A la TIME’s Person of the Year list, Diva Dirt has compiled a countdown of the women we feel have best embodied the zeitgeist of the year in women’s wrestling. To compile this list, the Diva Dirt team have tracked the headlines here at Diva Dirt over the past 12 months, followed the lively fan debate on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, considered the impact that the women have made within the industry, and taken into account personal achievements as well. More information on the Women of the Year list here.
MAXINE
Show Stealer
As her entrance song goes, “If you want it, come and get it”, and come and get it she did. In 2011, Maxine stole the show away from the Divas of Raw and SmackDown, and was arguably the only Diva in the entire company to be able to fully show the extent of her talent.
Returning to NXT this year after placing fifth on the all-Divas version last year, Maxine quickly found herself in the mix of things, aligning herself with Derrick Bateman as a devilish power couple. It wouldn’t be smooth sailing, however, as soon Johnny Curtis would insert himself between the pair, leading to a complicate love triangle that saw backstage segments, in-ring promos and more in a storyline that has spanned several months. It’s rare to see a Diva so in the forefront as Maxine has been on NXT, but she has certainly made the most of her opportunity.
Maxine has shown a vast improvement in the ring, debuting a devastating new finishing move, and putting on good matches against the likes of AJ, Kaitlyn and Alicia Fox. Meanwhile, proving to be the modern-day triple threat in the Divas division, Maxine’s promos are second to none. So comfortable on the microphone, Maxine is perhaps the WWE’s best kept secret. Then there’s her exotic looks which she shows off in rather risque ring attire.
Perhaps Maxine’s success is due to the fact that there is so little meddling on NXT compared to Raw and SmackDown by WWE higher ups such as Vince, allowing the writers to actually put an emphasis on a female character, and not just book them as an afterthought.
Maxine has been a shining light for the Divas division in 2011 — despite not actually being in it.
Though she didn’t win NXT Season 3, which sought to find the WWE’s “next breakout Diva”, in hindsight, Maxine is perhaps the real winner.
PREVIOUSLY:
– The Women of the Year 2011: Madison Eagles (#15)
