Congratulations are in order for former WWE Women’s Champion, Sable as she is expecting her second child with fellow WWE alumni, Brock Lesnar. The baby is due in July. Sable — real name Rena Mero — and Brock both parted ways with WWE in 2004 and were married a few years later. Mero gave birth … Read more
The Wrestling Observer newsletter reports that former developmental talent, Catalina White known ever so briefly as Saylor James in FCW has married new World Heavyweight Champion, Jack Swagger just days after he captured the gold. The pair, who have been dating for some time, reportedly got hitched in Vegas last week. If true, congratulations to … Read more
Former ECW backstage interviewer and FCW Diva, Courtney Taylor could be gone from the WWE after her profile was removed from the official FCW website late last night. Taylor had been called up to the main roster last summer before losing the position to Savannah after deciding to take up vacation days that she had … Read more
Speaking for the first time since her release from WWE in February, former developmental Diva Jenny Quinn was known in FCW as Jenny Cash and Penny Cash, sets the record straight about her release and an unfortunate injury that put her on the shelf for nine long months. Last March, Jenny tore her ACL (the … Read more
Wrestlicious will be holding it’s first public television taping in Minnesota on May 28th with a roster including former TNA Knockout, Sojo Bolt debuting as CoCo Montego. The taping marks the first time Wrestlicious’ flagship series, TakeDown will be filmed in front of a live audience of wrestling fans. The episodes currently airing were taped … Read more
Following this week’s experiment, TNA President Dixie Carter has announced that Impact will be moving to 8pm permanently as of next week. The show had been floundering against WWE’s Monday Night Raw at 9-11pm but saw some ratings growth this past Monday. Be sure to make a mental note to tune in on Mondays at … Read more
‘Sevin Sins’, the debut EP from former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis is now available to pre-order on iTunes ahead of its release next Tuesday. The EP features four tracks and a digital booklet and is priced at $3.99. For those curious to hear Maria’s music, there are 30 second snippets available of each song including … Read more
TNA Knockout, Christy Hemme has signed a new multi-year deal with the company says president Dixie Carter. On her Twitter page, Dixie gave Christy’s backstage interviewing a ringing endorsement by writing: “LOVE Christy in her new role.” Hemme, who retired from in-ring action last year, took over the role from Lauren Brooke who left the … Read more
Spoilers for this Thursday’s edition of WWE Superstars are in. Click ‘show’ to view them:
Thoughts after the cut:
It’s no secret that many think TNA’s overall product has declined in quality as of late. If you’re one of those people, Taylor Wilde seems to agree with you. On Twitter in the small hours of Tuesday, Taylor responded to a fan’s complaints about her recent absence from television, saying: “Yeah……….I’m not too thrilled about … Read more
Spoilers for next week’s show, including the ‘Leather & Lace’ match below:
Thoughts after the cut:
Last night’s edition of TNA Impact scored a 0.9 rating with a show that aired in an earlier timeslot of 8-10pm.
The episode, which centered around the Knockouts in a game of ‘Lock Box Showdown’ leading to a striptease at the end of the show, improved immensely from last Monday’s dismal 0.56 rating.
The opening quarter with Christy Hemme and The Beautiful People backstage scored a 0.87. The match itself scored a 0.98 and 0.93 on either side of the commercial break. Finally, the overrun from 10pm onwards, which saw the results of the Showdown, Angelina winning the Knockouts Title and Daffney forced to strip, scored a 0.97.
Looking at the data, the three highest quarters were for the Knockouts match and the overrun.
Obviously, the rating can’t be wholly attributed to the Knockouts as there were other top TNA talents in two out of those three quarters including Kurt Angle and Mr Anderson in a previously advertised ladder match, however to an extent, this experiment was a success. It looks as though TNA’s constant reminders about the Showdown match as well as the results at the end of the show paid off, just as they should have done given the amount of time this was given.
Ratings data courtesy of ProWrestling.net.
Thoughts after the cut:
Wow, I don’t even know how to start off this Write-Up. First, I guess, we all got a surprise last night when the 8-Knockout Tag Team match that was announced was mysteriously changed into this hot mess of a match with rules that were more confusing than a episode of Lost. If you want an in-depth explanation of what went down, please go and listen to the Post Raw and Impact Show or just watch this video of Christy explaining what’s going to happen with the Knockouts tonight.
So there you have it. The Beautiful People kick off the live Impact after Christy explains the rules and what’s at stake. Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne are looking adorable with their pink outfits and tag titles, but Lacey is missing in action interestingly enough. Velvet starts off by saying that the Knockouts continue to revolutionize this business and tonight the Beautiful People will own three of the four lock boxes. She claims they’re going to get the spider and squash it like they should have done ages ago. Then she says they’re going to get the open contract so they can dominate whoever they want, and last but not least, they’ll get the TNA Knockout Championship, which is apparently the highest honor for women in wrestling today. Madison takes her turn speaking next. She agrees with “Vel Vel” and says tonight the Beautiful People will get it all; everything they deserve and everything they are owed. While she’s talking, Lacey von Erich walks out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a smile and a fuzzy white towel. She takes front and center and says no one will ever forget the night they saw Lacey von Erich strutting around in her bra and panties.
LVE: “Tonight, everybody wins.”
Oh boy.
With the Knockouts basically spread through out the entire show, it’s awhile before we get another segment, but when we do, it’s Christy Hemme standing with Team Tara. Team Tara is comprised of soon-to-be former champ, Tara, Angelina Love, ODB, and Hamada.
Last week’s Raw brought a level of disappointment that made me vow to never again underestimate the WWE’s ability to undervalue the Divas. So, maybe that’s why I’m not as disappointed by Raw as I normally would be. Sure, the match this week was based on a lame and degrading idea, but at this point I’m not expecting anything better.
I’m sure most of you have heard the saying “all dressed up and nowhere to go”, which means, in a fashion, that you’re prepared for something that’s not going to happen. This applies pretty well in this case, as Diva fans, the gluttons for punishment that they are, are continuously hoping for the best. They’re prepared for something interesting, exciting, or at the very least respectable. But if you look at the last few months of booking for the Raw Divas, you would know that it’s not going to happen–at least not anytime soon. Unless they take a hard left turn, it’ll be a while until we’re treated to something that demonstrates that the Raw bookers have an ounce of respect for the Divas. Until then, we’ll be treated to matches like the one that took place tonight. Don’t get me wrong–it wasn’t a trainwreck, but the whole idea of it speaks volumes about the respect (or lack thereof) that the Divas receive. It was close to being a perfectly acceptable match, but one addition, one finishing touch, threw it out of whack. That “touch” was totally unnecessary, and served to pretty much ruin the match for me.
The match in question was a “Dressed to Impress” battle royal, in which the winner would earn a shot at Maryse‘s Divas Championship. That’s a great idea, because we all know that the only thing that could top the awkwardness of a battle royal is a battle royal where the competitors have to wear dresses. Why were they wearing dresses! Why, to fit in with this week’s GM of course! Who is he? I don’t know, but who gives a shit, right? I say bring on the hot mess!
We’re joined at ringside by Maryse, who takes her spot at the commentary table. Surprisingly, each Diva gets her own entrance, which I assume is an effort to show off their fancy dresses. I can’t say I like any of them very much, but I don’t blame them for not pulling out the good duds–you wouldn’t want to risk ruining them when you’re tossed over the top rope. Anywho, we’re joined by Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Gail Kim, Rosa Mendes, Jillian, Katie Lea Burchill, Brie and Nikki Bella, and Eve Torres. Maryse trashes all of their looks, but puts special effort into dogging Eve. It’s not secret that she’s going to win this match; she gets the last entrance, a stare down with Maryse, and special emphasis on commentary. If that doesn’t allow you to telegraph Eve’s win from a mile away, you’re just not paying close enough attention.
The match starts and the Divas break off into pairs, all except Rosa, who charges at the Bellas and pretty much jumps out of the ring. It’s a messy exchange, but the Bellas eventually complete what’s left of her journey and heave her over the ropes and out of the ring. Rosa is eliminated. Soon after, Brie and Nikki are eliminated, with Katie Lea and Alicia doing the honors. Brie & Nikki Bella are eliminated.
WWE developmental Diva, Jemma Palmer will be facing SHIMMER star Jetta at the debut Pro-Wrestling: EVE show on May 8th, it has been revealed. Yesterday, we reported that Jemma has not yet reported to WWE’s developmental territory, FCW due to delays with her working visa under new laws recently introduced. She was due to report … Read more
TNA crowned a new Knockouts Champion tonight in Angelina Love. The move ends Tara’s three month run as champion. Love won the belt in the ‘Lock Box Showdown’, literally just winning the belt for opening a box in what has to be the dumbest title switch in history. Nonetheless, Angelina becomes a three time champion … Read more
NXT rookie David Otunga is hosting Raw, an honor he earned by winning a battle royal last week. Will he bring along celebrity finance Jennifer Hudson? Find out by watching the show at 9/8 CST on the USA Network. Discuss the show in the comments!
Tonight on Impact, Tara, Angelina Love, ODB and Hamada team up to take on The Beautiful and Daffney. Don’t forget that Impact starts at the earlier time on 8pm ET. Discuss the show in the comments!
WWE signed developmental Diva, Jemma Palmer is due to appear at the first ever Pro-Wrestling: EVE show this May. Jemma, who we first revealed had signed with WWE last year, was due to report to FCW last month however due to delays with her working visa, is unable to begin her new career with WWE … Read more
In a small update on a Knockout that sort of disappeared from our screens to little fanfare, Kristal Lashley is now referring to herself on Twitter as a ‘former TNA Knockout’. Kristal and husband Bobby were last seen on TNA Impact in January. At the time, in storyline, the couple requested their immediate release from … Read more
SHIMMER Women Athletes returns to Berwyn, Illinois this weekend to tape volumes 29 through 32. But before that, joining us to preview this weekend’s festivities is SHIMMER co-founder, Allison Danger. We find out what fans can expect this weekend in Berwyn, who Allison is looking forward to seeing and competing against. Plus, Allison gives us … Read more
Recap of last night’s episode below, courtesy of our friends at Maria Kanellis Online. Please head over there for more including pictures and videos from the show! This week started off with Mr. Trump asking everyone back to the boardroom after Darryl’s departure. He asked the teams to pick their project managers now, instead of … Read more
British wrestler, Jetta of SHIMMER fame has announced that she will be retiring from pro wrestling in June. She made the announcement at a Triple X Wrestling show last night in her hometown of Coventry. Jetta, who is one half the International Home Wrecking Crew along with Rain will make one of her final appearances … Read more
The identity of another new TNA Knockout currently seen with on screen with Orlando Jordan is independent worker, Santana G. Santana is based in Orlando where she is currently part of the ‘I Believe in Wrestling’ promotion. She is also a second generation star, her father is TNT Kenny G, a promoter in St. Louis. … Read more
Based on your response to his efforts as our correspondent on-scene at WrestleMania 26, we are very excited to welcome aboard David aka Mr. Glamazon as a regular featured columnist here at Diva Dirt. Check back every week for a new edition of ‘Hitting the Ropes’.
When Melanie asked if I wanted to write a weekly column for Diva Dirt, I jumped at the chance. Not because I thought I had so much to share with the readers or because I felt I could make an impact on the wrestling community. Nope, it was much more basic than that. Basically, writing a column for this site sounded a lot more fun than changing diapers, making bottles, mowing the lawn, working, and cleaning the house. (Seriously, kids are great, but for those of you who don’t have kids yet… get up, stretch, look around, and appreciate your freedom. Do it right now. Smile. Today is yours!) I need more fun in my life. This column could be therapeutic and give me something to think about while I am cleaning applesauce off the floor. So I said sure I’ll give this a try. I had a good time reporting from WrestleMania and you all seemed to like what I wrote, so let’s hit the ropes and get started!
Here’s my background so you know a little bit about me. Credibility is important. To this point, from the audio shows you know that I a) love Beth Phoenix, and b) don’t know anything about TNA. Pretty impressive credentials, huh? I fell in love with professional wrestling in October 1985 at the old Hershey Park Arena in Hershey, PA. My friend dragged me to a show that night and it happened to be a (then) WWF taping of Saturday Night’s Main Event. Since Hulk Hogan was on the card, the arena was full and all the people were going crazy. From the moment S.D. Jones came out to start the show (I didn’t know what a jobber was back then), I was hooked. I loved everything. The athleticism. The spectacle. The energy of the crowd. The pageantry. I soaked it all in and when Hulk came out for his tag match with Andre the Giant, I knew something inside of me had changed forever. (It wasn’t until Jim Duggan and the Iron Sheik got pulled over by a NJ state trooper that I realized something was “fishy” about this sport. That state trooper smartened up a generation of kids. In a way I hate him for it.)
For the next seven years the WWF was my main interest outside of school and sports. My friend Jamie (who went to WrestleMania 26 with me) and I actually thought we were the Mega-Powers. We begged our parents relentlessly until they agreed to take us to shows in Hershey. We broke more of our parents baking sheets and folding chairs than I care to remember. We watched the TV shows religiously (Brother Love really was my minister). We booked matches with our LJN action figures. And then we hit the jackpot when WrestleManias 4 and 5 came to Atlantic City, NJ. Those trips to AC remain some of my happiest childhood memories because we felt we were a part of something special: Donald Trump, the title tournament, Macho Man’s World Championship, and then the Mega-Powers exploding. (We were also in Hershey the night the “Madness Met the Mania” on SNME… or as I call it, “One of the Best Nights of My Life” somewhere next to my wedding day and the birth of my children, but don’t make me put them in order. I mean, Hogan, Savage, Liz, the Harts, Honky… good lord!)
Style Showdown is back! The premise is very simple: we bring you some looks and you decide who looks the best. This week, it’s all about the LBD — the little black dress! Several Divas rocked LBDs at last weekend’s WrestleMania festivities, but who do you think rocked her dress the hardest? Vote below: