Despite having restrictions in screen-time, physicality, and presentation, several former Divas found success in WWE, with inaugural Divas Champion Michelle McCool being the newest to enter the corporate’s Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, other women still remain unrecognized for the contributions they made throughout the Divas era of WWE (2000s-mid 2010s). On the “Wombreezy Wrestling Podcast,” former Divas and Women’s Champion Layla gave some their proverbial flowers.
“I even have to say from my era it could must be Melina of course. I do not think she gets enough credit for what she did,” Layla said. “Eve Torres too. She did so much within the Divas division. People say me. I’ll say myself too, but I do not actually need the credit, but I feel myself. I feel Nattie gets credit, but I still think she deserved greater than what she’s attending to be honest with you because she’s still there. She’s just like the longest reigning Diva.”
“There was so many ladies who at the moment didn’t get any credit. It’s just sad,” she continued. “That is just the way in which it was at the moment. We were just their eye candy and we were in a position to break some barriers and stuff like that, but it surely just is what it was. That is just that era. That is the Diva era. That is what we were there. And I feel like the ladies that did shine at that moment shined so far as we were allowed to shine. Candice Michelle, I do not think she gets as much credit as what she deserves. Maria Kanellis.”
Like Layla, Melina, Eve Torres, Natalya, and Candice Michelle held championship gold during their respective runs under the WWE banner. Natalya, referred to as “The Queen of Harts,” is now approaching her nineteenth anniversary with the corporate.
Though she never held a women’s title there, Maria Kanellis did earn the excellence of being the 2009 Diva of the 12 months. A decade later, she carried the 24/7 Championship.
Layla Reflects On Her Time As A WWE Diva
Layla’s journey in WWE began along with her entry into the 2006 Divas Search competition, which she went on to win. Across the following nine years, she’d then enjoy reigns as WWE Divas and Women’s Champion. As Layla attests, though, much of it got here at a price.
“I feel just like the people take a look at the Diva era prefer it was a foul thing, but I do not think you guys quite understand what we needed to fight for,” Layla said. “[WWE] didn’t want us to wrestle. They really did want us to wrestle they usually even held back the ladies. There have been times where they were like ‘No punches. Slap, hair pulls.’ There was certain things that happened. Even Michelle and Melina had a match on the pay-per-view once and I remember we had a gathering afterwards because they did so well in that match that they were told, ‘No, you have to put it back.’
“They didn’t want us to shine or to outshine the fellows at the moment. They simply didn’t wish to have it.”
Deemed “too good for women” by WWE officials, Michelle McCool vs. Melina at Night of Champions 2009 saw the previous successfully defend her WWE Women’s Championship, starting with a dropkick that sent Melina crashing to the ground from the apron. Later within the match, McCool dropped Melina onto the barricade, courtesy of a DDT. The next 12 months, Layla helped McCool beat Melina in a Divas and Women’s Title unification match at Night of Champions.
For those who use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Wombreezy Wrestling Podcast” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.