WWE Divas News (Page 8)

First, she was a dancer for the Miami Heat. Next, Layla El will be shaking her thang for Smackdown! audiences across the world.

It's been a wild summer indeed for the Aventura, who won a one-year contract and $250,000 to become the latest WWE Diva. The Miami Herald recently talked with the overwhelmed hottie.

The competition was based on fan voting and support. Layla El said the passionate following in her hometown gave her the ambition to continue.

''The fans in Miami are amazing,'' said El, a native of London, who moved to South Florida three years ago. "I know I did have support in other cities in New York, Tennessee, Minnesota, but definitely South Florida was a big factor in it.''

The WWE Diva Search not only attracted the pro wrestling aficionados, but non-fans as well.

''I don't even like wrestling,'' said Chris Hobbs, a Miami Heat fan, who by chance caught her on television flipping through the channels one night. "However, I love Layla.''

That's the exact goal the WWE was going for when he began the contest. Since the announcement was made before millions of people on August 16, it's been a whirlwind of activity for Layla. She was featured in publications such as Sports Illustrated and made various public appearances throughout the country.

''Life has changed because I'm busy,'' said El, who a few weeks ago began her life on the road as a diva on WWE's Friday night SmackDown!.

"I'm traveling a lot. I'm hardly ever home. I really haven't gotten a chance to sit back and focus.''

El is beginning her training in the ring by spending time with fellow divas, including 2005 Diva Search winner Ashley Massaro, Jillian Hall and Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman.

With a move to a new network in the works (sort of, CW is the same on your TV dial) for Smackdown!, who better to discuss the change with Entertainment Tonight than one of our favorite WWE Divas?

Just hours before the most recent taping of the Smackdown!, Entertainment Tonight producers came to Worcester, Mass. to film for an upcoming one-hour special presentation on the new CW Network, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the network’s programming.

Ashley served as host.

“I got to do an interview with Entertainment Tonight,” she said to WWE.com. “I’m so excited about it – how cool is that?! We were talking about moving over to CW Network. And we got to interview a few of the Superstars and we went outside and had a little fun with the WWE fans.”

Like many other SmackDown! stars, Ashley is eager and anxious for the show's move to the brand-new CW Network. The Diva believes that both SmackDown! and the CW Network have a lot to offer one another.

“This is a real exciting time for SmackDown,” said Ashley. “I think the move to CW is going to be beneficial to both parties. I think we’re going to bring unparalleled entertainment and unmatched excitement to the CW Network.

The producer of the program, Lisa DeMilo, said she was highly pleased with her backstage WWE experience.

“I cannot believe how big an event this actually is,” DeMilo said. “[The WWE Superstars] are phenomenal to work with; they are all so professional and exciting and really into what they do. [They are] amazing to work with.”

Having encountered wrestlers such as Ken Kennedy and Chavo Guerrero, DeMilo was most daunted by World Heavyweight Champion, King Booker.

“King Booker and his Queen [Sharmell]…what do you say?” asked DeMilo. “All hail to royalty! I am going to watch SmackDown every single Friday night.”

As much as we were hoping that our Unforgiven spoiler would be false, it appears as though Trish Stratus really is retiring after the pay-per-view.

We'll miss her. So will other WWE Divas, according to an article on WWE.com. Here are some of their reactions:

Candice: “I was really surprised. She’s at the top of her game, and I guess she’s just leaving on a good note. In her mind, it’s her time to retire, and I’m just happy for her.”

Ashley: “I was really upset when I found out Trish is retiring. She has obviously been a very good friend to me. She was the first one to take me under her wing, she was my first tag partner, she taught me a lot and I was really upset when I found out. I’m not gonna lie, I really felt choked up."

Even Mickie James, who began her career as a major rival of Trish's, had the following to say:

“When [Trish] started on WWE, I was actually starting on the independent level, so watching her grow as a performer at the same time as I was doing it in a much smaller league was really cool. Just to see how far she had come in all that time, it was truly amazing."

Layla El, WWE Diva Search Winner, is headed to Smackdown, fans. She posted the following on her myspace.com account:

Hi All,
hope all is well!! thanks for all the love and well wishes!!
I am going to to be on SMACKDOWN!!!!!!!
so for now I am a Smackdown Diva!!!!!
I know some of you wanted me on Raw.......so sorry!!
you now how things always change.....so plz watch friday nights!!!!

well I will talk to you all soon.......
enjoy the rest of your night..............love always Lay

Apparently, you don't need to actually win a contest to be named a WWE Diva.

While Layla El won the Diva Search, she'll be joined in the WWE's Ohio Valley Wrestling territory by 8th place finisher Amy Zidian, 7th place finisher Maryse Ouellet and 4th place finisher Milena Roucka.

Maryse and Milena, along with Jen England, were considered near locks for WWE deal. Amy was more of a surprise. Will any of them end up with a career as successful as Torrie Wilson?

Perhaps. But none look like that diva does.

At least there's good news for Spirit Squad member, Kenny. Despite an arrest last week, the wrestler can smile about the following:

He recently became engaged to WWE Diva, Micke James. The couple has also bought property in Richmond, VA.

So that that, Triple H and Stephanie! You now have competition for hottest WWE couple.

First, the Miami Heat win the NBA title. Now, a former team dancer is dancer was crowned the winner of the 2006 WWE Diva Search. There must be a perpetual party on South Beach!

Yes, Layla won a $250,000 contract with WWE by receiving the largest combination of text and online votes. The outcome was revealed last night on a televised special, hosted by Todd Grisham and Ashley Massaro.

Michigan's Jen England came in second place, while Arizona native J.T. Tinney rounded out the top three.

Neither of the on-air competitions affected the result, but Layla the all-important lingerie competition, while Jen was the top arm wrestler.

The race to see who can be the next Torrie Wilson is now on!

There are rumors that Trish Stratus is on her way out of the WWE. If that's true, it'll be more important than ever to keep Torrie Wilson around.

If Vince McMahon is somehow unsure, he should pick up a copy of next month's FHM magazine.

A topless cover shot of Wilson is followed by an in-depth interview. In it, the WWE Diva talks about etiquette within the ring: She doesn't apologize to her opponents for groping them - fellow diva Candice Michelle "always appreciates it," evidently - but she does ask for forgiveness if she actually hurts them.

Aside from that, it's your typical job. Well, almost. There's one potential problem that Torriw often encounters.

"My chest pops out quite a bit. I use half a box of double-sided tape very time but these suckers do not want to stay in," she said.

Yeah. Major issue there. All male WWE fans should do whatever is possible to help.