Friday, May 17, 2024

Trish Stratus on Alicia Fox, Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Tara & More

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Legendary Diva, Trish Stratus has become the latest veteran to give a rub to young rookie and Diva Dirt favourite, Alicia Fox. Since moving to SmackDown in April and later Raw this past summer, Alicia has earned compliments from the likes of Allison Danger and current WWE Diva, Melina. But is there higher praise from the quintessential 7-time Women’s Champion? I think not!

Trish dropped in on the Live Audio Wrestling show last Sunday to talk about her Raw guest host gig, and put over Alicia Fierce while also bringing light to the main issue of the women’s division today:

I saw Alicia Fox, her in the ring, I was pretty impressed. To be honest, I didn’t know too much about her but I think what’s missing is what I always say is: “I don’t know who that girl is. I know her name and I know she can wrestle but I don’t know what her voice sounds like.” Say I was wrestling at this time and Alicia Fox got introduced and we had this storyline, then you know who she is. She can wrestle and boom, you’ve got yourself a new character. That’s the only thing that’s missing overall in the women because there’s a lot of workers right now that are really good.

Right on the money, Trish! We’ve been saying this forever and ever, the thing missing right now is character development. Not since the days of Trish have the Divas gotten the opportunity to get their characters over, hence why you get so many generic babyfaces and generic heels because there’s not enough effort going into the writing.

Trish also discusses WWE’s rewriting of the history between she and Beth Phoenix on last week’s Raw, given the fact Trish was the one who introduced Beth to the main roster:

Well you know, when they start a storyline and especially if you come in as a face but then you come back as a heel, that doesn’t exist. It’s erased.

Speaking of another rising Diva she’d like to see pushed, Trish strikes out again in picking Natalya:

I want to see more of Natalya and I really want to see them do something with Natalya really badly, because I think she can be so awesome and I think fans can get with her.

And last but not least, Trish offers her insight on her former rival Victoria, now TNA’s Tara jumping from WWE to TNA:

I think it’s great. It was time for her to leave the WWE. It was just time. When she came in she had a good position, I mean she got the belt pretty quickly. I think she’s fantastic in the ring and maybe she was beginning to doubt how great she is in the ring. When you know what you can do and you’re not able to do what you do best, that sucks. I’ve talked to her and she’s enjoying it a lot.

It seems as though Trish is just in tune as the fans, I totally agree with every single point she made.

Bonus scoop: Trish mentions that she’d love to see a new WWE produced DVD on her career and will talk to WWE officials about it. Erm where do we sign up? I don’t buy WWE DVDs usually, but I would most certainly make an exception for a new Trish collection. Though she had the one in 2003, I think a 3-disc total career retrospective complete with bonus discs for some of her most memorable matches like they seem to be doing these days, would be epic!

You can listen to the full episode of LAW by clicking here.

Quotes in this article were transcribed by Diva Dirt, please provide appropriate credit if used elsewhere.

MsChif Interview Follow-Up

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As you know, Diva Dirt got to speak to SHIMMER champion MsChif in an exclusive interview. When asked about her interest in WWE/TNA and her possibly going to either promotion, her answer raised a few eyebrows among the readers. MsChif read some of your comments and in an attempt to clarify her answers, issued a statement exclusively to Diva Dirt:

You know, I wonder if some can misinterpret the fact that I am not interested in WWE or TNA as not having a great interest in wrestling as a whole?  I just noticed that was one person’s comment.  I probably should have expanded that answer for sure.  The fact is, I love wrestling very much.  I also very much love my freedom in wrestling.  I like making my own decisions, I love having control of my own character.  I don’t want to have to be told what I can and can’t do.  The day I get too frustrated with wrestling, or lose the desire to be working shows is the day I would need to step aside.  I don’t ever see that happening, but if I were to sign with WWE or TNA I’m afraid that day would come and that would be very sad to me indeed.

For those who had doubts about MsChif’s passion for the sport, here’s proof otherwise. I guess we can never say MsChif doesn’t listen to the fans. For those in the Chicago area, check out ‘Your Soul’s Tormentor’ live at the next SHIMMER tapings this fall.

Injury Updates on Several Divas Including Previously Unreported Injury

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– As you guys saw on Monday night, Mickie James is back in the ring after suffering a ruptured implant at the beginning of the month. Mickie is said to be doing fine. Though I would question whether it’s wise to take a Glam Slam after getting your boobs fixed up…

– Raw Diva Kelly Kelly was backstage on Monday night and is expected to continue on the road despite her knee injury. WWE has yet to acknowledge the injury and officials are reportedly unhappy that word of her injury got out. As we reported last weekend, the time-frame for her in-ring return is uncertain but could be a maximum of three months.

– Women’s Champion, Michelle McCool is still injured as you will have noticed on last night’s WWE Superstars. The champ is still plodding along however, working on a current European tour.

– We heard last week that Alicia Fox was working with a sprained ankle, we’ve just confirmed this with another source also. Nothing serious and she was still able to wrestle, in fact by now, she should be fine.

SmackDown Redux Does WWE Superstars (September 24th, 2009)

Following a bust-up between Maria and Melina on last week’s Smackdown, one would assume that the two wouldn ‘t be in the same corner from here on out. Not so fast, though, because this week on WWE Superstars, they’re doing just that, teaming up to face Michelle McCool and Layla. Let’s see how these ex-BFFs fare against the fast-forming friendship of Michelle and Layla:

As the match starts, Maria still doesn’t seem too pleased with Melina, shooting her a look as she heads out of the ring (What is she, 12?). Michelle starts out the match for her team, and she and Melina circle each other before meeting with a tie-up, Michelle taking advantage. She locks Melina in a belly-to-back hold before Melina breaks out, but is met with a knee to the stomach, Michelle then slamming the back of her head to the mat. After a braced knee to the face Michelle attempts a pin, but only gets 1.

A few knees and punches later, Michelle irish-whips Melina, and Melina uses her momentum to her advantage, spinning out of an attack and ending by planting Michelle’s face to the mat. It almost looked like a hurricanrana/face plant hybrid of sorts. (A hurrican-face plant?) A stunned Michelle sits up, only to be met with a low dropkick. She scurries to her corner, tagging in Layla.

Layla comes in like a bat out of hell but Melina bends back, avoiding a clothesline. Layla turns around and attempts a kick, but Melina blocks it with one of her own, continuing with this diversion a bit before planting Layla to the mat and tagging in Maria. Maria comes in quick, performing a flipping head plant on seated Layla. She then delivers a fist to her head in a split maneuver, going for the pin but barely getting 2. Layla reverses an irish whip, but Maria stops her momentum with the ropes, kicking her in the face. Maria goes to bounce off the ropes but Michelle makes a grab for her hair. Maria takes the bait, turning and taking a swipe at Michelle. Layla takes advantage of this distraction, booting her in the stomach as soon as she turns around, twisting her into a neckbreaker. A pin attempt, and a 2-count.

Layla tags in Michelle, stretching Maria out like a canvas so Michelle can kick her a few times in the midsection. Michelle continues to use her knee brace as an unofficial weapon, knocking it against Maria’s skull. She attempts a pin, but only gets 2. She mounts Maria, pounding her head against the mat, whic hthe referee takes offense to. (Oh, she can’t grab her hair, but she can use a hard knee brace to strike with? Okay, solid logic..) She keeps messing with Maria, kicking her around and practically stepping on her as she crawls around the ring in a daze. Maria heads to the safe haven of the ropes, but Michelle decides it isn’t a safe zone, choking her against the bottom rope with her knee. Choking Maria some more, she drags her closer to her corner, choking her against the second rope this time. After driving Maria into the corner, Michelle tags in Layla.

Superstars & Impact Feedback: September 24th, 2009

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Tonight, Smackdown Divas Michelle McCool and Layla team up against Melina and Maria on WWE Superstars at 8pm on WGN America.

Then at 9pm on Impact, Sarita & Taylor Wilde take on Tara & ODB in a Knockouts Tag Team Title match.

Discuss tonight’s shows here!

Footage of Lilian Garcia’s Post-Raw Send-Off

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As noted earlier in the week, Decade Diva Lilian Garcia was given a bonus send-off after Raw went off the air on Monday night. Lilian’s fiance came out to the ring and they danced to “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Footage has now popped up on YouTube of said ‘last dance’ and Lilian saying her goodbyes to the production crew at ringside. Very touching and beautiful! We love you, Lilian!

Check it out below:

Exclusive: New Ring Announcer, Lauren Mayhew Speaks on Joining WWE

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Having already been prominent in the music and film industry, 23-year-old Lauren Mayhew is about to be shot into a stratosphere of it’s very own — the sports entertainment industry. As reported earlier this week, WWE debuted Lauren as their new ring announcer on Tuesday night in Tulsa, Oklahama, one night after ten-year veteran Lilian Garcia retired from her position as the voice of Monday Night Raw.

Though there are likely to be comparisons made in abundance, Lauren is keen on carving out her own career and separate herself from the legendary Garcia. Lauren’s long list of credits speaks for itself and suggests that she has what it takes to be a Diva in her own right. Having been around the entertainment industry since she was just 4 years old, Lauren has accomplished much already. From television to music to film; Lauren’s role on the long running soap opera, Guiding Light brought her to prominence but forming pop group PYT which toured with the likes of ‘N Sync, Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child put her on the map. Over the years, Lauren has gone her own way and become a multi-faceted Hollywood diva, she’s performed to a crowd of 80,000 at the Super Bowl pre-show and had her music featured on The Hills. As well as all of this, Mayhew has also done acting and television presenting which are key to her new WWE role also.

But with her future looking a little blue — SmackDown blue that is, Mayhew isn’t giving up on her current career. In fact, she is working on her second solo album, has a television series [‘Private High Musical’] in the works for MTV and a movie [‘Frat Party’] due this fall.

So just how did a burgeoning Hollywood starlet get involved in the whacky world of WWE? Lauren tells Diva Dirt exclusively that her agents had seen the position of a female singer/ring announcer advertised — the very advertisement that led to Lilian Garcia announcing her retirement this past summer. Lauren decided to audition, feeling that working for WWE would be a fun and exciting opportunity. Mayhew is now scheduled to be part of the SmackDown tapings every Tuesday night.

Despite what you may think, she is familiar with the wrestling industry and was a fan of Hulk Hogan, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper and the Undertaker growing up.

When we asked her if she had any desire to one day get in the ring, Lauren tells us that though she is very athletic, she has no plans to get in the ring herself. Mayhew says she has a lot of respect for the other Divas and will leave wrestling to the professionals.

You can catch Lauren make her SmackDown debut tomorrow on MyNetworkTV, or y’know, just visit here… We’ll be sure to cover her first appearance! For more on Lauren, you can also visit her official website.

Questions for Shelly Martinez

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Diva Dirt has confirmed an all new, exclusive interview with former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout, and Queen of our Hearts, Shelly Martinez.  Have a question for Shelly?  Aimes-vous the “Koffin Kitten?”  Have your say in the comments!

Scheduled PPV Matches for October

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Both WWE and TNA are already gearing into their next pay per views. For WWE it is Hell in a Cell on October 4th, meanwhile TNA holds it’s fifth annual Bound for Glory on the 18th.

Currently scheduled for the WWE pay per view is a Divas Championship match between Alicia Fox and Mickie James. Don’t be surprised if Beth Phoenix is inserted, however. As with SummerSlam and Breaking Point however, one shouldn’t hold their breath as there are constant rewrites. If they do opt for a match, it’ll likely be announced next Monday on Raw.

TNA’s big WrestleMania-esque extravaganza began to be set in stone at this week’s Impact tapings. Both Knockouts’ championships will be on the line. Sarita & Taylor Wilde are expected to defend the Tag Team Championship against The Beautiful People. ODB will defend the Knockouts Championship in a triple threat match against Awesome Kong and Tara. At last word, that may end up being a Monster’s Ball Match.

WWE will also hold a second pay per view in October on the 25th, WWE Bragging Rights replaces Cyber Sunday.

Vickie Guerrero Returning to WWE

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Former SmackDown and Raw General Manager, Vickie Guerrero will return to WWE as a special guest during next week’s SmackDown 10th anniversary special.

Guerrero was handed the invitation last week and has accepted. The appearance will mark the first time Vickie will appear for the company since she left in June of this year. At the time, Guerrero decided she owed more time and attention to her young daughters.

It’ll be great to see Vickie back, she is arguably one of the biggest stars born on SmackDown in recent years.

Weekly Savannah Watch: Zack Ryder Edition

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Welcome back to ‘Weekly Savannah Watch’, where we, the ECW-uninclined Diva Dirt team do our own spot of animal Diva-watching. In this here ‘feature’ we’ll be using our binoculars to spy a rare breed indeed — the “ECW Diva interviewer lady.” Watch as this rare specimen who we believe is dubbed Savannah interviews an orangutan of some sort:

Cute dress!

WWE Debuts New Ring Announcer

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It appears as though the WWE may have already found a replacement for Lilian Garcia in 24 year old Lauren Mayhew. She debuted tonight with the SmackDown brand, so it appears as though they may hold off on her actually taking Lilian’s spot until she gets her sea legs. The similarities–blonde hair, musical background–certainly aren’t lost on me, so it’s not exactly a coincidence that she debuted the night after Lilian’s departure.

Lauren has a bit of acting experience as well, though I doubt “Frat Party” is going to be a competitor come Oscar season.. For more info on Lauren, check out her official website and IMDB profile.

EDIT: Want a taste of her singing abilities? Check out this video of her singing the national anthem for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, her hometown team. She’ll likely be doing it night after night, so it’s good to know she’s got a bit of experience doing it:

For more footage of her acting and singing experience, visit her YouTube page.

WWE Superstars Spoilers: September 24th, 2009

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Check out spoilers for Thursday night’s episode of Superstars below. Show airs at 8pm on WGN America. Click the ‘+’ to read:

WWE Superstars - September 24th, 2009
Michelle McCool and Layla beat Maria and Melina. Layla pinned Maria.

Thoughts after the cut:

Exclusive: First Look at Lacey Von Erich in TNA

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Thanks to our TNA tapings correspondent Camden, we have the first images of new Knockout Lacey Von Erich in her TNA debut. If you wish to read about what happened, view the spoilers here.

Check out the full-sized images by clicking the thumbnails below. Remember, you saw them here first!!

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Also, if you’re so inclined, join in on Lacey fever by listening to our exclusive interview with her from a few weeks ago–CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.

Impact Spoilers (Night #2): October 1st, 2009

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Spoilers for the second night of Impact tapings are now out, courtesy of our TNA tapings correspondent Camden! These will air a week from Thursday (October 1st) on Spike. Click the ‘+’ to read:

Impact - October 1st, 2009
Kong (w/ Raisha Saeed) vs ODB – Knockouts Championship match
Tara is at the commentating table. Saeed goes to Tara and interrupts her. Tara removes her headphones and goes after her.

As Tara walks towards the ring Kong reaches over the ropes and grabs her hair to pull her into the ring, but Tara counters and Kong hits the ropes and falls back. ODB grabs her for the pin.
Winner – ODB

Saeed and Kong leave while Tara and ODB exchange words in the ring. Kong runs back and attacks both girls, leaving them in the ring.

Later…

Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne come out and apologize to the fans and the Knockouts for their behavior the last year. Due to contractual agreement issues Angel is no longer with the TBP. They said Angelina made them monsters and everything they did was because of her. They called out Taylor and Sarita to apologize to them. They shook hands and as Sarita and Taylor walked away Velvet and Madison attacked them from behind and missed. Taylor and Sarita instantly counter and as they dominate TBP, Lacey comes in for the save and lays Taylor and Sarita out.

Thoughts after the cut:

Krissy Vaine’s Vainety Fair: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me

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Hey y’all, sorry for the delay! It’s been a crazy few weeks but I saw this on Facebook and thought it would be a cool thing to do for Vainety Fair. Hope I don’t bore y’all too much!!! It’s called “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me”…

1. I love coming home to a clean house!
2. I don’t mind my car being dirty…
3. I could definitely be described as having OCD.
4. I’m a workaholic and FAILURE is my biggest fear in life.
5. Rejection is hard for me to deal with but I believe it builds great character and it makes me try harder.
6. I love Japanese food!
7. I hate beef stroganoff and liver pudding! Eww!
8. I’m a homebody and my animals are my babies!!!
9. I constantly have to tell myself to get off my ‘high moral ground’ [aka high horse] and not judge others.
10. I’m a huge believer in karma and sometimes I sit back and watch it work.
11. When I think about doing something I shouldn’t, my fear of karma will keep me from doing it!
12. I despise liar, I would rather be spit on than lied to.
13. At the age of 28, I decided to cut people out of my life who didn’t bring something positive into it. It’s made a huge difference — eliminate negativity, it does a world of good for the soul.
14. My closest friend doesn’t watch TV and doesn’t even have one hooked up in her house. She instead increases her knowledge by reading 3 or 4 books at a time. I look up to her greatly and think she’s brilliant.
15. I don’t really like massages, but I’m trying to get over it. I think that alot of healing can be done with the hands.
16. I was told recently that I had a ‘beautiful bright pink aura’. Too terrified to ask what in the hell that meant, I went home and Googled it haha! After Googling, alot of things in my life began to make sense.
17. I believe everything happens for a reason and that you should follow your path and that EVERYONE has one.
18. I never do what anyone ELSE wants me to do, only what I want to do — it’s true!
19. I’m going to take a Reiki course soon and become certified!
20. I believe that I’m here to do something GREAT and have believed that since I was a small child.
21. I’m insecure that most of what people say about me has to do with my looks. The biggest compliment I can recieve is that I’m smart or talented.
22. I’m constantly trying to prove that I’m much more than just ‘pretty’.
23. I hate flying and I have to take a ‘swig’  in turbulence! Sad but true!
24. I hope to be a homeowner this year!
25. I’m so lucky to have found my soulmate in the very strange and whacky way that I did! (Remember what I said about paths?)

Also wanted to congratulate Lacey VE — she’s a doll and has a great heart. So happy for her!!! Congrats girl!

Till next time, love y’all!
— Krissy

Raw Redux (September 21st, 2009) – Goodbye Lilian, Hello Alicia Fox

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So much to discuss coming out of last night’s Raw! It was sad to see the legendary [yes, we are gonna start calling her that now so STFU and STFD] Lilian Garcia retire from WWE. However, a star was born last night in Alicia Fox. Congratulations Foxy, you have truly arrived! Questions coming out of Raw: “Should a woman who has just had her boobs fixed [I’m assuming] really be taking a move like the Glam Slam?” and “Is that Beth’s ‘thank you’ gift for jobbing to Trish last week?”

Check out the Beth Phoenix vs Mickie James match below:

History was made last night folks; that must’ve been the best shortest match ever. It sucks that the Divas got their time cut, that match was barely two minutes but Beth and Mickie did what they could and it was pretty decent. First of all, Beth’s new attire: do not want. Too bright. Beth Phoenix does not do bright.

Onto the match, first we have Alicia Fox at ringside who got a semi-decent reaction when she was announced by the departing Lilian. Beth starts pummelling Mickie from the outset and goes for a springboard suplex that Mickie nicely counters. Neckbreaker from Mickie followed by a miscued low dropkick. The action them moves to the outside with Mickie hitting a Thesz press from the top rope; we don’t see that everyday. Alicia is up out of her chair but Mickie gets in her face and we get a little exchange between those two with Alicia yelling, “Back up!” This provides the distraction that Beth needs to come back as she rams Mickie into the ringpost and then takes her back into it for the Glam Slam.

I have to be a little concerned for Mickie, if she busted an implant why is she taking a Glam Slam?! Are they covering something up here…? And why bury Mickie twice in one night? Surely it would be more logical for Mickie to beat Beth and then be attacked by Alicia? It seems like a ‘thank you’ to Beth for jobbing to Trish last week, but don’t quote me on that.

Alicia then comes into the ring with the Divas Championship and hits an awful scissors kick on Mickie. She was practically standing! Alicia’s elevation was great but that move did not look good. But post-match, Alicia manages to get monstrous heat from the crowd as she hoists the Divas Title and that my friends, is how it’s done! Alicia Fox, you have truly arrived girl.

Last week I questioned whether WWE would make this a storyline or if it’d be a one-shot title match this week like Kelly, Beth and Gail had earlier this year. Thankfully, it looks like this will be a full blown storyline and I think we have only scratched the surface of Alicia’s character. The heat she managed to draw last night was great, now let’s keep that going! Alicia is a star in the making and I am really excited to see her get a push.

Next up, we had Lilian Garcia’s emotional farewell speech. Watch below:

This was a really sweet moment that made me tear up a little. I am so glad that WWE gave her a dignified send-off rather than ribbing her on her way out. She gave 10 years of service to them and this was a beautiful moment and a lovely way to say goodbye. I am grateful to WWE for giving her the platform to say goodbye on the show that has been ‘home’ for 10 years. Thank you Lilian and goodbye ♥

Trish Stratus Discusses Video Game & Working with Beth Phoenix

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The legendary Trish Stratus made a huge announcement last week — her own video game. ‘Stratusphere’, a yoga-based fitness game will be available exclusively on the Wii next year. Talking about it for the first time, Trish dishes in this interview with Gamedibs.com. Highlights below:

On whether she will be used as a ‘character’ in the game, she says her game will be using state of the art video capturing and software for a ‘real life’ feel:

We are taking a completely different and totally new and innovative approach for the video rendering of my likeness that is going to guide you through the sequences. We wanted to be able to give the players, or ‘students’ an experience that is as close to a real life experience as possible, as if they were in my studio. The type of video capturing and rendering that we are going to use will make that interaction truly feel ‘real’ and to my knowledge, this type of presentation has never been done on the Wii platform.

Using motion captured video and never before included Wii peripherals, I am looking to give the players the most comprehensive and thorough workout that has ever been attempted on the Wii. With this state-of–the-art video capturing, being able to select and customize your routines along with a custom branded yoga experience that only Stratusphere can provide, players will feel like they are literally in my studio with me getting their sweat on … or getting their Zen on – whichever they choose!

Switching briefly to her comeback last Monday as the guest host of Raw, Trish addresses working with Beth Phoenix:

… as far as Beth Phoenix goes – we seem to keep finding ourselves fighting each other, interestingly enough whenever the WWE comes to Toronto (in December 2007 I was in the main event in a tag team match with John Cena versus Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella). I definitely feel we have great chemistry in the ring and frankly I quite enjoyed delivering Stratusfaction to her!

There’s no denying they have great chemistry, one day maybe we’ll get a full-blown match. Though if I had a choice, I’d rather see Trish vs Natalya as I’ve mentioned several times in the past. Trish, as Canada’s ‘chosen Diva’ versus Natalya who almost has the ‘right to the throne’ given her family lineage.

Angelina Love Visits Impact Taping, Von Erich Update

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Former TNA Knockouts Champion, Angelina Love was backstage at the Impact taping last night reports PWInsider. So that should answer whether she had returned to her native Canada.

Love, real name Lauren ‘Angel’ Williams, was visiting friends says Mike Johnson. Hopefully this issue will be resolved soon so she can return to the company. In the meantime, I do hope she was mentoring Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky backstage to find their chemistry as a tag team — it was lacking at Sunday night’s pay per view.

And in an update to perhaps the worst kept secret in a long time: Lacey Von Erich is now in Orlando we’re told and will debut as the newest member of The Beautiful People at tonight’s taping. The episode will air next Thursday.

Post-Raw Celebration for Lilian

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Decade Diva, Lilian Garcia was given one final goodbye off-screen last night at Raw. As well as her emotional on-air speech, Lilian was given a send-off from DX members, Triple H and Shawn Michaels and even had a ‘last dance’ with her fiance:

Triple H then started again but said that something was missing. They then brought Lilian in. Triple H then started a ShopZone spiel. Triple H then said for the thousands in attendance and the millions not watching around the world and Lillian Garcia because it may be her last night. They then proceeded to the two words part. Lilian then joined in with DX on the “If your not down with that” part. DX then left and shook hands with the fans.

After DX left, they started playing the Eisley Brothers song “I’ve Had The Time of My Life” for Lilian. Her fiancé then came out to the ring and they started dancing to the song while in the ring. Lillian left and then shook hands with the fans. This was truly a great moment.

Sounds beautiful, what a classy goodbye for Lilian!

Lilian Gives Farewell Speech to Raw Crowd

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In a show of class you rarely see in wrestling these days, the WWE allowed Lilian Garcia to give a farewell speech live on tonight’s Raw, which marked her final appearance in what was a 10 year career with the company. PWTorch has a breakdown of what she said:

• Lilian was given the next-to-last segment of the show just before the main event six-man tag match to give a brief, but very emotional recap of her ten-year WWE career.

• Jerry Lawler set up Lilian’s farewell speech as Lilian choked back tears. He thanked Lilian for over ten years of service to WWE, then sent it to her in the ring.

• Lilian opened her speech by saying she joined WWE ten years ago not knowing what she was signing up for.

•Lilian talked about singing the National Anthem after 9/11 and overseas for the U.S. military during WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops shows.

• She thanked the WWE crew, announcers, and superstars. Lilian choked up talking about announcing some of the greatest matches in WWE history.

• Lilian thanked everyone for their love and support, adding that she will miss everyone. She concluded by waving to the crowd, which applauded her final speech.

Watch it below (skip to 2:10):

Be sure to stop by Lilian’s Twitter page and drop her a farewell message!

Raw Response: September 21st, 2009

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Tonight’s Raw is hosted by actor and comedian Cedric the Entertainer. It is also, as we’ve mentioned, Lilian Garcia‘s final night with the WWE. Witness Lilian’s swan song along with us and discuss any Diva action in the comments below!

Impact Spoilers for Thursday Night: September 24th, 2009

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Spoilers for this week’s Impact are now out, courtesy of our TNA tapings correspondent Camden! The show airs September 24th on Spike. Click the ‘+’ to read:

Impact - September 24th, 2009
Sarita & Taylor Wilde vs. Tara & ODB – Knockouts Tag Team Championship match
Kong came out and attacked Tara. They went to the back while ODB was left alone with Taylor and Sarita. Taylor gets the pin on ODB to retain the tag team titles.

Tara came out and apologized to ODB and both stared each other down.
Winners – Sarita & Taylor Wilde

Thoughts after the cut:

Thank You, Lilian!

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Ten years and some 500* episodes later, tonight we say goodbye to a WWE’s first ever Decade Diva, Lilian Garcia. Since making her debut in August 1999, Lilian has been the voice of Monday Night Raw for a generation and will be incredibly missed. Despite being but a ring announcer, Lilian has solidified a fanbase of her own & her departure will be just as sad as that of the wrestling greats in recent years.

I have no doubt that Lilian will one day be a Hall of Famer for her contributions to the WWE.

There will never be a voice quite as beautiful or as distinctive. You were our ‘diva’ as well as a ‘Diva’ with that big, powerful voice rivalling the Mariahs and Whitneys each time you sang the national anthem. Thank you, Lilian!

Check out our Top 10 Lilian moments by clicking here.

* Just a guesstimate.

The Tiffany Guide to No Surrender: Knockouts History Is Made… Again!

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This year’s No Surrender marked a staple in Knockout history.  Sarita and Taylor Wilde faced Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship.

Saritaylor debut some new music and a new entrance.  It isn’t any better, but hey it’s different.  In all honesty, now they really just look like a hot-n-heavy couple doing the tango.  Keep trying ladies, I’m sure you’ll get it eventually.

Tazz continues to spoil the outcome of the match (like he has done from the very beginning of the tournament), but it’s not like the result wasn’t utterly predictable.

The Beautiful People make their way to the ring in such a ridiculous manner that makes me absolutely miss Angelina Love.  Call me crazy, though I prefer “incredibly loyal.”  There’s no TLC without Left-Eye, there’s no Alice in Chains without Layne Staley, and there sure as hell ain’t no Beautiful People without Angelina Love.  Wherefore art thou, Love?  This entrance isn’t nearly the same without you.  Bleh…I guess I’ll just have to settle for this Knockout knockoff for the time being.

Mike Tenay hits the final nail in the coffin by mentioning Angelina Love’s release onscreen, which makes it “legit” in some way.  He even pulls the “future endeavors” line…which, as everyone knows, is the wrestling version of “Rest in Peace.”

Earl Hebner and his (oddly fitting Nazi-authoritarian) mustache assert themselves as the officiator to this match, playing off of Slick Johnson’s past history with the Beautiful People.

Sarita and Taylor Wilde waste no time in starting off the matchup.  Madison Rayne is sent to the outside while Taylor Wilde basically slams Sarita on top of Velvet Sky, in quite an unique showing of offense… if I do say so myself.  Velvet Sky kicks out.  Sarita maneuvers a brief headlock into an armlock into a series of pin attempts.  Madison breaks up the count, however, during.  Taylor forges a tag and takes advantage.  She and her partner take down Velvet with a double back elbow, and Sarita elevates Taylor into a moonsault for the 2-count.  Tsk tsk…that’s cheating, ladies.  Old Hebner knows no difference as Velvet tags out to Madison Rayne.

Taylor effortlessly breaks down Madison with a drop toehold and an elbow.  Sarita makes the tag this time and delivers an elbow of her own.  Sarita is whipped into the corner and suffers a sudden burst of gonash from miss Madison, resulting in a near fall.  Madison is perplexed, as she is not used to arguing with referees.  Madison takes Sarita into the corner, who endures a few kicks to the midsection.  Madison tags out.  The Beautiful People attempt some tandem action with a double straight jacket neckbreaker.  Velvet makes the cover, but Sarita kicks out at 2.  Velvet doesn’t go apeshit just yet.  Instead, she bides her time with a couple mat slams.  Velvet tries a sunset flip, but cowers out of it, avoiding a dropkick in the process.  So much for mat initiative.  Eh.  Velvet puts the boots to Sarita, but Sarita kicks out at 2.  After a modified curb stomp to the throat, Sarita kicks out again.

Madison tags in and puts Sarita in a headlock and then drops into a spinning neckbreaker for the 2-count.  The Beautiful People continue to cut the ring in half with the quick tags.  Velvet becomes a bit overzealous, allowing Sarita to recover amidst a float-over DDT.  Both competitors make the hot tag out to their respective partners.

Madison runs into a dropkick and a rollover fireman’s carry slam, as well as a swift backbreaker.  Taylor tries to ensure a victory for her team, but Velvet Sky breaks up the pin.  For the finish, Sarita lays a springboard dropkick onto Madison Rayne who is subsequently taken down with a German suplex for the win.

Sarita and Taylor Wilde make history as the first ever TNA Knockout Tag Team Champions.  Victory dance!  No?  Okay.  I guess Old Hebner and his ‘serious business’ ‘stache won’t allow it.

Next up commences a battle of the sexes for the TNA Knockouts Championship.

Playboy Pushes Traci Brooks’ Playboy Photoshoot

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traci-playboy

The folks at Playboy sent out the following press release, touting Knockout Traci Brooks‘ photoshoot for Playboy.com’s Cyber Club. The first part of the photoshoot was made available last Thursday with the second part being delivered this Thursday.

In the press release, Traci discusses what she plans to do after wrestling noting she wants to stay with TNA and work behind the scenes:

Total Nonstop Action Knockout Traci Brooks shows off her perfectly toned physique on Playboy.com (www.playboy.com/traci), beginning Thursday, September 17. Two sets of images will be released on the site, with the second set of sexy shots running Thursday, October 1.

Traci found her way to wrestling after being named the Toronto Sun’s Sunshine Girl in June 2000. Along with her photo ran the quote, “I want to be the next wrestling superstar.” She began training professionally in Toronto and by 2003, was in a schoolgirl outfit wowing the crowd in the TNA ring.

But Traci wasn’t always your typical TNA hottie. She grew up alongside two brothers on a pig and chicken farm in Saint Mary’s, Ontario and from the sixth grade on, would watch Maple Leaf wrestling with her father while picturing herself in the ring. As a tomboy, she never quite understood the purpose of Valets (the women who accompany the wrestlers to the ring) and used to think, “Why don’t they get into the ring and prove they can wrestle?” Now a Valet herself, she still prefers the rougher positions. “I would rather be inside the ring getting punched in the face,” exclaims the bombshell.

Nine years later, Traci is still a part of the TNA family and has no intentions of leaving even after her wrestling days are over. “TNA is my home. It has such a family atmosphere. My entire wedding party is made up of wrestlers,” explains Traci. Once she is done wrestling she plans to stay with TNA and work in the PR department.

On October 18, 2009, Traci will appear at the TNA Bound for Glory competition on Pay-Per-View. The competition will be live at the University of California Irvine’s Bren Events Center.