One of the most mean-spirited rivalries in WWE history was also one of its heated. Mickie James was a top contender to the Women's Championship, held by both Layla and Michelle McCool at the same time, and found herself on the receiving end of insults about her appearance. More specifically, they were insults directed at her weight and they seemed as though they were coming from somewhere far above McCool and Layla's pay grade. The WWE's resident mean girls would refer to the multiple-time champion as "Piggy James" and taunt her with hog calls. They smashed her in the face with a cake shaped like a pig and dowsed her in fruit punch, leaving her in tears. With each passing week, the insults became more and more harsh and there was an uncomfortable feeling surrounding the program. At the same time, it did allow for fans to create an emotional bond with Mickie, who they felt sympathy for as she was relentlessly bullied by Layla and McCool. At the Royal Rumble in January 2010, Mickie would finally get a measure of revenge for the mental and emotional anguish she was put through when she defeated McCool to win the Women's Championship. She did so in quick fashion, then dished out her own brand of justice to McCool and Layla by joining in with the rest of the babyface Divas and smashing them with an over-sized sheet cake. It was a suitable conclusion to the rivalry, one in which the babyface got the best of the heels, who got what they deserved. Wrestling booking 101, even if what preceded it was unnecessarily mean.
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.
