shoves Brie into the corner and proceeds to slam her head off the turnbuckle padding until she falls coincidentally in place for a good ol’ fashioned ‘raise the roof’ stink face! Kelly then signals for her trademark bulldog, but this Bella Twin has been hit with it so much that she has prepared herself! Brie proceed to lean back and shoves Kelly down by the blond locks. She drags the former Divas Champion to her corner and makes the tag in to Nikki, as the twins proceed to hit a fancy double team maneuver to Kelly. Nikki makes the cover, but only garners a two count.
Nikki shows off the personality that I know and love by screaming out, “Huh, you like that little girl?!” She applies a submission hold, albeit brief, as Kelly manages to counter it into a nice jawbreaker. K2 tries to slide over for the tag, as Nikki goes for a clothesline to stop her. Kelly, like Brie’s earlier bulldog counter, has studied her opponents well and ducks the clothesline to get the tag in to Eve Torres! Eve runs in with a clothesline of her own, followed up with one of the, what I believe are, best dropkicks in wrestling. She then kicks Nikki in the face and runs off the ropes with a sit down clothesline. With Nikki down, Eve pumps up the booty and pops for the crowd in attendance. I begin to fear whats to come because Nikki is not in the right place for a moonsault, but thankfully, the savior that is Brie Bella distracts Eve and prevents possible injury!
Eve sets her sight on Brie, as she charges forward and dropkicks her off the ring apron. This allows Nikki to regain composure and attack Eve from behind. She sends Torres into the corner, but Eve hits a beautiful kick off the ropes and starts to climb. We all know what’s coming… Can it be? YES! The Torresault connects. One.. two… thr… wait a second! Brie Bella just charges on in and breaks up what would have been a mirror end to most all of their other tag bouts together. Props to you Brie for this rapid improvement on stopping Kelly and Eve’s signature moves! Kelly Kelly runs in and gives me memories of her brilliant segment on NXT Season 3 (come on, you know I had to sneak in an NXT mention somewhere) as she screams out, “Are you freaking kidding me right now?!” Ultimately, this gives the Bellas enough time to pull out Twin Magic, as Brie rolls up Eve for the shocking victory! The twins celebrate their momentous win, as Kelly and Eve plot their next move of revenge!~
Now let me take you on a ride back in time to before the match we just recapped had yet to happen. Brie and Nikki Bella are seen sporting their ring gear backstage with The Miz, as they argue about whether or not the recent issues between Miz and R-Truth are the fault of well, Miz or R-Truth. The Miz interrupts them and asks if they’ve seen Truth, to which they proclaim they haven’t. Brie then adds that they did see Little Jimmy though (I laughed), which brings chuckles from the devious duo. This fool then tells the Bellas he’s glad Alberto Del Rio got hurt, which makes their jaws drop as he makes his way over to find R-Truth.
Again, this segment is back in time before the match took place, but after the Bellas segment with Miz did. Eve Torres is seen speaking to her recent fling, Zack Ryder, as he informs her that he watched their victory last week on loop. Eve admits that’s rather sweet, although kind of weird. Suddenly, Jack Swagger interrupts the two fan favorites, as Zack asks him how it’s going. Jack tells him there’s an impostor walking around with the U.S. Title, which ultimately fools Ryder into thinking someone swiped his belt (despite it being on his waist right that second). Our philanthropist, Eve, informs Zack of what he actually means, as Swagger calls him a dork. Ryder claims that just because both he and Swagger’s names end in “E-R” doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to send him to the ER!~
As Eve and Zack briefly fist bump each other, Jack says he will take Zack’s title and his girlfriend. (Just because I stand up for all that is right, I must inform you that Eve and Zack are not quite there yet.) Suddenly, the garbage that I refuse to name anything but Laryngitis walks into the scene and informs us of his unfortunate job title. He decides to book a six man elimination tag. This greatly excites me as I begin to think some midcard talents will be used! The GM then names the teams as Swagger, Mark Henry and Kane against Ryder, Big Show and John Cena. Welp, there went my joyous hope.
After a brief recap of last week’s monumental occurrence where Dolph Ziggler pinned WWE Champion, C.M. Punk, we are taken backstage to Josh Mathews as he stands by with the challenger in tonight’s title bout, Dolph himself! As I sense Cryssi’s Ziggler senses going off at the mere thought of his name being typed, the camera pans out to reveal Dolph (brilliantly) doing a headstand! He flips over as Vickie Guerrero enters the mix and Josh asks him if there’s any way he can become the new WWE Champion after the controversial finish last week. Dolph says that last week he pinned the WWE Champion just as easily as doing the headstand we witnessed. He adds that he believes if you got it, flaunt it, and nobody flaunts it better than he does every single night. (Insert Khaleesi Cryssi approval here.)
Dolph begins to explain how our country is in debt, and our kids are out of shape. He adds that they can’t read and test scores are brought down below Japan by states like Tennessee! He dubs himself a walking surplus of talent, athleticism, charisma…you name it he’s got it! Dolph continues on that everything he’s ever wanted, he’s got… except the WWE Championship. He tells everyone to hang on to their ticket stubs because they are going to want to know where they were the moment Dolph Ziggler became the new WWE Champion. With that, he and Vickie head out to the ring as Josh Mathews is left with a history lesson courtesy of Professor Ziggler!~
And, since Vickie Guerrero is present throughout, be sure to watch Dolph’s Championship bout against C.M. Punk below:
Thoughts: What a way to ring in the new year! I thought the match was better than usual for Raw standards, although I must admit I’m still in shock that everyone got an entrance. Somewhere, you know that backstage Eve, Kelly, and the Bellas were thanking all that is right in the world they went on before Chris Jericho hammed it up for 10 minutes. I loved that it was different than all their other tags though, like I felt like all of the Bellas vs. Kelly and Eve bouts have been the same formula with the Bellas doing submissions until Eve and Kelly fight back with their signature moves, so it was very refreshing to see something different. I don’t really mind what some may nitpick about the ending, it still worked and that’s good enough for me. Overall, I enjoyed the tag bout and thought all four ladies did stellar together.
The backstage segments were pretty fun as well. The Bella Twins shine on the microphone to me, and putting them in segments to continue their Alberto Del Rio stuff is what I want. I thought they looked great beside him and Ricardo last week, so as long as its occasionally brought up while Del Rio is out with injury, I’m fine with it because that way fans don’t forget about it. Eve also seems to shine in her segments with Zack Ryder. I loved the WWE.com one, and thought this was great as well. They seem to mesh off one another easily and she really seems to be coming into her own with both ring work and personality as of late. Kudos to Eve indeed! The Vickie/Dolph segment was beyond words brilliant. I like that Dolph shows off in both actions and words, because hell if I knew all that information he was spouting out. He taught me more than school ever did! Anyways, to sum this up, I thought the diva related portions of Raw were great for raw standards. I hope to see this trend continue (and please, give us entrances more often) .
Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match This Thursday on Impact
TNA has announced a Knockouts Tag Team Championship match for this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
Champions Gail Kim and Madison Rayne will defend against Mickie James and Traci Brooks.
If Mickie and Traci can win, Mickie would become the only woman in history to hold all four major championships in WWE and TNA, while it would mark original Knockout Traci’s first title win.
Spoilers for the show, which was taped before Christmas, here.
In Pictures: Stacy and Torrie Ring in 2012 in Cabo
Former WWE Divas Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson welcomed in the New Year whilst vacationing in Cabo, San Lucas, Mexico with a bevvy of celebrities. Other guests included Keibler’s Oscar winner boyfriend George Clooney, Wilson’s rumored beau Alex Rodriguez, model Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber.
We, of course, can’t forget to mention Wilson’s adorable dog Chloe!
Rumors have been swirling about Torrie’s alleged relationship with A-Rod ever since he was spotted working out in a gym in Boise, Idaho – Torrie’s hometown – over the holidays.
Images: JustJared
Vickie Guerrero Interested in Recruiting Tamina?
Seems as though our favourite “cougar” Vickie Guerrero is interested in introducing some “fresh blood” to her faction – none other than Smackdown’s own Tamina!
Vickie Tweeted her thoughts on the second-generation Diva:
If you Agree@TaminaSnuka being a part of my stable…RT. She is strong, indestructible, and she would have my back!
The second-generation Diva responded:
I think Tamina Would Love being managed by @ExcuseMeWWE it will something Amazing!!!!
What do you think of Vickie and Tamina potentially joining forces? Are you for or against it? Hit the comments below and let us know your opinion!
Raw Response: January 2nd, 2012
Get your Monday night Divas fix by tuning in to Raw tonight at 9pm ET on the USA Network.
Discuss the show in the comments!
CLICK HERE
FCW Watch (January 1st, 2012): Audrey Marie vs. Aksana vs. AJ
Ladies and gentlemen, we have made history here tonight. You see, this week’s edition of FCW brought forth a non-title triple threat match between Aksana, AJ (who this new commentator claimed was both the first Divas Champion and a part of NXT Season 4), and our current Divas Champ, Audrey Marie. This bout opened the show, and thus has made history as the first televised match to take place in 2012. Yep! AJ, Aksana and Audrey can each add that notch to their belt of accomplishments. But just how did the match play out? Did Audrey topple the SmackDown Divas, or did one of them manage to prove their worth and leave victorious?
You know the drill… Put your fingers on that computer mouse and scroll on down.
We open the night with SmackDown’s resident Pocket Rocket, AJ, who makes her way out in some patented green plaid that I heavily approve of since green is my favorite color. Following her comes the former Queen of FCW, Aksana, complete with her trademarked espionage music that I care for so dearly. Concluding the trio comes the current FCW Divas Champion, Audrey Marie! Audrey walks out to the ring with her pink title in hand, showing how proud she is to hold it. She then removes her hat and chaps, as the camera gets some reaction shots of all three women before the bell sounds.
Aksana immediately strikes AJ in the face and sends her flying outside the ring, before targeting Audrey Marie with a bodyslam attempt. Marie escapes out the back and dropkicks Aksana outside the ring as AJ holds the ropes open to add her part in the maneuver. AJ climbs back in the ring as Audrey locks in a headlock. She sends Marie into the ropes, who coincidentally knocks Aksana back down, before going for an arm drag. Audrey stops the move, but AJ quickly locks in a headlock of her own, transitioning it into a wrist lock arm drag.
Audrey slides outside the ring and pulls poor Aksana back down, before climbing back in and squaring off with AJ once more. Audrey reverses a headlock into an armbar, but AJ counters into a headlock takeover. Marie then goes for a leg lock, but AJ hops out of it and the two agree to once again take Aksana out of competition, only this time with a double team dropkick. The two proceed to lock up, with AJ applying a wrist lock that Audrey reverses. Audrey is sent into the ropes and hops over AJ, but AJ takes advantage with a fist to the face for a two count.
AJ then hits two neckbreakers, but Audrey kicks out. From there, our pocket rocket applies an arm stretch submission digging the knee into the Champions back. Audrey tries to fight out, but AJ keeps the hold locked in and drops the knee back into her. Finally, Audrey starts to fight out and hits a jawbreaker. She then follows it up with a suplex/bodyslam combo, before hitting the Yee Haw Legdrop for a near fall. AJ shoves Audrey back into the ropes, as Aksana gets hit AGAIN. Marie then goes to run off, but Aksana finally is able to grab her by the hair and punch Audrey in the face. She then takes the fight to AJ for a bit, before striking Audrey into the corner. Aksana then fires up with a stiff clothesline to the champ, before tossing AJ into the opposing corner.
AJ uses her Lita inspired style to hit a Handspring Bulldog to the former Queen, but as she lands the move, Audrey capitalizes with a running front dropkick to AJ! Audrey begins to cover both women, but only gets a two count on each. Aksana gets to a vertical base and strikes Audrey twice in the face, before attempting a Suplex. Audrey escapes out the back though, and hits “The Round-Up”. She looks to secure the pinfall, but out of nowhere AJ leaps over and rolls Audrey up for the win! AJ celebrates, as Audrey recovers and poses for the fans despite the loss.
Thoughts: Okay-ish showing from these three ladies. I didn’t feel like the match really got out of first gear, but I remember hearing someone say triple threats are the hardest bout to perform under, so I think it’s understandable why it seemed very cautious throughout the match. Audrey is coming along well, and I don’t think this type of stipulation is something to accurately judge her on. I do hope this prepares her for any future triple threat matches (you know, since WWE loves to do anything outside a tag or singles), and overall I would like to see her square off with AJ perhaps in a one on one setting. I liked the ending sequence though, and I thought that from AJ’s bulldog was the best part.
Exclusive: Former TNA Star ‘Desire’ Kim Nielsen Talks ‘The Biggest Loser’, Breaking Back in TNA & More
Seven years after suffering a career-ending injury and leaving the wrestling business for good, former TNA wrestler Kim Nielsen — better known as Desire — is back in the spotlight. However, this time Kim is in a very different role compared to the athletic and muscular wrestling role we once saw her in. Nielsen is set to be a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser which premieres Tuesday, January 3rd at 8/7c.
The 38-year-old mother of three was one of the most prominently featured female wrestlers during TNA’s early Nashville days. Prior to that, Kim was under a WWE developmental deal but released in 2002 before ever getting called up to television. Going to TNA thereafter, in an era before the word “Knockout” existed, Kim was part of some of TNA’s early boundary-pushing women’s matches including the first ever stretcher match against Trinity.
Breaking her back during a match, Kim soon left TNA and the spotlight all together, and has only just resurfaced over 100lbs overweight.
Below, Kim explains the reason behind her weight gain, why she decided to join The Biggest Loser, her tough journey over the past seven years, breaking her back in TNA, her thoughts on the Knockouts division and more.
What has life been like since your days in the business?
My career kind of ended with breaking my back in the ring. I went back [to TNA] after that, about 10 months later, and that was about it. Things just really weren’t the same for me. I was kind of afraid of being in the ring and trusting people with my body, so that was kind of career-ending for me. I got pregnant soon after that with my third child and have just kind of been home taking care of my kids.
Can you tell us how your back injury happened?
It was during a dark match before the show had started when I was with TNA. She [her opponent] had put me up into a fisherman suplex and she bumped on the very edge of the ring and when I came down, my back… I just heard it crack. I heard it snap. I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t really know what to do. I was just in so much pain. I don’t think she knew that I was hurt, but she said: “Get up, finish the match.” The only thing that really made sense at that moment would be for her to cover me, but I don’t like to lose. I actually got up and I finished the match. She threw me across the ring, I hit the ropes, and I picked her up and slammed her into a Rock Bottom and covered her. I rolled out of the ring and walked to the back, and that’s where I just fell apart. They called the ambulance, [I] got to a hospital, and my back was actually broken.
We haven’t seen you in the spotlight since then. Why did you decide to do The Biggest Loser?
First of all, when I had gotten pregnant with my third child, I think a lot of people can probably relate — I had been on TV every week, I had been at the gym every single day, and I thought: “Well, I’m pregnant. This is my third child. I’ll just go ahead and let myself eat, be pregnant and be happy.” I gave myself leeway to just do whatever I wanted and not really work out, and eat whatever I wanted to. What happened was, I ended up gaining 80lbs being pregnant with my daughter. I had two kids before that and with them, I had gotten right back to the gym, I had worked out [but] with my third child, not really having wrestling to go back to, which is what I love and what really motivated me to stay in shape, I didn’t have that anymore. I didn’t have that passion anymore to go back to. So I find myself not really knowing what I was going to do and just ended up not losing that [baby] weight at all. As a matter of fact, I ended up gaining even more weight than that.
It was Sonny [Siaki] — I had wrestled with him [in TNA] — he’s the father of my smallest child, the one that I was pregnant with, and he’s the one that actually encouraged me to go try out for the show. I really didn’t want to do it. My daughter is like six years old now, so I had been away from the industry, away from my fans and out of the spotlight for those seven years and I had gotten overweight, unhealthy and not happy. I was really hiding from my friends, my fans, my family. My Facebook page still had all my skinny pictures and my wrestling pictures which I was so proud of, but I wasn’t proud of what I had done over the last seven years — hiding, gaining weight and just not being healthy, or a very good role model. When Sonny suggested that I try out for the show, they were actually here in Atlanta where I live. There was an open casting call. It took him a little bit to convince me, but I decided that I would go ahead and try out. I was just tired of living this way, tired of being overweight and not being a good, fit role model for my kids.
Losing weight is such a personal thing. Were you self conscious about doing this on TV?
Oh, my gosh – hugely. It was one of the downfalls for me of doing this show. I would actually have to get on the scale and you’re very out there. You have a sports bra and some shorts on, you know? This is the first time that anyone’s ever seen me [since TNA] and I’m going out there and doing it in a big way. What’s really worse than having been on TV before — I’m there every week, I’m fit and I’m in shape — and now I’m having to get on the scale over 100lbs overweight and just showing the whole world what I’ve done? That was huge for me and that was one of the biggest reasons I didn’t want to do it. But I also feel like I owe it to myself. This is what I did. It’s a huge step for me. A really brave step to actually to do this at all, to let anyone know at all [that she was overweight] was my biggest fear. To do it in this huge of a way, it’s just kind of who I am — I either do it all the way or just not at all.
Continue to the next page for more…
British Reality Star Amy Childs Working Angle for TNA?
In a presumably kayfabe article on British tabloid The Daily Star‘s website today, TNA Knockouts Gail Kim and Velvet Sky “slammed” British reality star, Amy Childs, best known for appearing on The Only Way is Essex and the last season of Celebrity Big Brother.
The article seems to be suggesting that Childs will be making an appearance during the company’s tour of the UK at the end of this month.
Knockouts Champion, Kim, supposedly said: “Everything about her is fake. The hair, the boobs, the fame.”
Meanwhile, former champion Velvet reportedly added: “Hey Amy! Come see us and we’ll show you what genuine class is all about.”
Thoughts: I’m guessing that they’ll be doing some sort of angle with Childs during one of the shows. For those not familiar with her, Childs rose to fame in 2010 as one of the cast members of a Jersey Shore-like reality show named The Only Way is Essex. She left the show after two seasons and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother last September before landing her own reality show on Channel 5. It should be noted that both Channel 5, whom Childs works for, and the Daily Star newspaper are owned by the same company, so this could be an angle filmed for her reality show rather than for TNA.
The Diva Dirt Perfect 10: Week of December 25th, 2011
It’s back! The Diva Dirt Perfect 10 makes a return as we look at the movers and shakers of the Divas and Knockouts division this past week a la WWE.com’s Power 25. Which femme fatales impressed on Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Superstars, Impact Wrestling and FCW? (Note: Pay per views will be counted the following week.)
Let’s find out…
#10. Natalya
Last Week: —
Although she didn’t come out with a victory this week, Natalya managed to get her face on TV for two separate occasions as she competed on both Raw and SmackDown.
Although we aren’t quite sure about a few things that happened in either bout, hopefully Natalya can get back on that brief win streak she was assembling a few weeks ago.
Continue on for #9…
Sara Del Rey, Mickie James and Beth Phoenix Take Top Honors in Fan Voted Year-End 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.
Fan Voted Year-End Awards 2011: WWE Diva of the Year
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.
Fan Voted Year-End Awards 2011: TNA Knockout of the Year
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.
Fan Voted Year-End Awards 2011: Independent Wrestler of the Year
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.
Fan Voted Year-End Awards 2011: FCW Diva of the Year
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.
Fan Voted Year-End Awards 2011: One to Watch in 2012
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.
Fan Voted Year-End Awards 2011: Televised Match of the Year
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.