Make the divas more credible in one easy step

[Lionheart]

A newbie here with a modest proposal regarding the WWE Divas (although "modest" and "WWE Divas" don't really belong in the same sentence *rimshot*).

It is my opinion, based on a good ten minutes of consideration grand total, that the WWE Divas would seem at least 50% more respectable (granted, not saying a whole lot) if they billed them with their last names.

Think about it. Do they bill Shawn Michaels as "Shawn"? Does Randy Orton's Titantron video just say "Randy"?

And yet a lot of the Divas are simply referred to by their first names all the time. "Melina." "Maria." "Victoria."

Granted, some of the "real" wrestler divas from the past have only gone by one name (Lita, Chyna, etc.)

And granted, there are a couple divas where only using one suitably unique name fits the character better (Trinity and, yes, Ariel for example).

And granted, there are some that they use last names for - but if you just listened to the names without knowing anything about the actual people, wouldn't you agree that they sound more credible? Jillian Hall, Torrie Wilson, Kelly Kelly...

OK, that last one's a bad example, it's a dumb name and Kelly's never going to seem credible as anything (if you can't pull off "burlesque dancer" respectably when you owe your paycheck entirely to your physical assets, you should pretty much abandon all hope).

But you get the point. Maybe it's just me, but calling most of the divas by only one name just makes them sound like callgirls to me. But I guess that's what the E is going for, since that "make the Divas classier" thing had the lifespan of a fruit fly.

[Lenny: Smooth like Keith Stone]

I know what you've mean, and I did notice that many divas tend to go by just their first name. It always reminded me of a strip club DJ who only refers to the dancers by their first name. "Alright gentlemen that was the lovely Carrie, guys put those hands together for Carrie! Next up on center stage, Rebecca! Rebecca up next, Angel in two, and Dallas in three."

[Tha Kid Joker]

Actually, I agree. In a subconscious kinda way, the ones with the full name sound slightly more credible. When it's one name, it sounds like some kind of stripper or side-girl mascot thingy. Either a full name or a gimmick name (MsChief, for example) sounds way better in my opinion.

[Lionheart]

Exactly! Stripper describes it even better than callgirl the way I was thinking of it.

[Lenny: Smooth like Keith Stone]

Oddly enough though, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to which divas get full names and which ones get just a first name. I mean you could say that the "real" wrestlers get a full name like Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, or Gail Kim. But then you also have Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, and others who have a full name but aren't really wrestlers. Likewise some actual wrestlers such as Lita have always had just the one name.

[Lionheart]

lenny said:

Oddly enough though, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to which divas get full names and which ones get just a first name. I mean you could say that the "real" wrestlers get a full name like Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, or Gail Kim. But then you also have Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, and others who have a full name but aren't really wrestlers. Likewise some actual wrestlers such as Lita have always had just the one name.

You're right, I was thinking that myself. At first glance I thought there was a correlation between which divas used last names and which ones were "serious" wrestlers (as opposed to just eye candy), but after a little more consideration I realized it doesn't make nearly that much sense.

[Tha Kid Joker]

I guess it's just, whatever name they get. Like, male wrestlers are the same. You have full names like Randy Orton, Chris Sabin or Jack Evans, but then you have first or last names used alone such as Carlito, Batista or Funaki.

[twiggy101]

What about Kelly Kelly?

[Next Level was WRONG]

Does firing Kelly Kelly count as one easy step?

[Lionheart]

thaxkidxjoker said:

I guess it's just, whatever name they get. Like, male wrestlers are the same. You have full names like Randy Orton, Chris Sabin or Jack Evans, but then you have first or last names used alone such as Carlito, Batista or Funaki.

Last names alone are more credible than first names alone, and Carlito is at least a fairly unique first name (using only one name also goes along with his cooler-than-you persona).

twiggy101 said:

What about Kelly Kelly?

Uh, I mentioned her in the original post.

...bad example, it's a dumb name and Kelly's never going to seem credible as anything (if you can't pull off "burlesque dancer" respectably when you owe your paycheck entirely to your physical assets, you should pretty much abandon all hope).

[Gillberg: 0-175]

I say they make one of the stips to Women's Title Rank matches (meaning any match that would put divas in, or going for contention for the title) should be that the match could be won by pin, submission, count out or ripping the other diva down to their bra and panties.

[TripleMerc]

I personally think they could give the women's scene credibility by hiring everyone involved with SHIMMER and making it a completely seperate show from RAW.

[ultimatekennedy]

I know how to help the women's division out immediately-
1. Can the useless skin and legs divas-the ones that usually make Uncle Jerry horny, such as Candice, Torrie, Kelly and others. Sorry if you like those Divas, but seriously they need to be downsized a bit.
2. Get Trish and Molly Holly back
3. Give Victoria the belt and run with it, make her the psycho again and for the love of God, DON'T EVER MAKE HER FACE. Get that head spinner eye in the hand video for her again.
4. No more freak'in water balloon fights for crying out loud. I tuned in the other night after taking a break from Raw for a few weeks and saw that water fight-I somehow found something better to do with my time.
5. Trying to get Dawn Marie back would be good too. Doubtful but she is good for a catfight and she isn't another freaking blonde.

[Rapper & Actor Sammy Davis III]

My one easy step: barbed wire matches

it worked for FMW

[erwxcalibur]

what about..

torrie wilson
candice michelle
trish stratus
christi hemme
alundra blaze
stacy keibler
gail kim
molly holly


?

maybe you are thinking about some specific divas, but yes the one name does sound a little call girlish..but then again porn stars have a first and last name. like everyone on the show, i think its all in how they are presented.

would cena be as credible if he hadn't had a standout match and cut a promo against kurt angle his first night on tv? i think the writers know what would impress the fans.

if they had some girl that came out and just beat the wax out of everyone in her path, kinda like victoria.. but with more tv time, then she could get over with respect. but theres a lot of guys that would rather like her as a non-wrestler and would be turned off by it.

[Lionheart]

erwxcalibur said:

what about..

torrie wilson
candice michelle
trish stratus
christi hemme
alundra blaze
stacy keibler
gail kim
molly holly
bertha faye
mae young

?

What about the part of my original post where I mention that there are some Divas who use their last names?

[HRH The KING]

Surnames may help to make them more distinct.

WWE has had a "mono-name" obsession for quite some time, even with male performers.


But credibility? Nah I don't think it will make any difference because the Divas are pretty much pointless and are extremely limited in their functions. Overall I think the "Diva" concept has run its course now and should be scrapped.

[erwxcalibur]

oh, i mean that it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference. those girls aren't neccesarily more over than someone with one name like a victoria sable or sunny.

i do think if you want to pass someone off as a serious technical wrestler its better to use a normal name because it is less of a distraction.

[#RUDO]

I'd also suggest that they are no longer allowed to speak. I think it was Judgment Day where they asked a line-up of 'Divas' who would win the title matches and they came out with the biggest load of rubbish. eg; 'I'll pick Khali, because Khali Kahli kinda sounds like Kelly Kelly" - Gordon Solie, no, I think it was Kelly Kelly who came out with that gem.

So bad that Victoria and Melina were visibly cringing.

And I agree with the FMW Barbwire idea, only if it's a lingerie barb wire match though, so it can penetrate the biggest amount of useless bimbo flesh.

[Scooter]

ultimatekennedy said:

I know how to help the women's division out immediately-
1. Can the useless skin and legs divas-the ones that usually make Uncle Jerry horny, such as Candice, Torrie, Kelly and others. Sorry if you like those Divas, but seriously they need to be downsized a bit.

Candice has improved considerably since the last time you've seen her wrestle, I presume. You also can't hope that the WWE, or any entertainment company with a male demographic, will can the T&A.

ultimatekennedy said:

2. Get Trish and Molly Holly back

Trish is long gone. Retired. Done with the business. From the looks of things, Candice is the new Trish. Sorry.

ultimatekennedy said:

3. Give Victoria the belt and run with it, make her the psycho again and for the love of God, DON'T EVER MAKE HER FACE. Get that head spinner eye in the hand video for her again.

Meh. Gimmicks that have worked don't necessarily always work. I'm sure the psychopath gimmick would run its course just like it did the first time around. The only gimmicks that work unconditionally are those of a dead man and a sexy boy.

ultimatekennedy said:

4. No more freak'in water balloon fights for crying out loud. I tuned in the other night after taking a break from Raw for a few weeks and saw that water fight-I somehow found something better to do with my time.

As an aside, I'd like to encourage you and all who comment on changes that should be made or complain about the product to have some experience and knowledge of the current scene. It's not all water balloons, there's some pudding too. In all seriousness though, water balloon fights come around once in a blue moon. Victoria, Mickie, Candice, and Melina have put on some respectable shows in the past weeks as well.

ultimatekennedy said:

5. Trying to get Dawn Marie back would be good too. Doubtful but she is good for a catfight and she isn't another freaking blonde.

See your number 1. We can't get rid of all of the "legs and skin" women and bring Dawn Marie back on board. It's downright hypocritical.

Now ultimatekennedy, I don't mean to meticulously pick apart every single one of your points as a personal attack. Your points just happen to embody some of the many quick fixes proposed on this board that won't necessarily benefit the women's division. As fans, we'll probably have to take the good with the bad, enjoying quality women's matches in spite of the patronizing bikini KY jelly pillow fights. Just enjoy the view.