The Women’s Champion said goodbye to Raw last night with a huge exclamation mark ending her three year stint on the Monday night show. Melina‘s Raw farewell (for now) closed the chapter on the past three years of her life as well as her feud with Beth Phoenix in grandiose fashion and we loved every … Read more
Tonight’s Raw has been taped from the UK, right here in London at the O2 Arena! Check out Divas spoilers below:
– Beth Phoenix interrupted a Santino promo saying that Santina must kiss The Great Khali at Backlash.
– Melina def. Beth Phoenix to retain the Women’s Championship. Melina pinned Beth after hitting the Last Call.
Opinions after the cut:
Don’t you just hate it when you visit a news site and read house show results and they have paragraphs dedicated to the men and one line for the Divas? I know I do. Well Diva Dirt reader, Iain sent along this exclusive fan report from WWE’s WrestleMania Revenge European tour which is currently stopped … Read more
Just moments ago, Maryse became the newest member of the Raw roster as new Raw Superstar, Matt Hardy scored a disqualification victory for the brand over new SmackDown Superstar, CM Punk. Maryse now brings her Divas Championship to Monday Night Raw. Earlier in the night, Melina got drafted to SmackDown.
Following a six Diva tag team match, the Women’s Champion Melina was drafted to SmackDown! The match saw SmackDown’s Michelle pin Raw’s Mickie James in order to secure SmackDown the draft pick. Melina will take her Women’s Championship to SmackDown. EDIT: Fan report from PWInsider: After Melina was drafted to Smackdown and Raw went to … Read more
We’ve got your first look at tonight’s SmackDown, which features Gail Kim taking on Michelle McCool. Contrary to a rumor earlier this week, this match is not a #1 contendership match – just a plain old one-on-one bout: SMACKDOWN: GAIL KIM VS. MICHELLE MCCOOL
It wasn’t at WrestleMania per se, but for the 10 Divas involved in the last night’s Raw vs SmackDown tag team match – they got their WrestleMania moment a day late. The Divas of Raw united to take on the united Divas of SmackDown, under the guidance of the Women’s Champion, Melina and the Divas Champion, Maryse. The result was a well executed, well timed match that helped ease the sour taste left by the ‘Miss WrestleMania’ battle royal the night before.
Speaking of which, the Raw ‘debut’ of Santina was also a nice change of pace from the match we saw earlier in the night. WWE showed last night, that the Divas can wrestle and do comedy, without one hindering the other. Following the huge storm that came after WrestleMania, I think that WWE made good, turning the Santina-Miss WrestleMania crap into fun, comedy fluff. I’m not gonna lie, I laughed my butt off . This sort of stuff is okay in moderation, as long as it’s used in addition to a real Divas match rather than instead of.
Back to the Raw vs SmackDown match, following WrestleMania, I really felt from the Divas that they went out there with a chip on their shoulder and with something to prove. Rather than wasting ringtime on Maria, Eve, Kelly or Layla – we got straight down to business with talented, competent wrestlers. I got to see a little taster of three of my dream matches for the current division: Melina vs Gail Kim starting out this match. What I love about both of these Divas is that they have such innovative, fast paced, flexible styles and I think if you throw them out there for 10 minutes, they’d make you stand up and applaud. I will say, that they took a little while to get going, the chemistry wasn’t there straightaway but as the match progressed we got some good action from both of these women. I like that they played up the rivalry between Gail and Maryse too, by having Gail tell Maryse off for attacking Melina on the outside of the ring.
Then we get another dream match: Natalya vs Melina. First of all, let me say, I kinda popped when I saw Natalya’s Bret Hart inspired jacket with the tassles on the shoulders! And here we get a change from the more technical style we saw between Gail and Melina. Natalya is just an absolute powerhouse, she is smash-mouth and in your face. That offsets Melina nicely, who is more energetic. I love seeing Natalya wrestle!
So Melina tags out to Mickie James, bringing on dream match number three. Again, Mickie is more fast paced in the ring and this match sped up when she got tagged in. It’s a shame that Natalya got barely any offense in on Mickie, who dominated this portion of the match. But that slam from top rope had to have hurt! Layla’s one spot in the match was near perfect, a very nicely executed low-dropkick on Natalya. And then out the ring she goes to the floor, ouch that had to have hurt!
My only problem is that while the SmackDown Divas did play up some tension, the Raw Divas seemed all friendly. Doesn’t Melina hate Jillian? Isn’t Layla meant to be a heel? Yet she goes and hugs Mickie. The post-match celebration could have been toned down a little more. Nonetheless, the whole match was enjoyable.
Later in the evening, we got a fun segment between Beth Phoenix and Santina who seems to have hijacked Rico’s old music. I can’t lie, I was laughing hard. “I’m more woman than you’ll ever be!” The interaction between Santina and Beth was gold. The match was hardly technical and nothing to write home about, but it did it’s job. Sure, Beth had to job to a man in drag, but in terms of storyline I think this will help send Beth over the edge and we’ll get more entertaining programming for the next few weeks.
Santino’s acting was top-notch, it kind of reminded me of Chris Lilley playing Ja’mie in Summer Heights High.
Videos after the cut:
WWE loves the multi-Diva action, what can I say? Following last week’s 18 Diva tag team match, last night’s 25 Diva battle royal, tonight we will be treated to a 10 Diva tag team match between the Divas of Raw and SmackDown. Hazzarding a guess, Team Raw could consist of: Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Melina, … Read more
For those of you hoping that last night’s debut of Santino Marrella’s slightly disturbing cross-dressing act was a one-off, think again. In fact, as much as I hate to admit, I think ‘Santina’ is here to stay and will factor into Raw’s women’s division for the foreseeable future. So folks, be prepared: Expect ‘Santina’ to … Read more
*Headdesk* ‘Twas the final Raw before WrestleMania when WWE made sure they hammered home that ‘Divas suck’. One last reminder of our dashed hopes and dreams as we head into yet another underwhelming ‘Mania for the Divas. Last year, it was a glorified tag team match we could see any other week on Raw. The … Read more
In a follow up to last year’s oh-so-successful 16 Diva tag team match, we’re getting two more thrown in tonight! Yes, that’s right… tonight’s Raw will see an 18 Diva tag team match. I have to admit, I kinda saw this coming but thought “No, even they must have boundaries.” Guess not. EDIT: Please use … Read more
Well I guess you can’t really accuse WWE of not building up to the Divas battle royal at WrestleMania 25, because that’s exactly what it was about on Raw this week. Except it was a buildup no-one actually wanted to see. Instead we get shits-and-giggles booking with Santino wanting to take part in the Miss … Read more
Raw Recap
An interesting episode of Raw this week, as we saw Divas Champion, Maryse take on the Women’s Champion, Melina. Although not advertised as such, this one became a glorified lumberjack match with Divas from Raw and SmackDown present at ringside. Sorry, ECW.
It was Maryse that picked up the victory in the second champion vs champion match, we are now 1-for-1 in these types of matches with the Divas Champion coming out on top this time.
Raw in Review
Last week, WWE seemingly set up Maryse vs Melina for WrestleMania 25. Last week, we got to experience first hand the craziness that must ensue in the creative team meetings. At the time of the Raw and SmackDown tapings, it looked like we’d see that match but somehow, by week’s end, they’d opted for a 25 Diva battle royal instead.
So coming into this week’s Raw, WWE had a misfired storyline to tie up and a battle royal to set up. So our would-be WrestleMania match becomes just another Raw match. But all things considered, it was pretty decent. Maryse and Melina have never wrestled each other one one-on-one before so we had no indication as to where this one would go. They are both talented, competent Divas but at the same time, even the most experienced of Divas can clash in the ring style-wise.
Luckily, these two shared more chemistry than the Divas involved in the first champion vs champion match, Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool. Melina’s fiery, innovative moveset was nicely off-set by Maryse’s cocky reliance on restholds and submissions, allowing her attitude to do the work for her. The result proved to be a good mix as the pace of the match was just perfect.
Given that Maryse is still a relative newcomer to the squared circle, she really worked well with Melina and this is a match I wouldn’t mind seeing again. As for our Women’s Champion, she proved that she can be a top Diva and carry a match successfully, something that many critics don’t accredit her with often enough.
The finish to this match likely caused a very split reaction amongst fans and so it should. Both these Divas are champions, both are worthy of winning in my opinion. It’s a tough call to make but someone had to win. I’m not going to lie, I was shocked that Maryse won but I didn’t mind. There had to be a winner and it gives Maryse a nice rub for her championship reign. Melina has already toppled Beth Phoenix and is at the top of the Raw roster, meanwhile Maryse has close competition with Michelle McCool at the top of the SmackDown roster. Giving her the rub here, puts her over a little more. *There’s something else I want to point out but will do so after the cut to avoid spoilers.
The match aftermath proved far more confusing. This went from being a brand pride affair to a babyface-heel affair. O… K. The highlight of this obligatory mish-mash segment was Rosa Mendes hurtling towards the SmackDown Divas and Beth grabbing her by the leg. The whole skit reminded me of the movie Bolt, with Rosa in the spot of Bolt’s (Beth’s) number one fan, Rhino the hamster who, like Rosa, shares an eagerness to get in the mix and prove himself to Bolt.
SPOILER WARNING – SmackDown spoilers ahead:
The Divas Championship isn’t even a year old and we can already boast two champion vs champion matches! Tonight on Raw, Divas Champion Maryse visits to face off with Women’s Champion, Melina! A lot can change in a week… just one week ago on Raw, it looked as though WWE was setting this match up … Read more
All the possible matches for WrestleMania, so many options… well we have a winner! From the looks of tonight’s Raw we will be seeing a champion vs champion match at the 25th anniversary of ‘Mania between Maryse and Melina. Moments ago following a Divas tag team match, Maryse levelled Melina with her patented DDT on … Read more
Tonight’s Raw features a pay per view caliber match – Beth Phoenix challenges Melina for the Women’s Championship in a Royal Rumble rematch. I certainly have high hopes and I hope that they pull out all the stops to give these two some prominent ring time and even the ‘big fight’ introductions. But the big … Read more
Announced for next week’s Raw is a Women’s Championship rematch between Melina and Beth Phoenix, in the new champion’s first title defence. Odd that it is booked for the night after a pay per view, rather than booked for No Way Out.
Raw Recap After losing the Women’s Championship just over a week ago, Beth Phoenix had something to prove when she faced off against former nemesis Candice. Also on hand to ‘take out the trash’ was Rosa Mendes. And could a new feud be blossoming between Mickie James and Layla? Layla teamed with her man, William … Read more
Last night’s Raw saw mixed tag and singles actions for the Divas! Mickie James teamed up with Intercontinental Champion, CM Punk to take on Layla and William Regal. Later, Beth Phoenix faced Candice. Watch the action below: MICKIE & PUNK VS LAYLA & REGAL • • • • • BETH PHOENIX VS CANDICE
It’ll be former Women’s Champion vs former Women’s Champion tonight, when Candice makes her in-ring return after a two month banishment to the backstage area. The Diva will take on her arch rival, Beth Phoenix in singles action on tonight’s Raw. Can we say ‘squash match’?
Raw Redux returns with some changes! Erin and Melanie will both be contributing to the Redux as a ‘no frills’ thoughts column. We’ll both be giving our individual thoughts and opinions on the show. Raw Recap The Glamazon Beth Phoenix and her #1 Contender competed in seperate matches this week on Raw. Beth defeated Kelly … Read more
An interesting thing happened at the Raw house show last night and by interesting I mean, interesting if you’re one of Candice‘s two fans. In a strange turn of events, Melina and Candice worked a match together. Huh? But they’re both faces? *Whispers and gasps fill the air* The seemingly forgotten Raw Diva who has … Read more
Raw Redux returns with some changes! Erin and I will both be contributing to the Redux as a ‘no frills’ thoughts column. Hopefully, this idea will be replicated with the SmackDown Redux too. Raw Recap With Beth Phoenix and Melina‘s Women’s Championship match just over a week away, the Glamazon teamed up with Jillian to … Read more
WWE.com has confirmed that tonight’s Raw will see two Divas matches. First off, Kelly Kelly will face Jillian in a singles match. Secondly, Melina teams up with Goldust to take on Santino and Beth Phoenix in a mixed tag team match.
I’m your biggest fan I’ll follow you until you love me Papa paparazzi Baby there’s no other superstar You know that I’ll be your Papa paparazzi Promise I’ll be kind But I won’t stop until that boy is mine Baby you’ll be famous Chase you down until you love me Papa paparazzi – Lady GaGa, … Read more
Tonight’s Raw has high stakes as there is a Women’s Championship title shot and a Royal Rumble payday on the line for the six Divas featured above. All six will feature in a battle royal with the winner facing Beth Phoenix for her title at the Rumble. Wasn’t Melina the #1 Contender anyway? It’s a … Read more