Every hour until the clock strikes midnight (Eastern time) and we usher in 2014, Diva Dirt will highlight – in no particular order – the women who made an impact in 2013.
Summer Rae
Summer Rae is the epitome of a living, breathing Barbie Doll – long legs, blond hair, flaw-free face – and in 2013 the former NXT standout proved time and time again that she was so much more. She made her main roster debut this year wearing her dancing shoes, looking smoking hot in sexy little sequined dance costumes that would any pro on Dancing With the Stars insanely jealous. Alongside the flamboyant Fandango, Summer painted a pretty picture of a ballroom dancer.
The only problem with all that…was that she sucked. More often than not, Summer Rae would come across as awkward and her dancing was, at times, downright horrendous. It made her diehard fans die inside, especially after watching her destroy everyone in NXT who tried to share the screen with her. Summer was capable of so much more than being Fandango’s dancer and everyone knew it.
Weeks turned into months and the gimmick stayed. Summer didn’t appear to be leaving Fandango’s tanned side anytime soon so what else was there to do? The spray tans, two feathered boas, and one pair of ballroom dance shows later I hopped on board and opened my eyes. Summer Rae was slowly morphing into Summer Slay, bringing back the art of valeting and forcing all of us to recognize her as someone who was worthy enough to be in the same conversation as Miss Elizabeth, Missy Hyatt and Sable when it came to all-time great female managers. Summer made sure we watched her at ringside. She made sure we had something to say about her. Her mannerisms, facial expressions, and charisma had started to take the focus and it was a beautiful thing.
All the things that made Summer the undisputed queen of NXT were starting to show on Monday Night Raw, and when she made her wrestling debut against Natalya, the hype was complete. She fired on all cylinders against Nattie, and matched her hold for hold, move for move. Summer slayed that night and continues to do so week after, whether she’s wrestling or valeting. But most importantly, Summer Rae proved that with pride, determination, and dedication that something that might not have been suited for you, could quite easily become you.
Come back at the top of every hour to see who else has been crowned one of 2013’s “Women of the Year”.
