10 Wrestlers Who Lost Gold In Their Hometown
9. Beth Phoenix
![Charlotte Women's](https://d2thvodm3xyo6j.cloudfront.net/media/2016/02/XUCSJhN9-600x338.jpg)
An excellent women’s wrestler at a time when WWE’s females weren’t exactly known for their in-ring escapades, Beth Phoenix would fit right into today’s Women’s Revolution had she not retired in 2012. Phoenix amassed four Divas/Women’s Championship reigns throughout her run with the company, but she was no stranger to hometown misery, and her third and final Women’s Title reign ended in familiar territory.
Beth was 16 days into her reign after defeating Michelle McCool at Extreme Rules 2010, and SmackDown came through her native Buffalo, NY. She found herself booked in a Tornado Handicap match against McCool and her partner Layla, and while she fought valiantly, the numerical disadvantage was too much. Layla capitalised on a collision between Phoenix and McCool, made the cover, and took the title.
This wasn’t the only time Phoenix tasted defeat in Buffalo, and she failed in an attempt to claim Kelly Kelly’s Divas Championship there in September 2011. For whatever reason, WWE loved having the dominant Glamazon lose on home soil, so perhaps it’s no surprise she walked away from the business at just 31 years old.