Saturday, November 23, 2024

Playlist – April 24, 2008

Melanie
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playlist.jpg
Welcome to another edition of the Playlist, our regularly scheduled music column! This week we have a little mixture of everything… some news, YouTube videos and new music!

mariah.pngNews & Tidbits
Here at the Playlist, in previous issues I’ve heavily touted two of my favourite artists – Mariah Carey and Leona Lewis! Well it’s with extreme pleasure I’m able to share some chart news on both of these talented divas (of the musical kind)!

• Last week, Leona Lewis made history when she became the first British female artist in history to top the Billboard album charts! Leona’s debut album Spirit sold just over 200,000 copies to give her the number one album in the United States. In fact, Leona also had the #1 single in the country too making her week extra special as she topped both the singles and album charts! (More Leona after the cut, when we YouTube her American Idol performance last night!)

• Last week was Leona’s week, but this week – the original diva, Mariah Carey knocked her off the top spot as her new album E=MC2 topped the album charts, giving Mimi her highest selling debut week of all time! Her 11th studio album sold 463,000 copies over the course of a week. Mariah’s last album, The Emancipation of Mimi was her previous record setter with 404,000 copies in it’s first week. (More Mimi after the cut in our new music section!)

For new music and a YouTube video of Leona on Idol:

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A Few “First”s For Natalya

Erin
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WWE.com has finally added Natalya Neidhart‘s profile, and along with it, her first photoshoot. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s nice to see her officially listed among the Divas.

Stay tuned for another Natalya first as she will be competing in her first WWE match on this week’s SmackDown. You know us – we’ll be sure to have the video up as soon as possible!

100 Posts!

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Having logged into the WordPress admin panel to write a new post, I saw that the stats area said “You have 100 posts” much to my surprise and joy! With Erin’s YouTube Classics post yesterday, we have officially achieved 100 posts in just two short months! Thanks to everyone who’s visited and supported Diva Dirt for their Diva news with a side of commentary!

I’d like to say a big thank you to Erin, our new contributor Kaycie and all of you guys – a pat on the back all around, methinks!

YouTube Classics – Victoria vs. Talia

Erin
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This is the advent of a new feature on Diva Dirt – the YouTube Classics! Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I will post a classic or otherwise memorable match. Whether it be for a touch of nostalgia or sheer amusement, I’ll provide you with a new match to watch, admire, or pick apart. Enjoy!

This week’s helping of YouTube Classics takes us back to the year 2005, when Victoria took on the unknown Talia on an episode of Heat. Does Talia seems familiar to you? She should, because, as most of us are aware, she’s currently known as Velvet Sky in TNA. So, how would a Knockout fare against a Diva? Check out the match below and see for yourself!

Beth Phoenix vs. Michelle McCool?

Erin
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WWE.com has posted video interviews with both Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool concerning their recent run-in on RAW. This begs the question – are they hinting at a feud between the two? This would hardly make sense, as both women have been developing feuds on their respective shows. The WWE has finally managed to put a decent amount of Diva action on both RAW and SD, so why would they feel the need to consolidate this into one feud? It only mixes things up.

That’s not to say that I’d be against a push for Michelle – she seems to be improving in every facet (she even has produced the first decent WWE.com photoshoot in some time), it just seems silly to forsake the other feuds for one. Time will tell, though, what exactly they’re planning..

Shameless Plug: NattieNeidhart.net

Melanie
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Please do forgive my shameless plugging, but I thought I would like to invite you all to check out NattieNeidhart.net, a new fansite dedicated to SmackDown!’s newest Diva, Natalya. Erin and I were both impressed by Nattie enough to make a site for her and would love your support! Thank you!

TNA to Rhaka Khan: You “Ain’t Nobody”

Melanie
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What’s that smell? Oh right… the smell of fire purging TNA Knockout, Rhaka Khan. According to Internet reports, the former WWE developmental talent has some heat on her over, wait for it… trading cards!

Rhaka Khan also has backstage heat. She attended the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony yet nothing much was made about that, since TNA figured she was fairly new to the business and thus not as politically savvy about such matters (Velvet Sky also attended, since she is dating Gregory Helms). However, she also failed to sign 1,000 trading cards at the recent TV tapings, which everybody on the roster has to do as part of a new trading card deal the company has started. She took them home to sign and then fed-ex in, which a number of the main event wrestlers also did. This rubbed some the wrong way, since she is obviously not at main event level, but matters grew worse when the trading card company contacted TNA since her signatures didn’t all look the same and in some the Rhaka Khan name was spelled wrong. She said she had gotten tired and started experimenting with her signature. Jeff Jarrett finally just sent her home from the tapings.

Damn, is money so tight in TNA that they can’t just print off cards based on a prototype like normal people do? Somebody inform Guantanamo – Jeff Jarrett has thought up a new method of torture! Just have those pesky terrorists sign 1,000 trading cards and they’ll ‘fess up all you need to know! You make me sign 1,000 cards and I’d go a little stir crazy too. Furthermore, having heat on Rhaka coz she’s not a main event level talent is just lol-worthy when their idea of main event talent are Kevin Nash (a man so past it, his gravestone has already been picked out) and Tyson Tomko (a man who was essentially, Trish Stratus‘ bitch).

We’re siding with Rhaka in what is just another display of why TNA isn’t a global icon like WWE even though they like to think they are. Even if she can’t spell her own ring name, we can and we got your back girl!

Take a Seat?

Team DD
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http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/wristsareforgirls/maryse.jpg

WWE have posted a new photoshoot of Maryse entitled “Take A Seat” It’s a nice change from recent photoshoots, WWE have finally posted a nice one.. well almost. Some are definitely misses, but apart from the tacky boxes and trying to figure out what exactly Maryse does in the WWE, err okay, maybe that’s a different post, this is rather nice.

Click here to view the entire photoshoot.

SmackDown! Spoilers for April 25th

Erin
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Some very early (and undetailed) SmackDown spoilers are in. Highlight below to read:

Nattie Neidhart beat Cherry with a Sharpshooter.

Killing 12 Birds With 1 Stone

Erin
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Looks like the Divas are getting the shotgun treatment – WWE.com has announced that all 12 girls who participated in RAW’s “West Side Story”-style face-off are going to compete in a 12-Diva tag team match at this Sunday’s Backlash.

Now, I’m not saying this match was made ridiculously late because most matches not featured on WrestleMania usually have about 5 days of build up, but doesn’t it appear that the WWE is attempting to avoid putting a SmackDown-only Diva match on the card? Just because it’s not for the Women’s Title doesn’t mean a Divas singles match isn’t PPV-worthy.

It appears to me that the “heel” side has more talent, but knowing the WWE, they’ll go for the feel-good ending and let the less talented “face” side get the victory. That or have the heels win but be stripped to their bra and panties. Nothing says “happy ending” like girls being stripped against their will.

So, who do you think will win? That’s will win, not should win, because God knows those two differ a helluva lot:

[poll=14]

RAW Redux – April 22, 2008

Melanie
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We’re ripping a page out of PWInsider’s book today, with our very own look at last night’s edition of RAW. However, we won’t be looking at the whole show, rather the Divas segment! So we welcome you to RAW Redux!

Thoughts & Reactions
Wow, I was really impressed at how WWE utilised what was essentially a filler segment and made it meaningful! It’s been a long, long time since the Divas have been involved in a promo (the last time I can remember was the days of Trish and Lita), and this was one of the best things they’ve done on RAW since then. Sure it wasn’t a match, but this segment achieved much more than just throwing all the girls in the ring for a tag match or worse – a battle royal. It told a story, better than just a match could, WWE has really been down in the dumps with Diva booking on RAW over the past year with illogical decisions. Wherever this one is going (a 12 Diva tag match at Backlash?), it started out strong. Having Maria and co. come out to congratulate Mickie was a nice touch, adding to the prestige of the Women’s Championship (finally!) and of course, led onto the heel Divas hitting the ring. I loved the two rival Diva gangs, the entrance of Team Phoenix had me popping, anyway!

Golly gosh… Beth Phoenix has gotten her voice back! For a while there, we worried whether she had become a mute. Beth oozed charisma and confidence on the microphone, if you ask me, had WWE let her cut more promos when she was Champion maybe her reign would have been more enjoyable? I wasn’t checking for Beth to get a rematch with Mickie at Backlash, as I’ve found their previous matches boring but by adding a story to it, actually I may be a little more inclined to see another Beth-Mickie match somewhere down the line. Beth showed more personality and charisma than she did in her entire title run. The problem was, with Beth being this wrecking machine with no story to it, not letting her cut promos etc. it made her dull. Please keep it up, WWE!

Of the “supporting cast”, they did a pretty good job by establishing Michelle McCool in this segment also. Michelle has been growing on me of late and it’s only now that I see her as a true top level Diva, although it’s not hard when your face counterparts (Mickie excluded) are Ashley and Kelly Kelly. Michelle in my eyes, is second only to Mickie James at the moment on the face side. RAW isn’t Michelle’s brand, but Creative sort of gave us a little bit extra for our money – having Michelle, SmackDown!’s top Diva, come off strong in this segment also. They didn’t need to do that, but by doing so they’re acknowledging that “Hey, SmackDown! is growing a pretty impressive women’s division too” and opening up the doors, not restricting the women’s division simply to RAW.

What I don’t agree with and what I find laughable, is having the face Divas clear house of the likes of Beth Phoenix, Melina, Victoria, Jillian and Natalya – all of whom could pummel most of their asses in a heartbeat. It wasn’t realistic, but obviously WWE is going for the big face pop here.

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Payton Banks Done With TNA?

Melanie
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Word has it on the Internet, TNA’s Payton Banks may be done with the company. Banks is not under contract and is paid per appearance. Apparently, the LockDown pay per view at which Robert Roode gave Payton the brush off ended their relationship and Banks’ tenure.

The reports persist however, Banks may be brought back further down the line. She probably quit because the writers’ strike is over and she has to get back to work on 30 Rock…

Wanna Be A Diva?

Melanie
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Well if you’re Brazilian or Latina, you could be in with a chance because WWE is holding casting calls, yes casting calls for new Divas. You just know the glory days of the WWE Divas are gone when WWE is actually casting what they want. It feels almost sordid, a pimp and ho situation if you will… Let’s break down their requirements:

Must be between the ages of 18-27 years old and fit the following:
– Beautiful (given the drag queens WWE’s hired recently, “beautiful” is a stretch)
– Speaks and understands Portuguese (and the ability to speak and understand Johnny Ace i.e. under the table action)
– Speaks and understands English (how is Maryse still in a job?)
– Physically fit/ Athletic (have a beach bod, doesn’t matter if you were on the Atkins diet to get it. Athletic part redundant, I mean look at Kelly Kelly)
– Great personality (Again, redundant to 10th power! Kelly Kelly, Maryse, Lena, Eve, Beth, Michelle… do I need to continue?)

If you think have what it “takes” *cough* click here.

Oh, Maria… Just No

Melanie
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Has anyone else noticed that WWE tries to make Maria out to be the epitome of fashionable? Calling her RAW’s “resident style queen” and such, when any woman – hell make that man, woman or child – alive knows that she dresses tacky as hell. Well WWE.com has really outdone themselves in the latest edition of Diva Dish:

Shopping adventures
The Divas are well-known for always being at the height of fashion, and many of them took the little free time they had in Europe to shop ’til they dropped. Naturally, Diva Dish talked to Raw’s fashion plate, Maria, first.

“I love the clothes over here because they are so different than they are in the United States. They’re cut better. I think over here there’s a lot more pattern and print then there is in the States, and plus, they get everything over here first,” Maria said of her shopping trip in Nottingham, England.

“Unless you’re in New York, you might get fashion about the same time, but New York style is completely different,” she continued. “So it’s always fun to come to Europe and do a little bit of shopping.”

You had me, Maria, you had me all up until “Nottingham.” What the frig?! I mean, am I missing something here? Not Bond Street, not Oxford Circus… but Nottingham. Damn, I hope I’m not missing on some fashionable delights… in Nottingham. Then again, given Maria’s personal taste of fishnets and leopard prints, I’m probably not.

Melina Remembers Ric Flair

Erin
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Melina can’t seem to get enough of blog writing these days, because she’s penned yet another one, this time talking about Ric Flair and his recent retirement:

Woooooo!

It’s no secret that my favorite female wrestler/manager/entertainer is Sherri Martel. She is a woman that I love and cherish. I look at what she has accomplished and what I saw when I watched her work. She simply was the complete package. She was one of a kind; original, strong and larger than life.

Amongst the men, there is a single man who fits that mold for me. I looked forward to watching him no matter what he did. He is an incredible man that will stand alone in wrestling. So unique and captivating. He is the one, the only, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair.

Ric Flair is beyond the complete package. There are people in this world that are amazing when it comes to mic skills, are incredible wrestlers or just have a phenomenal look. Ric Flair has all of the above and then some.

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Enough With The Gimmicks Already!

Melanie
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I almost feel blasphemous for being negative towards the TNA women’s division, but felt compelled to write openly to TNA’s writers: give the gimmick matches a freakin’ rest already, okay?! We’ve just come off the heels of a Queen of the Cage match at LockDown, which we appreciate – but these gimmick matches are okay for once in a while, but not every freakin’ pay per view. TNA announced at their tapings last night for next week’s iMPACT! that at their next PPV, Sacrifice there will be a Makeover Battle Royal:

The TNA Knockouts come to the ring. Jim Cornette announces a “Makeover Battle Royal” for the Sacrifice PPV. The last two competitors will compete then in a Ladder Match. The winner is the person who grabs a Knockouts title shot contract from above the Ring to face Awesome Kong. The loser will have their head shaved in a “Britney Spears Makeover.”

That’s two months in a row now that they’ve put on gimmick matches, we appreciate that they want to get as many Knockouts on the card as possible but this match is just ridiculous. I understand the logic of wanting to push as many boundaries for women’s wrestling as possible, hence the ladder match, but honestly – this match is just bad. BAD. Has TNA finally succumb to their own lackluster booking? When the Knockout division launched in October, it was praised as being the only thing that TNA was getting right – well it seems like they’ve finally caught up with themselves, giving the women’s division their unique “Midas Touch” aka crapping it up. TNA relies far too heavily on gimmicks and for a while there, it seemed the women’s division was exempt from their over the top booking, but not anymore…

It seems TNA is taking a lesson from WWE’s Creative Team, who since the departures of Trish and Lita have been trying to get as many women involved in matches as possible to make up for the lack of big names in the division. Case in point, for the past two years lumberjills at WrestleMania, a battle royal at SummerSlam and a 10 Diva tag team match at Survivor Series. TNA has done an amazing job in building stars in the likes of Awesome Kong, Gail Kim and ODB to name but a few – so why are they regressing now? Their emphasis should be on creating the women’s division around the Knockout Championship, adding prestige to the title – making it the envy of all the Knockouts in the lockerroom. Using the stars they have (such as the three named above) to put on amazing matches, as well as creating new stars who can go for the title in the near future. They’re wasting the likes of Roxxi Laveaux, Angelina Love and Rhaka Khan, who I think are all viable challengers for the Knockout title. Not just bulking up matches with as many girls as possible and doing a “flavour of the month” gimmick match – it does nothing to advance the women’s division or propel their talent.

Not So Sweet…

Erin
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In keeping with their terrible photoshoot streak, WWE.com has posted a new one featuring Melina brandishing the unfortunate prop of cotton candy. What’s with the WWE’s obsession with food-related photoshoots? It’s an all-around unflattering look. You’d think a more “covered up” look would be a lot more flattering than this one is – maybe it’s because the outfit looks like pajamas? Loungewear combined with heavy makeup? Eeek.. Back to the drawing board, WWE.

Click here to view the whole photoshoot.

TNA iMPACT! Spoilers – 17/04/08

Melanie
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We’ve had requests to start posting iMPACT! spoilers since we post SmackDown! spoilers, so your wish is our command! Below are spoilers for tomorrow’s edition of iMPACT! On Monday it was announced on TNAwrestling.com, that Awesome Kong would face Roxxi Laveaux for the Knockout Championship as Roxxi won the Queen of the Cage match at LockDown. Both the Women’s and Knockout Championship on the line on TV in one week, what are the odds? Highlight the text:

Awesome Kong def. Roxxi with the Awesome Bomb to retain the title.

SmackDown! Spoilers – 18/04/08

Melanie
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Highlight the text below for Friday’s SmackDown! spoilers from London, England:

Cherry def. Victoria in a singles match

Our thoughts after the cut:

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Kelly “Dances” To Victory

Melanie
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Take five of WWE’s most useless Divas (barring Ashley) and what do you got? A Diva Dance Off. Just add water, girl on girl kissing and you’re about two steps away from softcore porn. Providing hosting services is “The Tazz”, as new ECW announcer Mike Adamle so affectionately calls him. Check it out:


Did anyone else have a doubt in their mind Kelly was going to win? And just to assure the victory, they have her strip too. Nice. Now, I know we Internet fans are a more wise than those in attendance, so let’s take a poll:
[poll=12]

Divas Get Rave Reviews From Brit Fan

Melanie
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Several of RAW’s Divas got rave reviews from a British fan who met up with the likes of new Women’s Champion, Mickie James, Melina, Lilian Garcia and Katie Lea after last night’s taping in London, England:

I got to meet Mickie and congratulated her on her title win and she gave me a big smile and a hug and said thanks! Lilian was also smiling and signing autographs and taking pictures with everyone. Katie Lea was incredibly sweet too! But the big favorite diva with the crowd was Melina, she spent ages outside in the cold signing autographs, laughing and joking with us, she had a huge crowd around her! I said I really wanted her to be women’s champion and she said she does too and we talked for nearly five minutes! Of the guys, Chris Jericho was really sweet so was Carlito and Cody Rhodes. The biggest name was Randy Orton, I know he gets a lot of shtick but he was great, he signed autographs, took pictures, joked around with the fans. At the time I was talking to Melina and as he came out a sea of girls just swarmed him and she joked that always happens!

In the world of celebrity, we sometimes lose sight of the positives and whatever character they may play on TV, this is what it’s all about. Making someone’s day!

Names TNA Should Hire

Melanie
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TNA Wrestling’s critically acclaimed women’s division continues to grow and adapt with Knockouts like Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, ODB – names that without TNA, wouldn’t be able to showcase their talents on a national level due to WWE’s disinterest in promoting true women’s wrestling. That said, we can’t help but feel there are a few names out there that have so much to give to the industry and would have so much to add to TNA’s Knockout division. Here is Diva Dirt‘s guide to the names that TNA should hire (in no particular order, except for the first one).

Please note that we haven’t included the big names like Trish Stratus, Lita, Chyna, Sable… because really, we don’t see it happening.

1. Jazz
Topping the wishlist is none other than Jazz, one of the best female wrestlers in history, in my opinion. Jazz’s long history goes all the way back to ECW when she competed with the men to her epic rivalry with Trish Stratus in WWE. Pound for pound, Jazz is one of the most athletic, technical wrestlers – man or woman. To be honest, I don’t have a freakin’ clue why TNA hasn’t hired her already. This former Women’s Champion would give all the Knockouts a run for their money and no doubt, would be worth the TNA Knockout Championship. Not to mention, I really want to see a Jazz-Gail Kim feud.

2. Dawn Marie
As far as T&A with competent wrestling abilities go, it doesn’t get better than Dawn Marie. WWE however, would rather parade Ashley and Candice – go figure. Dawn was essentially eye candy, but proved to be so much more during her tenure on SmackDown! playing a conniving, soap opera-esque heel to perfection as well as being more than adequate in the ring. Dawn could easily replace Christy Hemme as TNA’s part-T&A-part-wrestler and do a hell of a better job!

3. Nidia
Possibly the best thing to come out of WWE’s Tough Enough competition ever, Nidia’s WWE career was over before it began. When Nidia finally made the transition to RAW after two years on SmackDown!, many (including herself) thought this would be the start of a Women’s Championship-oriented career. Instead, within months of moving to Monday nights she was released. Nidia’s wrestling talents have long gone ignored, could TNA be the answer?

4. Trinity
Poor Trinity, this girl can never catch a break. She was underutilised during her first tenure in TNA, then she was underutilised in WWE as they stuck her on ECW. This daredevil had the makings to become either brand’s next best high-risk, high-flying Diva/Knockout. Finally, TNA has a women’s division, is it time for Trinity to find her way home?

5. Molly Holly
I guess you could call this one a long shot, as she still has allegiances to WWE – but Molly Holly is considered to be the best female wrestler ever. I’m sure TNA has already tried to contract her, but try harder damnit!

Who else do you think TNA should try to snap up? Comment and let us know!

WWE’s Next Top Model: Week 1 Voting

Melanie
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topmodel.png

WWE’s Next Top Model is officially underway! It’s time to vote for your favourite Diva to stop them from facing the chop! Which Diva has the most top model potential? Vote now! The Diva with the least votes will be eliminated this weekend!

[poll=11]

Complete Heat & RAW Spoilers – HUGE NEWS!

Melanie
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Highlight below for explosive, gargantuan spoilers from tonight’s RAW that will have you going “OMFG!”

Heat
Melina & Jillian def. Maria & Ashley

RAW
Mickie def. Beth Phoenix to become the new Women’s Champion! They do “big fight” introductions. Afterwards, Mickie cries with joy and Ashley and Maria come to congratulate her.

Our thoughts after the cut:

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Women’s Championship On The Line Tonight!

Melanie
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Hurrah! The Women’s Championship will be contested tonight on RAW, between Beth Phoenix and Mickie James. The match will take place before a sold out crowd in my hometown of London, England. Now, I hate to embrace a stereotype but I think British modesty has rubbed off on WWE as they finally begin to stop the wheels on Maria‘s Playboy push and put someone worthy in Beth Phoenix’s warpath!

That said, given the less than exciting matches Beth and Mickie have put on in the past together we can’t really count ourselves that lucky. In fact, it took the injection of Melina into a triple threat match with the pair to add some spice to this rivalry. As I type, RAW is taping so we should have spoilers shortly.

Diva “Booty” Camp

Melanie
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Kelly, Layla, Melina and Mickie appeared on Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp last night and as head instructor said, it was more like booty camp! Check out the Divas, all of whom looked phenomenal I might add, leading a workout (courtesy of Melina-Perez.org):


I’m loving the synergy, all the girls in their “WWE Divas” tees, they looked awesome. Melina looked in her elemental telling the “celebs” what to do and damn, her body is incredible shape… I guess something we take for granted on WWE shows.

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