A WWE Diva Poster

In professional wrestling, a Diva is a term used by World Wrestling Entertainment for a beautiful woman employed primarily as a wrestler and sometimes "eye candy". Although "diva" is a relatively new term in the wrestling community, promotions have been using women as managers or wrestlers for years. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Professional wrestling is generally any form of wrestling in which the wrestlers receive payment for participating. ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ...

It is unclear as to whether "bit parts" played by women, such as The Godfather's "hos" qualify as Divas. It is also not clear if the term applies retroactively to wrestling "valets" such as Miss Elizabeth or Madusa. Charles Wright (born May 16, 1961 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is a semi-retired American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as The Godfather. ... Elizabeth Hulette (November 19, 1960 – May 1, 2003), known best as Miss Elizabeth, was a professional wrestling manager and valet in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. ... Debra Ann Miceli (born February 6, 1963 in Milan) better known as Madusa (MADe in USA) or Alundra Blayze, is a former professional wrestler for WCW and WWF. She has also recently driven the Madusa monster truck for Clear Channel Communications on Monster Jam, and will drive a truck of...

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) uses the term "Knockouts" to refer to female employees marketed to some extent on their appearance. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett in May 2002 and now owned by Panda Energy International. ...

History

Perhaps the first "diva" in professional wrestling history was Tammy Lynn Sytch, better known in the WWF under her performing name "Sunny". The Sunny character was a manager of various wrestlers in the WWF. Although the female managerial role was not a new concept in professional wrestling, the Sunny character brought a sexuality to the position that had seldom been seen in the business before. Tammy Lynn Sytch (born December 7, 1972 in Matawan, New Jersey) was a professional wrestling diva for ECW, WCW, WWE and various independent promotions. ...

After Sytch left the WWF, Rena Mero, known to WWF fans as "Sable" took the role of the prominent female performer in the promotion. Originally a manager for her then real-life husband, wrestler Marc Mero, she quickly eclipsed her husband in popularity, in part by wearing increasingly revealing outfits to the ring. 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. It was around the time of the height of her popularity that the term "diva" was used by the WWF to label its female personalities. Rena Mero or Rena Merowitz in full (born Rena Greek August 8, 1967 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American model, actress and professional wrestler. ... Marc Mero Marc Merowitz (born July 9, 1965) is an American professional wrestler, who worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling as Johnny B. Badd, and is best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation as Marc Mero. ... WWE Womens Championship The WWE Womens Championship is a diva-exclusive professional wrestling title. ...

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, who would become known as "divas."

Wrestling

Traditionally, most divas in WWE have not wrestled real wrestling matches on a regular basis. Although Sable was engaged in feuds with technically sound female performers Luna Vachon and Jacqueline, the match that was most closely associated with her character and WWE divas in general is the bra and panties match. Additional matches divas have been presented in are mud wrestling matches and non-wrestling bikini contests. A professional wrestling feud is a staged disagreement between two wrestlers or factions of wrestlers over a purported slight or insult. ... Luna Vachon Gertrude Vachon is a professional wrestler better known as Luna Vachon. ... Jacqueline Jackie Moore (born January 6, 1966 in Dallas, Texas) is an American actress and professional wrestler. ... Many types of matches can be found in professional wrestling. ... A woman wearing a bikini. ...

Perhaps due in part to the decrease in raunchy content in WWE programming as well as the wrestling skills of most divas on the WWE roster, the bra and panties match has largely been replaced by the lingerie pillow fight, a pillow fight between divas near a bed full of pillows inside the wrestling ring. This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

In recent years in WWE, more divas have also increasingly been wrestlers and are respected on an individual level considerably more. Diva trainer and professional wrestler Fit Finlay has been largely credited for this change (especially with regards to Trish Stratus, who trained under Finlay after an ankle injury). With the firing of various women's wrestlers such as Gail Kim, Jazz, Nidia as well as the departure of Molly Holly, the WWE's continued commitment to their women's wrestling division remains in question. While the WWE has an ample roster of female performers, not all of them have extensive technical wrestling training. However, the continued promotion of female wrestlers such as Jillian Hall, Melina Perez and Beth Phoenix to the main roster seems to be reversing that trend. David (Dave) Finlay (born January 31, 1958 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a professional wrestler and road agent, currently working in the United States of America for the SmackDown! brand of World Wrestling Entertainment as Finlay. ... Patricia (Trish) Anne Stratigias (born December 18, 1975 in Richmond Hill, Ontario), better known by her stage and ring name, Trish Stratus, is a Canadian professional wrestler, fitness model, and comedian, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand. ... Gail Kim (born February 20, 1976 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Korean-Canadian professional wrestler and valet as well as an actress. ... Carlene Moore Begnaud, better known as Jazz (born August 27, 1973 in New Orleans, Louisiana), is an American Professional Wrestler, currently employed by World Wrestling Entertainment in its Extreme Championship Wrestling brand. ... Nidia Lynnette Guenard (born March 12, 1979 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico), known as Nidia when performing, is a professional wrestler who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Noreen Kristina (Nora) Greenwald (born September 7, 1977 in Forest Lake, Minnesota), better known by her ring name, Molly Holly, is an American professional wrestler. ... Jillian Hall (born Jillian Fletcher, September 6, 1980 in Ashland, Kentucky) is a professional wrestler who performs for World Wrestling Entertainment on its SmackDown! brand. ... Melina Perez (born March 9, 1979) better known simply as Melina, is a Mexican-American professional wrestler and manager, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its RAW brand. ... Elizabeth Carolan (born Elizabeth Kocanski on November 24, 1980 in Elmira, New York) is a professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment on its RAW brand as Beth Phoenix. ...

Controversy

There has been some measure of controversy relating to WWE divas. The risquè 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 the WWE for several years, claiming that she was harassed by other performers in the promotion. Harassment claims were also made by former WWE wrestler Nicole Bass and former WWE Diva Search contestant Amy Weber. Nicole Ass-Fuchs (born October 26, 1964 in Morristown, New Jersey) is a bodybuilder and is a professional wrestling valet. ... Amy Weber, born July 2, 1972 in Peoria, Illinois, is an American actress and entertainer. ...

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. In professional wrestling, an angle is a fictional storyline (the wrestler Kurt Angles name is a coincidence). ...

Promotion

The popularity of women in WWE has resulted various cross-promotions with other brands featuring WWE divas. Various divas have posed in Playboy, including Sable, Chyna, Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle and Christy Hemme, and as she stated in her website, Ashley Massaro appeared in Playboy under an alias. Others have appeared in commercials for WWE and non-WWE products as well as men's interest magazines. Playboy playmates, such as Carmella DeCesare and Karen McDougal have also appeared in Diva Search in 2004. Playboy is an adult entertainment magazine, founded in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, which has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc. ... Rena Mero or Rena Merowitz in full (born Rena Greek August 8, 1967 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American model, actress and professional wrestler. ... Joanie Laurer (born Joan Marie Laurer on December 27, 1969 in Rochester, New York) is an American actress and retired professional wrestler. ... Victoria (Torrie) Anne Gruner (born July 24, 1975 in Boise, Idaho), is a fitness competitor and model. ... Candice Michelle Beckman-Ehrlich (born September 30, 1978 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin), better known as Candice Michelle or just Candice, is a model, actress, and WWE Diva, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand. ... Extremely Hawt Christina Lee (Christy) Hemme (born October 28, 1980 in Temecula, California) is an American model and professional wrestler. ... Ashley Massaro (born May 26, 1979 in Babylon, Long Island, New York), better known as just Ashley is a model and professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainments on its SmackDown! brand. ... Carmella Danielle DeCesare (born July 1, 1982) is an American model who was Playboy magazines Miss April 2003 and Playmate of the Year for 2004. ... Karen McDougal (b. ...

Photoshoots

The 2006 DVD cover, WWE Divas Do New York.

The WWE Divas normally go on an annual Photoshoot every year, usually to a different location each time. 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. Image File history File links Divasdonewyork. ... Image File history File links Divasdonewyork. ...

In 2000, WWE introduced their Divas home video franchise with Postcard From The Caribbean. This article is about the year 2000. ...

In 2001, In Hedonism was released as well as the first of the now annual magazines. Lita earned the cover of the coveted magazine. Also all Divas made it on the DVD cover including Trish Stratus, Debra Marshall, & Lita. 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama) is an American real estate agent and former professional wrestling manager. ...

In 2002, WWE decided to put out a UPN special entitled WWF Divas: Sex on the Beach. It was then later released on VHS and DVD format as WWF Divas: Tropical Pleasure. However, the home video did not have any of the mainstream music and was now missing diva, Molly Holly. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Noreen Kristina (Nora) Greenwald (born September 7, 1977 in Forest Lake, Minnesota), better known by her ring name, Molly Holly, is an American professional wrestler. ...

The first lingerie shoot, WWE Divas Undressed was originally a special on TNN (now SpikeTV). The program was a competition or "Thong-a-thon" as Jerry Lawler called it. All of the divas, except Jazz and Lita, were involved. It was later released on VHS and DVD with behind the scenes photoshoot sessions. Jazz participated in the photoshoot session despite being injured. Jerry ONeil Lawler (born November 29, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a professional wrestler and wrestling commentator, known throughout the wrestling world as The King. He currently works for World Wrestling Entertainment as a color commentator for its RAW brand. ...

In 2003, the divas traveled to Arizona to participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler and Terri Runnels went on a Jeep tour and got to use a gun. While Victoria and Nidia got to relax and go rafting, Jazz, Ivory and others spotted a rattlesnake. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official language(s) None Capital Phoenix Largest city Phoenix Area  Ranked 6th  - Total 113,998 sq mi (295,254 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 0. ... Stacy Ann-Marie Keibler (born October 14, 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland) is a diva for World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand. ... Terri Ann Boatwright Runnels (born October 5, 1966 in Live Oak, Florida) is an American professional wrestling manager. ... Lisa Mary Moretti (born November 26, 1961 in Torrance, California), best known by her stage name of Ivory is a professional wrestler most famous as a wrestler and host for World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

In 2004, the divas went to the beaches of Mexico as part of South of the Border. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2005, the divas travelled back to Mexico for Viva Las Divas of the WWE. This time two different shoots took place. The more experienced Divas travelled to the beaches of the Grand Xcaret and Grand Cozumel, along with the 2004 Diva Search winner, Christy Hemme and longtime WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia (in what was her first divas shoot in the 6 years she had spent so far with WWE). Later the newer divas, including Amy Weber, Michelle McCool and Maria Kanellis visited only the Grand Cozumel. Some controversy arose when it was apparent that Molly Holly was not on the DVD, with some fans of Molly sending complaints to WWE. However, a few pictures of her were featured in the magazine. This was the second time she had been removed from the yearly divas video. Conversely, Amy Weber (who had left the company before the DVD and magazine became available) was in the DVD and not the magazine. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Viva Las Divas of the WWE is the seventh DVD to be released by World Wrestling Entertainment for their Diva franchise. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lilian Garcia (born August 19, 1973 in Florence, South Carolina) is best known as a ring announcer and Diva for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its RAW brand. ... Michelle Leigh McCool-Alexander (born January 25, 1980 in Palatka, Florida), also known simply as Michelle McCool. ... Maria Kanellis (born May 2, 1981 in Ottawa, Illinois), better known as Maria, is a diva working for World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand. ...

In 2006, the divas took part in another lingerie shoot. This photoshoot took place in New York with a DVD entitled WWE Divas Do New York. Much like in 2004, WWE.com let the fans decide who they wanted on the magazine cover. They chose Trish Stratus who will appear on her third divas magazine cover that hit newstands on Valentine's Day. Candice Michelle originally landed the DVD cover that was released a week later, but for some reason or another it was replaced with a multi-diva cover. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi (141,205 km²)  - Width 285 miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... WWE Divas Do New York is the eighth DVD to be released by World Wrestling Entertainment for their Diva franchise. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Diva Search

Further information: WWE RAW Diva Search

The RAW Diva Search is a talent competition held by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on RAW. The aim of the contest is to find the newest female performer (or diva) for the WWE roster. ...

WWE Babe of the Year

The WWE Babe of the Year contest is a contest where fans get to vote on who they think is their favorite WWE Diva for that year.

Trish Stratus won the inaugural Babe of the Year competition in 2001. Stratus got her own mini-site on WWE.com 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.

Trish Photoshoots

• 2001 - Futuristic outfits
• 2002 - School Girl, Sporty
• 2003 - Flight Navigator, Lace Dress

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. The photoshoots were usually themed from the holiday of that month.

Stacy Photoshoots

• January - New Year's and the Presidential Inauguration
• February - Valentine's Day
• March - March Madness and Easter
• April - April Showers
• May - pink dress, jeans and white skirt/top combo
• June - Divas 2005 outtakes and bonus jean photos
• July - Fourth of July and Daisy Duke
• August - Divas 2005 outtakes and white top/long skirt combo
• September - Black and White photos
• October - Halloween outfits including a referee, angel and devil
• November - Autumn shoot
• December - Christmas

WWE did not run a Babe of the Year contest in 2005. The original Daisy Duke from the television series, played by Catherine Bach Daisy Duke is a fictional character, played by Catherine Bach, from the American television series The Dukes of Hazzard. ...

See also

• Diva - traditional usage of the term
• List of WWE Divas
• Nitro Girls, the WCW's dance team. (pre-WWF merger)
• Professional wrestling slang

A diva is a female opera singer, but now the term also refers to a popular female performer of non-operatic works. ... This is a list of WWE Divas. ... The Nitro Girls The Nitro Girls were a dance team in World Championship Wrestling that danced during commercials on WCW Monday Nitro to entertain the fans. ... WCW logo until 1999 World Championship Wrestling or WCW, was a professional wrestling promotion that existed from 1988 to 2001. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ...

External links

• Official WWE Divas Website
• owow