Sunday, April 28, 2024

WWE Extreme Rules in Review: Layla Gets Kharmic Retribution on Michelle

Last night at Extreme Rules, we were all witness to two things: LayCool came to an end signifying the destruction of arguably one of the best Diva tag teams of all time. And two, one Diva’s career came to a premature and sad end as the loser was banished from the WWE as per the stipulation.

Michelle McCool and Layla have both come a long way in their careers. Michelle has gone from being a Diva Search reject to a world class athlete and performer, and her WWE career has been lined with many historical “firsts” and championship gold. Layla has gone from being a Diva Search winner, to a glorified dancer and ECW side-show, to a jobber, to the most improved Diva on the roster, to the last ever Women’s Champion in history. To say LayCool are to be respected is a gross understatement. Love their characters or hate them, the women behind those characters have proven themselves time and time again. For the past year and a half, two years… hell if I know, they have been the centerpieces of an often dismal Divas division and losing one of them is going to hurt. Speaking from a personal standpoint, it truly hurts me as a fan to know going into the match one of them is leaving. We all knew who it might be. Regardless, we went in on the edge of our seats as we watched. It doesn’t matter if you’re Team Lay or Team Cool. Both of them have been defined by each other. Unfortunately, last night it all came to an end. Let’s have a look…

The action kicks off with a shot of a group of Divas standing around in the lockerroom. A silent, rather timid Layla walks in and she looks like she’s about to face a firing squad. The chilly reception she receives is hardly surprising given the fact she’s had a hand in torturing every girl on the roster. Nonetheless, Layla womans up and shyly apologizes for all the wrongdoings she’s had a part in. The Divas aren’t quick to forgive but Kelly Kelly admits that everyone hates Michelle more than they could ever hate Lay. Layla swallows this and Kelly wishes her good luck. Layla leaves the lockerroom and the scene backstage fades.

We cut to the ring and you guessed it, it is match time!

Former Diva and Hall of Famer at Raw Tonight

Former WWE Diva, Lilian Garcia and Hall of Famer, Mae Young are in Miami for Raw tonight, reports PWInsider.

Both will be part of The Rock’s birthday celebration.

Young recently interacted with Rock at WrestleMania 27, proclaiming that she wanted his strudel, while Lilian was part of the infamous segment below.

Divas Comment on Michelle Leaving, Jim Ross on Michelle & Kharma

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Several Divas, past and present, paid tribute to outgoing Diva, Michelle McCool, on Twitter today.

Michelle’s LayCool BFF, Layla, toasted her opponent last night by saying: “That was the hardest thing I ever had 2 do @McCoolMichelleL I will always have respect, gratitude & love for U! Our memories will stay with me forever. Flawless love ya.”

Michelle McCool Says Goodbye to WWE Fans, Speaks on Nagging Foot Injury

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Outgoing WWE Diva, Michelle McCool spoke to WWE.com about her departure from the company following last night’s Extreme Rules pay per view.

McCool spoke on her nagging foot injury, which is why she was recently seen wearing a boot. She said:

“My foot has been injured for two months now, broken toe, torn joint capsules, torn MCL. I took a good beating by Layla and Kharma, too. I know I’ll be feeling it tonight, tomorrow and probably the next day,” McCool exclusively told WWE.com. “But I’ll wear it with pride.”

Exclusive: New TNA Knockout Debuting at This Week’s Tapings

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Diva Dirt can confirm that one-time WWE NXT rookie, Isis the Amazon (Aloisia), has joined TNA.

Isis is scheduled for this week’s Impact tapings which take place today and tomorrow in Orlando.

Rumors have been circulating online that Isis was in line to play Kurt Angle’s mystery mistress to be unveiled on this week’s episode of Impact which will be taped tonight. Though we haven’t heard what Isis’ specific role will be, sources tell me that she is indeed debuting this week so it’s certainly likely that she’ll be in that role.

Isis, real name Lindsay Hayward, was briefly under a WWE deal last September. After being announced for the NXT season three cast, WWE released Hayward just three days later after discovering ‘erotic’ photos of the 6’9″ giant.

A Londoner’s Eye: Thank You, Michelle

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I didn’t think much of the school teacher from Palatka, FL seven years ago during a little contest on Monday Night Raw (you may have heard of it). Frankly, said school teacher — while she looked athletic, sure — came across awkward on TV, as if she knew (along with the viewing world) that she didn’t really fit in with the nipped-and-tucked models in bikini tops who made up the rest of the competition. Her thick accent was a little jarring, her looks (which this competition was pretty much based upon) didn’t quite compete with the models and she lacked any distinct personality. Failing to connect with the crowd, the school teacher was cut from the competition in week four. That should’ve been the last we saw of her, but it was just the beginning.

Fast forward seven years and that school teacher, Michelle McCool, is perhaps the most decorated WWE Diva of the last several years. And like any public figure worth knowing about, she’s as controversial as she is talented.

The once doe-eyed school teacher won over many — including myself — and now, as we say goodbye to her, I want to say thank you, Michelle.

Michelle McCool Confirms She Has Retired from WWE

Michelle McCool, who lost a Loser Leaves WWE match last night at Extreme Rules, is indeed leaving the company, she confirms via Twitter.

The angle served as a very real swansong from WWE for the first ever Divas Champion, who writes:

Thx for the love guys….I know there will always be rumors,but that was it – real talk! @mslayel ….nothing but luv 4 u! Luv u all…nite!

Word of McCool’s WWE exit first leaked online last week.

Michelle, for all intents and purposes, is now retired. Though there’s something to be said about ‘wrestling retirements’ & I’m sure, like Trish Stratus and Lita, we’ll see her in the odd appearance down the line.

Thoughts: It is hard to imagine a Divas division without Michelle but no doubt the division will continue to grow and develop, especially with Kong incoming. Good luck, Michelle, and most importantly, thank you!

Extreme Rules 2011: Michelle McGone from WWE?, Kharma Arrives

The battle of the former BFFs led to one ousting the other in a Loser Leaves WWE match.

It was Layla, always the underdog in LayCool, that picked up the biggest victory of her career by defeating her long-time BFF, Michelle McCool and forcing her out of WWE.

Following a brutal physical brawl, Layla managed to roll-up Michelle for the win, thus ending the first ever Divas Champion’s career in WWE.

Adding insult the injury, the former Awesome Kong debuted as Kharma, hitting an Implant Buster on the outgoing McCool and sending a message to the entire Divas lockerroom.

As the reign of McCool ends, the era of Kharma begins…

In Video: Kharma Debuts at Extreme Rules

Low quality footage of Kharma (Awesome Kong) debuting tonight:

PPV Predictions: WWE Extreme Rules 2011

LayCool implode tonight at Extreme Rules in a Loser Leaves WWE Match. Who will be banished? The Diva Dirt team weigh in…

Cryssi: I think the outcome of this match is pretty cut and dry, but just for the hell of it I’m going to pretend I don’t know what the rumors are and I’m going into this blind thinking it’s a Loser Leaves SmackDown match. So… here we go! Michelle and Layla will have a hard hitting, emotionally charged match with Michelle dominating the majority of it. During the half-way point, the entire Divas lockerroom will empty out of the back and walk to the stage, wanting an eye witness view of these two girls destroying each other. After all, who’s life hasn’t LayCool screwed with? After some offense from Layla, Michelle will take a chair knock out Layla, and instead of going for the immediate cover, she’ll turn to where the Divas are standing and start showboating. The crowd will start freaking out because out of nowhere Kharma will appear and slide into the ring behind Michelle. The other Divas will have shocked looks on their faces and when Michelle arrogantly turns around to pick Layla up for the Faith Breaker, Kharma will be waiting. Michelle will scream and Kharma will pick her up, lay her out with an Awesome Bomb, and drape Layla’s lifeless carcass over Michelle. Layla will win the match, Michelle will be done on SmackDown, and Kharma will send a message to all the other Divas by powerbombing Layla on top of Michelle. She’ll turn to the stage, point at the Divas, and start laughing hysterically as the scene will fade into a promo for whatever pay-per-view is next. Yup.

YouTube Classics: Beth Phoenix vs Michelle McCool (Extreme Makeover Match)

Extreme Rules is tonight, so join us as we look back at some past matches at Extreme Rules/One Night Stand.

Relive last year’s Extreme Makeover Match between Beth and Michelle:

Diva Dirt LIVE Extreme Rules Post-Show *POSTPONED*

Diva Dirt LIVE returns tonight at 11pm ET with a post-Extreme Rules special. We’ll be discussing all the action from tonight’s big PPV and take your calls on the show too!

EDIT: Due to late breaking news of Osama Bin Laden’s death, the show tonight has been cancelled. For Extreme Rules discussion tune into The Post-Raw Show tomorrow night.

YouTube Classics: Beth Phoenix vs Melina ‘I Quit’ Match at Extreme Rules 2008

Extreme Rules is tonight, so join us as we look back at some past matches at Extreme Rules/One Night Stand.

First we have Beth Phoenix vs Melina in 2008:

Unwrapped (April 30th, 2011): Eve, Kaitlyn, Maryse, Mickie & Winter

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Every week, following WWE.com and TNAWrestling.com’s photoshoot updates, we’ll take a look at the newest Diva and Knockout shoots and give you the opportunity to voice your opinions on them in a feature we lovingly call Unwrapped. Let’s unwrap this week’s eye candy, featuring Eve Torres, Kaitlyn, Maryse, Mickie James and Winter:


Eve Torres
Rarely does lying around make for a satisfying photoshoot, but Eve achieves that here. She sits on a blood red booth, surrounded by what looks like hockey memorabilia. It’s a bit of an unorthodox surrounding, and part of me think there’s something lacking from the shoot, but that just may be the disconnect in Eve wearing a fancy outfit to hang out with sports memorabilia. Speaking of her outfit, it and her hair work together for a beautifully sleek look and the criss-crosses on her skirt are hypnotizing, but not overwhelming, thanks to the limited color scheme. Her poses are varied, but simple–she mostly smiles and relaxes in the booth. It’s a bit of an odd shoot, altogether. Still, somehow, she pulls it off, looking quite casually beautiful.
Rating: • • • •
View the photoshoot.


Kaitlyn
The main point of interest in this shoot, for me, is Kaitlyn’s hair. It’s dyed in completely opposite tones and, though I’ve definitely seen this technique done badly, I like it on her. It gives her an edge that the blonde hair just wouldn’t do, and it certainly makes her stand out amongst the other WWE blondes. That’s something she can use, given that she’s yet to develop a character as a Diva. Not that she can build a character as “the girl with the duo-toned hair”, but it helps in this instance. Her dress, with the details on the shoulders, adds interest as well, but I think it’s a wee bit short, a few of the poses making me double-check to make sure she’s fully covered. Those poses, by and large, are not all that interesting, but I like that for at least one she pulled out something different, posing on her hands and knees, showing off her sculpted arms and curvy figure in a way that’s more intriguing for what it doesn’t show rather than what it does.
Rating: • • • • •
View the photoshoot.

WILD Wrestling Crowns Transgender Champion

California-based WILD Wrestling crowned a new champion last weekend in ‘The Bloodthirsty Vixen’ Amanda. The title change has received a lot of buzz because Amanda is in fact transgender.

Read the press release below:

In Pictures: Serena’s TNA Tryout

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Thanks to Ryan for sending in these pictures of Serena Deeb‘s TNA tryout a couple of weeks ago.

As previously reported, the former WWE Diva faced Winter.

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SmackDown Redux (April 29th, 2011): A Badly Edited Announcement Leaves At Least One-Half of Lay-Cool’s Future Certain

It’s fair to say that it’s been one heck of a week in WWE Diva-land. We’ve seen epic brawls, exciting Diva drafts, and we were given something incredibly exciting to look forward come SmackDown and the weekend. At the Tuesday night taping, the former BFF duo known as Lay-Cool, squared off in a match that would seemingly put all their issues to rest. Michelle McCool and Layla didn’t wrestle, they brawled. And needless to say their match didn’t happen. But the gauntlet was thrown down and the stipulations were added… and come to find out, very badly edited later. Lets take a look!

The ‘Cool’ part of Lay-Cool is the first to make her way to the ring. Michelle is sporting her SmackDown pride shirt and she does her usual playing to the crowd once she enters the ring. The Lay-Cool theme music continues to play as Lay makes her way out. She is dressed in her blue brand shirt as well and she looks a lot more hesitant to get in the ring than Michelle! Perhaps she’s having regrets over beating the tar out of Michelle?

Michelle McCool Leaving WWE?

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Former WWE Divas Champion, Michelle McCool is leaving WWE, according to the Wrestling Observer.

The first ever Divas Champion will face off with Layla this Sunday at Extreme Rules in a ‘Loser Leaves WWE’ match. It’s reported that the match could serve as her exit from the company.

Impact Write-Up (April 28th, 2011): Zombies, Tailor Maids and Conspiracies! Oh My!

Good lard! Has it been a week already?! I have no idea where my time has gone but we’re back with another edition of the Impact Write-Up brought to you by your good friends at The Colon Cleanse! They’ll clean your crap while you take a nap! Last week, we saw a major shit storm hover right over the King and Queen of the Mountain, with promise of a new intruder to their kingdom. We also saw another break in the bond between a former chumpion and her minion. Not to mention that rabid beatdown in the locker room. This week, we have a match between two feuding BFFs, one of which is missing all her screws. We are also sucked into the dreaded conspiracy of the one who hunts Lady J. Who could it be? We may find out sooner than you think! So ride along little ones!

FINALLY! A show that starts out with the TNA Knockouts, pretty much all of which are in the ring when the show hits the air. It seems we’re in the middle of Karen Jarrett, lining them up and going down the line, one by one. She starts out with someone who appears to be the TNA seamstress, given the measuring tape over her shoulder and her statement of getting his measurements. Karen, being the ever so witty one, tells her to take her dancing fingers and dance them out of the ring. After that line, I’m pretty sure Karen should just be revoked from ever speaking on the microphone. Ever.

SHIMMER Volume 41-44 Tapings Announced

SHIMMER will return to the Eagles Club in Berwyn, IL on October 1st and 2nd to tape volumes 41-44 in its DVD series.

Front row tickets will go on sale in a few weeks according to the SHIMMER office.

More information here.

Big Update for Extreme Rules?

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SmackDown just aired in Australia and a couple of readers sent in word of an update to the previously revealed Extreme Rules match this Sunday.

For spoiler purposes, it is in spoiler tags:

Spoiler
From Matthew:

“Hey Diva Dirt, I have some info about the McCool/Layla match as it has been changed. I live in Australia, and just on Smackdown, WWE have changed their minds,  and when Michelle gets on the microphone, she says “Loser Leaves WWE.”

You can tell WWE edited it in, as they have changed their minds about the match.”

Thanks to Matthew & Nick for the tip.

Raw Redux Does Superstars (April 28th, 2011)

This week on WWE Superstars, new Smackdown Divas, Alicia Fox and Natalya, had their last match as Raw Divas (for now) in a ol’ tag team match. Alicia and Natalya teamed up with Melina and Gail Kim, respectively, before being shipped off to the blue brand. Which team comes out on top? Check out the match below:

Thoughts: This is what we should be getting on Raw every week, especially considering Raw currently has the only Divas title in WWE. This is the best I’ve seen Melina in quite some time. She seems to have honed her moveset and everything looks a lot cleaner than it has in the past; Not to mention her team chemistry with Alicia was very strong.

TNA Impact Feedback: April 28th, 2011

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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!

In Video: Trailer for Lance Storm’s ‘World of Hurt’ TV Series featuring WWE Signees Tenille & Irena Janjic

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Here is the trailer for ‘World of Hurt’ a documentary TV series which will air in Canada, following Lance Storm’s advanced training class at Storm Wrestling Academy.

The show will feature SHIMMER star, Tenille and Irena Janjic, both of whom have gone onto sign with WWE. The show was filmed before they were signed.

World of Hurt premieres on Canada’s The Cave on May 1st.

Thoughts: Wow! This show looks AMAZING! Could be as good as, if not better than, Tough Enough.

Jackie Haas is Tough Enough (Week 4): “110 Pound Elephant in the Room”

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Former Tough Enough champion, Jackie Haas blogs on the new series of Tough Enough. Read her insight and opinion on the series every week exclusively here at Diva Dirt.

Jackie will be representing Team HMB in July!
If you’re not tough, you’re out sooner or later. Loved Rima’s spunk but just as Stone Cold said – being in the bottom three for the third week in a row, she deserved to go. This will not be the last of her we see though – she just needs to callas up in the ring and learn the fluidity of the moves. Seeing that Tough Enough is, of course, a competition and you need to keep up with the pack, if she continues to train and goes at her “own pace”, I really think she will have a great future in the business. I wish her well and seeing the desire when she gave back her belt, I’m hoping she will continue to follow her new love for the business and just not hope she was saddened because she was losing a competition.

Exclusive Video: Interview with Original GLOW Girl MTV at CAC

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Another exclusive video from CAC last week, this time with original GLOW, MTV:

Classic footage of MTV: