TNA ‘Knockouts’ need to be careful.

As I write this, I have no doubt that there is more talent in the TNA Women’s Division than in their WWE counterpoint, the Divas. With only a few exceptions in the WWE, the Divas are about looks far more than ability – although it must be admitted that some of the Divas have actually started to learn their craft. You can name the truly talented ones on the fingers of one hand by forming a W:

1. Mickie James
2. Beth Phoenix
3. Gail Kim

That’s NOT to say that Melina, etc are not improving – but they are still learning, and not quite up to par in my view.

So, you’d think that TNA would have a hammerlock on Women’s Wrestling – which by and large they do. With names such as Awesome Kong, Daffney, Taylor Wilde, ODB, Raisha Saeed (yes, I know who is under the cowl) and now – Victoria (repackaged as Tara) you have a serious division that could easily stand on it’s own.

But TNA’s writers are making a serious mistake by using the term “Diva” whenever they have the Beautiful People refer to Victoria. With this one simple phrase, they give the impression that ‘Divas’ are better than their Knockouts – which leads to the natural thought: “If Victoria the ‘Diva’ is beating the best Knockouts, the WWE seems better in comparison.” After all, if a ‘Diva’ can come in and instantly dominate… do I need to go on?

Now, I can already see the responses I am going to get. Please, save them – You don’t need to tell me the reality, this is about perception. And that perception is very important in the wrestling world, because it leads to credibility almost every time.

Of course, everyone’s minds don’t work this way. Some are capable to see through the hyperbole, and focus on what’s happening in the action and not in the words. But those people are few and far between, otherwise we wouldn’t see nearly 2/3 of every wrestling show be focusing on the talking points, whether in the ring or backstage.

What should TNA be doing? Why, highlighting the fact that Victoria LEFT the WWE of course. Frequent mentions of her being overlooked to push beauty over ability would go a LONG way in giving her credibility (As if she needs it), and would distance her from her career as a ‘Diva’, and make her what she really is – a Pro Wrestler who happens to be a woman as well.

So come on TNA – live up to what you COULD be, and stop making silly mistakes which always relegate your workers as “WWE rejects”.