recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Total Divas: September 21, 2014

Roadside Rumble

Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan are in danger of losing their wrestling careers; Nikki is put in a tough spot with John; Rosa fails miserably at making peace between two enemies; and the wedding standoff between Eva's father and husband comes to a head.

## Recap

Summer Rae makes her grand return on E!’s “Total Divas” this week, and the newly minted star of “The Marine 4: Moving Target” wastes about five seconds before she picks up on her rivalry with Natalya from last season. The snits fly back-and-forth from the get-go, but Rosa Mendes, who wants everyone to be friends, still thinks there’s hope for reconciliation. What she gets instead is an awkward car ride with the battling blondes that escalates just short of a roadside brawl when the insults get too personal. Rosa is able to calm her traveling partners long enough to finish the drive, but Natalya wastes no time the next day in warning Rosa of Summer’s company.

Eva Marie and Jonathan’s Catholic conversion saga reaches its surprisingly tame ending after a supremely uncomfortable Fourth of July family gathering leads to Eva and Jonathan’s final discussion on the matter. No, Jonathan will not convert, despite Eva’s desire to please her father. Eva, who has always thrown her lot in with her family over her husband, breaks the news to her father and he concedes that while a Catholic wedding is important to him, it’s more imperative that Eva and her husband start their lives together on the same page. Blessing (no pun) secured. Whew.

On the “Braniel” front, Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan decide to explore backup career plans in the event that their time with WWE is ever cut short. A recruiter is less than impressed with the transcendence of the “Yes!” Movement, but the couple seems to find their answer in the form of a bed and breakfast for sale in Arizona. The asking price is a little steep, so Brie takes it upon herself to pursue a loan from Nikki Bella and John Cena … without telling Bryan. Not only is the request swiftly denied, but Brie also finds herself briefly on the outs with Bryan for not discussing it with him, as well as Nikki for some subsequent, passive-aggressive remarks about refusing to help her sister in her hour of need. And the march toward SummerSlam continues.
Total Bellas: September 6, 2017

A Desert Dilemma

A difficult decision by John Cena leads Brie Bella to question his commitment to their family in the Total Bellas Season 2 premiere on E!.

## Recap

Welcome to Total Bellas Season 2. Brie Bella is 10 weeks from giving birth, Nikki Bella’s return to the ring is going smoothly, Daniel Bryan is preparing for fatherhood and John Cena is shouldering the work commitments of 10 men. In preparation for baby Birdie Joe’s arrival, Brie gets an idea from her brother and sister-in-law to do a maternity photoshoot with her husband. Bryan is on board with one major caveat: He doesn’t want the photos posted to social media on the grounds that some things should be just for them and them alone, even with Brie’s large online presence. He becomes even more hesitant after the photoshoot itself, though he finally comes around after seeing the photos and understanding Brie's rationale that it’s less about being exploitative than celebrating Brie’s beauty as a mother-to-be.

We’re also given a greater glimpse into JJ and Lauren’s life in Season 2, from their seemingly ideal marriage to their inarguably adorable baby. It turns out, however, though they’re actually going through a significant rough patch. As JJ confidentially reveals to sister Nikki, they’ve gone so far as to separate, though Lauren keeps up the façade by putting in time at all the requisite family gatherings. Episode 1 ends on a hopeful note, as both are painfully aware of their predicament but optimistic they’ll be able to patch things up after a little bit of time apart.

The meat of the episode, so to speak, comes when John Cena jumps the gun a bit and kinda-sorta agrees to relocate to Arizona with Nikki so they can help Brie prepare to give birth in a neat reversal of the living situation in Season 1. The problem is Cena’s ridiculous work schedule, which affords him all of three full days over the span of the two-and-a-half months until after WrestleMania is over, and he’s forced to welch on the deal after realizing that it simply won’t be as doable as he thought.

Nikki is understanding; Brie less so after Cena comes clean at a family dinner and has his loyalty openly questioned for prioritizing his work over the rest of them. Cena helpfully reminds Brie that Daniel Bryan is missing the very dinner they’re fighting at because of work commitments, and she’s forced to yield. But, her point is taken all the same, as Nikki and Cena work out a compromise: If he manages to secure 12 free hours on any given day, he'll fly to Arizona to put in an appearance with the Bella family. Despite all this, Brie’s still a little bit put off by Nikki treating Cena like her husband when he isn’t yet, but as we all know, a lot can change in 10 weeks.
Sage Beckett

## Bio

Hardened by the rugged training she received at Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley’s Team 3-D Academy, 5-foot-11 Sage Beckett is as tough as they come. Not only that, but as the holder of multiple college degrees, she is incredibly wise, too.

After breaking into the sport in 2007, she spent five years steamrolling through the competition in dozens of organizations before health issues forced her to hang up her boots in 2012. Putting her education to use, Sage researched what she had to do to transform her body and return to the ring. To the alarm of her prospective opponents around the world, Beckett wasn’t done carving out her legacy of destruction. She came back two years later, 130 pounds leaner and even meaner than before. The decision paid dividends in 2017, when she signed with the recognized leader in sports-entertainment, WWE, and reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. With a renewed focus on imposing her will inside the ring, the prudent Beckett now has one objective in mind: Thrashing her way through the Mae Young Classic.
RAW 1286: January 15, 2018

## Titus Worldwide vs. The Bar

Again! After Cesaro & Sheamus suffered an upset loss to Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews last week, The Bar got a rematch looking to regain some ground in advance of their Raw Tag Team Title rematch against Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan at the Royal Rumble event. And for the second week in a row, Titus Worldwide claimed a win, though they do have Jason Jordan to thank for the assist.

The combination of Crews’ athleticism and O'Neil's power had given Titus Worldwide an edge, though The Bar managed to battle back. They’d even learned from their mistakes, thwarting the same sequence that cost them the match last week. But right as they were about to execute a tandem maneuver to dispatch Crews, Jordan’s music hit, and Crews rolled up a distracted Sheamus for a win that left The Bar quite dismayed — to say nothing of Seth Rollins, who emerged atop the ramp to scold his partner for interfering in the match.

## Asuka vs. Nia Jax

Last week, Nia Jax jumped Asuka from behind, putting her (and every Superstar in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match) on notice and earning herself a match against The Empress of Tomorrow. Jax posed the most formidable challenge yet to Asuka’s undefeated streak, but thanks to a flawless game plan and a little bit of luck, the former NXT Women’s Champion rolled on, and Jax officially joined the ranks of the fallen — with an asterisk.

Jax unsurprisingly relied on her power, looking to impose her will on the cruelly clever Empress of Tomorrow. But Asuka had her opponent scouted perfectly, whittling away at The Irresistible Force with a variety of torturous submissions — an octopus here, an armbar there — and, later, her speed, to sap Jax of her strength.

It seemed Asuka would earn herself a count-out win after trapping Jax’s leg between the steel steps and the ring post. But while Jax barely beat the count back into the ring, the referee was forced to call the match off due to injury. The sight of the hobbled Jax even brought Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss — the same woman who tried to pit Asuka against Jax in the first place — to assist her to the locker room, though Nia turned down care from The Goddess in favor of another Superstar: Enzo Amore.

## Sonya Deville vs. Sasha Banks

Due to a neck injury, Paige will be unable to compete in the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match. That said, Absolution doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, as Sonya Deville got her first singles victory in WWE at the expense of Sasha Banks as the historic contest approaches. Deville showcased her pinpoint timing and punishing power in the surprisingly quick victory, wrapping The Boss up in an array of submissions and dropping her with a savage kick to the stomach as Banks came off the turnbuckle.

## Results

* Titus O'Neil & Apollo Crews (w/ Dana Brooke) defeated The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) (9:30)
* Asuka defeated Nia Jax via match stoppage (10:40)
* Sonya Deville (w/ Paige & Mandy Rose) defeated Sasha Banks (w/ Bayley & Mickie James) (2:25)
June Byers

## Bio

Where June Byers went, controversy followed.

The former NWA World Women’s Champion was a firebrand the likes of which the sports-entertainment world had never seen, a take-no-prisoners, take-no-bull female who drove a hard bargain and had a mean roll-up to back it up. Most notably, Byers competed in one of the definitive matches in the history of women’s wrestling, a 2-out-of-3 Falls championship match — an infamous contest that was called off after the first fall, leading to Byers’ controversial assumption of the title.

Byers would ultimately relinquish her championship, as the Baltimore Athletic Commission stripped her of it, rather than allowing her to retire on top. Even then, she returned for one more attempt against the subsequent titleholder, The Fabulous Moolah. Byers could never stay away from a good prizefight.

Now, in the WWE Hall of Fame, she attains the greatest prize of them all.
Trish Stratus

## Bio

Trish Stratus might be the greatest Diva to ever set foot inside a WWE ring.

Gorgeous, powerful and talented, the Canadian beauty was easy on the eyes but tough on opponents. This rare mix of good looks and skill helped Trish nab a record seven Women’s Championships during her run with WWE.

Stratus’ reputation as one of the greatest females in sports-entertainment history did not come easily though. First achieving success as a fitness model, she entered WWE in March 2000 as a manager, leading the careers of Test, Albert and Val Venis. Immediately, the WWE Universe could tell she was someone worth looking at it, but Trish was dismissed as just that — eye candy.

She proved she was more than just a pretty face when she started competing in 2001. In November of that year, Trish captured her first Women's Championship when she won a Six-Pack Challenge Match at Survivor Series. The gorgeous Diva won that title seven times over the next five years, defeating top competitors like Lita, Molly Holly and Victoria in the process.

Trish announced her retirement from the ring in 2006 and competed in her last match at Unforgiven in September, beating Lita to win the Women's Championship for the final time. In the years that followed, the beloved beauty has regularly returned to WWE, including tagging with “Jersey Shore” troublemaker Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi at WrestleMania XXVII, appearing as a trainer on the 2011 relaunch of “Tough Enough” and taking her rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.
Bianca Belair

## Bio

Bianca Belair is such a superlative competitor that she considers herself the “EST of NXT.” Proclaiming to be the strongest, fastest, toughest and all-around best Superstar going, Belair has been an exceptional athlete her entire life.

Before joining WWE, Belair earned All-SEC and All-American honors in track-and-field at the University of Tennessee. Since her arrival, she has backed up her EST moniker with big numbers in the WWE Performance Center weight room: Belair led the field in the 2016 and 2017 NXT Combines, thanks to feats like deadlifting 415-pounds.

Unsurprisingly, Belair’s competitive nature has carried over into the ring. Though she relies on rugged power, Belair can be creatively merciless, too, using her long hair braid to whip opponents to shreds. She isn’t afraid to take big risks either, as she showed in the second round of the Mae Young Classic by launching a picture-perfect 450 splash against Kairi Sane.

Showing remarkable progress in a short time, Belair appears primed to be the Performance Center’s next breakout sensation.
Ronda Rousey

## Bio

There have been Superstars who tried fighting and fighters who tried their hand at being Superstars. But there is only one Ronda Rousey.

This record-setting modern legend has blazed a trail through mixed-martial arts, beginning with a bronze medal showing in judo during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and, most notably, continuing with a record-setting tear through UFC as the first female competitor to ever sign with the company. Given her status as the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion before that promotion was absorbed by the UFC, Rousey was named the first-ever UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion upon her arrival.

Dubbing herself “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey with the blessing of the late Roddy Piper, she embarked on a ruthless undefeated streak that saw her submit opponents within a matter of seconds via her signature armbar. And she caught the sports-entertainment bug along the way, sharing the ring with The Rock and The Authority at WrestleMania 31. Ever since, rumors of a crossover to WWE persisted at almost every turn, though it seemed a dream pairing that was destined to remain just that … until Royal Rumble 2018, when Rousey arrived wearing Piper’s unmistakable leather jacket.

She then officially entered WWE in explosive fashion, sending COO Triple H crashing through a table and nearly getting into a scuffle with Stephanie McMahon before signing her Raw contract, and making it clear, in no uncertain terms, why she is “The Baddest Woman on the Planet.”
Womenofthewwe Wiki

## Women of the WWE

### Current Roster

#### **Raw**

* Alexa Bliss
* Alicia Fox
* Bayley
* Charly Caruso (Interviewer)
* Dana Brooke
* Ember Moon
* Liv Morgan
* Mickie James
* Natalya
* Nia Jax
* Ronda Rousey
* Ruby Riott
* Sarah Logan
* Sasha Banks

#### **SmackDown Live**

* Asuka
* Becky Lynch
* Billie Kay
* Brie Bella
* Carmella
* Charlotte Flair
* Lana
* Mandy Rose
* Maryse
* Naomi
* Paige (General Manager)
* Peyton Royce
* Sonya Deville
* Tamina Snuka (Injured)
* Zelina Vega

#### Other roster members

* Maria Kanellis (Hiatus due to pregnancy)
* Nikki Bella
* Renee Young (Hosts for both shows)
* Stephanie McMahon

#### WWE alumni

* AJ Lee (2010 - 2015)
* Aksana (2010 - 2014)
* Alundra Blayze (1993 - 1995)
* Beth Phoenix (2006 - 2012)
* Bull Nakano (1994 - 1995)
* Cameron (2012 - 2016)
* Candice Michelle (2004 - 2009)
* Cherry (2007 - 2008)
* Christy Hemme (2004 - 2005)
* Christy St. Cloud (2017 - 2018)
* Chyna (1997 - 2001)
* Dawn Marie (2002 - 2005)
* Eden Stiles (Brandi Rhodes) (2011; 2014 - 2016)
* Emma (2012 - 2017)
* Eva Marie (2013 - 2017)
* Eve Torres (2007 - 2013)
* Fabulous Moolah
* Ivory (1999 - 2005)
* Jacqueline (1998 - 2004)
* Jazz (2001 - 2004; 2006)
* Jillian Hall (2005 - 2010)
* Kaitlyn (2010 - 2014)
* Kelly Kelly (2006 - 2012)
* Kharma (2011 - 2012)
* Layla (2006 - 2015)
* Lita (2000 - 2006)
* Luna Vachon (1993 - 1994; 1997 - 2000)
* Mae Young
* Maxine
* Melina (2004 - 2011)
* Michelle McCool (2004 - 2011)
* Miss Elizabeth
* Molly Holly (2000 - 2005)
* Rosa Mendes (2006 - 2017)
* Sable (1996 - 1999; 2003 - 2004)
* Stacy Keibler (2001 - 2006)
* Summer Rae (2012 - 2017)
* Sunny (1995 - 1999)
* Terri Runnels (Marlena) (1996 - 2004)
* Torrie Wilson (2001 - 2008)
* Trish Stratus (2000 - 2006)
* Victoria (2000 - 2009)
* Wendi Richter
Women's matches on pay-per-view

## 1980s

* WrestleMania I (1985): (Women's Championship) Leilani Kai (c) vs. Wendi Richter
* WrestleMania 2 (1986): (Women's Championship) Fabulous Moolah (c) vs. Velvet McIntyre
* Survivor Series (1987): (5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match) Fabulous Moolah, The Jumping Bomb Angels (Itsuki Yamazaki and Noriyo Tateno), Rockin' Robin and Velvet McIntyre vs. Dawn Marie, Donna Christanello, The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai and Judy Martin) and Sensational Sherri (with Jimmy Hart)
* Royal Rumble (1989): (Women's Championship) Rockin' Robin (c) vs. Judy Martin
RAW 12: April 12, 1993

Rob Bartlett looks to interview the WWF's newest star, Luna Vachon.

## Episode recap

Rob Bartlett conducted a ringside interview with Luna Vachon, who said she was the woman of the 90s and the only thing strong about Sensational Sherri was her breath; Bartlett then noted Sherri was in the building, with Sherri then walking ringside and saying Bartlett was disgracing the WWF by simply interviewing Luna; the two continued to have words before Sherri attacked Luna, tore Bartlett's vest, and dropped Luna with a suplex on the floor; Sherri began choking Luna with a cord before Luna hit her with a monitor and tore open sherri's shirt; the two then fought into the crowd before Sgt. Slaughter hoisted Luna over his shoulder and carried her backstage; following the commercial break, Savage attempted to conduct a ringside interview with Sherri, who held his cowboy hat to cover her chest, before Luna returned; the two then briefly fought again before Sherri said she would face Luna any time.
Billie Kay

## Bio

Billie Kay is mean, arrogant and, if you ask her, iconic.

Before pursuing sports-entertainment, Kay excelled as a basketball player in her homeland of Australia. When she first stepped in the ring, she found that her height gave her a distinct advantage over the competition. Kay spent eight years making a name for herself on the independent scene, crossing paths with the likes of Paige and Asuka.

Kay joined NXT in 2015, and her signing coincided with that of her BFF, Peyton Royce. Agreeing to watch each other’s back, the two Aussies formed a powerful alliance called The Iconic Duo. There isn’t much they don’t do together, from badgering NXT General Manager William Regal, to ambushing another Superstar, to being named the (collective) Breakout Star of 2016.

The Iconic Duo’s behavior isn’t popular, but it might well pave the way to success for Billie Kay.
Peyton Royce

## Bio

Peyton Royce carries herself with the grace and elegance of a young Sophia Loren, but once the bell rings, her raging-bull temperament takes over.

The explanation for her fluid movement — including a dazzling array of kicks that are equal parts ballerina and martial artist — is simple: Peyton grew up pursuing dance until the art of wrestling caught her eye. She broke into sports-entertainment alongside fellow NXT Superstar and “BFF” Billie Kay, training in Sydney, Australia. From there, Royce ventured to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she continued her studies under technical wizard Lance Storm.

Royce and Kay wouldn’t be apart for long, though, as both signed to NXT at the same time, joining the WWE Performance Center in early 2015. Since then, The Iconic Duo has journeyed up the ranks of NXT side-by-side, often tormenting other Superstars or annoying NXT General Manager William Regal. So effective are Royce & Kay as a unit, in fact, that they were collectively voted the NXT Breakout Star(s) of 2016.

Whether she’s competing as one-half of The Iconic Duo or on her own, Peyton Royce remains a serious threat in NXT — and anybody who disagrees might just wind up with a boot to the face.
Lita

## Bio

Exhilarating one moment, sinister the next, Lita was a Diva who always kept the WWE Universe on their toes. Whether she was flying high with The Hardy Boyz or shocking censors alongside Edge, the four-time Women's Champion knew how to elicit a reaction around the world.

Lita made her WWE debut in 2000 alongside Essa Rios and quickly led him to the Light Heavyweight Championship that February, though the pair would split a few months later. Lita then hooked up with The Hardy Boyz to form Team Xtreme, beginning a partnership that would last nearly five years.

Soon after, the agile Diva won her first of four Women's Championships from Stephanie McMahon in August 2000. After losing the title, Lita competed from time to time, but mostly let The Hardys handle in-ring duties, and her romantic relationship with Matt Hardy became public knowledge.

Lita’s long and heated rivalry with Trish Stratus began soon after Trish’s debut, and the two first locked horns while Trish managed Test & Albert against Lita's Hardy Boyz. The two Divas put aside their differences in July 2001 to represent WWE at InVasion, but were mostly at odds throughout their WWE careers.

Kane’s obsession with Lita occupied much of 2004, and Matt Hardy proposed after Lita announced her pregnancy. The pair reconciled as The Big Red Monster continued to stalk Lita, but the knowledge that she was carrying Kane's baby strained her relationship with Hardy once again.

The duo of Kane and Lita became popular among the WWE Universe, but she betrayed him in 2005 in a tryst with Edge. The Rated-R couple enjoyed VIP treatment wherever they went before their party ended due to Matt Hardy’s WWE return. After it had been revealed that Lita’s long-term relationship with Matt ended due to her affair with Edge, the two Superstars battled throughout the summer of 2005 with Lita often interfering on behalf of The Ultimate Opportunist.

While in her fourth reign as Women’s Champion, Lita decided to end her career in the fall of 2006 and was determined to retire with the title — much like her rival Trish Stratus. It was not to be, though, as Mickie James defeated her at Survivor Series, and Cryme Tyme added insult to injury by giving away her personal items to the crowd.

It was a bitter end for the Diva, but she will not be forgotten. Despite her controversial nature during her last active years, WWE fans always embrace Lita when she makes a rare appearance – especially the night before WrestleMania 30, when she took her rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Michelle McCool

### Highlights

Divas Champion; Women's Champion; winner of the 2008 SmackDown Top Diva Competition; finalist in the 2004 WWE Diva Search

## Bio

There are many words that could be used to describe Michelle McCool — aggressive, cruel, malicious. But more than any of these things, the tough-as-nails Superstar was a fighter.

First introduced to the WWE Universe as a contestant in the 2004 Diva Search, McCool didn’t win the competition, but she was so dynamic that she was brought to SmackDown later that year. Her early days were unremarkable, but McCool refused to be held back because she had struggled for too long to get where she was.

Before she ever stepped in the ring, Michelle was a teacher in Florida. She spent her days educating schoolchildren about science, but she always knew what she really wanted to do with her life. From the day she attended a WWE event with her father and grandfather when she was six years old, McCool vowed she would be a sports-entertainer. The little girl set eyes on the "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes and she was hooked.

Living by the motto "Faith to fight the good fight, heart to believe and soul to search within," McCool battled her way from Diva Search reject to the top of the division. At first wasted as the manager of a forgettable tag team known as The Teacher's Pets, McCool began to carve her own path when she set out as a singles competitor. Early matches weren't always pretty, but her perseverance paid off in July of 2008 when she defeated Natalya to become the first-ever Divas Champion.

The victory was a huge one for the Florida native and it inspired a change in her. No longer was she concerned with pleasing the fans. Instead, her main goal was to stay on top of the Divas division at any cost. It was a shocking change of personality, but a shift that brought McCool more accolades. In June 2009, she defeated Melina at The Bash to capture the Women's Title, becoming the first competitor to win both the Divas and Women's Championship. On that night, her legacy as a historic Diva was cemented.

From there, McCool formed an alliance with the equally nasty Layla. Collectively known as Team Lay-Cool, the mean girls became the wickedest duo in WWE. Like two nasty high school students, they resorted to namecalling to belittle the other women in the locker room and found every way to cheat to hold on to the Divas Championship they shared.

They were evil, but effective. That was until WrestleMania XXVII when Team Lay-Cool was put in their place by "Jersey Shore" star Snooki. The loss stung and led to the eventual breakup of McCool and Layla. But insteading of ending their successful partnership on good terms, the former friends battled in a "Loser Leaves WWE" Match at Extreme Rules.

Michelle lost that match, bringing a premature end to a stellar career she'd worked so hard to attain. It was a rough way to go. After being pinned by Layla, she was brutalized in the ring by the monster known as Kharma.

That night, McCool left the WWE battered and bruised, but she didn't mind. She was used to fighting.
JoJo

## Bio

JoJo made her first WWE appearance on WWE Main Event in June 2013, dancing onto the scene with her Total Divas co-stars, The Funkadactyls, and singing “Somebody Call My Momma” during Tons of Funk’s entrance. Don’t mistake this petite wonder as just another gifted singer; JoJo is also an accomplished dancer and athlete.

With fellow newbie Diva hopeful Eva Marie by her side, JoJo made her reality TV debut a month later on E!’s Total Divas. It was on that breakthrough hit where the WWE Universe was able to get to know this spunky newcomer. Eager to live the life of a Diva, JoJo left home for the first time to immerse herself in WWE with former Divas Champion Natalya as her mentor.

At SummerSlam 2013, JoJo wowed the WWE Universe with her voice, as she boldly belted out the National Anthem before tens of thousands of WWE fans inside Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center. She's since put those considerable vocal skills to good use, popping up as a ring announcer and backstage interviewer.
Kairi Sane

## Bio

Kairi Sane’s resume reads like the accomplishments of 10 athletes. Apart from the laundry list of championships procured in the Japanese women’s promotion Stardom — three-time “Goddess of Stardom” and four-time “Artist of Stardom,” to name a few — she was an Olympic hopeful in yachting, pursued a career in acting, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese literature from Hosei University and once taught Japanese to orphans in Cambodia.

Given her jet-setting and worldwide accomplishments, it’s no surprise that Kairi found her way to NXT, joining the brand in summer 2017 and immediately announcing her participation in the inaugural Mae Young Classic. Over the five rounds, The Pirate Princess outlasted the competition — a stiff field of 31 other global sensations — and notched a milestone by winning the tournament with a career-defining victory against former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler in the Finale.

No doubt some of her foes in NXT will shiver their timbers when faced with the keeper of the Insane Elbow, arguably the most beautiful elbow drop in all sports-entertainment, and once the bell rings, they’ll soon realize that it's too late to alter course.
Total Divas: August 4, 2013

A Tango with Fandango

Eva plans to achieve a winning rank by creating a scheming plan. The Bella Twins take some time off and enjoy a vacation with Bryan and John. Cameron and Naomi are horrified when they experience a wardrobe malfunction.

## Recap

So Cameron (Ariane) is still steaming over the seamstress snafu that contributed to The Funkadactyls’ WrestleMania embarrassment on the season premiere of E!’s “Total Divas,” and goes rogue to commission “the bomb dot com” new outfits from a third-party costume designer. Not only does the ensuing getup leave distressingly little to the imagination when the curvier Naomi (Trinity) tries it on, but The Funkadactyls’ longtime WWE seamstress Sandra dismisses them entirely from her client list when she finds they sought service elsewhere.

The Bellas are going on a couples’ vacation with their Superstar boyfriends! Things start out at John Cena’s home in Tampa, Fla., and while The Champ’s palatial abode and fleet of whips suits Nikki just fine, it’s a bit too overwhelming for Brie Bella, who’s grown to appreciate a simpler life on the outskirts of Aberdeen, Wash. The second half of their trip, a siesta in Daniel Bryan’s rustic, one-story family home, leaves Nikki Bella similarly cold. (He doesn’t even have TV!) Even though the couples keep themselves amused with a guys-vs.-girls wood-chopping contest that Bryan gentlemanly concedes to the ladies, a heart-to-heart between The Bellas reveals that, despite her love for her bearded boyfriend, Brie harbors some lingering – if still private for now – reservations about living in a cabin in the woods.

Much to JoJo's surprise, Eva Marie gets engaged, which is pretty bad timing considering she’s trying to wine and dine Fandango in an attempt to become his dance partner … which in itself is a cockamamie plan based off a bald-faced lie to WWE officials that she has dance training. Fandango strikes up considerable chemistry with Eva Marie, but the jig is up when the newcomer botches her dress rehearsal and – HERE COMES THE PAIN – Stephanie McMahon herself arrives to administer discipline. Eva Marie gets off with a slap on the wrist and the understanding that any further shenanigans will come at the cost of her job, although as Natalya opines, the damage to her reputation may already be irreparable.
RAW 1256: June 19, 2017

## Episode recap

#### **Maryse appears on "Miz TV"**

Dean Ambrose hasn’t just gotten inside The Miz’s head over the last couple of weeks, he’s managed to drive a wedge in the Intercontinental Champion’s marriage.

The Lunatic Fringe’s schemes have landed Miz so deep in the doghouse with Maryse that he had to stage a special apology edition of “Miz TV,” complete with a pair of giant apology bears, who were confirmed not to be Ambrose in disguise, and the inadvertently-destroyed grandfather clock The A-Lister repaired with his own two hands.

It all seemed to be going swimmingly until Ambrose’s music hit, at which point a panicked Miz spilled champagne on Maryse and accidentally demolished the clock again while attempting to bum-rush The Lunatic Fringe.

That fiasco led to Maryse storming off and Ambrose knocking Miz over the ropes, but staying in the ring with the bears proved to be Ambrose’s undoing. The bears attacked The Lunatic Fringe from behind while he was staring down Miz and unmasked themselves to reveal Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel, whom The A-Lister had offered spots in his “entourage” earlier in the evening. Miz provided the exclamation point, booting Ambrose in the face while Dallas and Axel held him down and administering the Skull-Crushing Finale moments later.

#### **Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax**

How to sum up the Raw Women’s division in one sentence? “Everybody Hates Alexa Bliss.” (SmackDown LIVE's, for what it’s worth, is “Everybody Hates James Ellsworth.”) When the Raw Women’s Champion sat ringside for Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax — ostensibly to watch her “best friend” destroy The Boss — Emma saw an opening to confront the champ over ditching her in a Six-Woman Tag Team Match last week and did just that, sending Alexa scurrying into the ring and hiding behind Jax, who didn't seem all that interested in protecting her.

Nia eagerly handed Alexa over to Emma, but the Australian’s boot missed its target and hit Jax instead, handing her a disqualification win and instigating a brawl that ended up including Bliss, Banks, Jax, Emma, Dana Brooke and Mickie James. Bliss managed to get Jax and Emma on the same page long enough to overwhelm the other three Superstars, and it was only the arrival of Bayley that finally tipped the scales and forced Alexa, Nia and Emma into retreat.

## Featured Superstars

* Maryse
* Nia Jax
* Sasha Banks
* Alexa Bliss
* Dana Brooke
* Mickie James
* Emma
* Bayley

## Results

1. Nia Jax def. Sasha Banks via Disqualification
RAW 13: April 19, 1993

The ongoing storyline for this episode was the continuation of the rivalry between Sensational Sherri and Luna Vachon.

## Episode recap

In a backstage promo by Luna Vachon, with a dungeon in the background, in which she cut a promo on Sensational Sherri, as still images were shown from WrestleMania, exclusive footage of her attacking Sherri backstage at WrestleMania, and footage of their fight the previous week aired; Luna then said she would wipe Sherri from the earth.
Mae Young Classic 2017 Episode 2

An indie legend, a 20-year-old marvel from Down Under and a second-generation Superstar advanced in an evening topped by a down-and-out fight between the world-traveled Mia Yim and country-tough Sarah Logan.

## Episode recap

#### **Xia Li vs. Mercedes Martinez**

China’s Xia Li, a pupil of the WWE Performance Center, wasn’t just wrestling her very first match under the bright lights of the historic Mae Young Classic, but she was doing so against Mercedes Martinez, the battle-tested independent wrestling icon from Waterbury, Conn.

Despite the daunting circumstances, the champion martial artist from China showed tremendous poise, blocking Martinez’s attack and cracking her with graceful strikes. A spinebuster by Martinez, however, allowed the 16-year veteran to regroup and cinch in a back-wrenching modified dragon sleeper to make Li submit.

#### **Rachel Evers vs. Marti Belle**

Representing her childhood home of the Dominican Republic, New Yorker Marti Belle battled second-generation competitor Rachel Evers, the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering, in a back-and-forth match.

Evers displayed her world-class power with a series of moves that culminated with a variation of a powerbomb. The notoriously scrappy Belle fought back with a faceplant, but Evers surprised her with an inside cradle out of nowhere to score the pin and move on to face Abbey Laith in the Second Round.

#### **Miranda Salinas vs. Rhea Ripley**

Miranda Salinas’ solution for countering the size and strength advantage of the tournament’s youngest competitor, 20-year-old Australian Rhea Ripley, was to fight dirty. The strategy worked intermittently, but Salinas’ win-at-all-costs approach couldn’t contain Ripley’s athleticism.

With the WWE Universe bellowing out Aussie chants to voice their support for Ripley, the former soccer standout showed off her kicking acumen, launching big boots and dropkicks at Salinas. A sky-high full-nelson slam secured the victory and Ripley’s spot in the Second Round.

#### **Sarah Logan vs. Mia Yim**

Expectations ran high as Mia Yim and Sarah Logan, two of the Classic’s most lauded competitors, clashed in the main event, and the battle did not disappoint. Logan, the scary strong, Kentucky-tough disciple of Taka Michinoku, went blow for blow with Yim, the world-traveled Taekwondo specialist representing South Korea.

Full-force suplexes, ferocious kicks, headbutts and chops flew both ways. Logan looked to seal the victory when she screamed “Off with your head” and launched into a handspring knee attack. Yim dodged the move, threatened like retaliation, and nearly took off Logan’s head with Eat Defeat to win the thrilling match. Yim now moves on to face Shayna Baszler in the next round.

## Results

1. Mercedes Martinez def. Xia Li in a First-Round Match
2. Rachel Evers def. Marti Belle in a First-Round Match
3. Rhea Ripley def. Miranda Salinas in a First-Round Match
4. Mia Yim def. Sarah Logan in a First-Round Match
Total Divas: September 1, 2013

Diva Las Vegas

The Divas go to Las Vegas for Natalya's bachelorette party. JoJo is confused about her relationship with Justin Gabriel. Nattie becomes stressed out when she keeps receiving flirts from her friend Jared.

## Recap

It’s Natalya’s bachelorette party and twerking occurs, which is really all that matters here. But if you want a more comprehensive recap of the latest “Total Divas,” we suppose that’s doable as well.

So Nattie, the Divas and a couple Superstars are in Las Vegas for the pre-marriage festivities, and Nattie’s still fielding texts from Jaret the Tanning Guy. Natalya, still apparently new to the texting game, keeps responding to the dude and only the Bellas sense the red flags of an engaged woman phone-flirting with an invested third party. Happily, a glass of champagne and a Chippendale’s show seem to return Natalya to the straight and narrow, and she vows Tyson (TJ)’s the only one for her.

Nikki Bella’s efforts this week concern the unholy resurrection of her sister’s party-hearty alter-ego, “Brie Mode,” out of monogamy-imposed exile. Brie Bella initially resists her sister’s cajoling, but once she’s imbibed enough cocktails, Breezy does indeed morph into a different Diva (all things considered, though, she keeps her footing when she dances on a couch and that’s more that can be said for Nikki). Brie’s less-than-subtle attempts to hide her state from a presumably-disapproving Daniel Bryan fail horribly, but turns out he’s just glad she had fun.

Quick hits: Cameron’s (Ariane) boyfriend, Vincent, somehow wheedles his way into the trip and ends up acting a fool in the club, which puts everyone off and leads to a lover’s quarrel on the dance floor. On the bright side, a sloshed Vincent swears an oath of undying loyalty to Jimmy Uso, which is pretty funny.

JoJo’s on the rebound after dumping what’s-his-name and lands on Justin Gabriel as a possible new paramour. Given their age gap and JoJo’s general tendency to get attached, Eva Marie anticipates disaster after the two share a steamy first kiss. Her concerns turn out to be well-founded when she and JoJo spot the “Dare Wolf” prowling the casino floor with a woman who is decidedly not JoJo, and ties are quickly severed. Easy come, easy go.
Dawn Marie

## Bio

As controversial as she was beautiful, Dawn Marie first caught the attention of fans in 1998 as Lance Storm's ditzy valet in Extreme Championship Wrestling. But despite her airhead persona, the New Jersey native helped Storm and his tag partner, Justin Credible, grab the ECW Tag Team Championships on two occassions before the company folded in 2001.

From there, Dawn Marie was quickly signed to WWE's SmackDown brand where she first appeared as Mr. McMahon's legal assistant. The gorgeous Diva is best remembered, however, for her wildly bizarre relationship with Torrie Wilson's father, Al.

First setting her sights on the blonde beauty's old man as a way to torment her, Dawn Marie soon fell in love with the charmingly clueless Mr. Wilson. This bizarre romance led to one of the strangest moments in SmackDown history in which the two were married in the middle of the ring while wearing nothing but their underwear. Dawn's involvement with her dad drew the Torrie's ire, leading to many matches between the two and a few very memorable bikini contests.

Dawn Marie would continue to butt heads with Wilson before turning her attention to Miss Jackie in 2004. As she did with Torrie, Dawn Marie got invovled in Jackie's personal life, claiming she had an affair with the beauty's fiancee, Charlie Haas. The two women settled their differences at Armageddon with Dawn coming out on top.

In 2005, Dawn Marie reunited with Lance Storm at ECW One Night Stand and helped him score a victory over Chris Jericho, but would leave WWE soon after. While backstage catfights between the Divas calmed down after Dawn left, the WWE Universe hated to see the physically blessed beauty go.
Serena Deeb

## Bio

Serena Deeb wants to write a new chapter in her career. Deeb was a six-time Ohio Valley Wrestling Champion and former member of the SmackDown roster in 2010, during which time she famously became a baldheaded member of The Straight Edge Society. But now she’s eyeing a new beginning with the Mae Young Classic.

The technical competitor has been honing her craft in promotions all over the world and mastering new in-ring styles. She combines the concentration and motivation of a yogi — she’s a certified yoga teacher — with the intensity and passion of a warrior. Deeb has unfinished business in WWE, and she has her sights set on feel-good comeback story when she enters the Classic.
Tegan Nox

There might not be another athlete in the Mae Young Classic with more upside than Wales’ Tegan Nox. With an exciting, daredevil ring style that is impossible to ignore, the 23-year-old phenom joined the WWE Performance Center in 2017 and was slated to take part in the inaugural Mae Young Classic until a devastating ACL tear suffered in training prevented her from competing.

Known for being able to deliver a vicious, match-ending Shining Wizard knee strike from practically any angle inside the ring, Nox has been ordained “The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard.” And, thanks to her new titanium knee brace, the moniker is more appropriate than ever. Looking to put her young career on the fast track, Tegan now plans to use her dreaded strike to carry her to the top of the Mae Young Classic.
Rhea Ripley

## Bio

New WWE signee Rhea Ripley might be the youngest wrestlers in the Mae Young Classic, but don’t expect her to be star-struck by the field. A product of Australia’s rapidly developing independent scene, the 20-year-old prodigy already has four years of ring experience under her belt, including tours of the notoriously tough Japanese circuit.

A new arrival to the WWE Performance Center, Ripley first established herself as a pillar of Adelaide-based Riot City Wrestling, where she held the women’s championship twice. Before that, she was a standout soccer player in her youth, making her uniquely prepared for a career of throwing hard kicks. However, instead of drilling a ball into the net, she uses her striking prowess to rearrange opponents’ faces with missile dropkicks and a move she calls “Solefood.” The other competitors in this summer’s Classic had better watch out, because Ripley aims to kick off her WWE career with a bang.
Sensational Sherri

## Bio

Even those who aren't familiar with the groundbreaking career of "Sensational" Sherri Martel will recognize her distinct voice. Her rendition of Shawn Michaels' entrance theme, "Sexy Boy," ushered HBK to the ring for years. But "Sensational" Sherri was much more than a voice. Martel was skilled and accomplished inside the ring and a force when managing from outside of it. Her physical strength and her tough personality redefined women's roles in sports-entertainment, paving the way for many WWE Superstars to follow. Many of WWE's greatest Superstars enjoyed an association with "Sensational" Sherri and many more had to watch their back when she was at ringside.

In the early 1980s, Sherri began her career in the AWA. In 1985, she defeated Candi Devine to become the AWA Women's Champion. Their rivalry lasted more than a year with the championship trading hands on several occasions. It was during this time that she began perfecting her skills as a manager, leading "Playboy" Buddy Rose and "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers to the AWA Tag Team Championship. On June 28, 1986, Martel would win the AWA Women's Championship for a third and final time form Candi Devine.

On July 24, 1987, "Sensational" Sherri debuted in WWE, pinning her trainer and mentor, the Fabulous Moolah, to become Women's Champion. Sherri defended the gold against Debbie Combs, Velvet McIntyre and Desiree Peterson. She quickly earned the reputation as someone who would do anything to win, even if it meant using unsavory tactics. Her rivalry with Moolah continued as they became the captains of the first-ever female Survivor Series teams in 1989. Sherri held the championship for 15 months before losing it to Rockin' Robin.

In the early ‘90s, WWE phased out the Women's Division, leaving Sherri to focus on managing the male wrestlers. Her first client was "Macho Man" Randy Savage. It was during this time that she became "Sensation Queen." The couple had rivalries with Miss Elizabeth, Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire. In 1991, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase enlisted her services. After that relationship dissolved, she took on the managerial duties of Shawn Michaels in WWE and "The Franchise" Shane Douglas in ECW.

In 1994, Sherri appeared in WCW as "Sensuous" Sherri, managing Ric Flair during his rivalries with Sting and Hulk Hogan. After separating from Flair, she became "Sister" Sherri and guided Harlem Heat to seven WCW Tag Team Championships.

"Sensational" Sherri Martel is as deserving as any other sports-entertainer to be a WWE Hall of Famer
Total Divas: May 18, 2014

What Happens in Cabo

At Brie Bella's bachelorette party in Mexico; Eva Marie struggles with her sobriety; Nikki Bella reveals a secret from her past; Naomi suffers an eye injury.

## Recap

It’s a south-of-the-border spectacle on E!’s “Total Divas” when the whole crew (minus the injured Naomi and ostracized Summer Rae) head down to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for Brie Bella’s bachelorette party. It’s all fun in the sun for everyone involved – everyone, that is, except Eva Marie, who worries her still-secret sober lifestyle will put a damper on the festivities. Ironically enough, her awkward attempts to cut and run when the libations start to flow make things more uncomfortable than if she had come clean in the first place. When all is said and done, she does just that and the ladies more or less shrug it off, even capping the trip by taking a swim alongside some dolphins.

Speaking of secrets, a loosened-up Nikki Bella spills a whopper to Natalya that only Brie knew previously – she’d been married once, for several years, to her high school sweetheart, as a result of a Vegas wedding officiated by an Elvis impersonator. Hoo boy. Eva Marie’s confession puts Nikki in an optimistic mood, though, and she seizes the moment at a family gathering to spill her own secret. The response is less than enthusiastic, particularly when it comes to her and Brie’s furious brother.

While the rest of the Total Divas are busy soaking up the sun, Naomi is wallowing in grief following her potentially career-derailing eye injury at the knee of Aksana. With her seemingly guaranteed path to a Divas Championship Match at WrestleMania 30 suddenly cut off at the pass, the Funkadactyl is feeling directionless at best, though Jimmy Uso’s encouragement and the revelation that she won’t need surgery after all puts her in an optimistic mood by episode’s end. You see? Things are looking up – so to speak – already.
Mildred Burke

## Bio

Highly-regarded as one of the toughest competitors to ever step in the ring, Mildred Burke fought her way into the history books and the WWE Hall of Fame.

An incredibly strong woman, Burke broke into the business in the early 1930s, taking on – and handily defeating – male competitors. Hundreds of men tried to pin down the feisty female, though few ever succeeded. Women didn’t fare much better; Burke captured the Women’s World Championship shortly after her debut, and she held onto it for two decades. Foes like Gladys “Kill ‘Em” Gillem and WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young tried to dethrone Burke but came up short every time.

Burke was also regarded as having an ideal physique in her heyday. It’s said that the Los Angeles Police Department once posted pictures of Burke around their offices to shame their out-of-shape cops back into the gym.

When she wasn’t dismantling her rivals in the ring, Burke made strides to ensure that women’s wrestling would continue long after her. She helped bring it to Japan during a tour in the 1950s and trained future grapplers throughout her career. Some of Burke’s students include WWE Hall of Famer The Fabulous Moolah and former WWE Women’s Champion Bertha Faye.

For her incredible contributions to furthering women’s wrestling, Mildred Burke was announced as one of the first-ever Legacy inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame.