Over the weekend, the news of Strikeforce’s women’s featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos’ drug-test failure for steroids sent shock waves throughout the MMA world, with major questions arising over what it means for Cyborg’s career and for an already struggling women’s MMA division in North America.
The news also garnered a strong, deeply disappointed reaction from Beth Phoenix, current WWE Divas Champion, who posted the following on her official Twitter account yesterday: “So disappointed in Cris Cyborg. What a let down to women that looked up to her. #noshortcuts.”
Interestingly, Cyborg has reportedly expressed interest in working with WWE before, back in early 2011 when she and Strikeforce were at loggerheads over money and she was looking for other options in the United States. Eventually, she ended up working out a compromise with Scott Coker and returned to the Strikeforce in the summer.
Who knows? Now that the Brazilian fighter has a lot of time on her hands (she has been suspended for a year by the California State Athletic Commission), maybe a role in WWE will suddenly become more likely? Certainly a Cyborg vs. Phoenix match would be a spectacle in itself. [xx]
WWE News: Beth Phoenix Slams Cris Cyborg over Failed Drug Test
January 09, 2012 – RAW Results
Divas Champion Beth Phoenix vs. Eve did not happen
Eve made her way to the ring ready to battle WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix, but instead of The Glamazon’s entrance theme playing, the arena went red and Kane’s music played. Eve panicked, unsure of what to do until U.S. Champion Zack Ryder ran to the ring to try and help her escape. They ran to Ryder’s car, which suspiciously had a flat tire.
Top 50 Diva Focus Shoots of 2011
WWE.com has ranked the Divas top Diva Focus shoots and Beth was featured in 5 of them. I have added the photos to the gallery.
RELATED LINKS:
» Top 50 Diva Focus photos of 2011
Beth Phoenix & Alberto Del Rio Injured At RAW
Alberto Del Rio and Beth Phoenix were both injured at Monday’s WWE RAW Supershow from Philadelphia.
Beth Phoenix has a nasty lump on the side of her face following her match with Alicia Fox. At this time, it’s unclear at what point in the match the injury takes place, but it looks like she has a golf ball sticking out of her right temple. She tweeted:
@AliciaFoxy tried her hardest to destroy my face. There will be hell to pay for trying to tarnish my beauty.”
“After hours in the trainers room, I broke a lot of mirrors with my fists.
Phoenix’s partner Natalya tweeted a message of support:
“@TheBethPhoenix i am sorry to see what happened on Raw…But we are still UNBREAKABLE.” [xx]
New Twitter Pics / Magazine Scan
Beth and Nattie both added new photos to their twitters. I have added them to the gallery. Beth looks amazing in all of them so be sure to check them out. I also added a new magazine scan thanks to Danielle. Its from the 2004 issue of PWI.
RELATED LINKS:
» Twitter Accounts > Beth Phoenix’s Twitter
» Twitter Accounts > Natalya Niedhart’s Twitter
» Magazine Scans > Pro Wrestling Illustrated > PWI Women of 2004
12/19/11 – RAW Results
Alicia Fox def. Divas Champion Beth Phoenix in a Title-Free Match
The Glamazon just got outfoxed. A day after she smashed Kelly Kelly at WWE TLC, the Divas Champion locked up with the leggy Alicia Fox and found herself staring at the lights when it was all over.
Divas Champion Beth Phoenix def. Kelly Kelly
BALTIMORE – At a packed and electric 1st Mariner Arena, Divas Champion Beth Phoenix retained her title against a game Kelly Kelly in a rousing match at WWE: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.
Fresh off her award for Divalicious Moment of the Year at the 2011 Slammy Awards, challenger Kelly Kelly entered the contest with both momentum and the support of the WWE Universe on her side, as the Baltimore crowd cheered loudly for the beautiful Diva.
Evidently not forgetting the smack she received from the former Divas Champion at the Slammys, “pin-up strong” Beth Phoenix mockingly asked for another one from Kelly Kelly. She received it and more as Phoenix found herself on the wrong end of a beat down to start the match.
However, the Divas Champion turned the tides and began imposing her will. The Glamazon battered her opponent with an array of strikes, submission attempts and slams, nearly getting the pinfall multiple times.
Kelly Kelly battled back courageously against the physically intimidating Phoenix, using everything in her arsenal. Plucky in the face of danger, she showed everyone again that she is tough and wily, in addition to being stunningly gorgeous.
In the end though, The Glamazon gained control of the match with sheer power, utilizing a rare inverted electric chair to seal the victory over her Divalicious opponent.
Kelly Kelly may not have won the title, but she made even more fans with her gutsy performance. Phoenix, meanwhile, continued her dominance over the Divas Division and again demonstrated what it means to be pin-up strong.
