Jun 17th 2026 05:28pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

WWE Diva Diagnosis: What's Next for the Divas After Beth Phoenix's Injury?

WWE Diva Diagnosis: What's Next for the Divas After Beth Phoenix's Injury?

Posted: Apr 26th 2012 By: mikeiles

I think we saw more on action from the Divas on this week?s episode of Monday Night Raw than we have in the last 10 or so.

In a surprising booking decision, Nikki Bella beat Beth Phoenix in a Lumberjill Match to become the new Divas Champion. Yes, the same Nikki Bella who just won her first match in the WWE not too long ago.

Anyway, at the end of the match, it looked like Beth Phoenix injured her leg, which has led to a lot of speculation about whether the injury was legitimate or not.

Apparently, Beth?s injury was a work, though, which brings up the obvious question: Why?

Why would you have arguably the most talented Diva on the WWE roster lose the Divas title and then get sidelined with a scripted injury?

For the most part, major storylines like this don?t just happen for no reason, so most wrestling fans seem to think that there?s some sort of major angle that will result from Beth?s worked injury.

Apparently, there is.

From F4Wonline.com (via WrestlingInc.com):

While Beth Phoenix appeared to be legitimately injured on last night's RAW Supershow, the plan for her to drop the Divas Title to Nikki Bella goes back a few weeks.

The idea was to get the Divas Title off of Beth Phoenix so Kharma can get the belt without facing Phoenix first. The plan as of a few days ago was for Nikki to win the title, likely at Extreme Rules, and then get destroyed by Kharma the next night on RAW. Obviously plans were moved up and the title change happened on RAW last night. Kharma destroying Nikki Bella for the Divas Title would have brought her back into the storylines as a dominant force and would have ended the Kharma-Bella storyline that began last year.

Even though Nikki won the title last night, PWInsider reports that nothing new has been said about The Bella Twins leaving WWE at the end of this month. It's still possible that they came to terms on a new deal but that's not the word going around.

Well, after initially being extremely angered by the decision to put the title on a ?wrestler? like Nikki, I will be able to stomach it a little more if something like this actually happens.

Kharma vs. Beth Phoenix is just about the biggest Divas feud that the WWE can put on at the moment, so I can see why the creative team wouldn?t want to have them immediately feud over the Divas Championship because having one of them lose right away wouldn?t be the best booking decision.

Therefore, while I would have preferred to have never seen the Divas Championship on Nikki Bella.

Here?s how I?d book things going forward: At either Extreme Rules or on next week?s Raw, I?d have Nikki cut a promo (as scary as that is) about beating the almighty Beth Phoenix and putting her out of action when the promo gets interrupted by Kharma.

The crowd pops huge as Kharma slowly walks to the ring, nails both of the Bellas with her finisher, picks up the Divas title, stares at it and then leaves.

Ultimately, this would lead to Kharma getting a shot at the Divas Championship, destroying Nikki in a match that only lasts about a minute and then the Bella Twins parting ways with the company.

By no means should Nikki Bella have an extended run with the belt, and by no means will I miss her or her sister if they both leave the WWE.

If the WWE is going to write Beth, the best Diva on the roster, off of TV, though, it only makes sense if Kharma (or perhaps even someone like Layla) is going to return to fill the huge void that Beth leaves.

You don?t just take someone as talented as Beth off of TV without any real reason to do so when she?s one of maybe three or four Divas who can actually wrestle.

I can tell you that I?ll be incredibly disappointed if the storyline detailed in the report (or something like it) doesn?t happen because it?s one of the few possible angles from Nikki?s title win that actually makes sense.

After Kharma wins the Divas Championship, I?d have her play a tweener role similar to what she did upon her debut, where she doesn?t care which Divas are heels or which Divas are baby faces. She just wants to beat whoever gets in her way.

This would lead to a few quality feuds with Divas like Natalya (that could be great) or AJ (David vs. Goliath) that would let us bide the time until Beth returns.

Then when Beth does come back, she immediately targets Kharma because she never technically got a rematch for the Divas Championship and feels like she still deserves one.

There you have it: Beth vs. Kharma in something rare, a Divas feud that we actually care about.

Anything other than a storyline that goes something like this would be a major letdown and a complete waste of Beth?s injury angle.

If the WWE really just put the Divas Championship on Nikki to entice the Bella Twins to re-sign with the company, I swear I?ll give up all hope of the Divas division ever meaning something again.

 

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

2
Shawn Michaels reflects on evolution as WWE NXT mentor

Shawn Michaels reflects on evolution as WWE NXT mentor

Shawn Michaels discussed his role and transition to taking over NXT leadership reins, and how he learned what was ef... Read More

All News

The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Title Run Toys has released the 1st official action figure of Mike McGuirk. They only made 500 and they are being sold for $39.99. You can order one... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title

Week of Sun 06-14 to Sat: 06-20

  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Title
  • 06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title
  • 06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Pastor Brent def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Living Hope Title
  • 06-14 2025 Skylar Slice became the WAH Womens Champion
  • 06-14 2025 Military Express (Sgt. Todd & Sgt. Hartman) def. Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Scotty Rose def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-14 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Scotty Rose for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Title
  • 06-15 2024 Cade Fite became the TIW No Pressure Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Ozzy Hendrix & Adrian Vega def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-15 2024 The Gatekeeper def. Rick Russo for the EPW All-American Title
  • 06-15 2024 Trench Blythe became the EPW International Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Malachi def. Kevin James Sanchez for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles
06-17
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th Today!
  • Talos Jun 17th Today!
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th Today!
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th Today!
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Phantom Star Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
  • Jax Samuel Jun 26th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Doc Hearon Jun 28th
  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • Claire Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th
  • Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
  • Terry Funk Jun 30th
  • Ed Lewis Jun 30th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1

Tag Cloud

Stevie CaballeroTAPTim RockwellJustin LeeComProRomero ContrerasEl Super ColibriKittyDutch HaganShane MorbidCanadian Red Devil