Former WWE wrestler Gertrude "Luna" Vachon was found dead at her mother's home in Florida on August 27, 2010. She was 48 years old.
I thought she was highly underrated performer during her time in the WWF (world wrestling federation at the time) and was technically gifted in the ring due to her experience and coming from a family of pro wrestlers and she was kinda hot in a psychotic punker way. Anyway it's just crazy that another former pro wrestler has died under the age of 50, coming just days after 29 year old Lance Cade died.
It seems when they leave the major promotions, that's when the wrestlers get sick and pass. I don't know if it's due to substances they were taking while performing or that since they stop wrestling they're level of activity drops tremendously and they become addicted to a controlled substance. The cause of Luna's death will probably be revealed in a matter of days.
Okay, so the mid-card this week is not a wrestler but an entire brand. It's about halfway point for TNA since they made major changes at the top of the year. The biggest change was the inclusion of the legendary Hulk Hogan into the top of TNA's brass. He brought along some of his buddies from his WCW days to play in Florida with. Some were big names that suprised us but for the most part his compadres are washed up shadows of themselves. Since bringing over Hogan, The Nasty Boys, The Band (formerly NWO) and Ric Flair, it seems alot of the young up-coming wrestling stars like Samoa Joe, Kaz, AJ styles, Daniels (who departed recently) and Abyss were pushed aside taking backseat roles to the older contention.
At the top of the year the brand tried it's hand at going head to head with WWE programming live on Monday nights, similar to the Monday night Wars era. It didn't quite work this time around, as TNA ratings had not had the dramatic increase they hoped for. Maybe seeing Hogan and his gang running around like goons, the replacement of TNA's signature 6-sided ring for the usual squared circle or sporadic storytelling might have turned potential new fans off.
However what TNA lacks in clarity they make up in spunk. The past month, things have gone back to business as usual and TNA wants to make sure they give their loyal fans their moneys worth. In May, they brought over fan-favorites Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy, quickly making Van Dam world champ. Hogan is not competing regularly but remains an on screen persona, the tag team division is getting strong once again. Though their Knockouts division was considered far superior to WWE's Divas late last year and earlier this year, numerous injuries and firings to the top women athlete's like Awesome Kong, Hamada & Roxxi made the division as weak if not weaker than WWE's with only The Beautiful People (Madison, Velvet Sky & Lacey Von Erich) running the show. But with the rumoured return of Tara, things might just balance out once again.
Turning our attention to this weeks taping of TNA Impact, the show featured a spectacular ultimate X tag team match between Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money,INC. A beat down to Hogan and Eric Biscoff, a decent but short main event with RVD, Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven & Abyss. It ended with a brawl between Abyss & Raven taking down the former ECW wrestlers, with the Sandman making a surprise save for team ECW. The most ridiculous thing of the night though, was a street fight match between Ric Flair and Jay Lethal.
The Nature Boy started with a slightly racist but funny promo, and ended with a bloodied half naked Flair pinning Lethal for the win (with help from) Doug Williams). Also the bizarre Orlando Jordan is keeping the bisexual gimmick alive and makes me believe if TNA was more popular they'd get sued...by somebody. With that, TNA might not ever break ratings records, but with the ECW Hardcore Justice ppv this Sunday and the All wrestling no talk Impact episode coming up next Thursday, they are definitely going to keep the loyal marks happy and coming back for more. Mid-Card grade: B+
He's kinda having a weird year to be considered one of the cornerstones for the TNA brand. He wins (and well deserved) the World title for only the second time in his career earlier this year, but with the help of wrestling Hall of famer Ric Flair. He lost it over two months ago to the just recently signed Rob Van Dam. He remains linked to Flair, even taking on some of the Nature Boy's signature traits from the cheating tactics to the entrance robe. All of it comes across as silly for Styles who was being promoted as the all-around face during his career (except when he aligned with Christian circa 2005/06)plus he's too nice of a family man to portray a shady character. Now that Flair is starting a new stable called Fortune (a play off his former stable the Four Horsemen)he has instated Styles and Kazarian to be the leaders, of course until they add the other 2 members. This past Thursday on Impact, Styles won the TNA Global championship from "the Freak" Rob Terry, of course with help from Kazarian. If he can get back to putting on classic matches while maintaining a heel persona, while having an impressive Global championship run, the "Phenomenal one" can be the superstar Hulk Hogan once vowed the young man to be. Grade: B
Known as the dweeb from the Real World season 9-New York, The Miz is beginning to win over the WWE Universe. He possess charisma that seems to be lacking with the current generation of WWE superstars, has great chemistry with whom ever they put him in a program with (especially ex-mate, John Morrison) and it seems like Vince and the bookers like him. His wrestling abilities may still be a little green, as far as being to know when certain spots are coming or believably dish out punishment to opponents. However since changing his ring attire to actual wrestling attire and showing more dedication, Miz has been awarded the United States Championship, a win over the better in-ring talent Morrison at Bragging Rights last month and a chance to lead his own team at Survivor Series in two weeks. B+
Bret "The Hitman" Hart: Ht; 6'1 Wt; 234lbs 5x WWE Champion From: Toronto,ON Canada 1st Grand Slam champion (which means he won all important WWE titles) Finisher: Sharpshooter CM Punk "Straighte Edge Superstar": Ht;6'1 Wt;225lbs From: Chicago, IL 3x World Heavyweight champion, 2x Money in the Bank winner, 19th triple crown winner. Finisher: Go 2 Sleep; Anaconda Vice
Trish started out as a fitness model in magazines, joining the WWE in 2000. She was the valet for T&A before winning her first women's title at Survivor Series 2001. She went on to win a record 6 more times, along with various tv show appearances and multiple magazine covers, as well as 3 babe of the year awards, before suddenly retiring in 2006. She has made a few appearances since, and always leaves the fans wanting more. She will definitely be in WWE Hall of Fame in the future.
2. Lita-
Amy Dumas helped revolutionize the women's wrestling division in WWE. Honing her skills in the lucha libre style in Mexico, she joined ECW in 1999 as Danny Dorings valet. She came to the WWE the following year as cruiserweight Essa Rios "girlfriend"as Lita, before joining her real-life friends the Hardy Boys to form team xtreme. She, along with her on/off rival Trish, elevated the division by being not just sexy but tough in the ring. She won the women's title 4 times and authored a book. Since 2006 she has retired as well performing in rock bands and hosting a radio show, but remains popular with WWE fans everywhere.
3. Chyna- created by Frankie189
No diva has had the success in the amount of time as Chyna. She was Triple H's forceful bodyguard and real-life girlfriend. She was big and intimidating, but in 1999 she and Hunter slowly drifted apart. It didn't matter because as he was climbing the world title picture, Joanie Laurer was about to do something never done before. In October '99 at No Mercy, she challenged then intercontinental champion Jeff Jarrett to his title in a house cleaning match. She won and became the first female to win a male oriented championship. She went on to fued with Chris Jericho over the belt for like 2 months. After that she was Eddie Guerrero's on-screen girlfriend. She furthered her popularity by posing for Playboy in 2000. It was one the highest selling issues of all-time. She won the women's title then abruptly left WWE in early 2001. She has struggled to get back to her glory but still remains an interest to wrestling fans and beyond.
4. Victoria-
DBS12345
Lisa Marie Varon was the little cheerleader girl growing up in California. She competed at every level since 6th grade, believe it or not. After coming to the conclusion success in that sport was kind of limiting she, like her fellow ex-divas Trish and Gail Kim, pursued the world of medicine then evetually becoming involved with bodybuilding and fitness. She was looking for that competitive fire again, and after seeing her friend, Torrie Wilson in WCW and after a chance meeting with Chyna, she took to pro wrestling. After spending 1999-2000 as one of the Godfather's hos, she was repackaged 2 years later as the vicious Victoria. She was teamed with Steven Richards to make a crazy duo, then a few Widow's peaks here and 2 Women's championships under her belt, she called in quits early in 2009, before reserfacing in TNA over the summer.
5. Molly Holly-
very cute; great in-ring ability, was trained by the great Dean Malenko. Awesome finishing move. 2x women's champion. Currently kinda retired.
6. Beth Phoenix-
Impressive physique, striking looks. Great gimmick. Legit wrestling background, as the first female amatuer wrestler in WWE. She's kinda like a female Brock Lesnar. 2 women's champion bright future ahead of her if she doesnt let this trade bother her.
7. Jazz-
mighty little powerhouse. She was a dominate force in the ring displaying power and techical skills. She mixed it up with guys without missing a beat. 2x women's champion.
8. Ivory-
by Miclena
Impressive ring skills, exotic looks tight physique.Very revealing wrestling attire. Participated in some memorable divas matches including what I think is the only falls count anywhere women's match at Unforgiven 1999. She won the women's title 3 times and was a member of one of the greatest factions of the 21st century, Right to Censor.
9. Mickie James-
by HardyBomb12
Sex appeal. Girl next door charm, in-ring skills, passionate performer. Fan friendly. Has the Trish Stratus affect. Popularity continues to grow around the world. 4 time women's champion in 4 years, just finished a run as the Divas champion. Hopefully re-establishes herself as a force in ring on Smackdown.
10. Sable-
Second women's champion after it was re-established in 1998, had nearly a year run with it. She is amongst the most popular divas of all time. She was the first diva to pose for Playboy ever in 1999, then went on to pose two more times including her comeback year in 2003 alongside fellow diva Torrie Wilson. Currently she is married to former WWE champ and current UFC champ Brock Lesnar.
11. Stacy Keibler-
by AshleyFan87
Wasn't known for her in-ring prowess, but was possibly the most truly natural beauty pro wrestling's ever seen. Gorgeous legs on her 5'11 frame made popular with WWE fans and those outside. The former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader was the youngest diva ever whe she debuted in 2001 (that's now Kelly Kelly). She went on to bigger success when she was 3rd place on Dancing with the Stars, and now looking to further her acting/modeling career.
12. Jacqueline-
Sweet Jackie Moore, could throw down with the best of em.At barely 5'0 feet tall she had the strength, athleticsm and martial arts training to be a lethal performer. She not only was the first women's champ since it re-debuted in 1998, but won the cruiserweight title. She also served as the women's trainer on the 2nd season of Tough Enough and was even a referee in regular WWE matches until she was released in 2004.
13. Candice Michelle-
Controversial to a degree. Candice if nothing else worked to shed her image as just a sex kitten. Years before entering WWE she was in some of those late-night HBO films and posed in plenty of men's magazines and websites. She auditioned for the Divas search in 2004, but was not chosen amongst the final contestants. However after her infamous Go-Daddy commercial during the Super Bowl in 05, WWE came crawling back. She posed for Playboy again the next year and then the next year had a nice run as women's champion even taking a vicsious bump from Beth Phoenix, before being released in early 2009.
14. Michelle McCool- This boot alone does it.
She keeps getting better. The 5'10 former high school teacher, uses her long legs and athleticsm to dominate other divas on smackdown. She's the first Divas search contestant to win a title and also the first to win both women's and Divas titles, period. Plus she's apparently been seeing the Undertaker, so she's definitely on the plus side.
15. Melina-
She also has great upside (both senses of it). John Morrison's former girlfriend has that exotic sex appeal, extravagant costumes and that entrance. She's won the women's title two times and just recently won the Divas title last monday. She has good in-ring work and amazing flexability, plus she's very passionate about improving.
16. Natalya- Mecek78
She hasn't won a singles title yet on either brand, but her fan support is great. She is very polished technically and is powerful, knocking girls flat out with her spinning clothesline. I also love her raspy voice. She's very poised to break out as a star in the next year. Oh yeah she's also the daughter of Anvil Neidhart, and niece of Bret & Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith, and granddaughter of Stu Hart, so that doesn't hurt.
17. Torrie Wilson-
No championships, not a great arsenal in ring but she had that unassuming school girl charm. She helped Trish, Lita and her bff Stacy raise the popularity of the women's division in the early 2000s. She displayed her fantastic physique with sexy bikini and lingerie matches and won the Golden thong award in 2002. She also posed for Playboy in 2002 and 2003 with Sable. Since retiring in 07, she has become involved with charity work and even supports getting former wrestlers retirement pension aid.
18. Gail Kim-
She won her first women's title in her debut match in 2003. She struggled to establish in-ring skills at first, but just as she began to develop she was released the next year. She spent the next 4 years in TNA before returning early 2009. She's one of the few divas to use high flying maneuvers and luchador moves. It's just a matter of time before the sexy Korean-Canadian rises back to championship glory.
19. Luna Vachon-
She was a brawler. I'm not sure if she won any women's titles but she was probably the most brutal diva in-ring next to Jazz and more so than even Victoria. She was trained by her fathers and uncles at an early age, and was Bam bam Bigelow's psychotic manager fighting not only women but men too. Her last appearance in WWE was in 2000 when she was valet for her then husband, Gangrel.
20. Terri Runnels-
Rounding out my top 20, is the petite and very sexy she-devil,Terri Runnels. Formerly Alexander York, she eventually started managing her then-husband Dustin Runnels (Dusty Rhodes son) when he became the bizarre, egnimatic Goldust and she became Marlena. They were a huge factor in bringing the craziness during the Attitude era. However she and Runnels divorced in real life and after that she kinda just floated around as either a member of PMS with Jacqueline, or as Perry Saturn's girlfriend or in a catfight with Miss Kitty. She retired in 2005, spending time raising her and Dustin's daughter, Dakota and doing charity work.
runners up-Maryse Ouellet, The Kat, Debra McMichaels & Sunny
Moolah and Mae Young are exempt because they are honorary Divas as pioneers of the women's division. Plus Mae Young freaks me out. Also Sherri Martel, Alundra Blaze and Leilani Kai are legends, but we're talking women wrestlers from the Diva era from 1999 to current
