Diva is a term used by the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to refer to its female talent. Lisa Marie Varon As an amateur bodybuilder Varon won her first competition in 1995 as a middleweight This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the Raw brand of WWE Professional wrestling, or pro wrestling, is a non-competitive professional Sport, where all matches are scripted by the promotion's booking staff A professional wrestling promotion (also federation or fed) is a company or Business that performs regular shows involving Professional World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, [1] The term is applied to women who appear as wrestlers, managers or valets, backstage interviewers, or ring announcers. In Professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler (or wrestlers for a variety of reasons A ring announcer is a paid in-ring (and sometimes on-camera employee for a Boxing, Professional wrestling, or Mixed martial arts event or promotion
Contents |
Perhaps the first "Diva" in the WWF was Sunny, who was the manager for various wrestlers. Tammy Lynn Sytch (born December 7, 1972) is a Professional wrestling manager and personality The female managerial role was not a new concept in professional wrestling. Miss Elizabeth, Sensational Sherri and Luna Vachon preceded Sunny in the WWF, yet she brought a sexuality to the position that had seldom been seen in the business before. Elizabeth Ann Hulette ( November 19, 1960 – May 1, 2003) best known as Miss Elizabeth, was a U Sherri Schrull (born Sherri Russell) ( February 8 1958 – June 15 2007) was an American professional wrestler Gertrude Vachon (born January 12 1962) is a retired Canadian professional wrestler better known by the Ring name Luna Vachon
From 1996 to 1997, Marlena, Sable and Chyna, joined Sunny as prominent female on-air talent in the promotion. Terri Lynne Boatright Runnels (born October 5, 1966) is a former WCW and WWE Professional wrestling manager, and Rena Mero Lesnar (born Rena Greek August 8 1967 is an American model actress, and former professional wrestler. Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer on December 27 1972 is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. Marlena was the manager of Goldust her then real-life husband,[2] and Sable was manager for her then real-life husband, wrestler Marc Mero. Dustin Patrick Runnels (born April 11 1969 is an American professional wrestler. Marc Mero (born July 9, 1960) is an American retired amateur boxer and professional wrestler. Sable quickly eclipsed her husband in popularity. [3] Her popularity lead to the re-instatement of the WWE Women's Championship, as well as the hiring of more female performers by the promotion. This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the Raw brand of WWE Sable became the first WWF female to refer to herself as a 'Diva' saying "I am the Diva of the WWF," on the April 19 edition of RAW in 1999. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer This article is about the television program You may be looking for the 1994 video game or the 2002 video game WWE Raw is The term was coined instantly. However, unlike Jacqueline and Luna, the more physical Divas and experienced wrestlers at the time, Sable later admitted that it was written in her contract that she was not allowed to take bumps. Jacqueline Moore (born January 6 1966 or better known as simply Jacqueline, is an American professional wrestler and actress, currently In Professional wrestling, a bump occurs whenever a wrestler hits the mat or the arena floor after receiving a move from his/her opponent [4] Nicknamed "The Ninth Wonder of the World", Chyna debuted as the laconic bodyguard of the highly popular stable D-Generation X in 1997, and later gained popularity in her own right competing against male wrestlers, even becoming the #1 Contender to the WWE Championship at one point. Enforcer is a Professional wrestling term for one of two situations D-Generation X (also known and spelled as Degeneration X, DX and D-X) is an on-and-off Professional wrestling Tag team (formerly This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the SmackDown brand of WWE She held the WWE Intercontinental Championship three times between 1999 and 2000. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE Intercontinental Championship is a Professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment.
Although Sable would leave the WWF after several years, the WWF would sign many more female performers during and after her employment with the company, and would promote them as "Divas. " In 2000, newcomer Lita would focus her attention on the WWF Women's Championship. Amy Christine Dumas (born April 14 1975 After briefly working on the Independent circuit and in Extreme Championship Wrestling, Dumas signed with Lita performed more risk taking moves than the Divas before her, such as moonsaults and diving hurricanranas. A moonsault, moonsault press or back flip splash is a professional wrestling aerial technique with much of its popularity in American wrestling being attributed Aerial techniques are spectacular maneuvers using the ring and its posts and ropes as aids used in Professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler [5] Her popularity encouraged a higher standard of athletic competition within the WWF Women's Division, while still retaining the sexual element. Lita is the only Diva to have won the Women's Championship in two of RAW's main events.
Around the same time of Dumas' arrival, Trish Stratus made her debut. Patricia Anne Stratigias (born December 18 1975 strætɨˈdʒiːəs better known as Trish Stratus, is a former fitness model, former professional wrestler Stratus started off as a valet, who brought pure sexuality to the ring. Also later that year, Molly Holly made her debut. Noreen "Nora" Kristina Greenwald She also trained as a gymnast She was a contrast to most of the other Divas because she was given a more wholesome gimmick and more modest ring attire. [6]
In the Autumn of 2001, Stratus was trained by Fit Finlay, who was the road agent responsible for the women's matches, and improved her in-ring ability. David Finlay (born October 20, 1958) a nickname he had previously used while in the UK and later as "Fit" Finley. She worked her way up to the top of the division and eventually won the Women's Title. Lita and Trish Stratus have been credited as the women that changed the face of Women's Wrestling, as they brought a mix of sexuality and wrestling ability to the ring in such even amounts and kept the fans entertained.
In 2001, Chyna left the WWF due to real-life issues between herself, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon. Paul Michael Levesque better known by his Ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of his former ring name Hunter Hearst Helmsley Stephanie Marie McMahon-Levesque She is the daughter of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and WWE CEO Linda McMahon, and is the younger sister of Shane McMahon [7] Her last feud was with Lita. [5] However, in April 2002, Lita suffered a neck injury and was the first Diva to have neck fusion surgery. April 2002: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September [5] She was out of action for approximately one year. [5]
Also during 2002, WWF changed its name to WWE and brought in a host of new female talent. Over the next few years, WWE hired more Divas than ever before, including female winners of the reality TV show WWE Tough Enough featuring contestants aspiring to be professional wrestlers. WWE Tough Enough (originally known as WWF Tough Enough) was a Reality television show produced by World Wrestling Entertainment Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Christy Hemme, Miss Jackie, Dawn Marie, a returning Sable and numerous others would often compete in contests from "Pillow Fight" and "Bra and Panties" matchups to "Bikini Contests", which were based more on the sexual appeal of the women involved; while distinctively Lita, Trish Stratus, Jazz, Gail Kim, Molly Holly, Jacqueline, Ivory and Victoria competed for the WWE Women's Title featuring match ups only previously participated by men such as Street Fights, Table Matches and the first ever Women's Steel cage match[8]. Stacy Keibler (born October 14 1979 is an American actress and former professional wrestler and valet for World Championship Wrestling Torrie Wilson (born July 24 1975 is a retired American professional wrestler, fitness competitor and model perhaps best known for her work with Christina Lee " Christy " Hemme (born October 28 1980 but she grew up in Temecula California. Jacquelyn Suzanne Gayda-Haas (born November 3 1980) 2004-2005 In early 2004 Gayda teamed up with Stacy Keibler, with the duo proclaiming Dawn Marie Psaltis Psaltis graduated from the New York University Stern School of Business at the age of 22 Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing Carlene Denise Moore-Begnaud (born August 27 1973 better known as Jazz is an American Professional wrestler and two-time former WWE Women's Gail Kim (born February 20 1976 is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent valet, model, and actress. Lisa Moretti (born November 26 1961 is an American professional wrestler. Lisa Marie Varon As an amateur bodybuilder Varon won her first competition in 1995 as a middleweight Many types of matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, can be found in the form of Performing Holly competing as Mighty Molly, Stratus, and Terri Runnels also held the Hardcore Championship briefly. Terri Lynne Boatright Runnels (born October 5, 1966) is a former WCW and WWE Professional wrestling manager, and The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE Hardcore Championship was a Hardcore wrestling championship defended in World Wrestling Entertainment, (formerly the World
From 2002 to the present, WWE began hiring new Divas assigned to their development territories to train and wait to be called up to the main roster. These new Divas are recruited from model agencies, the independent circuit, and the Diva Search. In Professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised The WWE Diva Search is a former talent competition held by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE
In 2003, Gail Kim became the first woman with a Korean background to win the Women's Championship. Also, Jacqueline held the WWE Cruiserweight Championship (a male title) briefly in 2004. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE Cruiserweight Championship was a Professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and was
In the summer of 2006, WWE Announcers began referring to the Divas as "The Sexiest Women on Television. "
Towards the end of 2006 both Trish Stratus and Lita subsequently left WWE. [9][10] Currently RAW ring announcer Lilian Garcia has been with WWE longer than any other current WWE Diva. This article is about the television program You may be looking for the 1994 video game or the 2002 video game WWE Raw is Lilian Annette García (born August 19 1966 is an American Singer and Ring announcer.
There has been some measure of controversy relating to WWE Divas. The risqué matches and storylines the WWE Divas have taken part in were cited as part of an extensive campaign against WWE and the content of its programming throughout the late 1990s.
Harassment of the company's females has also been an issue. Rena Mero left WWE for several years, claiming that she was harassed by other performers in the promotion. Rena Mero Lesnar (born Rena Greek August 8 1967 is an American model actress, and former professional wrestler. Harassment claims were also made by Nicole Bass [11] and Amy Weber. Nicole Bass-Fuchs Bass continues to wrestle on the independent wrestling circuit taking bookings through her official Website. Amy Marie Weber (born July 2 1970) is an American Actress, model, Film producer, Film Weber has had Mero sued the company for $110 million over issues of sexual harassment and the licensing of the "Sable" name. [12][13]
This aspect of the industry draws widespread criticism for its misogynistic treatment of women as sex objects, who usually appear either scantily clad or 'glamorous' in the form of evening gowns and the like. These issues have been portrayed in angles involving divas.
The Diva Search is an annual competition that occurs every Summer. The WWE Diva Search is a former talent competition held by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE The purpose of the Diva Search is to find new women to act as wrestlers, interviewers, and valets in WWE. The winner of the competition receives a one year contract worth $100,000. Previously the contract was worth $250,000.
The popularity of women in WWE has resulted in various cross-promotions with other brands featuring WWE Divas. Various Divas have posed in Playboy, and others have appeared in commercials for WWE and non-WWE products as well as men's interest magazines. Playboy is an American Men's magazine, founded in Chicago Illinois, by Hugh Hefner and his associates which has grown into Playboy
The WWE Divas normally go on an annual photo shoot every year, usually to a different location each time. A photo shoot is generally used in the Fashion industry whereby a model poses for a Photographer at a studio where multiple photos are taken to find the The photoshoot is followed by a magazine featuring photos from the shoot as well as a television special or video release of highlights from the shoot.
Since 2003, a WWE Diva has posed nude and appeared on the cover every year:
Playboy playmates, such as Carmella DeCesare and Karen McDougal have also appeared in Diva Search in 2004. Nudity is the state of wearing no Clothing. The term' "nudity" can also occasionally be used to refer to wearing significantly less clothing than expected Rena Mero Lesnar (born Rena Greek August 8 1967 is an American model actress, and former professional wrestler. Chyna (born Joan Marie Laurer on December 27 1972 is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. Torrie Wilson (born July 24 1975 is a retired American professional wrestler, fitness competitor and model perhaps best known for her work with Christina Lee " Christy " Hemme (born October 28 1980 but she grew up in Temecula California. Candice Michelle Beckman-Ehrlich (born September 30 1978 better known as Candice Michelle or just Candice, is an American model actress, and Ashley Marie Massaro She was a contestant on the fifteenth season of Survivor in the People's Republic of China, but was the second contestant Maria Kanellis (born February 25 1982 is an American professional wrestler and model of Greek heritage currently signed to World Wrestling Karen McDougal (born March 23 1971 is an American model and actor Some former and current Divas such as Trish Stratus, Lita, Debra, Sharmell, Stacy Keibler, and Melina have indicated that posing for Playboy magazine is out of the question for them. Patricia Anne Stratigias (born December 18 1975 strætɨˈdʒiːəs better known as Trish Stratus, is a former fitness model, former professional wrestler Amy Christine Dumas (born April 14 1975 After briefly working on the Independent circuit and in Extreme Championship Wrestling, Dumas signed with Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2 1960 After the match Chris Benoit came out and the reformed Four Horsemen continued to attack Greene Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman (born November 2 1974) is an American professional wrestling valet currently working for Total Nonstop Action Stacy Keibler (born October 14 1979 is an American actress and former professional wrestler and valet for World Championship Wrestling Melina Nava Perez (born March 9 1979 better known simply as Melina, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Stratus has appeared on sports talk show Off The Record and said that she didn't pose because she wanted to be known as "multiple time Women's Champion Trish Stratus" rather than "the girl who posed in Playboy. " Stratus also claims that she refused the shoot because she says she can still be sexy without taking her clothes off. [14] Dumas has said that she didn't pose because she felt it was wrong for her character (who was known as a role model for young girls at the time) to pose for the magazine. [15] Stacy refused to pose as she believes it would be better if she "left something for the imagination. "
Tammy Lynn Sytch (Sunny) claimed to have refused an offer by Playboy to pose for the magazine. Tammy Lynn Sytch (born December 7, 1972) is a Professional wrestling manager and personality However, Rena Mero (Sable) later claimed that Playboy had actually never approached Sytch, and that Sytch had fabricated the whole story. [4]
In 2007, Ashley, Torrie Wilson, Maryse, Brooke, Layla, and Kelly Kelly shot a video for music producer and rapper Timbaland. Ashley Marie Massaro She was a contestant on the fifteenth season of Survivor in the People's Republic of China, but was the second contestant Torrie Wilson (born July 24 1975 is a retired American professional wrestler, fitness competitor and model perhaps best known for her work with Maryse Ouellet (born January 21 1983 is a Canadian glamour model and Professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment Brooke Adams (born December 4, 1984) is an American model, Dancer and former WWE Diva. Layla El (born June 25 1978 is a British Dancer, model and Professional wrestler of North African heritage Before joining Barbara Jean "Barbie" Blank (born January 15 1987 is an American model and Professional wrestling valet, dancer and wrestler " Throw It on Me " is a collaboration between Timbaland and The Hives from the album Timbaland Presents Shock Value. Timothy Z Mosley (born March 10, 1971) better known by his Stage name Timbaland, is an American Record producer, [16][17] and, in the same year, Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle, Michelle McCool, Maria, Layla and Kristal Marshall appeared in an episode of the US reality show Project Runway, in which designers were asked to design in-ring attire for their designated Diva. Candice Michelle Beckman-Ehrlich (born September 30 1978 better known as Candice Michelle or just Candice, is an American model actress, and Michelle Leigh McCool is an American professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown brand Maria Kanellis (born February 25 1982 is an American professional wrestler and model of Greek heritage currently signed to World Wrestling Layla El (born June 25 1978 is a British Dancer, model and Professional wrestler of North African heritage Before joining Kristal Marshall (born November 11 1983) is an American model and former WWE Diva best known for her work in World Wrestling Project Runway is a Peabody Award -winning American Reality television series on the Bravo network which focuses on Fashion design. In 2008, Layla, Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, and Melina appereared in the US reality show Celebrity Fit Club: Boot Camp to get the celebrities in shape. Melina Nava Perez (born March 9 1979 better known simply as Melina, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Celebrity Fit Club is a Reality television series which follows eight overweight celebrities as they try to lose weight
The WWE Babe of the Year contest is a contest where fans get to vote on who is their favorite WWE Diva for that year. This article is about the championship that is currently defended on the Raw brand of WWE
Trish Stratus won the inaugural Babe of the Year competition in 2001. Patricia Anne Stratigias (born December 18 1975 strætɨˈdʒiːəs better known as Trish Stratus, is a former fitness model, former professional wrestler Stratus had her own mini-site on WWE. com but she left and her photoshoot of choice was a space-type theme. The corresponding mini-site was fittingly named "The Stratusphere. " Stratus retained her title in 2002 and received another mini-site on WWE. com. The 2003 edition was again won by Stratus. This time Stratus claimed she would let the fans decide the winner. While picking out her outfits, Trish ran into a fan who said that they would decide everything for her.
Stacy Keibler ended Stratus's reign in 2004 and won the honor, receiving her own mini-site and a photoshoot for every month in the year, sometimes two. Stacy Keibler (born October 14 1979 is an American actress and former professional wrestler and valet for World Championship Wrestling The photoshoots were usually themed from the holiday of that month.
The first and only Rookie Diva of the Year contest was held on the SmackDown! PPV No Way Out 2005, where former WWE Diva Joy Giovanni defeated Michelle McCool, Lauren Jones, and Rochelle Loewen. No Way Out (2005 was the Seventh annual No Way Out Pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE Joy Giovanni (born January 20 1978 is an American actress, glamour model, and former WWE Diva. Michelle Leigh McCool is an American professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown brand Lauren Jones (born August 27, 1982) is an American film and television Actress, Model (Barker's Beauty on the Price is Right TV Host and TV Rochelle Nicole Loewen (born October 26, 1979 in Edmonton Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian Actress, Glamour However, McCool is the only one of the four who ended up receiving wrestling training, improving her abilities, and staying in WWE as of 2008. By this point, Giovanni, Jones, and Loewen have already been released from the company and left the business.