TNA Knockout, Tara, has responded to fans commenting that WWE’s Eve Torres ‘stole’ her standing moonsault.
The duo, friends during their time in WWE, both perform the standing moonsault, with Torres recently adding a ‘booty pop’ before performing hers — similar to Tara’s ‘shakedown’ before she hits the move.
I have heard from a lot of people alerting me that ‘Eve stole your standing moonsault’. Here is my perspective…Eve is a shady thief…I’m totally kidding. Eve is a wonderful person, a good friend, and one of the people I miss the most from WWE. But seriously, hundreds of wrestlers have come and gone through the major wrestling organizations. If every move they used became off limits, there would be nothing left to do. The way I learned it, there is a certain code of honor where if you ‘borrow’ someone’s move, you in some way change it and make it your own, which Eve did.
Recently, Miss Tessmacher introduced a move that I thought was not even close to a move Trish did. But then one of the TNA backstage coaches asked her to adjust it, and it became a little more like Trish’s move. Even so, it is definitely Miss Tessmacher’s version. And at the end of the day, Trish was flattered, the same way I am flattered. If you want to spice up your arsenal, you go to wrestlers that you admire.
Thoughts: As Tara points, moves are rarely new in wrestling and everyone uses moves that have been done before. I think the fans point of contention comes from the fact that Eve recently added the ‘booty pop’ to her standing moonsault, which is similar to Tara’s ‘shakedown’. However, Torres has been using the actual move for a while and I’ve always thought of it as an homage to her friend more than anything else. Not a huge thing to nitpick over.
Hello, my darlings. After the disaster that was last week, I’m pretty sure that we now have everything back on track. I say we, but I mean me. However, you are like my family. And I just sang that out loud in a very campy, Barney-esque way. Anyhoo! Last week, we saw a Knockouts Championship match that never was and the return of yet another Knockout, but this time it was the ultimate original. We also crowned new Knockouts Tag Team Champions last week in major booty poppin’ fashion. This week, one-half of the new champs is taking on the evil villian of Impact Wrestling and we have a confrontation of flamboyant proportions. Throw in a little crazy and it is your ever typical week in the Impact Zone. So I hope you brought your Kool-Aid. You’re gonna need it.
We start things off this week with the only Knockouts match of the evening. The the ring first, Winter makes her way out with her lady in waiting, Angelina Love. The Mistress Morticia is taking on one-half of the new Knockouts Tag Team Champions, Tara. However, the veteran femme fatale doesn’t come to the ring alone. She brings her new partner-in-crime with her and staying true to herself, makes out with her on the apron. She will go to her grave with that one. Aside from that action, senior official Earl Hebner isn’t about to deal with any shenanigans and he immediately kicks Angelina and Miss Tessmacher to the back. This is going to be a true singles match, if he has it his way.
Tara, taking the iniative to start the match, dodges a behind attack from Winter and immediately turns on the hurt. Handfuls of hair and facial slams into the turnbuckle that lead into a bridging pin attempt but it is a no-go. Winter turns the tides but not for long because Tara is back on with a tarantula submission around the ropes. But the referee has to count the break and when Tara stands back up on the apron, Winter drops her like a hot coal. It is time for that over-the-top rope leg drop but Winter rolls out, causing Tara to land right on her ass. Makes my booty hurt. Save your comments.
Winter smells blood now and stays on her opponent, despite a failed pin attempt of her own. A back surfboard type submission but Tara is too strong to hold. She comes back with elbow shots from that..apparatus on her arm. Thank you, Taz. A clubbing forearm to the back of the neck and Winter does her best to fight back. Knees to Winter and a sling into the corner but like a puma, Winter slides down and comes flying back. I’m sorry. Who said that Winter just can’t cut it in the ring anymore? Yeah. You were wrong. Deal with it. That harsh clothesline takes Tara down and there’s another pin attempt, no good.
Winter sticks to the pain with the forearm shots, keeping Tara grounded. That is, until she pulls Tara up for a rough backbreaker across the knee. So many pin attempts, so little time. Frustration is setting in and it shows with the choking and snarls at Hebner. But letting the aggravation boil is what gets you laid off guard and gives Tara the chance to fight back. She gains her wits and lays harsh lefts to the midsection of Morticia. A rebound into the ropes and a trio of takedowns leads to a bodyslam with a standing moonsault for exclamation. She could have it here but when she sets Winter up, she gets shoved back into the corner. Yeah. This match just keeps coming.
And so does Tara. She comes out of the corner and gets a big boot to her face for the effort. A little time for a deep breath and Winter goes back in, the exchange and Tara has the upperhand. However, for some reason, Hebner gets all dramatic and acts like Winter’s foot just connected with his face. Or maybe it did. Did it? Who knows. He’s old and senile these days. Either way, Tara’s attempt at dropping Winter with the Widow’s Peak is thwarted by a back mulekick to the va-jay-jay. We all know how Tara feels about those shots. They’re deadly. Deadly enough to do the job and Winter gathers just enough energy to spin Tara around, dropping her across the knee. A final pin attempt and Winter has won the match in all her fierce glory. But can she win going into Hardcore Justice against Mickie James? I guess we’ll find out.
Later in the show, we’re sitting pretty in the ring with the original Knockout, Traci Brooks and a current highlight of the division, Velvet Sky. Traci has taken to the microphone, inviting Jacqueline and ODB to the ring. She calls them “ladies” but from what I’ve seen, they are far from a couple of ladies. Regardless, a back door is mentioned and Traci drops the personal invitation which prompts them to walk down the ramp. Velvet looks unsure of the situation but Traci assures her everything is going to be okay, hug included. I love Traci. Seriously.
When the ruckus duo hit the ring, Traci lets them know that she didn’t want it to be like this. She didn’t want to be caught in the middle but watching what they did to poor Velvet, she had no other choice. She reminds everyone she was the original Knockout and if it wasn’t for her, none of these dames would have a job. She tells us that management asked her to step away so that the future faces could come in. Traci even goes on to remind ODB and Jackie that they, of all people, should know how this wrestling business is because she does. They should be thankful that Velvet didn’t press charges, adding more to (ODB’s) criminal records. Traci puts her foot down and tells them that it ends tonight. ODB, never one to back down, says that she’ll end it…right after she puts her foot up Velvet’s plastic barbie doll ass.
Cue the feisty run-in stopped by the new BFF.
I’m loving the outfits, let me just say. Always loved Traci’s wardrobe but I’m dying for Velvet’s boots. I can do without the OMGWTF shirt, however. ODB and Jackie, on the other hand, can just take their clothes to the nearest donation box. I’m not feeling it. Regardless of fashion, ODB tells Traci that she has her facts all screwed up. She and Jackie lost their jobs. well…they didn’t lose their jobs until Velvet started rubbing her little pooty tang on the ropes. Um…what?! Do you really have to do that with your hips? No. Please. Just stop. You’re going cross-eyed. Even the Hawaiian Tropicana Hooters Invitational doesn’t want to see you do that.
That’s right, folks. ODB is gonna make it happen. The HTHI will take place sometime in the near future. Right after she finishes whatever is in her flask.
ODB says that with HTHI coming in, that leaves no room for real ass kickin’ women like Jackie and herself. But Velvet has had enough because she takes the microphone from Traci and tells her she’s got it. She tells them that neither one of them know her or anything about her. She grew up in Hartford, Connecticut as the runt, the one picked on and pushed around. Even beaten all the way up through high school. Days she didn’t even want to get on the school bus and… this is turning into a Lifetime movie special. Someone call the network! We got a pitch! I love you, Velvet. I really do but what should have only been said once, has been dragged out like yesterday’s dirty laundry. Just… enough.
You’re no longer a victim. Play that violin, Jackie! Okay. We get it. You were bullied, grew up and now you’re no longer taking any shit from anyone. I’ve been there. Honestly, I have but I don’t play it out like a Gaga song on the radio. Coming to this company was the greatest day of your life, Velvet. You earned it. I agree with you. I’m glad you’re bouncing back. Just kick more ass and talk a little less about the past. Moving along… Velvet says that she knows this business is one of the toughest to survive. Jackie knows that because she’s definitely no rookie. She’s got a lot of notches in her proverbial wrestling belt.
But Velvet proves a rather good point. Why not showcase your skill and fight for your job again? Why not have some pride in what you do instead of throwing it down the drain, acting like a couple of thugs? She lets them know that they can do whatever they want, fight it out week after week but she will always be the last one standing. She will also be the only one who is actually employed. Haha. But the ball is in their court. As for Velvet, she is done being anyone’s punching bag! She is done! No more. Absolutely not. No more! No mas!
*Stalks off*
Oh. You mean, we’re not finished yet? I thought…okay. I understand. I suppose I could stick around and share this backstage snippet with you but I was really hoping to go for the dramatic exit. Le sigh. Anyway, so…there was this spot. It was before the Knockouts match with Madison Rayne and a sad excuse for The Joker. I’m not sure why he thinks he’s Joker but he’s really sad. Seriously, Sting….seek professional help. I really can’t even describe this video in words so I’m just going to let you watch it for yourself. Don’t blame me. You made me come back.
Thoughts: I don’t know who it was that said this week’s Knockouts match sucked but I have to disagree. Not all great matches have to last longer than ten minutes. No, it wasn’t one for the record books but it was consistent and you can tell they know what they’re doing. A good wrestler knows how to scout their opponent and predict the next move. I definitely enjoyed it. Tara and Winter are two favorites in the ring and they definitely worked one another out. Now, as for the whole Velvet/ODB/Jackie/Traci thing. I’m extremely happy to see Traci back but I’m afraid it isn’t going to be permanent. I wouldn’t mind watching her put a few girls in their place but her recent run-ins haven’t lasted very long. I guess we’ll find out in weeks to come so until that time next week, my lovies! xoxo
What did you guys think about this week’s Impact? Tell me about it!
SmackDown is starting to become hit or miss when it comes to Diva matches, but this week we were lucky enough to get one… even if it was the same match we’ve seen several times in the the past. This week. Alicia Fox, who has been on quite the winning streak as of late, leads her team of Tamina and Rosa Mendes into battle against Natalya and her proteges, AJ and Kaitlyn. Can Alicia and co. pull out a win this week or will Team Natalya (finally) be victorious? Check out the match below and find out:
We kick things off with Natayla already in the ring working out their strategy for the match. Alicia, Tamina and Rosa are out next and Alicia is rocking pigtails yet again. I guess having her weave ripped out once was enough for her, huh? Natalya and Tamina get into position to start the match and the official signals for the bell.
Nattie starts things off by getting right in Tamina’s face and talking some trash. Not intimidated in the slightest, Tamina piefaces Natalya and goes for a slap. Natalya blocks the slap and dishes out one of her own, before charging at a stunned Tamina full speed. Tamina tries to cut off Natalya’s momentum, but Nattie slides between her legs and goes for a crucifix pin. Unfortunately for Nattie, she can’t manage to get the Polynesian Princess’ shoulders to the mat. Natalya quickly converts into a sunset flip for a quick one count.
Tamina tries to take Natalya down with a kick, but it’s blocked and Natalya takes her down and goes for the Sharpshooter. Tamina quickly fights out before Nattie can lock it in and hits her signature Samoan drop, nearly sending Natalya through the ring. Instead of going for the pin after her finisher like most people would, Tamina drags Natalya over to her corner and tags in Alicia, who goes right to work, slamming Natalya into the mat, before going into the pin for the nearfall.
Not giving her opponent any time to breathe, Alicia whips her legs around and locks in a leg-scissors. Unfortunately for Fox, Natalya easily overpowers her and hangs her in the “Tree of Joey Lawrence” (Thanks Prazak and Danger) and levels her with a dropkick to the gut. Nattie crawls over to her corner and manages to tag AJ, who speeds up the pace considerably.
Right out the gate AJ evades a charging Alicia and retaliates with a flying clothesline/tilt-a-whirl headscissors/Shining Wizard combination and goes for the pin, which prompts Rosa and Tamina to rush the ring, saving their leader from defeat. Nattie and Kaitlyn come to AJ’s rescue, and the Divas take the fight to ringside, leaving AJ and Alicia in the ring.
Alicia whips a dazed AJ across the ring and charges, but AJ counters with an elbow to the face and goes to the high risk district. AJ comes flying off the second rope with a crossbody, but Alicia dodges and hits her scissors kick to pick up the win for her team.
A pretty good showing for the Smackdown Divas going into the battle royal on Monday. It’s so rare that the SmackDown Divas get included in these Raw battle royals, so I think it was important to make the blue brand Divas look like credible contenders going in, which I think was achieved.
As for the actual match, with the exception of the slightly botched scissors kick ending, it was really good, even if it was a bit predictable. Definitely the best tag match these Divas have had against each other.
Last, but certainly not least, we have to discuss Alicia’s dominance on SmackDown and what it means for the upcoming battle royal. With the recent string of wins lately and the lack of challengers on Raw, it seems almost certain that Alicia Fox is being groomed to have a feud with Kelly Kelly and possibly even a second reign as Divas Champion. Believe it or not, I would actually like to see this feud happen. I’ve enjoyed most of the matches that Alicia and Kelly have had together and I think they could put together something decent at SummerSlam. Also, if Alicia does win at SmmerSlam, it would bring the butterfly belt back to it’s home on SmackDown and give Divas like Nattie and AJ an opportunity to work in a championship program.
Anyhoo, great week for the SmackDown Divas. Hopefully, one of them can be the last Diva standing on Monday Night Raw and make their way to SummerSlam. GO TEAM SMACKDOWN!!!
TNA Knockout, Tara, took part in a charitable run this past week in Chicago. But unlike normal marathons, this one came with a twist: Participants dressed down in their underwear!
The Undie Dash took place on Thursday and raised money for breast and ovarian cancer care, a cause that is close to Tara’s heart.
Speaking to CBS Chicago, Tara — real name Lisa Marie Varon — admitted she recently had a cancer scare of her own.
She told the local station:
“I had my scare actually six months ago, finding a little cyst in my right breast and it scared me so much and thank goodness I caught it just in time.”
You can read more of the article here, and check out pictures of the Undie Dash here.
Thoughts: Lisa shows considerable compassion for several charitable causes, including dog rescue which she regularly promotes on Twitter. Very commendable of her to use her fame in a positive way. Hopefully this will encourage female fans of wrestling to also get checked for lumps etc. and look out for their own health.
* Sara Del Rey def. Sassy Stephie. Del Rey originally advertised to face Super Oprah. Stephie was a surprise on the show.
* Portia Perez def. Roxie Cotton in Roxie’s retirement match. After the match, Roxie retired and jumped Portia.
* Jessicka Havok def. Angel Dust to retain the AIW Women’s Championship in a First Blood Match. Havok squirted tomato ketchup on Dust which the referee mistook for blood and called for the bell.
* Mickie Knuckles def. Jessicka Havok to win the AIW Women’s Championship. Knuckles re-appeared after being beaten by Kay earlier.
Former Knockouts Champion, Madison Rayne, was interviewed at Comic Con in San Diego last week.
In the interview, Rayne talks about growing up and watching and being influenced by girls like Tara and Mickie James and then going on to wrestle them, and more.
Former Divas Champion, Eve Torres, is interviewed by the Peoria Journal about her journey to the WWE and more.
Perhaps most interestingly, Eve is asked about criticism of the division to which she admits that it is in a “struggling place” on television, but feels that the girls are able to show what they can do on live events.
Eve says:
We have to work basically in a man’s world. I definitely, without sounding like I’m complaining, will state that we have it the hardest in the WWE. You don’t see much of us (on TV programming).
When it comes to the live events, you get to see great Diva matches you don’t see on Monday Night Raw. We have great fun and some awesome, kick-butt matches. There are a lot of liberties we take (during live matches) we can’t take on TV. I’m proud of the Diva division. We’re in a struggling place right now in terms of TV time, (but) I know what each of us are capable of.
On what’s next for the Divas, Eve adds:
I think we can take the Diva brand to the next level to show that we can be respectful women, educated women, portraying this image. … We have a lot of young girls watching and a lot of young boys, as well. Within the Diva’s division, I have a few more title runs to do. Through that, we’ll be able to take the Diva division to the next level and kind of quiet the haters, if you will.
Speaking on the evolution of Divas and who she looked up to, Eve picks Trish Stratus:
One that probably made the biggest impact and still today does, is Trish Stratus. When I was a little younger and looking at the Divas as something I’d like to do, it was her image (I emulated). She is extremely athletic and great in the ring, beautiful and fit and athletic, and that’s the trend that continues to be set.
Thoughts: Nice to hear the candor from Eve and concede that the Divas aren’t really given a lot to do, particularly on television. The live event versus TV comparison is something we talked about on Diva Dirt Sheet this week. I definitely agree that the live events is where you’re going to get your money’s worth with the Divas, because they get 10 or so minute matches and more often than not, get good reviews or reviews from fans who are surprised that the matches are good because of what they see on TV.
Last weekend at Comic-Con, WrestlingFigures.com caught up with Knockouts Champion Mickie James to discuss some new things on the horizon for her, including a TNA-branded action figure and a 6-song EP.
In the interview Mickie says that she’s heading back to the studio on August 15th to record a 6-song EP that she hopes will be released in October. She also expresses an interest in going on tour.
Earlier we linked to the latest episode of Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast featuring Beth Phoenix. In that interview, Beth detailed how she got into wrestling, revealing the role that former WWE Diva Molly Holly played in getting her to the WWE, saying, “[Molly] is probably one of the biggest reasons that I’m working with the WWE right now.”
Beth explained that, while with the indy promotion APW, she took part in a signing at that year’s WrestleMania Fan Axxess event in Toronto. There, she gave Molly a match tape (coincidentally, with soon-to-be fellow Diva Gail Kim), which Molly passed on to trainer Dr. Tom Prichard. Seven months later Beth, Gail and current TNA Knockout Traci Brooks got the call to attend a SmackDown taping and take part in tryout matches. Gail was the only one to get a contract at the time, but eventually Molly encouraged Beth to head to OVW and train. Just out of college, Beth couldn’t really afford to make the full OVW tuition payments, and found that when she went to make her first payment that someone had already made it for her. Beth eventually discovered that Molly covered almost half of her OVW tuition, which Molly said was her way of paying forward the opportunities that others had given her when she had started out. Since Molly wouldn’t accept repayment, Beth would eventually put together a photo album chronicling her journey to the WWE and sent it to her, letting Molly know that it was because of her that her dream came true.
We’ve always heard great things about Molly, but something like this is almost unheard of in the world of pro wrestling. This is really a touching example of her generosity and it makes total sense that ring veterans like Dean Malenko say that she might be “too good for the business”. If there were more people like her in pro wrestling, I wonder how many more Beth Phoenixes we would be seeing in the WWE today?
Hear the story for yourself and listen to the rest of the Art of Wrestling podcast by clicking here.
This week on FCW, there’s quite a bit of diva action to behold, as not only does the reigning Queen/Champion Aksana team up with current Smackdown Geek Goddess, AJ, but they face off against the (TV in-ring) debuting Sonia, and the actual TV debut of Audrey Marie in tag team action. Quite the mouthful, but that’s still not it, because before the match Sonia and Audrey take the mic for a team interview with Briley Pierce.
Check out how the action unfolds below…
We head to the interview area where Briley Pierce stands with the debuting Sonia and Audrey Marie. Pierce remarks how he cant believe he gets paid to do this, before questioning what they plan to do in their debut against two of the most decorated divas in the promotion, AJ and Aksana. Audrey (complete with southern accent) reveals a moving saying that her grandma told her, in that she could decorate a cow all she wants, but at the end of the day it’s still a cow. She doesn’t mean Aksana and AJ are like farm animals or anything, and starts to get riled up at the thought of facing off against them before Sonia takes control and tells her to calm down. Sonia remarks that while AJ and Aksana may be the two most successful divas, Sonia and Audrey have a good feeling that after tonight they will be known as losers (get the picture?).
From there, we head to the ring as Eden announces the upcoming match and the team of AJ/Aksana make their way to the ring. After a few failed attempts to get the bell rung, it finally commences and we are underway. Sonia and AJ lock up in the center of the ring, as AJ takes control sending Sonia into the ropes. She flies in with a reverse elbow to send the newcomer to the mat for a two count. Sonia takes control and sends AJ into the corner, where she applies an illegal chokehold until the count of three. She takes it upon herself to distract the referee, which allows Audrey to grab AJ from the hair and send her down. Sonia goes for a pinfall, but only gets a 2 count. This seems to infuriate her, as she lets out a shrill scream at the sight of AJ’s kick out.
Sonia throws AJ back into the corner and begins choking her with her boot until she makes the tag to Audrey. Audrey Marie proceeds to kick AJ in the stomach, before tossing her down by the back of the head. Marie then applies a knee to the back of Lee, as she bends AJ back by applying a modified camel clutch to add even more pressure to the back of AJ. The crowd begins to get behind AJ, but Audrey lets go of the hold and begins to taunt AJ until Lee manages to slap her in the stomach. Marie applies a front face lock and falls back into the corner, where Sonia makes the tag back in.
Sonia gets a roll up for a one count, before taking control with another front face lock. AJ tries to fight out, but Sonia takes control with a mat slam. From there, she begins clawing at the back of Lee, before digging her knee into the back and stretching her arms out in a nice modified surfboard, making sure to break it before her own shoulders were counted for a two. She then kicks AJ to the mat and Audrey tags back in. Sonia tosses Audrey into AJ with a double team clothesline of sorts, as Marie then sends AJ into a different corner and goes for a body splash, but Lee manages to move out of the way and tag in her partner. Aksana charges with two clotheslines to Audrey, followed by a bodyslam and slap to the face for a two count.
Sonia attempts to break the pinfall up, but Aksana manages to toss her outside the ring. Audrey tries to take advantage with a roll up, but makes the mistake of putting her feet on the ropes with the referee in clear view. She takes it upon herself to argue with the ref over his call, distracting her just long enough for the Champion to take control with a roundhouse kick to the head for the victory. Sonia and Audrey exit the ring as AJ and Aksana pose for the crowd.
Thoughts: Well first off, it was great to finally see some new faces on TV. For a while it’s been the same batch of females used, so it’s cool to see some change. The promo was interesting, I’m not sure I bought Audrey’s southern accent, maybe it’s just from hearing her in person, but I thought her gimmick was funny and at least I was entertained. I enjoyed Sonia a lot and I think she comes off well as a heel. The match was solid for what it was. Audrey was green, but I expected it given how new she is. She didn’t mess anything up, she just seemed to not know where to go next in parts, which like I said, is understandable. I enjoyed Sonia and AJ working together, especially the submission hold towards the middle of the match, and it’s good to see Aksana pick up another win since she’s billed as the top of the division. I would like to see Sonia as her next challenger though to freshen things up.
As reported last month, Jillian was booked for an autograph signing session titled ‘Date Night with Jillian Hall‘ last week in Marietta, OH for Remix Pro Wrestling.
Been a long time since NXT has been seen around these parts, eh? Well, for those of you who have not been keeping up with the current never-ending season, let me catch you up on things: The season has been hosted by Matt Striker (per contract negotiations, I had to mention him in this post) and Raw Diva, Maryse. One of the pros is Hornswoggle… yes, you read that right, but I digress. Anyways, Hornswoggle had fallen head over heels for Maryse, but she wanted nothing to do with him. In recent weeks, he had become depressed, until he began receiving gifts from a secret admirer. The identity of this admirer was unknown, until last night when she made her grand return to NXT and made the rain fall for the leprechaun. Check it out below…
As we head backstage, Hornswoggle can be seen holding the stuffed animal he received last week from the admirer, but not only that, walking around eating from little piles of candy on the ground that lead him to a curtain. A heart shaped note can be seen attached with the words “Pucker up and close your eyes… and I will give you a big surprise.” Hornswoggle clearly follows said orders, and out pops NXT Season 3 contestant, as well as one half of the resident Chick Busters, AJ. She plants one on him, and out of nowhere pops Maryse.
Maryse teases the duo, stating that she’s happy Hornswoggle finally found someone his height (ouch). AJ sticks up for the little guy and defends his honor, criticizing how Maryse has treated him. This shocks the French poodle, as Natalya would say, and she compares AJ and Hornswoggle to a couple of trolls. This sparks AJ to hit Maryse over the head with her sunflowers in a way that sounded like Maryse had just been given a Stephanie McMahon slap to the face.
Maryse runs off, screaming how AJ is crazy and to never touch her again. This leaves the two lovebirds to stare at each other as AJ hands him the now partly broken petals.
Thoughts: Haha, this was a pretty cool segment that hopefully leads somewhere. I’m not the biggest Hornswoggle fan, but I kinda like the idea of he and AJ together because it would give her added screen time and NXT is the place where a lot of the underused talent are getting to show off what they can do lately. Maybe next week we’ll get a match between the two. Who knows? But with this season never winding down, I’m sure we’ll see something more to come from this.
This week (actually the episode aired July 10th, but details aren’t important) on FCW, the in ring competition takes a week off, as perhaps one of the more interesting female signees in recent memory gets the chance to take the microphone, in Raquel Diaz (Shaul Guerrero). The episode prior, Norman Smiley gave both she and her client, Alexander Rusev, the go ahead to bring their talents to FCW, and that starts tonight as they are interviewed by Briley Pierce. Sink or Swim time is upon us…
Check it out below!
Thoughts: Pretty good debut for the duo in my opinion. From her past segment with AJ, I’ve thought Raquel was pretty sweet on the mic, and tonight further went on to show it. I enjoyed her putting Rusev over as the monster he resembles, all while he stood there looking intimidating, sort of like a silent but deadly type deal. Personally, I hope to see more from the two of them together as I think it’s pretty refreshing, and it allows Raquel to get some character before she steps into the ring. Thumbs up from me.
Be sure to drop a comment and leave your thoughts as well, whether similar or different from mine.
WWE Diva, Maryse, is featured on TMZ today in a report that she has filed a restraining order against an obsessed fan who she fears will kill her.
TMZ reports that the former Divas Champion, full name Maryse Ouellet, has filed a permanent restraining order against a 61-year-old man by the name of Lee Silber, who she says has sent her “numerous terrifying letters to my home and left more than 50 voicemails on my personal cell phone all of which are extremely disturbing and delusional.”
The report continues:
[notice]In one of the letters Maryse claims she received from Silber, he promises to “not only give you a check for $100,000, but give you a 100 carat diamond ring worth $20,000,000 to prove I am your friend.”
Maryse says Silber’s letters have gotten scarier over the last few weeks … with Silber promising that he will be “coming to LA for me” … and will “take me to heaven with him.”
In the docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Maryse states, “I fear for my life.”
Maryse tells TMZ she’s beefed up security at her home recently … calling Silber a “crazy stalker … who needs to either be in a psychiatric hospital or jail!”[/notice]
TNA Knockout, Tara, has responded to fans commenting that WWE’s Eve Torres ‘stole’ her standing moonsault.
TNA Knockout, 
Last night, Absolute Intense Wrestling presented its Girls Night Out 4 card in Lakewood, Ohio.
Former Divas Champion, 
Get your weekly dose of Knockouts action on tonight’s Impact. To watch, tune into Spike TV from 9pm ET.
This week on FCW, there’s quite a bit of diva action to behold, as not only does the reigning Queen/Champion 
Skateboarding in heels? Only at Comic Con!
When it comes to magazine covers, clearly no one does it like 
WWE Diva, 
