2. WrestleMania XXV: The Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u81hxjPzANU On the silver anniversary of WrestleMania, it made sense to pay tribute to the Divas who had competed on the grand stage over the course of its first 25 years. They had been an integral part of the show dating all the way back to the original broadcast, during which Wendi Richter defeated Leilani Kai in one of the night's biggest matches, and deserved the opportunity to appear on the 2009 card. Unfortunately, their match would be used to further a comedic angle that ultimately went nowhere and made for some of the worst programming in WWE history. Divas such as Torrie Wilson, Sunny, Molly Holly and Victoria returned to the company for the battle royal and Kid Rock played the 25 Divas to the ring with his hit song, "So Hot." None of the ladies were given proper introductions, leaving fans who were unfamiliar with the past to wonder just who some of them were. Rapid fire eliminations and a joke of a winner in Santina Marella (Santino in drag) made the match an instant failure. Women's wrestling has long struggled to gain traction with WWE fans. When they see displays of disrespect for the female competitors like the one that took place at WrestleMania XXV, it is not difficult to understand why.
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.