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The WWE Diva Search is a former talent competition held by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The aim of the contest is to find the newest WWE Diva to add to the WWE roster.

Contents [hide] 1 2003 2 2004 2.1 Contestants 2.2 Notes 3 2005 3.1 Contestants 3.2 Notes 4 2006 4.1 Contestants 4.2 Notes 5 2007 5.1 Contestants 6 Notes 7 External links

 

[ edit] 2003

In 2003 WWE had its first Diva Search. However, unlike the later Diva Searches, the first Diva Search winner did not receive a contract. She did receive a photo-shoot for an issue of WWE Magazine. Jaime Koeppe was named the first WWE Diva Search winner.

 

[ edit] 2004

• Themes: "Walk Idiot Walk" by The Hives, "Time and Time Again" by Chronic Future, and " Open Your Eyes" by Alter Bridge

 

[ edit] Contestants

• Christy Hemme - Winner ^[1][2][3][4]
• Carmella DeCesare - Runner-Up^[3][5]
• Joy Giovanni - 3rd Place^[5]
• Amy Weber - 4th Place^[5]
• Maria Kanellis - 5th Place^[6]
• Tracie Wright - 6th Place
• Michelle McCool - 7th Place^[6]
• Chandra Costello - 8th Place
• Camille Anderson - 9th Place
• Julia Costello - 10th Place

 

[ edit] Notes

In 2004, WWE decided to make an extension of the Diva Search, which included a one-year contract worth $250,000 and was held on RAW.^[4][7] Over 7,000 females applied to be a part of the contest.^[1] The final 10 contestants were chosen on a casting special aired on Spike TV on July 15, with guest judges Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Edge.^[7]

They began airing the weekly Diva Search segments on July 19.^[7][4] Despite reported claims by the company that the contest would be handled in a classy manner, the contest involved prospective divas performing suggestive acts on live TV, such as "seducing" a male wrestler. Fans were allowed to vote for the winners,^[4] but the outcome of the voting process was questioned by media outlets. The eventual winner of the competition was Christy Hemme, who went on to pose in Playboy and compete at WrestleMania 21.^[2]

Finalists (winner Christy Hemme, runner-up Carmella DeCesare, Amy Weber, and Joy Giovanni)^[5] took part in a segment titled "Diss the Diva" on August 16, 2004,^[8] which was censored at several points due to foul language and obscenities from the contestants when they were asked to taunt one another verbally. Backstage, the four contestants bickered with and disliked each other, as well.^[5] Also, during an earlier segment in the competition, Maria Kanellis gave DeCesare the middle finger.^[6]

Despite only one winner being crowned in the competition each year, WWE hired a large number of the contestants from past contests and immediately placed them in on-camera in non-wrestling roles. From the 2004 Diva Search, Michelle McCool, Amy Weber,^[5] Candice Michelle,^[7] Maria Kanellis,^[6] and Joy Giovanni all received contracts after losing the contest. Several of the girls were sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling to train.^[5] Amy Weber eventually quit the company, alleging that Randy Orton had played cruel pranks on her. In December 2005 Christy Hemme, the winner was released by WWE. Many were surprised to see Hemme released because she put on her official website that she would be taken off TV to train in OVW, but two days later she was given her release. Currently, the only former contestants still employed by WWE are Candice Michelle, Maria Kanellis, and Michelle McCool, all of whom are immensely popular.^[5] Candice Michelle is the only former Diva Search contestant to win the WWE Women's Championship. Michelle McCool became the first holder of the WWE Divas Championship in July 2008.

 

[ edit] 2005

• Theme: "Be Yourself" by Audioslave

 

[ edit] Contestants

• Ashley Massaro - Winner^{[5] [9]}
• Leyla Milani - Runner-up
• Elisabeth Rouffaer - 3rd Place
• Kristal Marshall - 4th Place
• Summer DeLin - 5th Place
• Cameron Haven - 6th Place
• Simona Fusco - 7th Place
• Leilene "Alexis" Ondrade - 8th place

 

[ edit] Notes

For the 2005 Diva Search, WWE reportedly emphasized the fact that potential contestants did not need to have any wrestling experience or even a desire to wrestle. The eight finalists began appearing on RAW on June 27. One contestant was eliminated each week until there was a final three. ^[9]

In 2005, contestant Leyla Milani accidentally exposed herself by falling out of her top while attempting to navigate an obstacle course on the July 4 edition of RAW, leading to a "disqualification" in the contest.^[10]

Ashley Massaro was declared the winner on August 15 and received $250,000. ^[9] However, Massaro wanted to train to wrestle, due to her family's involvement in amateur wrestling. As in 2004, not only the winner of the contest was hired by WWE. Other contestants hired include Kristal Marshall and Elisabeth Rouffaer, who both are no longer with the company. Leyla Milani, the runner up, did not go on to work for WWE. However, she appeared in a commercial for USA Network called "Raw Fan Nation." On July 9, 2008, Ashley Massaro was released from her WWE contract due to "personal issues."

 

[ edit] 2006

• Themes: "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects, "Face Down" by the The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and "Out Here All Night" by Damone

 

[ edit] Contestants

• Layla El - Winner^[11]
• Jen England - Runner-up^[11]
• J.T. Tinney - 3rd Place^[11]
• Milena Roucka - 4th Place^[11]
• Erica Chevillar - 5th Place^[11]
• Rebecca DiPietro - 6th Place^[11]
• Maryse Ouellet - 7th Place^[11]
• Amy Zidian - 8th Place^[11]

 

[ edit] Notes

The eight finalists made their first appearance on WWE programming on RAW on July 10. ^[12] The Diva Search had an awkward beginning on July 10 with an introductory segment on Raw featuring new host Mike Mizanin. During the segment, Mizanin appeared to have forgotten his lines and stammered on for several minutes when trying to explain the voting procedures for the contest.^[13] When introducing the contestants, Mizanin mispronounced names and looked uncomfortable in his new role as Diva Search emcee.^[13]

Each week, the contestants appeared on both Raw and SmackDown!. ^[12] The final three appeared on a special that aired on August 16, 2006 on the USA Network in the USA and August 19, 2006 on FOX8 in Australia, where the winner was announced. The final show got a 1.9 cable rating with a 3.0 share.^{[citation needed]}

Layla El won the 4th annual Diva Search^[11] and was placed on SmackDown! before she was moved to ECW for a year until she got drafted to Raw in 2008. WWE also hired several of the eliminated Diva contestants including: Maryse Ouellet and the Garcia Twins (who are currently on Smackdown!), and Milena Roucka who is currently working in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. Rebecca DiPietro worked as an interviewer in ECW before being released by her own request. Amy Zidian was also hired, but was released two weeks after her first appearance due to backstage issues with other divas, namely Kristal Marshall. Brooke Adams (who was not a finalist) was hired and appeared in the ECW brand as a member of Extreme Expose before being released.

 

[ edit] 2007

• Theme: "Let it Roll" by Velvet Revolver^[14]

 

[ edit] Contestants

• Eve Torres - Winner^[15]
• Brooke Gilbertsen - Runner-up
• Lena Yada - 3rd place
• Taryn Terrell - 4th place^[16]
• Jessica Hatch - 5th place^[17]
• J. Kim - 6th Place^[18]
• Lyndy Frieson - 7th Place^[19]
• Naomi Kirk - 8th Place^[20]

The first competition was on WWE.com on September 10, which was also when the voting started. The winner was announced on the October 29 edition of Raw. Unlike past Diva Searches, this Search was the first to take place exclusively on WWE.com. Short vignettes aired each week, recapping the weekly competitions and encouraging viewers to vote. When it got down to the Final 3 Eve Torres, Brooke Gilbertson, and Lena Yada made their first live television appearance on RAW on October 22, 2007. Torres was announced the winner on the October 29 episode of Raw. Eve made her first television appearance in WWE since winning the Search on SmackDown! on February 1, 2008, where she debuted as the new interviewer.

As in past Diva Searches, the WWE signed a number of the runner up's to contracts. Lena Yada was signed to WWE and made her SmackDown! television debut on January 4, 2008 as a backstage interviewer, but was later moved to ECW on January 8, 2008. Taryn Terrell was signed to a development contract and made her wrestling debut on the February 12, 2008 FCW show in a lingerie contest. On the June 10 edition of ECW, Terrell made her debut as ECW General Manager Theodore Long's Assistant going by the name 'Tiffany'.

 

[ edit] Notes

 

[ edit] External links

• 2006 Diva Search at WWE.com
• FHM Online interviews with the 2006 contestants
• Diva Search 2007 at WWE.com
• WWE Diva Search History at Pro-Wrestling Edge

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