Wow, some weird news tidbits:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Taken from Rajah:

-- WWE has removed Lena Yada's profile from the SmackDown & Divas section. When you go to the old page, it's a "Not Found" page. Her profile isn't on the ECW website either. However, she doesn't appear to be in any trouble because on tonight's ECW broadcast, they advertised her for a "Best Body" contest on next week's show.

-- Shantelle Taylor, who was under a developmental contract to WWE before being released in the summer, is featured as the "Sexy Superfan Of The Month" in the latest issue of WWE Magazine. There is a portrait photo and a candid photo of her posing in front of some WWE merchandise, not to mention that they give her a wrestling quiz. There is absolutely no reference made to her wrestling past. She lists her occupation as fitness instructor/promotional model. She signed a deal with WWE in May 2006 and appeared on Deep South Wrestling & Florida Championship Wrestling shows until her release from the company last summer. Taylor appeared on one WWE house show swing last year when she wrestled Jamie Noble as an ambiguous masked wrestler. Officials gave Taylor another look when she wrestled Jillian Hall in a dark match prior to a Smackdown/ECW taping in June. She was reportedly released because creative had nothing for her on the main roster.

-- Victoria has posted up a new blog on her MySpace noting that her goal for 2008 is to become the WWE Cruiserweight Champion. She also references this very site, Rajah.com, because the fans voted her as the Best Diva to appear on WWE Heat in 2007. She also says that she got a new look. She typed her blog from backstage at tonight's SmackDown/ECW tapings, but doesn't think she'll be working tonight, so you're going to have to wait a little longer to see it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

All Diva related, but they're all slightly weird in their own way.

-- Personally, I hope Lena Yada is gone. She's a waste of roster space. She's not that hot, and she's not that talented. Also, they tried to make her a face on ECW, and she got booed to hell. Why a girl like Shantelle gets released and she sticks around is incredible.

-- The WWE acknowledging Shantelle Taylor as "Sexy Superfan of the Month" is probably the weirdest, given that she actually used to be under WWE contract. I'm still pissed the WWE had nothing for her. Duh, let her be hot and wrestle? Fucking idiots. I'm surprised TNA did not get her locked down for their Knockout Division. Maybe Shantelle is being rewarded for turning them down? Either way, if they called up Nattie Neidhart, Katie Lea and re-hired Taylor, the Women's Division would be a lot more credible.

-- Victoria as Cruiserweight Champion? How would people feel about this?

[SammyG]

Lena Yada sucks.

I don't have anything to say to that.

And Victoria as a Cruiserweight champ is a TERRIBLE idea.

[Mr. Pierre]

- I agree. No need for her at all.

- Pretty weird situation there. Haven't seen any of her work though, so I can't really comment.

- I like how the cruiserweights have branched off and are in separate programs for the time being. I'm enjoying Noble/Palumbo, Yang & Moore/Miz & Morrison, and Chavo/Punk. So for now, I'm not in favor of bringing the championship back, even though:

Victoria as CW Champ > Chavo Classic as CW Champ > Jackie as CW Champ

[Mr. Nerfect]

I pretty much agree with you on Victoria, Mr. Pierre. I am one of the biggest supporters of the cruiserweights on here, but the WWE just didn't know how to have the belt hanging around without treating their guys like jobbers. Granted, there was the occasional high point of the division, but the guys are much better off without the belt to anchor them on the under-card.

Since the belt has been gone, Jamie Noble has actually gotten a pretty decent push as a mid-carder on SmackDown!. He's a highlight on the show. When the CW Title was around, he was jobbing to fucking Hornswoggle. Now he's beating Palumbo, and actually got into the Rumble.

Jimmy Wang Yang & Shannon Moore have also been made into a pretty decent tag team. They do seem a little mismatched, but they've been the highlights of ECW programming for the last few weeks. They were pretty much left off the cards as cruiserweights.

And Chavo was the second-to-last Cruiserweight Champion, but without the title to weigh him down, he's been involved in the main events of both SmackDown! and ECW. To be honest, I think the belt does more harm than good, because it beckons smaller guys to it, and the WWE treat the belt badly, hence the smaller guys get treated badly.

In reality, the Cruiserweight Title should be second only to the World Title in terms of importantance to a cruiserweight wrestler. I mean, the US Title is prestigious as all hell (if you take the history and look at how well MVP has been booked), but being the US Champion means you're one of the best. Being the Cruiserweight Champion means you're the best guy able to compete for that belt. If you're Cruiserweight Champion, and there is a cruiserweight holding the World Heavyweight Championship (like was the case with Rey Mysterio and Gregory Helms in 2006), the Cruiserweight Champion should get a shot at the World Heavyweight Title, and vice versa.

The WWE never really committed that far to the championship.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Now, there are some guys under WWE contract that I think need the Cruiserweight Championship. Nunzio and Super Crazy would be great for a new division, as would Matt Sydal, when he gets called up (for a while, just to cut his teeth). I believe TJ Wilson is still under contract, and was rumoured to be a part of it. Some guys really need something to get their hands onto.

Personally, I'd just go with some kind of European Championship/Television Championship, seeing that is pretty much what you're trying to do with the title belt...give it to some of the smaller guys so they have something to do. Might as well blow the floor open a bit, and let guys like Kenny Dykstra, Kofi Kingston and Balls Mahoney get in the hunt for it, too.

[Mr. Pierre]

Yeah I definitely agree that some guys need the Cruiser division, but at the same time, their careers never seem to grow by being Cruiserweight Champion (except Rey).

If there is another title coming, I would hope it's a mid-card belt for ECW, so the lower-tier guys have a purpose. The champion could then be showcased on SD and ECW, giving the champ, and belt some credibility. But, on the other hand, one could say that WWE has a lot of championships floating around as it is.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah I definitely agree that some guys need the Cruiser division, but at the same time, their careers never seem to grow by being Cruiserweight Champion (except Rey).

If there is another title coming, I would hope it's a mid-card belt for ECW, so the lower-tier guys have a purpose. The champion could then be showcased on SD and ECW, giving the champ, and belt some credibility. But, on the other hand, one could say that WWE has a lot of championships floating around as it is.

I agree that it should be a mid-card belt for ECW, if anything. SmackDown! is currently one belt below what they usually showcase, so it doesn't step on their toes. ECW has really needed another belt since the beginning.

[CYCLOPTERSAURUS]

Who the hell is Lena Yada?

[NeanderCarl]

My God, no, we really don't need an additional ECW title. The one they have now is contested to the sound of pins dropping on PPV, and there's no way a second ECW championship would make it that far. Two title feuds running simultaneously on a one hour show, and what else do you leave time for? It leaves too little time on the TV show to effectively groom new challengers. The WWE title scene is too clustered as it is, especially for casuals or new viewers.

Try explaining to a new fan what the difference is between World, WWE and ECW champion, why each brand has a champion but there is no recognised champion of the entire company. Then, take this challenge: try to remember the last ten holders of the I-C, US and cruiserweight titles, in order.

To this day, I could probably still name you, successively, every champion the company had in every division, in order, from 1985 to around 1999 without a problem. Nowadays... I couldn't even remember who the World tag team champions are at PRESENT yesterday, and I would be hard pressed to name the last 5 champions of any division in order, let alone 10, or 20, or ALL of them like I used to be able to.

Too many bloody title changes, and too many bloody titles.

[NeanderCarl]

They need to focus on making the titles they have at the moment more prestigious before they could even think about adding even more.

Remember when the Intercontinental title was more than just an afterthought? Remember when it meant you were the second best wrestler in the business, nipping at the heels of the WWF World champion, just awaiting your opportunity to take that top spot? It was a long time ago, but I still remember.

[Mr. Nerfect]

My God, no, we really don't need an additional ECW title. The one they have now is contested to the sound of pins dropping on PPV, and there's no way a second ECW championship would make it that far. Two title feuds running simultaneously on a one hour show, and what else do you leave time for? It leaves too little time on the TV show to effectively groom new challengers. The WWE title scene is too clustered as it is, especially for casuals or new viewers.

Try explaining to a new fan what the difference is between World, WWE and ECW champion, why each brand has a champion but there is no recognised champion of the entire company. Then, take this challenge: try to remember the last ten holders of the I-C, US and cruiserweight titles, in order.

To this day, I could probably still name you, successively, every champion the company had in every division, in order, from 1985 to around 1999 without a problem. Nowadays... I couldn't even remember who the World tag team champions are at PRESENT yesterday, and I would be hard pressed to name the last 5 champions of any division in order, let alone 10, or 20, or ALL of them like I used to be able to.

Too many bloody title changes, and too many bloody titles.

I actually disagree. Two titles for an hour is more than enough time, and having the ECW Championship by itself, in my opinion, hurts the brand more than helps it, because there are no other belts to put it into perspective. Right now, a lot of people actually see the ECW Title as being a secondary title, whereas I honestly believe the WWE wants to be considered a World Title (albeit ranked third of their World Titles in prestige).

A lot of people make the "they should focus on the belts they currently have," but that's what they should have been doing all along, and is a statement of theory, anyway. Yes, in theory they should treat all their belts well, but also in theory, a brand should have more than one title.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Who the hell is Lena Yada?

Some slut from the Diva Search.

[Destor]

Yeah the ECW title is on par with the US and IC really. Dunno. It's kinda more respected than those but still noticably lower than the two big titles. Some weird mid gournd.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah the ECW title is on par with the US and IC really. Dunno. It's kinda more respected than those but still noticably lower than the two big titles. Some weird mid gournd.

That's where I consider it, too. The WWE should really get their shit together and decide where they want it.

[NeanderCarl]

A lot of people make the "they should focus on the belts they currently have," but that's what they should have been doing all along, and is a statement of theory, anyway. Yes, in theory they should treat all their belts well, but also in theory, a brand should have more than one title.

There is no rule that says a brand should need more than one singles title, only what history dictates, but why couldn't WWE produce a compelling ECW product each week with an undercard centred around nothing more than jockeying for position for a prestigious shot at the ECW title, the only focus they should realistically have (kayfabe)?

Also, if they haven't been treating the already existant belts well so far, why should that change with, say, an ECW TV title? ECW is already low priority, why should an additional and unneccessary second ECW title be any different, or warrant any more thought than, for example, the WWE's own creation, the decades old Intercontinental title?

[NeanderCarl]

In my opinion, and I've stated this on here many times over the last few years, the IC title should be the main Raw belt, the US title should be the main SmackDown belt, the ECW title should be the ECW's main belt and one all-brand-encompassing World champion of the entire company. That gives each show a secondary title which, despite being "secondary" is that show's MAIN focus, as the World champion floats. That means extra credibility for the IC, US and ECW belts as they now slip into the position that the current World and WWE champions reside in, whilst the company finally gets one main champion to focus their marketing powers on, a legit "face of the WWE" deal.

I mean, I know Raw is unofficially the "premier" brand but that's is not official, therefore to an outsider looking in, they would have no clue who the "best wrestler in the company" is supposed to be, which is surely the entire point of having a champion to begin with???

[Destor]

yes

[Xerzes]

I still can't remember which brand has the World title and which one has the WWE title.

[Destor]

RAW: WWE

SD!: ECW

ECW: WORLD

:shifty:

[Jura]

All Diva related, but they're all slightly weird in their own way.

-- Personally, I hope Lena Yada is gone. She's a waste of roster space. She's not that hot, and she's not that talented. Also, they tried to make her a face on ECW, and she got booed to hell. Why a girl like Shantelle gets released and she sticks around is incredible.

-- The WWE acknowledging Shantelle Taylor as "Sexy Superfan of the Month" is probably the weirdest, given that she actually used to be under WWE contract. I'm still pissed the WWE had nothing for her. Duh, let her be hot and wrestle? Fucking idiots. I'm surprised TNA did not get her locked down for their Knockout Division. Maybe Shantelle is being rewarded for turning them down? Either way, if they called up Nattie Neidhart, Katie Lea and re-hired Taylor, the Women's Division would be a lot more credible.

-- Victoria as Cruiserweight Champion? How would people feel about this?
Actually I think she was going to be a heel if you watched ECW that night. She was acting like she was all that and the best dancer so that seems pretty heelish to me and it worked. She seems like she would be a great heel because no one likes her to start off with.

[Mr. Nerfect]

In my opinion, and I've stated this on here many times over the last few years, the IC title should be the main Raw belt, the US title should be the main SmackDown belt, the ECW title should be the ECW's main belt and one all-brand-encompassing World champion of the entire company. That gives each show a secondary title which, despite being "secondary" is that show's MAIN focus, as the World champion floats. That means extra credibility for the IC, US and ECW belts as they now slip into the position that the current World and WWE champions reside in, whilst the company finally gets one main champion to focus their marketing powers on, a legit "face of the WWE" deal.

I mean, I know Raw is unofficially the "premier" brand but that's is not official, therefore to an outsider looking in, they would have no clue who the "best wrestler in the company" is supposed to be, which is surely the entire point of having a champion to begin with???

I've said several times I agree with that, but I don't see how having two belts on ECW is impossible to manage. Maybe if they only had half-an-hour every week. They have a full hour, it's possible to establish two.

I personally agree that there should be a WWE World Heavyweight Championship between the three brands, with a WWE World Tag Team Championship between the three, Women's Championship between the three, with the IC Title on RAW, US Title on SmackDown! and a new TV Title on ECW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Actually I think she was going to be a heel if you watched ECW that night. She was acting like she was all that and the best dancer so that seems pretty heelish to me and it worked. She seems like she would be a great heel because no one likes her to start off with.

I don't know. I mean, I'm usually good at this. I picked when The Miz was meant to be a heel, when a lot of people were screaming that he was meant to be a face.

When she said "Wait...there's one more entrance...me!" I got the impression that the fans were meant to clap and cheer because they were getting more ass. Then she got booed, and declared herself the winner, which was done in the way a heel would, but I think that might have just been her reaction to the crowd.

I could very easily have seen the segment planned as:

* Layla dances, and gets booed because he's a heel
* Kelly Kelly takes her top off, and gets cheered, and it's meant to count as dancing
* Lena Yada comes in and gives us more boob! Yay! She dances and gets cheered and then declares herself the winner, as Kelly Kelly and Layla look confused, and the ECW Diva feud heats right up!

[Mr. Nerfect]

And apparently, Lena Yada has been added to the ECW section, alas.

[Fox]

I've said several times I agree with that, but I don't see how having two belts on ECW is impossible to manage. Maybe if they only had half-an-hour every week. They have a full hour, it's possible to establish two.

I personally agree that there should be a WWE World Heavyweight Championship between the three brands, with a WWE World Tag Team Championship between the three, Women's Championship between the three, with the IC Title on RAW, US Title on SmackDown! and a new TV Title on ECW.

ECW itself is too small to have a secondary championship belt right now. They barely have a large enough talent pool to challenge Punk for the ECW title itself. If you're talking about a new championship to be defended on both ECW and Smackdown, that's completely different, but a second ECW belt is just absurd right now. They have like 3 throwaway matches a week, and throwing a title on one of them isn't going to make it any better.

Also, your reasoning for why the WWE doesn't need a Cruiserweight title isn't really very strong. The fact that Jamie Noble, John Morrison and Yang are getting a slight push right now in different divisions doesn't negate the fact that a Cruiserweight divison, when done right, can be the garnish on the plate of an excellent meal. It can steal the show in terms of wrestling, and by doing that it only helps to compliment the main event and the "sports-entertainment." WCW did this successfully for years and it was one of their best areas. When the main event sucked, at least you knew that the cruiserweights were going to pull out some hot shit, and a lot of times those matches were for the Cruiserweight Title.

Just because WWE hasn't EVER been able to pull of a lightweight division successfully doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

[NeanderCarl]

Just because WWE hasn't EVER been able to pull of a lightweight division successfully doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

I'd say it's not a good idea, for that very reason. In the WWE anyway.

As good as the cruiserweight matches were in WCW, when did they ever headline a PPV? And this was at the cruiserweights peak in the US!

This isn't MY argument: this is my interpretation of Vince McMahon's argument. Cruiserweights have never drawn, therefore they never will. The flaw of course is that booked right, any division will draw (yes, even women!) but Vince is set in his ways... therefore it's best not to even bother with a cruiserwight division in WWE, otherwise we'll just be sat here saying exactly the same thing in another ten years.

[Mr. Nerfect]

ECW itself is too small to have a secondary championship belt right now. They barely have a large enough talent pool to challenge Punk for the ECW title itself. If you're talking about a new championship to be defended on both ECW and Smackdown, that's completely different, but a second ECW belt is just absurd right now. They have like 3 throwaway matches a week, and throwing a title on one of them isn't going to make it any better.

Also, your reasoning for why the WWE doesn't need a Cruiserweight title isn't really very strong. The fact that Jamie Noble, John Morrison and Yang are getting a slight push right now in different divisions doesn't negate the fact that a Cruiserweight divison, when done right, can be the garnish on the plate of an excellent meal. It can steal the show in terms of wrestling, and by doing that it only helps to compliment the main event and the "sports-entertainment." WCW did this successfully for years and it was one of their best areas. When the main event sucked, at least you knew that the cruiserweights were going to pull out some hot shit, and a lot of times those matches were for the Cruiserweight Title.

Just because WWE hasn't EVER been able to pull of a lightweight division successfully doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

I think your arguments here are all over the place. On one hand, you say that a secondary ECW title would not be booked right, but then you said that if cruiserweights are booked right it is a good idea. Can we get on a consistent wave link and say that if something is booked right, it will be good, if not, it will be bad. A cruiserweight division in the WWE would not be booked right, and hence it would be bad.

Besides, it's not like the WWE is releasing its cruisers anyway. They are just getting used better, because their weight is not longer typecasting them as much as it used to when they had a poorly booked division to work it.

And when I said a secondary ECW title, yes, I did mean one between SmackDown! and ECW. It'd give something for guys like Kenny Dykstra to work towards. Most of the guys in ECW aren't really main event level yet, anyway, and could use a secondary title run to build them up.

[Kane Knight]

I thought it said "Shemale Taylor" up there.

[DAMN iNATOR]

- Personally, I hope Lena Yada is gone. She's a waste of roster space. She's not that hot, and she's not that talented. Also, they tried to make her a face on ECW, and she got booed to hell. Why a girl like Shantelle gets released and she sticks around is incredible.

Ok, I'll grant that Lena probably doesn’t have a lot to bring to the table right now, but with time she will probably become another Mickie or Beth or Jillian or Melina skills wise as she learns more about the industry and all that, but these things don’t happen overnight. Also, fuck you, she IS too attractive, you just probably don’t know how to appreciate the true beauty of a fine young asian woman such as Ms. Yada, ’Noid.:roll: