Recently signed WWE talent, Tenille, competed in her final match before her home country of Australia before she heads to WWE’s developmental territory, FCW, yesterday.
Tenille appeared in a match for Melbourne City Wrestling. The Aussie star recently returned home to Australia for some downtime before reporting to FCW. She also booked one final match with MCW as her ‘farewell’ to her home country before joining WWE.
Rhi Lockwood, whose husband Cory, was the official photographer at yesterday’s show, sent in the following results and pictures to Diva Dirt:
It was a return for Tenille in front of home crowd for the first time in THREE years! So for those of us that have supported the Aussie local scene for a long time, were really excited.
Tenille teamed up KC Cassidy (the girl in pink & the current PWWA champion – Madison Eagle’s promotion) to defeat Shazza McKenzie (in green & gold) & Eliza Sway (tattoos & red hair) on June 10th at Melbourne City Wrestling.
Cheerleader Melissa is once again taking part in AIDS Walk San Francisco and is seeking sponsors.
This year’s AIDS Walk takes place on July 17th in San Fran. The proceeds from the walk will go to help victims of HIV/AIDS, as well as fund research and more.
To make a donation to sponsor Melissa, click here.
New SmackDown Diva, AJ, debuted her entrance music on last night’s show to polarizing opinion. You either loved it and felt it fit her to a tee, or you hated it. But wait… didn’t your mother tell you not to judge a book by its cover?
How can we possible make up our minds without hearing the song in all its, er… glory?
So, now you’ve heard the song in full and have a more informed opinion, vote below. Love it or hate it?
Thoughts: As other members of Team DD have pointed out, it really sounds like joshi wrestler Misaki Ohata’s theme in the SHIMMER DVD series. AJ likes comic books etc. which isn’t a far stretch from anime. (Okay fanboys, simmer down.) However, it wouldn’t feel out of place on an episode of Hannah Montana either. Despite all this, I still feel it fits AJ.
Veteran Japanese star, Kyoko Inoue, returned to US soil for the first time in 16 years this week for some appearances and a match at CZW against Sumie Sakai. Inoue has been wrestling for over two decades and was awarded the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Match of the Year in 1995 for her bout with Manami Toyota. She also had a stint in the WWF.
Inoue was the founder of NEO, a once-highly successful joshi promotion which closed its doors last year, but this year she formed World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana which recently held its first show. Diana has drafted some familiar names from the US independent scene including Annie Social and Rain.
While visiting the US, Diva Dirt had the chance to interview Inoue about her visit, Diana and more!
Interview translated by Sumie Sakai.
How are you enjoying your trip to the US so far?
I’m really enjoying my visit. Steaks and hamburgers are so good here!
You recently launched World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana in Japan. What was behind the decision to leave NEO after a decade and open Diana?
I wanted to start my ideal joshi puroresu organization.
What has the experience been like so far in Diana? Are you happy with the first show and the talent?
In addition to being a wrestler, I now have more office work as the president. Prior to the opening card, I wasn’t able to spend much time on training because of my duties as the president, and I wasn’t satisfied with my own match. However, other girls showed great matches!
Kyoko & Annie Social in Japan (Image: Kyoko inoue)
You’ve brought in some girls from America to Diana including Annie Social. Have they gotten a good reaction? Will you continue to bring in more Americans?
They all showed the best performances. I want to find more wrestlers from the US.
What are your thoughts on being the first woman to hold a men’s title in Japan?
I give all the credits to to my tag team partner Fuyuki-san. I was scared everyday, but I’m glad I never fled!
How does it feel to be recognized as the 1995 Match of the Year vs. Manami Toyota in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter? Your memories of that match?
I had most matches everyday during that time, and I’m really surprised to find out that my endless effort was appreciated by the fans overseas.
What was it like working in WWF (now WWE) in 1995? Would you have worked for them again if they had asked you?
Back then, yes! Now? No way! I just started Diana in Japan!
What was your time in CMLL like in Mexico?
I was surprised by the size of the Arena Mexico and the exciting reaction from the audience.
You are well known for your bright and colorful wrestling attire – was there any particular inspiration behind it?
I wanted to be “ichiban” (number one) like Hulk Hogan.
In 2004, you appeared in a small role in the movie “Beautiful Boxer” – a film based on a true story about a Muay Thai boxer who undergoes a sex change operation to become a woman.
I enjoyed the filming that. I had a VIP treatment in Thailand because we [the subject of the film, Nong Thoom] became friends after I had a match against her.
In March, Japan was unfortunately hit by a massive tsunami which then triggered a series of earthquakes (the largest being a 9.0 on the richter scale) – aside from emotionally, were you affected by these disasters at all?
I lost one of my friends [in the disaster]. Japan is really going through a tough time right now. However, I hope puroresu can encourage Japan.
Do you have any advice for anyone who would like to travel to Japan soon?
If you travel to Japan, come to the arena for the Diana cards!
Visit Kyoko’s official website here. Visit the official website of World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana here.
Kyoko will wrestle Sumie Sakai tonight at CZW in Philadelphia. For more information & tickets click here.
It’s definitely been a dismal two weeks for new SmackDown Diva, AJ. Two tag team matches, two losses, and two weeks of non-helpful advice from the Queen of Harts herself, Natalya. But with a new week comes new opportunities and our girl finally gets a singles match. Her opponent is none other than second-generation starlet, Tamina. Will AJ’s losing streak continue or will Tamina continue to impress on Friday nights?
AJ’s big singles debut kicks off with her standing backstage with some random announcer dude that is not Matt Striker. He introduces her and when AJ starts to speak, she gets interrupted by Tamina and Rosa Mendes. They have a present for AJ and when she opens it, it’s a block of fake cheese. They call AJ a mousey loser, which is stupid, and AJ tells them that Lay-Cool want their gimmick back.
Oh boy. Rosa and Tamina are not convincing bitchy heel characters and that segment was all kinds of lame. I’m not usually so harsh but that was Kelly Kelly/Drew McIntyre bad. Yikes.
Diva Dirt’s own Allison Danger recently posted a rather cryptic blog on her website, stating that “The Revolution is coming”:
Feed the fire.
Break your vision.
Throw your fists up.
Come on with me.
The revolution is coming. Are you ready?
-AD
Danger also changed her bio of her Twitter account to read: “The revolution is coming”
While the details of said ‘revolution’ are not quite known, with Allison’s WSU debut at the Uncensored Rumble coming up later this month, could we expect to see a different side of Danger when she faces off against Cindy Rogers?
We’ll have more details on Allison Danger’s ‘revolution’ as they become available.
She was the last woman standing on WWE Tough Enough and now finally she gets to break her long silence and talk about her experience following the end of the season this past Monday. Christina Crawford joins Diva Dirt for this exclusive chat to discuss her time on Tough Enough, her Diva sister Alicia Fox, why she gave up a WWE contract to do the show and more.
We also get Christina’s insight into her fellow contestants, Ivelisse‘s injury, her own injury, trainer Trish Stratus, the live finale on Monday, whether she’d like to team with her sister, and whether she may be heading back to WWE.
Please Note: This audio is the exclusive content of Diva Dirt (diva-dirt.com), for which we hold copyright. By downloading our audio you agree not to repost the content elsewhere including but not limited to other websites, blogs or message boards. Failure to respect copyright may result in legal action.
I didn’t know she made the comment that TNA ‘missed the boat,’ but I was not excited with the fact that the company decided to bring her in for the (Sacrifice) Pay-Per-View. The initial thought was a turnoff for me, but I kept my mouth shut. When I saw her at the Pay-Per-View and saw that ‘deer in the headlights’ look in her eyes when it actually came time to do something, it kind of confirmed what my instincts told me. Then I read about the fact that she wants to build her career around doing anal sex videos for Vivid. I was really, really, really, really glad that I don’t have to try & explain to anybody why I work in the same company as her.
Previously, Chyna had claimed that TNA refused to bring her back when they found out about the movie. Later in an interview with the Baltimore Sun she said that a contract was never on the line.
The team of Maryse and Melina make their entrance to Maryse’s theme music, which suits Melina in a way. Eve and Gail approach the ring to Eve’s tune. Maryse and Eve start off the match, exchanging a few hasty shoves before Eve ducks an attack and takes control. Maryse reverses an Irish whip and attempts a back body drop that Eve telegraphs, sending a kick to Maryse that straightens her up. Eve reserves another attack and sends Maryse face-first onto the mat, going for an early pin. Maryse kicks out before the 2-count.
Trash talk from Melina draws Eve to her corner. She blocks a slap from Melina and delivers one of her own, sending Melina to the mat outside. When she turns back around, though, she pays for her distraction in the form of a kick to the head from Maryse. This prompts a pin attempt that Eve kicks out of at 2. Maryse drags Eve back to her corner and proceeds to bash her face repeatedly against the bottom turnbuckle cover. She tags in Melina, who pulls Eve to the middle of the ring, going for a pin while holding her hands to the mat. Eve kicks out.
Melina locks Eve in a choke, crossing her own arms against her throat. She soon decides to forgo style points and just grabs fistfuls of Eve’s hair, poising her leg behind her head before kicking it face-first to the mat. She repeats the move before going for another pin, which Eve kicks out of pretty quickly. Frustrated, she attempts yet another pin, but Eve again kicks out. Eve attempts in vain to get to Gail, but Melina toys with her, trash talking Gail at the same time. She locks in the crossed-arm choke again, jerking Eve around roughly. Eve eventually gets to her feet, twisting out of the hold and spinning around to hit Melina with a clothesline. This buys her enough time to tag in Gail.
Gail comes bursting into the ring at full speed, hitting Melina with a flurry of offense. Gail attempts an attack in the corner that Melina blocks and tries to turn into a throat-first drop onto the turnbuckle. Gail’s catlike reflexes show themselves, though, as Gail lands in the corner, no damage done. She climbs to the top and effortlessly leaps backwards, twisting in the air to hit Melina with a flying crossbody. She attempts a pin, but Maryse quickly breaks it, prompting Eve to bust into the ring and take her out of the equation. The two battle to the outside as Gail pulls Melina to her feet. Melina manages to take control of the situation, dropping to her knees and busting Gail’s chin.
Melina goes for the Sunset Split, but Gail twists out of it and preps for the Eat Defeat, which Melina blocks as well. She tosses Gail into the corner and pulls her back, shaken, into the Sunset Split. Before she hits it, though, she yells, “You were always a horrible friend!” She hits the move and pins her for the 3-count and the win. She and Maryse celebrate, but not after Maryse gives Gail a little “in your face” action. The two slink out of the ring, looking like they stole a win when, in reality, they won it fair and square. I suppose that’s the mark of a true evildoer: even when they don’t cheat, they look like they did.
This was a solid little tag team match, and I really enjoyed the Gail and Melina action. The little storyline they’ve built up, hinting at a dissolved friendship, adds to what would otherwise be a standard babyfaces vs. heels tag team match. Melina shouting about Gail’s crappy friend status was a cool touch, as she was determined to add insult to injury just as the whole arena was watching. I’d love to see this develop into something, even if it’s told off of Raw on WWE Superstars every week. These two work pretty well together and deserve a little bit of the spotlight.
Chyna spoke with the Baltimore Sun on Wednesday, addressing a few rumors and clearing up the confusion about her status with TNA:
On why she decided to get back into adult entertainment:“Well, in the first place, I’m not really getting back into it. The [sex tape with then-boyfriend Sean “X-Pac” Waltman that was released in 2004] was done to me and it was degrading and violating and a really traumatizing experience. You know, I think throughout my career in wrestling it’s kind of been like a three-ring circus. It was a lot of fun and I loved every minute of it. I loved the fans and I loved everything that I did. I branched out from that: I wrote a book and I did Playboy and I did all these things that were very, very successful, and I loved doing every single one of them. So when this came up, I wasn’t necessarily thinking that I was going to go in this direction, but because most of the things I’ve done in my life and most of the experiences have been really great, and this industry was kind of tarnished for me, I just felt mentally that I wanted to experience it, to cross that barrier and see what it was like. I’ve always taken risks and been a pioneer at different things and experiences.”
Whether or not she thinks she’ll lose fans over this:“I don’t think I’m going to lose fans over it. I think it might be a shock, but I don’t think I’ll lose any fans. If anything, I think I’ll gain. And like I said, this wasn’t done to me – it was by choice. It’s a very empowering move, just like wrestling was with my athletic ability to fight with the men and the women and play a character. When I did Playboy it was very successful because my attitude is that I’m doing it for a very empowering reason, and I think that’s logical and it makes sense. But as far as any friends or some of the wrestlers that I stay in contact with, it’s just fun for everybody [laughs]. I love all the hoopla, really. They’re all like, “Go, Chyna.” I was determined to do this. I leave all prejudice at the door as to what people are going to think or what they’re going to say.”
If her new adult film cost her a contract with TNA:“Well, I haven’t actually really spoken with them since I did a television spot and the pay-per-view, but it was never a contract on the line. They asked me to participate in the angle of what they were doing and I thought it would be fun. I went and I talked with them, and it was wonderful to see some old friends. I was elated, and so I did it. We hadn’t really talked about a deal. I just didn’t think that was something that I really wanted to get back into full force. They’d have to make me a deal that I simply couldn’t say no to, because I fought [to own the name Chyna] for years.” … “For somebody to take that from me after all these years, it would have to be something so incredible – which I feel that I’m worth – and that didn’t seem to be the case with TNA.”
On whether or not she still keeps up with wrestling:“Not really, to be honest. I certainly flip through – I have to turn it on the days that it’s on, but, like, I’ll watch Monday Night Raw with “The Bachelorette” [laughs]. When I was in WWE, I was in such a great place. Professionally, it was one of the best times of my life and I loved my work. When the carpet was pulled from underneath me, I had a lot of years to heal from that. It took me a long time, which I think most people have seen in the public eye. I kept trying, but it was very difficult and I had some really difficult times. Now I really feel like I’ve come out of that over the past couple years. It’s taken tons of work and healing, but I feel great now, I really do. In going to TNA, whatever happens in the future or not, it was a sense of closure in the sense that after all this time, I could go back and hug all my friends and pass that bridge. Now onto whatever comes my way, and I’m jumping in with both feet.”
Former Divas Champion, Eve Torres, has probably not gotten the credit she deserves for her efforts outside of WWE in promoting self defense and safety for women. Eve even teaches free self defense classes at her alma mater, the University of Southern California.
Torres does a great job empowering women and being a positive role model, and this latest video is just another example. Eve, who works with the Gracie Academy, talks about why women should learn self defense:
More details have emerged as to why the Natalya versus Rosa Mendes dark match at last night’s SmackDown taping was cut short.
Early reports from the taping speculated that an injury may be to blame, but Rosa later clarified on Twitter that she actually had a wardrobe malfunction.
A fan in attendance wrote in to ProWrestling.net offering more details. He reveals:
The match ended very shortly with the ref calling for the bell giving the win to Natalya for no apparent reason. Rosa had her arms covering her chest and was quickly moving to the back with a lot of the male fans cheering at ringside. During this time it seemed like they were trying to keep the focus on Natalya as she acted overly excited about the win as if trying to keep the fans attention away from Rosa. The Roanoke Civic center staff we overheard said she had a wardrobe malfunction.
Yikes! Thank God it was a dark match and not part of the taping, huh?
WWE Divas Kelly Kelly and the Bella Twins (Brie and Nikki) will appear on The Price is Right next Tuesday.
In a WWE-themed episode, the Divas will “give away a VIP experience to Summerslam, wrestling’s biggest event this summer in Las Vegas,” according to BuzzerBlog.
The Bellas previously revealed that they’d taped an episode of the show.
The episode will air next Tuesday, June 14th. Check your local listings for the specific time.
It’s been a whirlwind week for Jenny Sjodin, who was crowned the new Pro-Wrestling: EVE Champion after defeating Britani Knight this past Saturday night in Morecambe, Lancashire, UK. Jenny is used to accolades — having won medals for grappling competitions — but becoming the EVE Champion is the culmination of years of wrestling training.
We talk to Swedish-born Jenny about winning the belt, the turmoil regarding Saraya and the WAW gym announcing their withdrawal from EVE on the same day as her victory and about her match with Britani. We also discuss Jenny’s move to the UK several years ago, as she packed her bags and left her home country of Sweden to join the British wrestling scene. Jenny discusses the trials and tribulations she faced as she left her family and friends behind. Plus, we discuss her incredible list of credentials inluding amateur wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. This girl is the real deal!
Listen to the interview below:
Download the interview by right-clicking here and selecting ‘Save Target As’ or stream the interview below:
Please Note: This audio is the exclusive content of Diva Dirt (diva-dirt.com), for which we hold copyright. By downloading our audio you agree not to repost the content elsewhere including but not limited to other websites, blogs or message boards. Failure to respect copyright may result in legal action.
Code Red DVD has revealed more details about former WWE Diva and Playboy cover girl Maria Kanellis‘ upcoming “‘B’ Movie Mayhem” horror series:
[notice]CODE RED is proud to announce that a TV superstar will be the hostess for our new exclusive horror line! Former WWE superstar, 2009 Diva of the Year, Celebrity Apprentice contestant, Singing sensation, and April 2008 Playboy cover girl MARIA KANELLIS is back for more! Maria will host Code Red’s MARIA’S B MOVIE MAYHEM, and the first round of her horror/exploitation DVD releases will street in September! Maria will bring you the gory horror cult classic MARDI GRAS MASSACRE, the Native American horror flick HAUNTED with Aldo Ray, and Double-bills of SCREAM / BARN OF THE NAKED DEAD and LOVE ME DEADLY / CURIOUS CASE OF THE CAMPUS CORPSE. Then, on 9 more releases, Maria will host many other exploitation films including NIGHT OF THE DEMON, VAMPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, CAGED MEN, VOODOO DOLLS/MADONNA: CASE OF BLOOD AMBITION, RIOT ON 42ND STREET/BAD GIRLS DORMITORY, TEENAGE HITCHHIKERS/TEENAGE TRAMP, and more! All will feature Maria introducing the film, and appearing again after the film is over. The films will all be uninterrupted and uncut. Some of the DVDs will feature extras, as well.[/notice]
They also say that “Maria is a great gal and she had a lot of fun hosting this upcoming DVD series. Many wrestling fans are also horror fans so hopefully this can turn many wrestling fans onto CODE RED product. Having one of the most popular former WWE divas hosting our films is truly an honor.”
In addition to a public service announcement from Maria promoting the series (see below), CODE RED’s blog has also uploaded some behind the scenes shots of her, as well as DVD cover art.
[update]UPDATE: A closer look at the picture shows that it is not a character model. See the full graphic here. Thanks to astarr in the comments for the tip.[/update]
For those wondering why Miss USA Rima Fakih was not at Raw this past Monday night for the Tough Enough finale, it is because she was at the 2011 Miss USA Welcoming Ceremony in Las Vegas
I want to apologize for not being present at @WWEToughEnough finally I have 12days as #MissUSA & could not make it:(
In an interview with LasVegasWeekly.com, she made mention of her non-appearance by saying:
“I’ve had a phenomenal year. I’m actually missing the finale tonight…. for the WWE wrestling show Tough Enough that Vince McMahon booked me for. I have managed to sign some autographs, though, already in Vegas for WWE fans who turned out to welcome me.”
Rima also talks about her first movie role, a part in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming sci-fi action film Real Steel (which also stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton) in the interview, saying it was the “biggest thrill” and that she “had a fantastic time filming, and I know this will become a major part of my future career now that the title gets handed over to a new winner.”
We’ve had a lot of demand from fans to release Diva Dirt t-shirts after we unveiledMia Yim as our poster girl last week — well, ask and ye shall receive. You can now get official Diva Dirt t-shirts!
We currently have three designs available, as well as an assortment of different t-shirt styles.
We’ll also regularly be adding new t-shirt designs, so stay tuned!
We always hear about independent wrestling in the USA, but what about those oft-forgotten countries… like Australia? Here are the latest happenings in the Australian wrestling scene, including recent results and upcoming events you can attend:
June 3rd, 2011 – PWA (Sydney, NSW): Representing the PWWA, Jessie McKay pinned self-proclaimed PWWA Champion K.C Cassidy in a three-way bout that also involved Bombshell Bo. PWWA was formed by SHIMMER champ Madison Eagles.
Image credit to Gilda Pasquil
June 3rd, 2011 – IPWA (Gold Coast, QLD): Junior outlasted seven other wrestlers, including female wrestler Storm, in an eight man elimination challenge. Former IPW wrestler Minx made her presence felt at ringside during the match, blinding Storm with a camera flash, which allowed Junior to take Storm out for the win. Minx continued the attack on Storm long after the bell had rung.
June 10th, 2011 – MCW (Melbourne, VIC):KC Cassidy vs. Sway vs. Shazza McKenzie in a triple-threat match is on the card. Sway made her debut last show as Jacko Lantern’s valet. Also in attendance will be recent WWE signee Tenille Tayla, making her final Australian wrestling appearance before she heads off to Florida Championship Wrestling in the US.
June 10th, 2011 – AWF (Sydney, NSW): Baby Devine vs. Sara Jay has already been announced to take place. The show will also feature the debuts of women wrestlers Rachel Rose and Niki Nitro. Nitro will be “there to make her presence felt” and will also be wrestling on their string of Supanova Expo shows, beginning June 17.
June 11th, 2011 – Wrestling for Rotary (Bendigo, VIC): Kellie Skater will wrestle USA’s Serena Deeb on a charity wrestling show in Victoria… these two are no strangers to one another, with a previously unannounced Serena having answered Skater’s open challenge at SHIMMER’s September 2010 tapings (and winning).
June 11th, 2011 – RCW (Adelaide, SA): Miami will take on Melody Summers, the sister of “The First Lady of RCW” Savannah Summers.
June 25th, 2011 – BPW (Ballarat, VIC): Sway will take on the debuting Shazza McKenzie in singles action.
Recently signed WWE talent, Tenille, competed in her final match before her home country of Australia before she heads to WWE’s developmental territory, FCW, yesterday.
New SmackDown Diva, 
Veteran Japanese star, 
She was the last woman standing on WWE Tough Enough and now finally she gets to break her long silence and talk about her experience following the end of the season this past Monday. 
TNA executive producer Eric Bischoff spoke out against 
Get your weekly dose of Knockouts action on tonight’s Impact. To watch, tune into Spike TV from 9pm ET.
More details have emerged as to why the 
WWE Divas 
It’s been a whirlwind week for 
For those wondering why Miss USA 
We’ve had a lot of demand from fans to release Diva Dirt t-shirts after we 
Former WWE and WCW star, 
