Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Raw Redux – December 15, 2008

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Well Raw was quite a mixed bag this week, let’s break it down and look at the different Diva aspects of the show:

Beauty and the Beast?
Last night, WWE began a brand new angle between Kane and Kelly Kelly. Looks like the Big Red Monster, like most men, has the hots for K2 and despite the segments coming off kind of weird and creepy, I quite liked it. It’s cool to see Kelly finally in an actual storyline and I think this whole Beauty and the Beast shtick could work well, with Kelly finally coming around and seeing something she likes in Kane. I’m looking forward to seeing this unfold in coming weeks. I have to say, I thought Kelly’s acting was pretty decent. Sure she’s not going to win an Emmy or Oscar, but by WWE standards, I think she did a good job. Especially when compared to some other Divas. Could you imagine Candice or Mickie in Kelly’s place? Kelly is developing in all facets of the industry.

The match
As for the match last night… say what?! So we get a new angle at the expense of the current one? Almost no interaction between Beth Phoenix and Melina. The match was standard fare, too short and not enough of what we really want to see though.

The curious case of the stalker fan
So Beth finally had some interaction with her ‘biggest fan’ (known to us as FCW’s Roucka). I still have no idea where this will go, it’s very interesting. WWE has done the stalker fan stuff before with Mickie and Trish but this time, they’re really developing it slowly by planting Roucka in the audience, Mickie just turned up out of the blue on Raw. I had my own theory about this storyline: Roucka started showing up at the same time as Melina returned. I think it could be cool if Milena turned out to be Melina’s sister and eventually costs Beth the title in a match with Melina. The two look quite similar and I guess they could call her Milena to tie in her being Melina’s sister. It’d be a nice twist to the whole fan thing that we’ve seen many times before.

Michelle’s a Little Over-Dressed

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Michelle McCool has gone dress shopping, it seems. Her new photoshoot, “All Dressed Up” feature the Divas Champion in two different dresses and settings – one colorful and flowery, and other dark and sleek. It’s almost a Yin and Yang situation. I’m loving both of them, and her gorgeous new hairstyle only adds to it. Bangs really suit her, and I’m not just saying that as a fellow girl with bangs. :P So whether you prefer dark or light, Michelle’s got you covered; Beautifully, I may say.

[poll id=”247″]

Why So Innovative, TNA?

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Either this is a spooky coincidence or TNA is trying to send one final blow to WWE, this Christmas. Hot off the heels of WWE’s holiday-themed 8 Diva tag match at Armageddon, TNA has pulled the same shtick for their Christmas episode of Impact. The company filmed next week’s Impact last night which will air on Christmas Day featuring an 8 Knockout Santa match.

Coincidence? Rip off? Gossip Girl-style irony? I’d like to think it was the latter. “Look at us, we can wrestle way better than you… watch us show you how it’s done.” Kinda funny, Blair Waldorf approves. You can watch that match on the December 25th episode of Impact, next week. Be sure to compare notes!

Raw Response: December 15th, 2008

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Discuss your ongoing thoughts on the Raw Divas action in this post! Announced for tonight’s broadcast is Kelly Kelly & Melina vs Beth Phoenix & Jillian.

The Blue Brand Gets Seasonal

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With last night’s “Santa’s Little Helper” match at Armageddon come the requisite photoshoots showing off the Divas’ costumes. Today, in a photoshoot entitled “Divas Holiday Spectacular”, the Smackdown Divas Maria, Maryse, Michelle, and Natalya are modeling their Christmas best. Michelle goes the a surprisingly ho-ish route, given her “good girl” image, with a pink fuzzy bikini and stockings. Natalya, it looks, thought outside the box, wearing black and green. However, that could be moreso due to of a lack of holiday spirit, because I’m not feeling the dark look.. Maryse is adverse to red as well, sporting the traditional top and skirt ensemble in a unique shade of green. Lastly, Maria goes more traditional than usual, and looks incredible compared to her disastrous Thankgiving getup. The garter could be lost, though – it just looks trashy.

So, which Smackdown Diva looks best in her holiday livery? Cast your vote below!

[poll id=”245″]

Watch: Santa’s Little Helper Match at Armageddon

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SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER MATCH

Divas Spread Christmas Cheer at Armageddon

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The supposed-to-be-heel Michelle McCool picked up the victory for the fan favourites in a Santa-themed match at Armageddon. The Divas Champion, already a controversial figure among you Diva fans, is bound to draw even more ire as she unveiled her new finisher – the Styles Clash – a move performed by TNA’s AJ Styles. Michelle was barred by WWE officials from using her previous move, the Wings of Love. Oh and we also got a cameo from Mae Young…

What do you think of the Divas action from the pay per views? As always, leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments.

Stand Aside, Angelina – Maryse Has Her Claws Out

Erin
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With all the “Batman 3” Catwoman rumors running rampant, it almost seems appropriate for Maryse channel the feisty feline in her new photoshoot, “Bad in Black”. The black leather, slick hair, and black boots? Come on – it’s unmistakable! Though, I don’t know if she matches up to the likes of Angelina Jolie or Rachel Weisz (or even Halle Berry, but let’s not talk about that) – it’s not her best photoshoot. The thing I’ve always loved about Maryse was that she never seemed to try too hard, but she’s doing just that here. It’s not like she’s brandishing a whip or anything, but you can’t get much more over-the-top sexy than head-to-toe leather. She could wear it whilst going toe to toe with Batman, maybe, but here it just doesn’t fly. But hey, with the rumor mill at full speed for a movie that doesn’t even have a script started, maybe it wouldn’t be that much more ridiculous to entertain the thought of a French Catwoman. Meow or nay?

[poll id=”244″]

Dust Off Your Santa Outfits, Divas!

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… Because we know you have ’em! It’s almost obligatory that the Divas have a slutty Santa outfit in their wardrobe for parading around on television or Christmas-themed shoots at WWE.com (more like Christmas at the Playboy Mansion-themed shoots). Well tomorrow night on pay per view, will be just another excuse for eight lucky (and I use that term loosely) Divas to dust off their slutty Santa outfits for the return of the “Santa’s Little Helper” match at Armageddon. Oh joy!

So which Divas will be teaming up? The face side will be led by Divas Champion – who apparently hasn’t turned heel yet even though she kicked one of her teammates in the stomach – Michelle McCool. Joining her is said teammate that got kicked in the stomach, Maria as well as Raw’s Kelly Kelly and Mickie James. Mysteriously, Candice is not on this team, this sort of thing is usually right up her alley!

Meanwhile playing bad Santa is the team of Maryse, Natalya, Victoria and Raw’s Jillian. Natalya, Victoria and Jillian in smutty Santa outfits? I don’t know.

These teams seem a little off to me, I just don’t think they’re the best choice of Divas. I’m grateful that they left off Melina and Beth Phoenix, maybe they’ll announce a Women’s Championship match for Armageddon? Then again, maybe not. Either way having them out of the match helps protect their storyline. Candice is usually the first Diva up to bat for this type of crap, so I’m a little surprised she’s not in it. With Michelle currently stuck in limbo between face and heel, I think they should have protected her storyline like Melina-Beth by not having her in this and putting Candice in it instead. As for the heel side, there isn’t much choice on who they could have gone with since they decide that the real wrestlers must be heels. I would have stuck Layla in there and maybe taken Victoria out, just because it’s a Santa’s Little Helper match. If it can be called a match.

Is it just me or is this one of the worst PPV cards in WWE history? Most of the matches have been thrown together at the last minute and are pretty much filler. Then again, why am I surprised? In this economic downturn, of course you’d deliver shit on pay per view rather than bulk it up with top tier matches so people would actually want to buy it.

SmackDown Watch: December 12th, 2008

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This week on SmackDown, we’ve got some tag team Diva action. Looking to keep their victorious streak alive, Brie & Nikki Bella take on Maryse & Natalya:


THE BELLA TWINS VS. MARYSE & NATALYA

Beth’s Got the Right Idea

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Women’s Champ and Slammy award winner, Beth Phoenix stopped by the Monday Night Mayhem radio show on yup, you guessed it, Monday night just hours before her big Slammy victory. It seems Beth, like the fans, is pushing for a match between herself and Melina at WrestleMania 25 next April.

Mosh then mentioned Melina’s recent return from injury, and dead stare on trying to win the Women’s Championship. He asked Beth if she would be interested in defending her title against her in Buffalo at Armageddon, and have the opportunity for some retribution. Beth said that Melina is one of the girls, like herself, that raised the bar for women’s competitors in wrestling, with the “spectacle” & “beauty” she brings to it. Beth said that she “wants to wrestle the best, so she can beat the best, so ‘The Glamazon’ can stay in the spotlight as the WWE Women’s Champion, because I deserve to be. So I would love to beat up Melina in my hometown….That would be awesome.”

In regards to which Diva currently in the WWE Beth would like to wrestle against at WrestleMania XXV, Beth said that her & Melina “still have a score to settle,” after once walking down the aisle as allies. Beth said that Melina has become “sick & twisted” over the past year, as Melina sat on the sidelines watching Beth’s success, and said it would be great to wrestle her at “The Showcase Of The Immortals.” She added that she would love to “set the record straight” though, and silence the critics once & for all in that Beth Phoenix is the dominant diva, not Trish Stratus.”

The fans want it, Beth wants it… make it happen WWE! It’s about time some real wrestling was reinstated to WrestleMania! I’m officially angling for Beth vs Melina for the Women’s Championship and because I’m slightly overzealous, Gail Kim vs Natalya for the Divas Championship!

Is Trish Stratus Set to Return to Raw?

Erin
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In need of a little Stratusfaction? Well, rumors are circulating about Trish Stratus making a possible return, with Raw and SmackDown taping a SuperShow in Trish’s hometown of Toronto a week from Monday. That, paired with a few hints dropped about her and Natalya wanting to lock horns, makes an appearance seem quite likely.

Here’s hoping if this is true, it’s a one time thing. There’s no need for Trish to make a substantial return – it would only hurt her legacy and clog up the Divas roster worse than it already is. What do you think – will Trish Stratus return to Raw on December 22nd?

[poll id=”243″]

SmackDown Spoilers: December 12th

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Last night, WWE taped SmackDown for the first time in two weeks. Check out the spoilers below:

• Bella Twins were backstage talking when the Brian Kendrick stepped in only to be confronted by Primo and Carlito.

• Bella Twins vs Maryse/Natalya was next. Bella Twins won when Brie came off top rope onto Natalya who caught her then Nikki dropkicked her to pin Natalya.

Well, That’s One Way to Wear Lace..

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I’m always happy to see Candice Michelle‘s softer side, and this photoshoot, “Black & White” definitely shows it. Well, at least from the shoulders up. Her hair and makeup is goreous, but further down is a different story. I just can’t say I like the lacy jumpsuit – it looks incredibly awkward on her. The silhouette the white detailing creates isn’t flattering either. I give her points for taking a risk, but it looks like she might have jumped off the deep end on this one.


[poll id=”242″]

Victoria Retiring From WWE

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I guess we knew it was eventual but it really does sadden me to report that SmackDown Diva, Victoria, is planning her retirement. According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, the news has been making rounds backstage at WWE and has been a major talking point among the stars. Apparently, Victoria may have handed in her notice around the time of Survivor Series which took place last month.

Victoria has been on the main WWE roster since 2002, but under contract since 2000. In that time she has won the Women’s Championship twice, competed at WrestleMania, competed in the first ever Divas steel cage match among other highlights. In 2007, she was drafted to SmackDown and is one of the founders of SmackDown’s Divas division. In recent years, Victoria has become more of an enhancement talent as opposed to pushed on her own merit though she has enjoyed a more active television role since joining the blue brand. Currently, she’s a run-in buddy to Natalya.

Looks like 2009 just got off to a bleaker start. SmackDown’s women’s division is undergoing some upheaval at the moment, I guess this could be another reason why Michelle McCool is turning heel, I’ve wondered why they would turn her heel when there were already three strong heel Divas. With Natalya possibly moving onto become part of the new generation Hart Foundation – now called ‘The Foundation’ – I guess there isn’t a lot tying Victoria down on SmackDown. I had hoped she’d have a feud with Gail Kim upon her comeback to WWE, she too, will be part of SmackDown but it seems like that may not happen.

As the oldest Diva on the roster, retirement had to be on Victoria’s mind and I’d rather she leave on her own accord than be released somewhere down the line. Victoria marks the last of the golden age of Divas (Lilian doesn’t count), after Torrie Wilson retired earlier this year. With her gone, the last trace of that era will be gone too.

Apparently, Divas Grow on Trees

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You want more diverse photoshoots? Well, Mickie James is here to serve! Her new photoshoot, “Mother Nature” takes its title quite literally, in fact. The WWE’s resident free spirit has taken to the trees, making for some unique poses. It seems a bit awkward to be balancing on branches while wearing a bright, bold maxi dress and large earrings. It almost clashes with the natural setting. Mickie still looks fantastic, though, and I applaud the creativity invested into this shoot.

[poll id=”241″]

Raw Redux – December 08, 2008

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I’ve always made this observation and I’ve always been right: It seems that the Divas get even less screen time than usual when we have these big three hour Raws. Where’s the sense in that? No Divas match left Melanie disappointed.

So Beth Phoenix is the Diva of the Year for 2008 and she has had a great year, so I would say it’s deserved. Beth started out the year as a boring ‘seen it all before’ heel who just happened to hold the title but in the second half of 2008, Beth has shown more character and flare than ever before. The Glamazon has shown she’s a great comedienne and if she were ever to leave WWE, I think she’d fit right in on a sitcom somewhere. Before she got with Santino, I didn’t rate Beth much as an actress but she has shown great comic timing and is proving to be a really fun character which takes the edge off her whole ‘powerhouse’ deal.

Great to see that we got some storyline advancement this week, I think I had an inkling that Beth would win the award when Melina came out to present. I’m really loving the interaction between Beth and Melina and I’m really looking forward to their eventual match-up, I think it could be a nice addition to Sunday’s Armageddon card. That card only has four announced matches, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see two Divas matches since both Raw and SmackDown have strong storylines that could translate into matches on the pay per view. The Women’s Championship for Raw, Beth vs Melina and the Divas Championship for SmackDown, Michelle McCool vs Maria.

As for the Slammy presentations: I liked that Melina took a risk and I really liked the concept of her dress but the execution didn’t work. She looked kind of odd. I liked the colours, but something about it just didn’t click. As always, Maria made Erin and I make our “WTF?!” exclamation, it’s pretty much become obligatory. If there’s one Diva who should never get on the mic, it’s Candice with her cracked-out voice. Painful. Her wardrobe was pretty standard stuff, though looked a little Marilyn Monroe rip-off to me. As boring as she may be, Tiffany looked great and I loved her dress. Alicia Fox looked pretty good and came across really well, I loved her quip to Joey Styles, she showed some fun personality which should help her stand out in future as a Diva. Eve didn’t look too bad either. I wasn’t feeling Mickie’s dress at all, it just didn’t suit her, while Jillian looked bland in black.

WWE Bans Michelle McCool

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Kinda. So, yay! Michelle McCool took to her blogging ways this afternoon, and while most of the world would rather eat Umaga’s vomit than read a blog from Michelle McCool, here is something interesting to take notice of, and it’s rather sad, if you want my opinion.

Wings of Love: Yes, I haven’t used it in quite some time now, but that’s not by choice. Truth is, I’m not allowed to use it anymore. Apparently, it was too devastating for us girls! Seriously…. The only good thing about that is that I debuted a new one on Maryse this weekend and believe me, I think you’ll be impressed. I have to keep it under wraps for now until I use it on tv. Hopefully, it’s not too rough for us girls :)

Are you friggin’ kidding me?! I MARKED for Wings Of Love! It was just about as orgasmic as one could bare, seriously. Love her or hate her, you knew that finish was hot. We haven’t seen anything so impressive out of the WWE Divas since Victoria‘s Widow’s Peak. Le sigh. Yes, Michelle’s finisher was indeed a devastatingly-delicious finish, but c’mon now… really? Does that make Michelle the first Diva to have a move banished from her arsenal? Oh, well. If Melina can have 50 different finishers to choose from on any given night, then I guess “new” and “change” should be welcomed.

As someone close to Michelle would say, Rest In Peace ‘Wings Of Love,’ we hardly got to know ya. Ha… I just thought of Lena Yada, what about you? Brain fart.

And The Slammy Goes To…

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Congratulations are in order for the Women’s Champion, Beth Phoenix who has been crowned the Diva of the Year 2008. Beth won the award over Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool and Mickie James. However afterwards got into a catfight with rival and award presenter, Melina.

Who’ll Win the Slammy?

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Tonight one of four Divas have the opportunity to become a Slammy award winner for Diva of the Year. But before the Academy of Wrestling Arts & Science crowns that Diva, we thought you should get a vote too. Who should win the Slammy?

Three of the nominees have been a champion this year, two are current champions. And the other’s stock has risen; both in the ring and as an all-around Diva.

[poll id=”240″]

Jeff Jarrett Courting Torrie Wilson?

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If the latest rumours are anything to go by, it seems TNA is trying to land a Knockout of epic proportions! Jeff Jarrett has reportedly pitched ideas to the one and only Torrie Wilson to join the company. Torrie retired from pro wrestling earlier this year when she left the WWE, due to back injuries. From my own discussions with Torrie as well as her blogs, shoot interview etc. it definitely seems like she has closed the door on wrestling.

To be honest, I don’t see it happening at all. Torrie can’t wrestle anymore because of her back, she still has lasting damage despite her surgery earlier this year and I doubt even if she felt slightly better, she’d take the risk of aggravating it again. Torrie left WWE because she couldn’t wrestle anymore, despite the fact that WWE really accomodated Torrie in the past year, offering her a new position with the company – all this just to get her to stay. If Torrie really wanted to stay in the business, I definitely think she’s WWE through-and-through and would have stayed there. She can offer no more to TNA than she could WWE and WWE is where Torrie’s heart lies, I believe.

The report also suggests that Gail Kim tried to get Torrie on board while she was with the company, which got me wondering about this strange twist of fate since Torrie left. SmackDown, the brand she was most part of during her career and arguably the show’s #1 Diva in history, finally got it’s own women’s division and title. Torrie always wanted to wrestle more on SmackDown and have a title to compete for. And now one of her best friends is back with the WWE too!

Style Showdown: Singing Their Praises

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Welcome back to the Style Showdown! This is the contest where we put our favourite Divas and Knockouts up against each other, not in the ring, but in a battle of who looks better!

Last time on the Style Showdown: top WWE good girls Candice Michelle and Maria did battle in a duel of the babyfaces. It was a tight face, but Maria pulled it off, winning 208 votes with Candice right behind her with 190.

This week, two oddly similar Divas are facing off – their names rhyme, they both have blonde hair, and are both of the musical persuasion. Of course, I’m speaking of Jillian Hall and Lillian Garcia. One may be more vocally accomplished than the other, but this is about the photoshoots. Which songstress do you think looks better – Jillian in a “Blackout” or Lillian looking “Pretty in Platinum”? View the photoshoots and cast your vote below!

Jillian Hall – “Blackout”

Lilian Garcia – “Pretty in Platinum”

[poll id=”239″]

It’s Jillian, Bitch

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Now, I’m no Britney Spears expert, but I know a reference to her when I see one, namely Jillian Hall‘s new photoshoot “Blackout”. We all know Jillian idolizes the former pop princess, so it’s cute to see her photoshoot named after Spears’s last album. And hell, as long as she’s not belting out a few tunes from it (awful lyrics + awful singing = hell on Earth) I’m fine. The shoot itself isn’t all that great. The tacky little top isn’t doing her any favors. But I do like her hair – it looks so much better when its wavy as opposed to the pin straight style that tends to make it look like a bad Donatella Versace wig. Hey, maybe she could get Britney’s wig people to hook her up with a nice head of hair. After all, they do work wonders..

[poll id=”238″]

SmackDown Watch: December 5, 2008

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This week, Divas Champ Michelle McCool faced off against Maria in a non-title match. Watch below:


MARIA VS MICHELLE MCCOOL

Interestingly, a filmed backstage segment that was to air later in the night seems to have been cut. In the segment, Maria was backstage celebrating her win with the Bella Twins, Carlito & Primo when Michelle came in and kicked Maria in the chest. That segment would definitely signal a heel turn for Michelle, maybe she won’t become a full-fledged heel after all?

EDIT: Looks like the segment will air in tonight’s US airing of the show, after all.

Slammy “Couple of the Year” Nominees Announced

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It looks like the WWE’s going all Grammy Awards on us, with all these Slammy Awards nominees announcements. Following yesterday’s announcement of the “Diva of the Year” nominees, we now have the nominees for the “Couple of the Year” award:

• Santino Marella & Beth Phoenix
• Edge & Vickie Guerrero
• William Regal & Layla
• Finlay & Hornswoggle

So, do you think an actual Diva will win the award, or will they go the funny stupid route and award the only non-couple on the list (Finlay & Hornswoggle)? Which dynamic duo do you think deserves the award? Be sure to tune in to Raw on Monday to find out who wins.

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful..

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It may be snowing where you are (not where I am – Florida sucks), but Lilian Garcia is braving the cold weather in her latest photoshoot, “Winter Warmth”. In photos that I can only assume were taken months ago, Lilian’s frolicking in the sand and surf, looking divine. There’s not much to say – bikini photos, a lot of the time, are generally the same. She does looks like she’s having a ball though, and that’s what makes this photoshoot fun to look at.

[poll id=”237″]

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