Thursday, March 28, 2024
EditorialIs the Diva’s Division Really Better Off?

Is the Diva’s Division Really Better Off?

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It’s no surprise that last Tuesday night’s premiere of E!’s “Total Divas” was filled with drama and screaming matches. What was surprising, however, was Nikki Bella’s proclamation that the Diva’s Division is at the top of its game. What used to “be time to get a snack” is now hard hitting wrestling that has people “on the edge of their seat,” according to Nikki. Vince McMahon even said that after #GiveDivasaChance went viral, that WWE Creative was listening and going to make changes in the division. So have they? The hash tag happened all the way back in February. As for Nikki’s claims that the division is building up and getting stronger, is it really better than it was a year ago?

Paige vs. Naomi 2015

Where were we a year ago? At “Battleground” 2014 there were two Divas matches, Paige vs. AJ Lee for the Diva’s Title, and Naomi vs. Cameron on the kick-off show. The set-up for both was pretty good. With Paige’s devious, hair-yanking turn against AJ, and a ringside brawl between Cameron and Naomi that felt very real, it was looking positive for the ladies. The later feud didn’t survive until “SummerSlam,” and the former lasted so long, it never really got fully resolved. Only Nikki winning the championship at “Survivor Series” ended the game of pass-the-belt. Speaking of Nikki, the Bella’s feud with the Authority leading up to “SummerSlam” was solid, ending many “Monday Night RAW’s” and exciting the crowds. But we all know how that one ended.

The Bella Twins and Jerry Springer

Today we’re dealing with the same Bella shenanigans since 2007, and a “revolution” from Paige that hasn’t managed to do a whole lot. On the side we have a feud between Lana and Summer Rea that’s about, you guessed it, a man. So setup wise, we actually have less potential than before. In-ring story telling has been rather static, but I was most impressed by Tamina Snuka, Nikki, and Paige’s bout at Japan. The story was simple: two competitors gang up on the biggest one before going after each other. It’s not a new story, but it’s something, and they told it well. They should be doing more of that on “RAW.”

As for time, the issue that originally sparked the conversation of #GiveDivas, the last title match lasted 11:18, according to Cagesideseats.com’s extensive data sets. It was on par with big Diva’s matches, but all of their airtime only makes up less than 10% of the show. It’s an improvement, but isn’t really anything to write home about.

Paige vs. Nikki at Money in The Bank

Talent and in-ring wise, I have no doubt that the ladies are putting in hard work. Many of them, including the Champ Nikki, have improved by leaps and bounds. Their matches recently have tended to be “spot-fests.” We’ve gotten some great moves and moments from the likes of Paige, the Bella Twins, and Naomi, but that’s not enough. An exciting match is more than a couple of exciting moves. It’s about the momentum and the power struggle. It feels a bit like they’re wrestling down.

There is one place, however, that the Diva’s division is miles above where it was, and that’s the fans. Nikki was right when she said that a lot of people used to disregard the Divas, but now are engaged. The support for them on social media has grown exponentially since #GiveDivasaChance and the “boring” chants are becoming more and more uncommon.

So no, this is hardly the Divas division’s greatest run so far, and if NXT is any indication, it’s hard to believe this is the top of its game. But by the end of the episode, it became clear that Nikki, along with many of the Divas in the locker room, are passionate about making it better. That’s not nothing, and neither is slightly longer matches, or the small demonstrations of ability and story telling in the ring We have a long road ahead of us, but if the WWE Universe continues to support the division, we’ll keep our foot on the gas.

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