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The Diva Search contests are one of the best ideas that the WWE has ever came up with. A select group of employees were paid to take time away from their hectic schedule, and have models flirt with them for a few weeks. For wrestling fans, it lead to some of the most boring moments in professional wrestling history.
In short, the Diva Searches were all about finding the next hot model to join the WWE Divas. They expressed very clearly that entrants did not need to even have an interest in wrestling. They were promised television time and media exposure, and a major boost to their careers. But the real controversy started in 2004, when winners were offered 4-year contracts worth $250,000. This was more than some of the active roster was making. To make things worse, several were offered contracts before the competition even ended. Many of them would have their hotels and first class travel paid for them, which were luxuries that even the main-eventers wouldn’t see.
Let’s take look at the most memorable contestants.
Amy Weber
Amy Weber was hired after the second contest. She debuted immediately as JBL’s fashion consultant. She asked for her release after harassment from Batista and Randy Orton.
Amy Zidian
Zidian appeared briefly as Jimmy Wang Yang’s valet, but was fired over her attitude backstage.
Angela Fong
Angela failed to make the finals of the fifth competition. Angela would compete in developmental as Miss Angela and Savannah. She worked very briefly as a ring announcer for NXT. .
Ashley Massaro – 2005 Winner
Ashley won the third competition by simply having a personality. She had numerous on screen roles. She tried to learn how to wrestle, but was hampered by frequent injuries. Her only WrestleMania match is considered the worst ever. She asked for her release in order to look after her daughter.
Brie Bella
Brie and Nikki failed to make the finals in the fourth competition. They were both called up too early onto the main roster. They spent most of the first run as valets for various superstars and tag teams. Their feuds normally involved them siding with rival superstars. Brie had some genuine wrestling ability and did hold the Divas championship for a while. Nikki was the better actress but got hurt easily. She got to be Divas champion for a few days before they chose to let their original contracts expire. Both were hired back to be a part of Total Divas. Since their return, Brie began a relationship with Daniel Bryan and later married him. Brie has been working on her wrestling ability and can put on a solid match.
Brooke Adams
Brooke failed to make it into the finals of the fourth competition. She was originally going to be Flash Funk’s backing dancer, but Funk never officially made his return. So she became Kelly Kelly’s backing dancer. Despite the WWE paying for her lessons, she couldn’t actually dance. She was released after a disagreement with Melina. She later resurfaced in TNA Wrestling as Brooke Tessmacher. She began learning to wrestle and improved quickly. However, her role is mainly that of a valet to male wrestlers and knockouts. She does a lot of off-camera publicity and modelling. She is dating Robbie E in real life.
Candice Michelle
Candice failed to make the finalists in the second competition. She is considered one of the sexiest Divas of all time, with Maryse Ouellet being her main competition. After a controversial Superbowl commercial of Candice aired, she began a seemingly endless push. She cared very little about wrestling and never got good. She frequently criticised others for stealing “her movesâ€, even though she copied the moves (poorly) from them. Candice was women’s champion for a while. Her in-ring career ended after a bad fall during a match. She fell from the top rope and landed on her face. When she was training for a return, she had gained a lot of weight. She retired after her release.
Carmella DeCesare
Carmella was the WWE’s choice to win the second contest. She made the final 2 despite missing contractual commitments and showing no charisma. The latter point was pointed out on live television by Trish Stratus, but Carmella had no real reaction. She received a push immediately after the competition, however, she chose not to sign with the WWE.
Christy Hemme – 2004 Winner
Christy Hemme was hugely popular, and tried to learn how to wrestle. However, frequent injuries kept her out of the ring. She also struggled at displaying aggression or hatred. She was allegedly fired for being “too excited†about doing a publicity tour with Batista and Triple H. She joined TNA Wrestling as a valet to numerous tag teams, competing sparingly. When she began training properly, she broke her neck. Fear of a new injury caused her to retire from competition. She currently fills multiple roles, including ring announcer, agent and director of photography for the Knockouts division.
Eve Torres – 2007 Winner
Eve won the competition with little fanfare. In her rookie year, she was heavily criticised for botching during matches, even though the other performer was normally at fault. Her real-life gymnastic and martial art experience translated in genuine wrestling ability. She became one of the most athletic and technically sound divas ever. She asked for her release in order to focus on other endeavours and to get married.
Jaime Koeppe – 2003 Winner
Jaime never actually signed a contract with the WWE. She appeared in the crowd on one episode of Raw, and did a photo shoot for Raw Magazine. And then she was done.
Joy Giovanni
Joy debuted after the first competition as Big Show’s valet and girlfriend. She engaged in a surprisingly popular feud with Amy Weber until Weber left. Joy then asked for her own release too for unknown reasons.
Kristal Marshall
Kristal became a backstage interviewer after the third competition. After a year, she became an in-ring performer. She learned quickly, but her acting skills were lacking. She and real-life boyfriend Bobby Lashley quit after an incident involving Michael Hayes. Both joined TNA Wrestling in 2009, with Kristal playing Lashley’s valet and wife. They were released because Hulk Hogan did not like the nature of Lashley’s contract.
Layla El – 2006 winner
When the fourth competition happened, the WWE was looking to bolster the number of black performers on the main roster. Some believe that this contest was rigged in her favour for this reason. The former cheerleader served as a valet and backing dancer to numerous stars in failed gimmicks. Her big break came as part of Team LayCool. As team mate Michelle was receiving an endless push, Layla was guaranteed TV time. After Michelle’s departure, Layla began seriously focusing on her in-ring ability. She is currently one of the most technically sound women on the roster. However, her current tag team with Summer Rae and 2 minute match times prevent her from showing what she can do. Her career is also hampered by frequent injuries, illnesses and repeated rumours of her intentions to leave “later this yearâ€.
Lena Yada
Lena failed to become a finalist in 2005, but made it in 2006. After spending time in developmental, she became a backstage interviewer on the ECW brand. She was released only one-week after her debut match on the main roster.
Maria Kanellis
Maria was hired after the second competition as a backstage interviewer. She came across as dim-witted and unprofessional, and was given the “air-head†gimmick that got her over. Her string of mean boyfriends also enhanced her popularity. She didn’t take learning to wrestle seriously and was never given a realistic chance of a title win. Maria asked for her release when she was at her most popular, and quickly insulted just about everybody she worked with. She used her popularity for a quick push in Ring Of Honor. She later insisted that her return to the WWE had been blocked by the Bella Twins, but many current stars do not want to work with her again.
Maryse Ouellet
Maryse is considered on the sexiest divas of all time, with Candice being her main competition. As English is her second language, she sometimes struggled with scripts. She began mainly as a valet, but she moved to an in-ring career. She was poor in the ring, but many of her botches were blamed on opponents. She chose to let her contract expire to begin a new career in fashion design. The WWE unofficially claimed that they did not renew the contract because of her previous career as a glamour model (which they knew about when they hired her). However, she is one of the few divas offered a pay increase and WWE are still trying to get her back in the company. So their claim that they let her go is unlikely. She recently married The Miz.
Michelle McCool
The former fitness instructor refused to stay in character when she was eliminated from the second competition. She started the way she went on. She formed a friendship, then relationship, with the Undertaker as his first marriage broke up. As a result, she became protected and received constant pushes. A lot of her gimmicks and storylines flopped due to her clumsy in-ring style or her poor acting ability. When she left the company, she was one of the most hated performers in the back. But she saved her own reputation by openly apologising for taking TV time from more-talented stars. She also thanked virtually anyone who ever worked with her for success. Her humility has greatly changed attitudes towards her.
Milena Roucka
Roucka is the only Diva Search finalist to have had previous wrestling experience. She spent time in developmental before making the main roster as Beth Phoenix’s protégé Rosa Mendes. However, she was quickly repackaged as a valet for Los Colons. Since her debut, the WWE has struggled to find story lines for her. She is involved with Total Divas.
Nikki Bella
Nikki and Brie failed to make the finals in the fourth competition. They were both called up too early onto the main roster. They spent most of the first run as valets for various superstars and tag teams. Their feuds normally involved them siding with rival superstars. Nikki was the better actress but lacked wrestling ability. Nikki would hold the Divas title for a few days before their original contracts expired. Both were hired back to be a part of Total Divas, revealing that Nikki was in a relationship with John Cena. Since their return, Nikki has received a bigger push than Brie. She has been taught some power-based wrestling moves by John Cena, Sr., but she has not really developed any real in-ring skill yet.
Rebecca DiPierto
DiPierto was sent to developmental after the fourth competition. She made it onto the main roster as a backstage interviewer, but asked for her release before making her in-ring debut.
Taryn Terrell
Taryn was sent to developmental after the fifth competition. She later debuted as Tiffany, the General Manager of the ECW brand. When the brand closed down, she competed briefly in a stable with Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix. She married and separated from Drew McIntyre during her time on the main roster. Taryn later signed with TNA Wrestling under her real name. She was hired to be a model because she was a below-average performer. She proved this with her first few matches. But then she had one phenomenal match with Gail Kim (possibly while pregnant). Since then, Taryn has been considered one of the most underrated performers today. She recently returned from maternity leave and has greatly improved as an in-ring performer.
In short, the Diva Searches were all about finding the next hot model to join the WWE Divas. They expressed very clearly that entrants did not need to even have an interest in wrestling. They were promised television time and media exposure, and a major boost to their careers. But the real controversy started in 2004, when winners were offered 4-year contracts worth $250,000. This was more than some of the active roster was making. To make things worse, several were offered contracts before the competition even ended. Many of them would have their hotels and first class travel paid for them, which were luxuries that even the main-eventers wouldn’t see.
Let’s take look at the most memorable contestants.
Amy Weber
Amy Weber was hired after the second contest. She debuted immediately as JBL’s fashion consultant. She asked for her release after harassment from Batista and Randy Orton.
Amy Zidian
Zidian appeared briefly as Jimmy Wang Yang’s valet, but was fired over her attitude backstage.
Angela Fong
Angela failed to make the finals of the fifth competition. Angela would compete in developmental as Miss Angela and Savannah. She worked very briefly as a ring announcer for NXT. .
Ashley Massaro – 2005 Winner
Ashley won the third competition by simply having a personality. She had numerous on screen roles. She tried to learn how to wrestle, but was hampered by frequent injuries. Her only WrestleMania match is considered the worst ever. She asked for her release in order to look after her daughter.
Brie Bella
Brie and Nikki failed to make the finals in the fourth competition. They were both called up too early onto the main roster. They spent most of the first run as valets for various superstars and tag teams. Their feuds normally involved them siding with rival superstars. Brie had some genuine wrestling ability and did hold the Divas championship for a while. Nikki was the better actress but got hurt easily. She got to be Divas champion for a few days before they chose to let their original contracts expire. Both were hired back to be a part of Total Divas. Since their return, Brie began a relationship with Daniel Bryan and later married him. Brie has been working on her wrestling ability and can put on a solid match.
Brooke Adams
Brooke failed to make it into the finals of the fourth competition. She was originally going to be Flash Funk’s backing dancer, but Funk never officially made his return. So she became Kelly Kelly’s backing dancer. Despite the WWE paying for her lessons, she couldn’t actually dance. She was released after a disagreement with Melina. She later resurfaced in TNA Wrestling as Brooke Tessmacher. She began learning to wrestle and improved quickly. However, her role is mainly that of a valet to male wrestlers and knockouts. She does a lot of off-camera publicity and modelling. She is dating Robbie E in real life.
Candice Michelle
Candice failed to make the finalists in the second competition. She is considered one of the sexiest Divas of all time, with Maryse Ouellet being her main competition. After a controversial Superbowl commercial of Candice aired, she began a seemingly endless push. She cared very little about wrestling and never got good. She frequently criticised others for stealing “her movesâ€, even though she copied the moves (poorly) from them. Candice was women’s champion for a while. Her in-ring career ended after a bad fall during a match. She fell from the top rope and landed on her face. When she was training for a return, she had gained a lot of weight. She retired after her release.
Carmella DeCesare
Carmella was the WWE’s choice to win the second contest. She made the final 2 despite missing contractual commitments and showing no charisma. The latter point was pointed out on live television by Trish Stratus, but Carmella had no real reaction. She received a push immediately after the competition, however, she chose not to sign with the WWE.
Christy Hemme – 2004 Winner
Christy Hemme was hugely popular, and tried to learn how to wrestle. However, frequent injuries kept her out of the ring. She also struggled at displaying aggression or hatred. She was allegedly fired for being “too excited†about doing a publicity tour with Batista and Triple H. She joined TNA Wrestling as a valet to numerous tag teams, competing sparingly. When she began training properly, she broke her neck. Fear of a new injury caused her to retire from competition. She currently fills multiple roles, including ring announcer, agent and director of photography for the Knockouts division.
Eve Torres – 2007 Winner
Eve won the competition with little fanfare. In her rookie year, she was heavily criticised for botching during matches, even though the other performer was normally at fault. Her real-life gymnastic and martial art experience translated in genuine wrestling ability. She became one of the most athletic and technically sound divas ever. She asked for her release in order to focus on other endeavours and to get married.
Jaime Koeppe – 2003 Winner
Jaime never actually signed a contract with the WWE. She appeared in the crowd on one episode of Raw, and did a photo shoot for Raw Magazine. And then she was done.
Joy Giovanni
Joy debuted after the first competition as Big Show’s valet and girlfriend. She engaged in a surprisingly popular feud with Amy Weber until Weber left. Joy then asked for her own release too for unknown reasons.
Kristal Marshall
Kristal became a backstage interviewer after the third competition. After a year, she became an in-ring performer. She learned quickly, but her acting skills were lacking. She and real-life boyfriend Bobby Lashley quit after an incident involving Michael Hayes. Both joined TNA Wrestling in 2009, with Kristal playing Lashley’s valet and wife. They were released because Hulk Hogan did not like the nature of Lashley’s contract.
Layla El – 2006 winner
When the fourth competition happened, the WWE was looking to bolster the number of black performers on the main roster. Some believe that this contest was rigged in her favour for this reason. The former cheerleader served as a valet and backing dancer to numerous stars in failed gimmicks. Her big break came as part of Team LayCool. As team mate Michelle was receiving an endless push, Layla was guaranteed TV time. After Michelle’s departure, Layla began seriously focusing on her in-ring ability. She is currently one of the most technically sound women on the roster. However, her current tag team with Summer Rae and 2 minute match times prevent her from showing what she can do. Her career is also hampered by frequent injuries, illnesses and repeated rumours of her intentions to leave “later this yearâ€.
Lena Yada
Lena failed to become a finalist in 2005, but made it in 2006. After spending time in developmental, she became a backstage interviewer on the ECW brand. She was released only one-week after her debut match on the main roster.
Maria Kanellis
Maria was hired after the second competition as a backstage interviewer. She came across as dim-witted and unprofessional, and was given the “air-head†gimmick that got her over. Her string of mean boyfriends also enhanced her popularity. She didn’t take learning to wrestle seriously and was never given a realistic chance of a title win. Maria asked for her release when she was at her most popular, and quickly insulted just about everybody she worked with. She used her popularity for a quick push in Ring Of Honor. She later insisted that her return to the WWE had been blocked by the Bella Twins, but many current stars do not want to work with her again.
Maryse Ouellet
Maryse is considered on the sexiest divas of all time, with Candice being her main competition. As English is her second language, she sometimes struggled with scripts. She began mainly as a valet, but she moved to an in-ring career. She was poor in the ring, but many of her botches were blamed on opponents. She chose to let her contract expire to begin a new career in fashion design. The WWE unofficially claimed that they did not renew the contract because of her previous career as a glamour model (which they knew about when they hired her). However, she is one of the few divas offered a pay increase and WWE are still trying to get her back in the company. So their claim that they let her go is unlikely. She recently married The Miz.
Michelle McCool
The former fitness instructor refused to stay in character when she was eliminated from the second competition. She started the way she went on. She formed a friendship, then relationship, with the Undertaker as his first marriage broke up. As a result, she became protected and received constant pushes. A lot of her gimmicks and storylines flopped due to her clumsy in-ring style or her poor acting ability. When she left the company, she was one of the most hated performers in the back. But she saved her own reputation by openly apologising for taking TV time from more-talented stars. She also thanked virtually anyone who ever worked with her for success. Her humility has greatly changed attitudes towards her.
Milena Roucka
Roucka is the only Diva Search finalist to have had previous wrestling experience. She spent time in developmental before making the main roster as Beth Phoenix’s protégé Rosa Mendes. However, she was quickly repackaged as a valet for Los Colons. Since her debut, the WWE has struggled to find story lines for her. She is involved with Total Divas.
Nikki Bella
Nikki and Brie failed to make the finals in the fourth competition. They were both called up too early onto the main roster. They spent most of the first run as valets for various superstars and tag teams. Their feuds normally involved them siding with rival superstars. Nikki was the better actress but lacked wrestling ability. Nikki would hold the Divas title for a few days before their original contracts expired. Both were hired back to be a part of Total Divas, revealing that Nikki was in a relationship with John Cena. Since their return, Nikki has received a bigger push than Brie. She has been taught some power-based wrestling moves by John Cena, Sr., but she has not really developed any real in-ring skill yet.
Rebecca DiPierto
DiPierto was sent to developmental after the fourth competition. She made it onto the main roster as a backstage interviewer, but asked for her release before making her in-ring debut.
Taryn Terrell
Taryn was sent to developmental after the fifth competition. She later debuted as Tiffany, the General Manager of the ECW brand. When the brand closed down, she competed briefly in a stable with Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix. She married and separated from Drew McIntyre during her time on the main roster. Taryn later signed with TNA Wrestling under her real name. She was hired to be a model because she was a below-average performer. She proved this with her first few matches. But then she had one phenomenal match with Gail Kim (possibly while pregnant). Since then, Taryn has been considered one of the most underrated performers today. She recently returned from maternity leave and has greatly improved as an in-ring performer.
