Shining the Spotlight 8.11.06: Divas Distress
Posted by Michael Weyer on 08.11.2006
A look at the current state of women in wrestling and how the departures of Lita and Trish Stratus can change it. Plus, a look at two nice women DVDs.
I was going to do another subject this week but as so often happens, recent news in the business has caused me to shift the topic a bit.
As most of the online fanbase now knows, the reports are that both Trish Stratus and Lita will be leaving WWE when their contracts are up, Trish in perhaps only a few months. Naturally, this has caused a massive moan over the probable death of the entire women's wrestilng division.
This is understandable. After all, we are talking about Trish Stratus, the woman who is arguably the best North American female wrestler of our time. Note I say "North American" as even Trish can tell you there are some terrific Japanese wrestlers, thanks to Japan's taking wrestling far more seriously. And while it's been some time since Lita actually wrestled full out, she is also a great competitor at the same level as Trish, a level far too few women in WWE can go up to.
This leaves the women's scene dominated mostly by Diva Search contestants. Indeed, WWE just announced they've signed a few of the Search rejects to new contracts and are sending them to OVW for training. So, as noted, people are moaning over the seemingly inevitable end of women's wrestling as we know it.
Before we get started, I feel it's quite important to note this is not the first time women's wrestling has faced a turning point. Indeed, the scene has been through two major drops in popularity in the last two decades along. The first came in the late 1980's. Back in 1985, the Fabulous Moolah had been holding the women's title for about 27 years. That is not a misprint. She finally lost it to Wendi Richter in 1985 just as the whole "Rock n Wrestling Connection" was bringing WWF to national prominence. Richter lost it to Moolah's protégé, Leilani Kai but regained it at the first Wrestlemania. Wendi was presented as a possible major star, the female Hulk Hogan as it were, as WWF began to really hit the big time. However, Richter made the mistake that's led to the downfall of many a career: she tried to hold up Vince McMahon for more money. In what's now considered the first major modern wrestling screw-job, Richter faced a masked opponent named Spider Lady, the referee making a fast three count and Spider Lady unmasked to reveal herself to be Moolah. Richter left the company immediately and never hit the big time again.
Moolah would lose the belt to Sheri Martel in 1987. Martel would hold the belt until 1988, mostly due to lack of competition. Her successor, Rockin' Robin would leave the company in 1990 and the belt would be vacant for several years. In 1993, Medusa Miceli, who had been making a name for herself in women's wrestling for a while, took the name Alundra Blayze and won the newly reactivated title. She'd defend it for a while, including a very good match at SummerSlam '94 against Bull Nakano. She also talked Vince into bringing in Japan star Rhonda Singh. Of course, since this was 1995 WWF, Singh was repackaged into a white-trash character named Bertha Faye and pushed into not moving the power moves that had made her a star. Faye and Blayze would trade the belt back and forth. Blayze would be pinned at the 95 Survivor Series by Aja Kong, setting up a feud but then Blayze showed up on "Nitro" unannounced and dumped the women's title into the garbage (and, not incidentally, pretty much threw her entire career down the same way).
As with so much else in wrestling, it was ECW that brought a new change for women's wrestling, by showing how its beauties could get right in there and get physical along with the guys. Francine showed her stuff by being power-bombed through a table by the Pitbulls and Beulah's bloody and brutal match with Bill Alphonso is still an ECW classic. At the same time, Rena Mero was turning herself into the ultra-sexpot Sable and beginning a feud with Jacqueline that led WWE to reactivate the women's title. The two would trade it back and forth with Debra, Ivory and even the elderly Moolah grabbing reigns with the belt as well.
And then in 2000 came the two women who would push the women's division to amazing new heights.
Despite all that's happened with her the last few years, including the Matt Hardy/Edge furor, I still have a soft spot in my heart for Lita. Part of that is the fact I've always been a sucker for redheads. Redheads in loose clothes with a wild tattoo on their shoulder and in amazing shape just makes it better. From the start of her stint in WWF, she showed she was different. At first, she seemed the typical valet, in the corner of Essa Rios when he won the Light Heavyweight Title. But she proved she was more than that, duplicating Rios' moves, from moonsaults to hurricaranas, sometimes with more skill than he did. She and Rios started a feud with Chyna and Eddie Guerrero, which included Lita being put through a table by the Dudleyz, which was really something to see in WWF in 2000. She soon found herself becoming partners with the Hardy Boyz and that pushed her to the top in the eyes of the fans. It was during that period that she'd first meet against Trish Stratus.
Whenever people complain of the lack of potential in these new Divas, I feel the need to point out that a mere six years ago, Trish Stratus seemed the epitome of "eye candy." She'd come down in tight clothes, coats and cowboy hats and little else and use her body to distract opponents for her tag team, Test and Albert (T&A and no, Vince Russo was not working for WWF when they thought that up). Trish would also end up taking a Dudley Boyz table drop and would show a bit of skill when T&A faced Team Extreme in mixed tag matches. She would get more attention with the long angle of her partnering with HHH, causing friction with Stephanie. That friction would erupt in a feud when Trish started to join with Vince McMahon in several sexy sequences. It ended with her being dumped in the face with mud and being made to literally act like a dog before getting payback by attacking Vince at Wrestlemania 17. It was a few months later that she'd be sidelined with an ankle injury, becoming the host of "Excess" and getting over with her quick wits and comments.
It was at this time that WWF decided to really get serious about the women's division and brought Fit Finley in to start giving them some real training. With Trish, that training unleashed an amazing talent for the sport with the capability to get off great moves like the Matrish. The result was a six-woman match at the Survivor Series for the vacant title, which Trish won. Since then, the women's division has seen its highlights (Trish, Lita, Victoria, Molly Holly, Jazz) and lowlights (Nicole Bass, Nida, Jackie). At the moment, it seems to be in a fluxing state and that's why the departures of Trish and Lita are so serious.
Before I get started on all that, a quick word on one of the most famous Divas, Stacy Kiebler. I was always bugged that on Dancing with the Stars, they'd make it sound like Stacy was in Trish's class of high-impact matches. While I don't subscribe to the belief Stacy is worth nothing more than looking at (I believe Scott Keith has a photo of her in one of his books with the caption "Does nothing but does it very well."), let's face it, Stacy is not what you'd call a fine athlete. Yes, it looks amazing when she chokes an opponent with a boot thanks to her amazing leg reach and we all love her ring entrance but aside from that, her in-ring contributions are very little. However, I will say she does have a nice comedic touch and a great connection with the crowds and every now and then, she really does do some great work. For example, I remember in the build-up to WM XXI when Randy Orton (her on-screen boyfriend at the time) turned back to heel by hitting her with an RKO and Stacy sold it better than at least 60% of the people I've seen take the move before. So while I will miss seeing her on screen, she's not exactly a devastating loss for the company.
A reason the women's division is weaker now is because WWE purged a couple of true talents during their big lay-offs in 2004 and '05. One of the biggest was Gail Kim who'd started out by winning the title in a battle royal on her very first night with the company. She was presented as a babyface but the fans didn't like her sudden success and she was forced to drop the title to Molly Holly. Kim would undergo some training that would lead to improved skills and she came back as a heel aligned with Molly. She was really getting over with a "quiet but deadly" attitude with some killer submission moves so it was a real surprise that WWE would release her. As for Molly, she still refuses to discuss exactly what led to her departure and she doesn't seem interested in coming back full-time despite WWE's rare "the door is open" attitude toward her. That's a shame because Molly was a great worker, using her no-nonsense approach to stand out among the other Divas and highly athletic (I always loved that move where she'd do a series of backflips before splashing her opponent into a corner). I still believe if she came back to WWE, she'd make an impact and help the division out.
With Trish and Lita gone, that leaves two major wrestlers for RAW. Victoria is another figure I've always liked, even if she has softened the psycho image the last couple of years (mostly due to the ill-advised face turn in 2004). What she brings to the ring is an amazing strength as she's one of the few women's wrestlers capable of bench-pressing an opponent over her head. She's also shown she has no problem getting rough, which she proved in her street fight against Trish at the 2002 Survivor Series, a wild affair where they basically beat the hell out of each other for the better part of ten minutes, using trash cans, kendo sticks and even an ironing board, with Victoria getting a bloody nose. The fact that Victoria avoids some of the sexier Diva affairs adds a bit to her persona and she's a great heel on the mic so WWE would be wise to keep her on for a while.
This brings us to the current champ, Mickie James. It's surprising that it took so long for WWE to bring the former Alexis Laree on as she'd been making a name for herself for a while on the independent circuit, including a sting in TNA where she even wrestled in two "Clockwork Orange House of Fun" matches against Jeff Jarrett in 2003, showing amazing toughness. Bringing her in was a good move for WWE but it was the long-running angle with her and Trish that sold it as James' adulation became obsession. The payoff was Wrestlemania, as the crowd actually turned on Trish and cheered on Mickie as she won the belt. Of course, it helps that James really is a terrific athlete, able to adapt quickly to moves and bring out the best in an opponent, much like Trish. Keeping Mickie as champ could be a key to keeping the division alive when Trish leaves.
Now we get to the part of the women's division today most would prefer didn't exist: The Diva Search. It's been noted by many how ridiculous it was for WWE to cut real wrestlers like Gail Kim in order to offer a quarter of a million dollars to the winner of a beauty pageant. And I don't have to tell you how bad the actual Search segments are. When the Rock is unable to make something entertaining, you know it's bad. However, the Search has led to a few finds that do show some real potential. One is Candice Michelle who wasn't among the ten finalists in the first Search but has gotten over. Part of that is of course her body (as shown by Playboy and that issue's success with her pictorial). But I do think Candice has improved as an in-ring competitor. You have to admit, that Candylicious hanging leglock is pretty cool to see and her partnership with Victoria gives her added heat. She also understands how to work a crowd with her moves, which is quite important.
Another big face from the Search is Maria, who has gotten over bigger than I ever expected. Yes, she's not really ready for serious matches but her "dumb reporter" shtick has made her one of the most entertaining people to watch on RAW the last year, especially when they make it pay off like during Eric Bischoff's trial when she suddenly started talking like a Rhodes Scholar. Melina reminds me of Sheri Martel, catty and vicious and able to mix it up with guys as well as gals and is awesome to see in interviews. And yes, she also possesses what's aptly called "the greatest ring entrance in the history of sports entertainment."
Smackdown has never been as big with the Divas as Raw has been (mostly because the women's title is RAW only) but there are a few nice faces. Topping them so far is Michelle McCool, another Diva Search contestant who has greatly improved as an actual competitor and I think moving her to RAW to actually compete for the belt would be a good move. Now that she's dropped the stupid mole thing and no longer with JBL, Jillian Hall is able to show her real skills, which includes great flips and handstand maneuvers. Also keep in mind that a few talents like Ashley and Beth Phoenix, are still out with injuries and their returns can enliven the division a bit more.
I have heard some grousing from people over how some Diva Search losers like Rebecca are still being offered tryouts with OVW but I find it a good idea. First off, WWE is recognizing that the more new faces in the division, the better. Plus, as I mentioned above, Trish Stratus was little more than eye candy when she started out but a little training unleashed the talent she held inside. Now while I doubt WWE will stumble on another Trish (let's face it, an athlete like that doesn't come around that often), they're at least attempting to make the division more than just lingere matches and dumb catfights.
At least WWE gives their women something to do. In TNA, women's roles are much worse. Trinity was a big face for them for a while, capable of awesome stuff like moonsaulting off the top of a cage but by mid-2005 was in an incredibly stupid angle where she and Tracy feuded to become Dusty Rhodes' "personal assistant" with all the nauseating benefits that implies. They actually had to act like they enjoyed trying to seduce Dusty and I don't blame Trinity in the least for getting out of TNA when she could. Gail Kim is pretty much the valet for AMW, which is an almost criminal waste of her talents. At least she does get physical now and then, especially when placed again Sirelda who really scares me in a later-in-her-stay Chyna way. Then we've got the first Diva Search winner, Christy Hemme who I always liked (that sexy redhead love again) and who I think could have improved with more ring work. In fact, she had requested to be moved to OVW for training when she got her release and is now stuck just doing commercial break announcements, which is another waste of potential. While I'm not sure if a women's division could help TNA, they could at least try a match now and then to test the waters.
I'm surprised both companies haven't tried to recruit more from abroad. Japan has always had some terrific female athletes and Mexico's luchadore style adds something special as well. I know, WWE often cares more for looks over abilities but a bit of searching may turn up ladies capable of both (like Trish, Victoria, Lita and Mickie).
So WWE faces one of the biggest tests yet for the women's division. It is true that there's more ladies in it then in the previous times it fell into such stagnation that the title was deactivated. The key is making sure that the women can really deliver in the ring and not just in sex-themed gimmicks. They do have women who can do it like Mickie, Victoria, Beth and Jillian. They have women with potential like Candice, Michelle and Ashley. The fact is that Trish has been far too dominant in the WWE. Hell, she held the belt over a year, including during a three month injury because of lack of competition. Her leaving may be just the thing the women of WWE need to really break through, to prove they can hold their own, more than just nice to look at but able to take their lumps as well. Perhaps in the end, Trish and Lita will best be remembered for cementing the WWE women's division in a lasting place that ensures it can run as long as the company does. And perhaps that can be the best legacy either would love to leave behind.
Talking about Divas and such has gotten me to look again at a couple of DVDs that appear to have been overlooked but both rank as good looks at the two ladies who started this whole column in the first place. While WWE does put out Diva-themed DVDs every year, they pretty much center on sexy shoots and extras that include lingere and costume matches. So far, only two ladies have earned the honor of getting their own DVD.
Lita: Something So Right was one of the early DVDs for WWE, released in 2001. As such, it only covers the first couple of years of Lita in WWE but considering that may have been her prime period, which means a lot of good stuff. While we get still photos, here's no footage of her as Miss Congeniality in ECW (Vince didn't have that footage yet) but there are some good bits of her in Mexico and OMEGA wrestling and she has a nice collection of luchadore masks in her home. The footage really does well showing complete stuff of her debut as Rios' valet and her initial feud with Chyna.
It then moves to the Hardy Boyz and how Rios attacked her after a loss and Jeff and Matt came to her defense. Today, it is a bit hard seeing Lita talk of how much she and Matt are in love and their first on-screen kiss. There's also some nice stuff like Lita winning her first women's title from Stephanie in a wild brawl referred by the Rock with interference from HHH and Kurt Angle. There's also the 2000 Survivor Series match with Ivory where Lita took a boot that opened a wicked cut over her eye and kept on fighting. A nice bit is afterward with Lita talking to her mom on the phone with blood covering her face. Some chapters touch on her feud with Trish, that crazy angle with Dean Malenko pursuing her and a nice bit of Lita showing all the artwork and souvenirs fans have sent her (including a very nice portrait).
There's a great selection of full matches like Team Extreme vs T&A with the great spot where the Hardyz and Lita do a triple suplex on Albert and Trish and another mixed tag match against Edge, Christian and Jacqueline. Lita also fights Jacqueline in a wild street fight and a match against a then-raw Molly Holly. Overall, it may be a bit dated but it's still a great look at Lita in what was arguably her high time in WWF/E.
The other disc is another one I'm surprised has been overlooked. 100% Stratusfaction Guaranteed was released in late 2003 and stands as a terrific look at Trish and her career. The first chapter is a really long one looking at her life in Toronto, growing up and then moving onto one of the biggest twists of fate in wrestling history. It seems that the woman then known as Patricia Stratigias was literally one week away from getting into medical school when a teacher's strike hit Toronto and forced her to get a job as a fitness model. From there, she went on to do magazine covers and then WWE beckoned. I like the bit with Lillian Garcia talking about taking Trish on a shopping spree right after she signed the WWE contract, Trish immediately picking out the cowboy hats and long coats that would become her early trademark.
The disc moves on through her time managing T&A and the McMahon stuff and then her breaking out as a wrestler. The best chapter details her feuds with Lita, Jazz, Molly and Victoria with clips of the Survivor Series '02 match. There's also a lot of stuff with her at public appearances like a Canadian music awards show where she and Chris Jericho go through the items in their gift bags. A real surprise is in one of the black and white backstage clips that litter the disc, Trish has a chat with Linda McMahon, who is bright, funny and ten times more energetic in thirty seconds than she's been on TV in the last seven years. It's like comparing Al Gore of 1998 with Al Gore of today and makes you wonder how the hell Linda can be so wooden on TV all the time.
A slight disappointment is that there are only four full matches on the disc. One is an infamous RAW match where Trish and Stacy go at it in a pit of flesh-colored mud. The others are better: A wild Chicago street fight against Victoria; the great three-way match from Wrestlemania XIX where Trish wins the belt from Victoria and Jazz; and facing Jazz at Insurrection '03. Extras include her attempts to seduce Buh Buh Ray by wearing lingere on tables; McMahon moments like brawling with Stephanie in a stack of hay and wrestling moves with HHH; a nice backstage bit on MAD TV; and her winning "Diva of the Decade" on RAW's 10th Anniversary show. Like the woman herself, the DVD is brighter and more in-depth than you'd expect and deserves a good look.
All for this week but there are some nice columns around to check out:
The Shimmy has Andy Clark giving his ideas on how to book Goldberg in TNA. While it's highly doubtful TNA would have that much sense, it's worth a look.
The Piledriver Report looks at DVDs the WWE should create. Me, I'm pulling for a Ricky Steamboat DVD big-time. Come on, he works for the company now, they've got the footage, give it to us!
JP Williams focuses on Booker T with the SIX TIME! SIX TIME! SIX TIME! SIX TIME! SIX TIME! SIX TIME! World Champion's Top 10 matches. Hey, isn't it about time Booker got his own DVD?
Evolution Schematic attempts the daunting task of tracking the history of Kane. Good luck, guy's origins been rebooted more times than a John Byrne character (comic fans will get that one).
Column of Honor will no doubt talk of ROH's merging of the Pure and World titles and reminds us again of why they deserve their own show.
Don't forget Hidden Highlights, the 3 R's and Roundtables.
Next week, I'll put a focus on Edge and Christian, past and present. And remember….
"That's it! I've had it with these MOTHERFUCKING SNAKES ON THIS MOTHERFUCKING PLANE!"
