Not only is Layla the longest-tenured Diva on the current WWE roster, she made her in-ring debut way back in 2006 as part of the SmackDown roster. Straight out of the Diva Search competition, there were low expectations for the former Miami Heat dancer. After all, that same reality-based contest had turned out the likes of Amy Weber, Joy Giovanni, Christy Hemme and Carmella and none of those women demonstrated much in the way of actual in-ring skill. When Layla squared off with Kristal Marshall on the December 1 episode of SmackDown, it appeared as though the woman affectionately referred to by Matt Striker as the "little English muffin" would go the way of her predecessors. But that was not the case. Her bubbly personality, plus the fact that she was so well liked backstage, saved her from a premature dismissal, allowing her to jump from SmackDown to ECW, then to Raw and, finally, back to the blue brand. Her return to SmackDown allowed her to form a partnership with Michelle McCool that would eventually be dubbed LayCool. As WWE's answer to the film Mean Girls, the duo would torment their fellow Divas and infuriate fans with insults they only dared unleash on those they considered to be the opposite of fetch. Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, Melina and Maria Kanellis found themselves on the receiving end of their physical and verbal attacks, all the while Layla constantly improved her mat game. She developed into a fine wrestler, as evidenced by management's willingness to put both the Divas and Women's Championships on her at different points. To this day, Layla can be seen appearing on Friday nights, usually in tag team action with partner Summer Rae by her side.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
