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Raw Redux – June 30, 2008

This week on Raw: Mickie James continued her roll, pinning Jillian in singles action. Meanwhile, Katie Lea continues to cause trouble.

Thoughts & Reactions
With Raw more eventful and more exciting that it has ever been in the past few years, why was the women’s action so average last night?! I have been left underwhelmed for the second night in a row, after the match at Night of Champions and then the match last night on Raw. While it was nice to see Jillian get some ring time, what was the point when it’s clear what WWE thinks of her? How can the fans be interested in Jillian when WWE beats a dead horse with her gimmick and has her job 24/7? Needless to say, I don’t think there’s much point to Jillian’s career at this point in time and I don’t think WWE are at all interested in rejuvenating it. When Jillian came out, didn’t you just know Mickie was going to win this easy match? The only thing that got me through was the fact that I thought Katie might hit the ring after the match, attacking Mickie to continue to their feud. That didn’t happen either…

So what we’re left with is an average night for the Divas… again. Is it just me or has the Raw women’s division lost some of it’s steam in recent weeks? Are the Creative team focussing so much on making the rest of Raw more interesting that they’ve forgotten about the women’s division? Last night felt like just a token Divas match to fill a quota. For many weeks, the women’s division was one of the highlights of Raw but while the rest of the product improved last night, the women’s division digressed. The match itself wasn’t bad, it was just average.

Later in the evening, we did get a hint that WWE will continue the Mickie-Katie feud in a backstage segment with Katie Lea and Paul Burchill, this was well done. I really like the idea of Katie being a trouble maker and Paul can’t leave her alone for five minutes without her causing more trouble! Her character is a lot of fun, I just want to see that translate into the women’s division and not in random skits putting over other Superstars. I was pretty disappointed with the lack of Layla too, I don’t think they’ve come up with anything for her, go figure.

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Miz & Morrison Prank Call Natalya

The WWE Tag Team Champions, Miz & Morrison appeared on Tom Green’s talk show Tom Green’s House Tonight last week and even busted out their phone books pranking some of their fellow Superstars! After not getting through to Layla and SmackDown wrestler Jesse (of Jesse and Festus), they then got through to none other than … Read more

Systematic Breakdown of Night of Champions

We are dusting off our monthly systematic breakdown, looking back at last night’s Night of Champions pay per view. With the Women’s Championship on the line, it was Mickie James defending against Katie Lea. This is a match I have been looking forward to, but it seems almost thrown together at the last minute – … Read more

YouTube Classics: Mickie Gives Trish a “Gift”

Welcome to the YouTube Classics! This week, with Mickie James’s big win at Night of Champions, our theme is “Hey Mickie!”, featuring some of Mickie James’s most memorable moments. Today, we have Mickie James giving Trish Stratus a “gift”, namely one Ashley Massaro in a giant box. This was one of Mickie’s most psychotic moments, … Read more

Layla & Maria: The Big Idea

Layla and Maria have found new homes in the WWE Universe, but what will Creative come up for them (if anything)? Well Diva Dirt as always, is here to lend a helping hand with our ideas for the Divas on their new shows!

Layla
When I suggested Layla move to Raw in Diva Draft three weeks ago, I feel as though I really threw it out there. This is a move that many didn’t see coming and has divided fans. Well I’m going to throw the ball even further out there with my plans for Layla on the Raw brand. With Melina injured and Mickie James as the only face Diva on Raw, this could be a great opportunity for Layla to come in as a face. Debuting on a new show really can give your character a boost and for many in the past, has been an opportunity to repackage their character. For the audience, as it’s a new brand, we are more willing to accept a face turn or a heel turn also. I think this would definitely help Raw’s women’s division which has lost Melina and Candice to injury, Maria has moved to SmackDown and Ashley is in limbo; it would also freshen up Layla’s character and give her debut some meaning rather than have her debut in a backstage segment or something. Maybe having Layla debut as Mickie’s tag team partner in a match with Katie Lea and Beth Phoenix on Raw or something. Had Melina not been injured, I wouldn’t suggest this but I think a plausible opportunity has presented itself and WWE could capitalise from it – they need more faces to work with Mickie, because she’s on her own at the moment and Layla is pretty much a “new face”, WWE could easily veer her character to be a face to coincide with her Raw debut.

How would I like to see Layla introduced to Raw? I would definitely want her to address her new change of attitude, because otherwise it would just be weird. On Raw, I would have Layla in the ring following a commercial break or something, do a dance routine (because it’s what she’s famous for) followed by getting on the microphone and saying how happy she is to be here on Raw and in front of this crowd and perform for the fans each and every week. This would be a nice contrast to her final ECW appearance, where she berated the crowd and said she wants to move to a brand where she is more appreciated. This would set up Layla as a face. But to put more momentum behind her, at this point I would have Jillian’s music hit and her come down to the ring and tell Layla that this was supposed to be her segment because she wanted to debut her new single or something. Jillian would continue that she doesn’t know what happened (sort of a pun, i.e. the producers cut her segment because she’s a bad singer and gave it to Layla) and tells Layla something like, “I know you’re new here but there’s a pecking order here on Raw” telling Layla that she’s on top and Layla is way, way further down. Jillian would then tell Layla to hit the bricks because this is “her time” resulting in a catfight. This would push Layla as a face and set up a feud to get her started on Raw, albeit a lesser feud to the Women’s Championship feud. This segment would take up less than five minutes. The following week you could have a singles match between the two, this establishes Layla as a face and from there you could have tag team matches like Mickie and Layla versus Jillian and Katie Lea or something.

Another idea would be pairing Layla up with fellow ECW draftee, Kofi Kingston with the premise that they’re both from ECW and are sticking together. Kofi could come to Layla’s rescue in said catfight with Jillian and she could go onto manage him while being a part time wrestler and you could even go the romantic route. For some reason, I like this pairing and I think it’s logical to have the ECW stars want to stick together.

Maria after the cut:

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Style Showdown: Going for the Gold

Welcome to Diva Dirt’s Style Showdown! Last time on the Showdown, we had a rematch from the “Summertime Beach Bikini Blowout”, pitting Eve, Jillian, Layla, Lena, Maria, Maryse, and Melina against one another in their respective bikinis. With 177 votes cast, Melina came out on top with 68 votes, while second place was a three-way … Read more

I Am Jack’s Complete Lack of Surprise

It looks like WWE is seeing fit to pull the old switcheroo, though unlike the cool kind in movies like Fight Club (which I was referencing in the title, if you are insane and haven’t seen it), this kind of twist is one we didn’t want to see, but kind of expected. According to PWInsider.com, … Read more

Layla, Noooooooooooo!

I don’t know what has left me more aghast, the shocking end of this week’s Doctor Who or the Layla news I’ve just read. The latest rumour making rounds is that Layla was moved to Raw in anticipation of her posing for Playboy next year. *Dramatic pause* Allow me to be the first to scream … Read more

SmackDown Redux – June 27, 2008

This week on SmackDown: A blockbuster six Diva tag team match saw Cherry, Kelly Kelly and Michelle McCool face off against Maryse, Natalya and Victoria.

Thoughts & Reactions
This week’s Friday Night SmackDown left me in no doubt that the blue brand is slowly edging in on Raw to co-hold the title as WWE’s top show. And SmackDown’s women’s division possibly had it’s best outing yet last night, in what I think was the single most polished match that the growing division has showcased since it’s inception. I thoroughly enjoyed this match and the work was simply superb, all these Divas worked so cohesively and all the Divas got time to shine. What a fitting match for a night that marked a new era for SmackDown; WWE really went all out during this year’s Draft to establish SmackDown as a top brand to co-headline with Raw. Finally, they have realised that they can’t afford to hold SmackDown down in favour of Raw, finally they realise that both shows need to make bank in order to succeed. Last night, I thought the six Diva tag match was a seminal match for the show and division going forward.

I really don’t have anything bad to say about this match, there wasn’t any obvious botching, all the Divas worked hard and made this a fun, competetive match. On Raw, we’re so used to seeing one Diva be dominant in the ring during tag matches but in this match, all the Divas got ring-time and it really put over all the Divas and that’s a great thing. Natalya and Michelle really went at it and just whet my appetite even more for a singles match, Natalya is so impressive in the ring and I loved her submission hold on Michelle. WWE has really held out on this singles match, I hope they deliver big time when it finally goes down – either have it as a main event of SmackDown or on pay per view.

The other Divas were great too, major props to Kelly Kelly, I was really impressed with her on SmackDown. She showed such confidence in the ring, more than she has ever shown before and really pulled out of the bag, some great moves. In her previous matches with Victoria, the Vicious Vixen had pretty much carried her through the match; however their portion in this match, Kelly was doing a lot more of the work. She really has come a long way! “Cherry Cherry” (haha) and Maryse were fine too, though they didn’t wrestle as much as the others. Victoria, as always, was a consummate professional.

Since JR was drafted to SmackDown, I have been looking forward all week to hearing he and Mick Foley call a Divas match for SmackDown and they didn’t disappoint. I cannot wait for JR to call the eventual moment when the first ever Divas Champion is crowned. That will really make history.

All in all, this was one of the best matches SmackDown has put on in recent months and that’s a bold statement because they really have been on fine form. How will Maria factor into the division when she makes her debut (I’m assuming) next week? It’ll be interesting to see how she fits in, I would love to see a feud with her and Victoria to start out with.

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Diva Search Roucka Headed For Raw?

It seems that the stars are aligning for the WWE women’s division, as two of their brightest developmental talents are joining the main roster. Earlier this month, Victoria Crawford debuted as Alicia Fox on SmackDown and now it seems that former Diva Search contestant, Milena Roucka could be headed to Raw… all thanks to Santino … Read more

Melina’s Real Injury Sidelined for Vince’s Fake Injury

According to reports, the reason why WWE.com hasn’t kept us updated on the status of Melina‘s very real injury thus far, is because they don’t want to detract from Vince McMahon’s very fake injury. Hmm, I would like to say I’m shocked but I’m really, really not. This is exactly the tasteless tack I expect … Read more

WWE: No Changes Necessary for Divas

It has emerged today, that WWE Creative hadn’t originally planned to move any Divas during the Draft. According to reports, they felt that there wasn’t anyone that absolutely had to move. Obviously, they changed their minds with Layla and Maria being drafted yesterday. No one that absolutely had to move?! I would say Maria’s move … Read more

The Living Definition of “Eh..”

Wonders will never cease! Lena Yada is almost nonexistant on TV, yet she continually gets new photoshoots on WWE.com. Let’s face it – she’s the new Maryse! This photoshoot is inexplicably titled “Playful”. I’m not getting a playful vibe from this one – maybe from a Mickie shoot, but not from Lena. Isn’t it appropriate, … Read more

Maria Not Happy With SmackDown Move

After four years on Raw, Maria was moved to SmackDown earlier today in the Supplemental Draft but girlfriend is not happy. Unlike the live Draft on Monday, the Superstars involved in today’s Draft were notified of the move beforehand. Rumour has it that Maria did not take the news well and considered it a demotion. … Read more

Live Blog Success

So I take it from your near 100 comments, that the Supplemental Draft live blog was a success? What do you think, should we do it all over again this Sunday night for Night of Champions? Vote below: [poll=77]

And She’s Buying a Stairway to Heaven…

Michelle McCool‘s well known for her spiritual outlook – hence the “Stairway to Heaven” photoshoot title/play on words. But does she look heavenly as they say? It’s kind of a unique look, what with the bright, cobalt blue pants and vest combo. I’m digging it, though. The blue of the stairwell compliments the pants, and … Read more

YouTube Classics: Jazz vs. Miss Congeniality

Welcome to the YouTube Classics! This week, with the news of Jazz’s first pregnancy, our theme is “Jazz Appreciation”, matches featuring the original ECW alumni and former WWE Women’s Champion. Today, we have Jazz vs. Miss Congeniality from the olden days of ECW. For those unaware, Miss Congeniality was Lita before there was a Lita. … Read more

The Latest on Melina

Diva Dirt can confirm that Melina suffered a fractured heel on Monday night, when she was tossed over the top rope in the Raw vs SmackDown tag team match. Unfortunately, the injury seems to be worse than it first appeared and there isn’t a time frame at the moment, for Melina’s return. Again, we’d like … Read more

SmackDown Spoilers: June 27, 2008

The new era of Friday Night SmackDown begins this week (kinda), check out what Vickie has in store for the Divas below. Unfortunately, no freakin’ mention of the Divas Championship, I’m beginning to lose hope… Maryse, Victoria & Natalya defeated Cherry, Michelle McCool & Kelly Kelly when Maryse pinned Cherry.

There Is Hope Yet!

Many are pissed that no Divas were drafted last night on Raw, but there is still hope! WWE have announced that they will be holding a supplemental draft tomorrow! You can keep up to date with the draftings in a live blog at WWE Fan Nation from 11:45am EDT by clicking here. Our very own … Read more

Raw Redux – June 23, 2008

This week on Raw: It was time for the annual WWE Draft, Raw’s Mickie James and Melina competed in a match with SmackDown’s Natalya and Victoria. Melina suffered an injury and Kelly Kelly danced like a little ho.

Thoughts & Reactions
Has anyone else noticed that the Divas seem to get even less time during the big three-hour shows than they usually do? It seemed last night’s Divas match was the shortest segment of the night – though it’s implications, one could argue, are the most shocking. These four Divas will forever be known as the girls who made JR move to SmackDown! Honestly, when they announced this was an “announcers only match” I was thinking, “Great WWE, tell us what you really think of the Divas”, I thought it’d probably end up being freakin’ Todd Grisham moving to SmackDown instead we were served with one of the biggest drafts in WWE history which we are all feeling the effects of today.

This was for me, a dream match, I love the prospect of Melina/Mickie vs Natalya/Victoria but obviously, this match was cut short with Melina’s injury and the whole segment didn’t last too long. Maybe, just maybe, we will get to see this match further down the line – it could be huge! The big story of course, is Melina’s injury and actually I’ve flip-flopped on this. At first, while watching it live, I thought it was legit but then when the referee announced the double count-out it all made sense – of course they need to move two announcers. And as I found out this morning, it was in fact legit. Looking back, I do think there was meant to be some controversial finish resulting in the double count-out leading to JR and Cole moving, but this wasn’t it. I guess WWE lucked out with a realistic finish to the match allowing that to happen, but at the expense of Melina. Hopefully she’ll be back in action soon, Raw will definitely be different without her.

I wonder if the original finish they had planned involved Beth Phoenix coming out and beating up Melina and then Mickie, Natalya and Victoria just for good measure? Probably just pure speculation on my part, but I’m trying to think what controversial finish WWE originally had planned and that could work as it would advance the Beth-Melina feud. Beth has been noticeably absent from Raw for two whole weeks, what gives?

All in all, there wasn’t too much to write home about except Melina’s injury, though I’m not really all that bitter to be honest. There were bigger stories to be told last night on Raw than the women’s division. They did plug Natalya contending for the Divas Championship and Mickie vs Katie at Night of Champions, so I guess they did what they could given the time they were given.

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Melina: Because I’m Worth It

No this isn’t a shampoo ad, but doesn’t her hair look lovely? While it looks like Melina may be out of action for a while (or not, who knows?), WWE.com has decided to keep Melina in the cyber-forefront with a spectacular new photoshoot entitled “Morning Light”. This is actually the first Melina ‘shoot in some … Read more

Mickie Keeps it On the Sunny Side

Mickie James keeps up her peppy and happy persona with her new photoshoot, “Sunny”. Since she’s indoors, in front of a black backdrop nonetheless, I assume “sunny” is referring to her constantly happy persona. I admit that it gets old quick, what with the manic smiling and all, but I don’t mind it that much. … Read more