Divas return to Superstars on Thursday night. Check out the spoilers by highlighting below:
Carlito & Rosa Mendes def. Kofi Kingston & Mickie James. Carlito pinned Kofi after a Backstabber.
Thoughts after the cut:
Raw Response: August 10th, 2009
So Gail Kim is the new #1 Contender for the Divas Championship. Confused? Surprised? Happy? Talk about tonight’s Raw!
Serena Renamed in FCW
Former SHIMMER and OVW star, Serena has been renamed in WWE’s developmental camp, FCW. She now goes by the name of Serena Mancini. It’s certainly a start, hopefully they’ll end up dropping the ‘Mancini’ and just go with Serena by the time she’s on the main roster. FCW is touting a swimsuit competition between the … Read more
Another Ratings ‘Knockout’ for TNA
Newcomers, Alissa Flash and Sarita helped last week’s Knockouts tag team match post stellar ratings for Spike TV’s Impact. The fantastic tag team match which saw Sarita team with Taylor Wilde against Flash and Traci Brooks posted a 1.32 in the ratings, according to our parent site Female Fight League. The match was the highest … Read more
Latest on Michelle McCool *Updated*
It looks as though the status of Michelle McCool is still ambiguous, as the Women’s Champion was kept off last night’s house show in Regina, Saskatechwan Canada and will likely miss all of this weekend’s events. Michelle hasn’t wrestled since the incident last Friday in a match with Eve Torres, though she completed last week’s … Read more
This Week’s Roundtable Discussion Post (August 13th, 2009)
This week on an all new Roundtable, the Diva Dirt team will be discussing WWE, TNA and a lot more! Join us as usual, on Thursday. But in the meantime, have your say on your topics: Please try to keep them short and sweet — just one sentence, so we can read out as many … Read more
Note on Using Our News
Just like the double standard towards women in the wrestling industry, there seems to be a double standard towards this here site from other wrestling news sites/blogs. We have noticed for a while now that some sites are re-posting stories that we ourselves have broken, without providing the appropriate credit. I don’t know what their … Read more
Unwrapped: Eye Candy for the Week Ending August 8th, 2009
In order to consolidate our Eye Candy coverage, we’ve developed a brand new feature: Unwrapped! We’ll take all the new photoshoots from the week and grade (or “brand”) each based on the following criteria:
• Poses (are they versatile or just glorified statues?)
• Uniqueness (have we seen this photoshoot a billion times before?)
Grading scale: Sweet (Great)/Bland (Iffy)/Sour (Awful)
Alissa Flash‘s Untitled
Appearance: She’s wearing tow different color variations of her ring gear, with eye paint to match. I gotta say that I love the warrior paint, as it definitely gives her an edge. It’d look silly on other girls, but Alissa’s enough of a badass to pull it off. That, and you don’t see anything but eye shadow or mascara on most female wrestlers’ eyes–it sets her apart, and in a good way. The outfit itself is pretty much your stard ring gear: shorts and a belly-baring top. The leather collar and cuffs spice it up a bit, and add to her hardened look. Leather and grommets on a lot of Divas look silly and forced, but I don’t get that from Alissa. Maybe it’s because she isn’t trout-pouting me to death. She looks like a true badass.
Poses: For the meager amount of photos she had, Alissa mixed it up pretty well. The fists and finger point gratefully stay out of the much-treaded “porn poses” territory and keeps with her character. Her evil half-grin is enough to send chills down your spine, no?
Uniqueness: It’s certainly nothing you’d see out of a Diva, huh? From the face paint to the serious poses, it’s almost everything the Divas are not. She’s not sexing it up for the sake of a photoshoot, and for that I’m grateful. It’s always a shame to see a Diva depart from her character to show some epic cleavage or do a cheesy pose. Alissa isn’t blending in with this one, that’s for sure.
Grade: Sweet. It’s a tiny, tiny photoshoot, but I really like it. Everything’s in keeping with her character, and she’s experimenting with her look enough to make it interesting, but it’s not like we’re not staring at gigantic feathered hairpieces or something equally as awful.
• Click to see the rest of the photoshoot.
Follow the cut to see the rest of this week’s photoshoots.
The Weekly 5: August 9th, 2009
I’m sure you’ve all heard of your ‘five a day’, but Diva Dirt is here to provide you with your ‘five a week’ in our Weekly 5. Join us every Sunday as we take a look back at the week gone by and highlight our top 5 moments of the week.
Note: Let’s be honest, not much going on TV wise this week [Thanks SmackDown!] so I’ve decided to include some of the news stories from the week.
TNA’S LOSS IS ROH’S GAIN
Former TNA Knockout, Nikki Roxx has been snapped up by the folks at ROH and is set to debut at their tapings later this month. The former Roxxi was unceremoniously pink-slipped earlier this year, effectively making her one of the hottest free agents until now!
Click in for #4-2 on our countdown:
Saturday Supplement: Have the Knockouts Lost Their Edge?
In the Saturday Supplement, the Diva Dirt team will aim to discuss a news story, a televised event or other relevant and current topics. The objective, like the average weekend newspaper, is to offer more indepth and lengthy discussion.
Since its inception, the TNA Knockouts division has been a burst of fresh air to many who have been soured to the world of women’s wrestling. Over the past years, the TNA Knockouts have opened many eyes to what an ideal women’s division could look like during a time when its popularity was not as its highest. A growing fanbase, a 2-hour syndication, a women’s championship, and a locker room of talented women would seem like the ideal formula for success. However, to every victor goes the spoils, and with the spoils often comes hindrances. TNA has not been without faults over the years, especially when it comes to the Knockouts, yet the company still manages to redeem itself and reserve its spot for quality wrestling. So, does TNA’s booking do more harm than good or do the Knockouts still remain at the top of the food chain?
Diva Dirt Fantasy League Table: Week 1
So the first week of our Diva Dirt Fantasy League has wrapped! Where did you rank? Find out below in the first weekly league table.
A breakdown of points awarded are after the cut too.
|
#
|
NAME
|
RAW
DIVA (POINTS) |
SD/ECW
DIVA (PTS) |
TNA
KNOCKOUT (PTS) |
TOTAL
|
|
1
|
Eric
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
8
|
|
2
|
William
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
7
|
|
3
|
Alexandre
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
|
4
|
Daniel
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
5
|
Divafanjill
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
6
|
Kathy
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
7
|
Kevin
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
|
8
|
KiKi
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
|
9
|
Knockout12
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
10
|
Kris Style
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
11
|
mariosthemaster
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
|
12
|
Nala310
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
13
|
Redsoul
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
|
14
|
Steven_D
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
|
15
|
Stratusboi
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
|
16
|
Tanzie
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
|
17
|
Tom
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
|
18
|
WWEFanGurl
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
|
20
|
Al
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
|
21
|
Carly
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
|
22
|
Chris
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
|
23
|
Extreme
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
|
24
|
gfuk07
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
|
25
|
Laurmarz
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
|
26
|
Lita-Sault-666
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
|
27
|
Miss Bella
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
|
28
|
pukimonster
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
|
29
|
Sophie
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
|
30
|
Thannya
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
|
31
|
Antonio Luckett
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
32
|
Brandon
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
33
|
ddrok
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
34
|
Dom
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
35
|
Lee
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
36
|
Mike
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
37
|
Paul
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
3
|
|
38
|
Pedro Pedroso
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
39
|
Rico
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
40
|
Russell
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
41
|
Spiffy
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
42
|
StevoParadiso
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
|
43
|
Thrillseeker
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
3
|
|
44
|
xcc77
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
|
45
|
xodaniellexo
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
|
46
|
Carlos
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
|
47
|
Jenny
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
|
48
|
Weirddork
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
|
49
|
Roger
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
|
50
|
TheWWEUberfan
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
Breakdown of points & the staff league table after the cut:
The Week in Fashion: Best & Worst Dressed for August 8th
It’s a staple of tabloid magazines: hard hitting, investigative & highly entertaining! Best & Worst Dressed lists can make or break careers in Hollywood and for a site with ‘Dirt’ in the title, it’s only fitting we take this time tested feature & apply it to our Divas! Each week we’ll bring you the best and worst looks from the week gone by, it’s pretty simple right?
Key: School-like grading scheme
This week saw some cute outfits from the Divas who didn’t wrestle, including a trio from Raw and one from SmackDown.
Kicking off with Kelly Kelly, complete with Jeremy ‘Mercury Poisoning’ Piven’s arm over her lap. Yes, it looks like a poser-y Juicy Couture dress but what else to expect from young K2? It still looks pretty good on her. C
Raw’s Rosa Mendes knows black is her colour and looked hot from the tiny side glimpse we saw of her. Those legs! C
Adding some colour t0 the room was Alicia Fox, in a flowery strapless dress. It’s probably the weakest of the three looks but it was decent by Diva standards. C-
Former Women’s Champion, Melina sure does love the off-the-shoulder look, huh? Nonetheless, I liked her ethnic patterned red top, it reminds me of my mom’s native Morocco. C
This week’s ‘Worst’ after the cut:
The Tiffany Guide to Impact: Poetry in Motion
To play off the simmering feud between Alissa Flash and Sarita as well as last week’s encounter between Traci Brooks and Taylor Wilde, last night’s TNA Impact set the tone for a respective heel vs. face tag team match.
Traci Brooks and Taylor Wilde start off the match with Taylor embracing Traci from behind and tossing her over with an arm drag. Taylor runs the ropes and cartwheels over Traci, leading her into a second arm drag and a kick to the midsection. Traci counters an Irish Whip which sends Taylor to the corner. Traci suffers another stiff kick to the ribs and Taylor sets her up for an innovative flip off of the top turnbuckle. Traci exits the ring to collect herself and soon tags in Alissa Flash.
Taylor and Alissa begin to get a feel for each other through a series of discouraged offense, but before any chemistry between them can be further explored, Taylor tags in Sarita. Alissa delivers a kick and a chop, but Sarita counters with a headscissors takedown. She then avenges Alissa’s chops in the corner. Alissa follows Sarita into the opposite corner where Sarita flips her over with a springboard arm drag. While Alissa and Traci catch a breather on the outside, Sarita, with an assist from Taylor Wilde, delivers an awe-inspiring diving crossbody to their opposition onto the floor. As TNA takes another look, Sarita’s fluidity is aptly deemed by Don West as “poetry in motion.”
Watch the match and more after the cut:
Diva B-Sides: Eve Torres
We can all agree that, with a few exceptions, Divas get the short end of the stick when comes to entrance themes. While the male superstars get music from actual bands and artists or custom made songs with lyrics, Divas get stuck with crappy production music. If I had the chance I would change all the Divas … Read more
Hard Justice Knockouts Title Match Announced
Last night’s Impact saw the announcement of Angelina Love vs ODB for the Knockouts Championship at Hard Justice on August 16th. What this proves to me is that VicTara did get screwed over. The logic in giving her the title in the first place will continue to baffle me forever.
TNA Interest in Former WWE Diva
We’ve heard from a source that there is once again interest from TNA in hiring former WWE Women’s Champion, Jazz aka Carlene Begnaud. The ECW alumna has fallen off the radar in the past year or so but it’s understood that she gave birth to her first child with husband, Rodney Mack late last year/early … Read more
Reminder: Be Sure to Join MyDivaDirt.com
If you aren’t already a member, be sure to join up to our official social networking site, MyDivaDirt.com. – Socialise with the Diva Dirt team & other readers – Create/join fan groups on your favourite Divas/Knockouts etc. – Post your very own blogs on women’s wrestling just like we do at Diva Dirt! And from … Read more
Roundtable (Aug. 6, 2009): Michelle-less SD, 4 Knockout Feuds Too Many?
This week on the Roundtable: This week’s Diva Dirt Roundtable features Melanie, Erin and Steven [Tiffany was absent this week but pre-recorded some segments] as we discuss the possibility of a SmackDown without it’s Women’s Champion, Michelle McCool. Plus the four Knockouts feuds in TNA — too many? And which one we find the most … Read more
Former Knockout Roxxi Joins ROH
There have been murmurings of this for some time now, but the official ROH on HDNet Twitter has confirmed that the former Roxxi – Nikki Roxx – has joined Ring of Honor. Nikki is set to start with the company at their tapings this month. – Read our interview with Nikki earlier this year
Divas Matches ‘Scrapped’ from SummerSlam
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, any plans for Divas matches at SummerSlam were scrapped last Friday in a creative meeting that saw most of the show retooled. The Observer notes that the two likely matches, both rematches from Night of Champions were seemingly dropped. In the case of Raw’s Mickie James vs Maryse, due … Read more
SHIMMER Gets Toony For Volume 24; Coming Soon
Fresh off the heels of the Volume 23 release, SHIMMER has released the box and disc art for Volume 24. SHIMMER stepped into new territory, giving their roster a technicolor makeover. I gotta say, I’m loving the anime-style of the cover. Very creative and unique. I’m especially feeling Awesome Kong‘s fangs and red eyes. I’m … Read more
Quadruple SHIMMER Tapings This Fall! [UPDATE]
UPDATE: Due to conflicting schedules with contracted TNA Knockouts, the taping had to be postponed. As a result, SHIMMER will be having a double taping for Volumes 27 & 28 on Sunday, November 8th. More details as they become available. Cold sweats? Uncontrollable shaking? Whispering things like “Sara Del Rey” and “MsChif” in your sleep? Sounds … Read more
Rosa Not So Rosy to the Paparazzi?
ReelWrestling.com is notorious for getting the candid scoop on WWE Superstars. Seeing as most of their footage features superstars entering or leaving an event, many a time the reaction from the wrestlers is less than cordial. However, it is extremely interesting to see just how they interact with the paparazzi outside of the ring. Reel Wrestling has filmed Divas by the likes of Lilian Garcia, Katie Lea, The Bella Twins, Maryse and Jillian in the past with typical (albeit sometimes fleeting) success, but it is their recent candid video of Roucka aka Rosa Mendes that has especially piqued my interest.
From reelwrestling.com:
Dean Malenko cast a grey shadow over an otherwise sunny day in Buffalo by getting in our face and demanding we shut off the video camera. After our camera man tried to enlighten Rosa that her swarming fans were none too adoring (her real fans are the ones who buy her photos on eBay from those same airport fanatics who surround her at the baggage checks), “tough guy” Dean tried to play the role of enforcer but what he asked us to do on public property was clearly a violation of our rights. And thanks to him, he altered Rosa’s mood so much that she shoved her cell phone in our face as she exited as if WE were the enemy! Rosa, we just want to promote your attractive face and sunny disposition, along with any message you want to get out to your fan base (by the way, if anyone wants to translate her message, please leave a comment below). And, please tell Dean to relax and back off the next time. We’re not the enemy and it seems that the gorgeous and cheerful Kelly Kelly was the only one in your group who “got it” that day.
Watch the video after the cut:
SmackDown Spoilers: August 7th, 2009
Spoilers for this Friday’s SmackDown are online. The show will air August 7th. Highlight below to read:
*Backstage, Maria and Melina talked about Maria’s relationship with Dolph. Melina said she was happy for Maria but she hears bad things about Ziggler in the locker room. Maria says the Dolph in the ring isn’t how he is outside of it and he treats her good. Melina said she was happy for her but to be careful. [Source: PWInsider.com]
Thoughts under the cut:
SHIMMER Volume 23 on DVD Now
ROHwrestling.com has officially released SHIMMER Volume 23 on DVD today. The DVD features the main event of MsChif defending the SHIMMER Championship against newly signed WWE developmental talent, Serena Deeb. Also featured on the DVD is Cheerleader Melissa against Wesna Busic, in what I’ve heard is an incredible match. Full card below: 1. Nikki Roxx … Read more
Roundtable Discussion Post (August 3rd, 2009)
This week on an all new Roundtable, the Diva Dirt team will be discussing WWE, TNA and a lot more! Join us as usual, on Thursday. But in the meantime, have your say on your topics: Please try to keep them short and sweet — just one sentence, so we can read out as many … Read more