WWE: 7 Divas Who Should Have Never Held The Title

6. Layla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo4fJJbCPI8 One might argue that Layla won the Divas title for the shock factor alone. She appeared as a "surprise opponent" for then-champ Nikki Bella at Extreme Rules 2012. Layla had been out for a year with a knee injury, and the crowd sure loves a comeback. To ensure Layla's victory got a warm reception, the Bellas pulled their Twin Magic trick and Layla was still able to sneak a neckbreaker onto the fresh Brie Bella for the pin. But it didn't take long for the novelty to wear off, and the warm reception grew cold quickly. She was barely seen again on the flagship programs, appearing instead on Superstars with Matt Striker singing her praises: "Her charisma, her accent, the way she restores pride and prestige to the Divas title makes Layla infectious". They were trying their best to portray Layla in a flattering light, but no one knew her enough to be interested. She was no longer paired with Michelle McCool ("Flawless!") nor accompanying William Regal (a role in which she was well suited). They made Layla's opponents look cocky, rude, and goofy, in an effort to make Layla look good when she gave them their comeuppance. She was capable of showing some personality, but it was too little too late, and came off like a side show. Layla was a victim of her own return, and may have benefited from a less-splashy comeback and more time to build her character and skills.
 
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Follow me @kickyhick :) I hold a degree in English Rhetoric & Professional Writing from the University of Waterloo in Canada. I've done technical writing, executive presentations, and recruiting materials for BlackBerry, and I write for non-profit organizations. My favourite project so far has been combining my passion for writing with being a die-hard wrestling fan. It's a pleasure to write here for WhatCulture, and also for TJRwrestling.com.