Six of WWE’s Divas will have the opportunity at WWE Bragging Rights to prove their respective brand consists of the smartest, sexiest and most powerful women.

Women’s Champion Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix and Natalya will represent Team SmackDown, while Team Raw will include Divas Champion Melina, Kelly Kelly and Gail Kim.

If it wasn’t for this month’s Tri-Diva trade, orchestrated by SmackDown and ECW General Managers Theodore Long and Tiffany as well as recent Raw special guest host Nancy O’Dell, the makeup of these teams would have been considerably different. Melina, after being dealt from SmackDown to Raw, dethroned Jillian that very night to become just the third Diva in WWE history to capture the Divas and Women’s Title in her career. (McCool was the first ever to accomplish this feat earlier this year.)

The Glamazon, meanwhile, didn’t hide her initial displeasure about being shipped over from Raw to SmackDown. Though it didn’t stop the former two-time Women’s Champion from putting the current Women’s Champion on notice. And she wasn’t the only one; less than a week ago, Team SmackDown co-captain Chris Jericho emphasized to Michelle just how important it is that she represent the blue brand well.

Ultimately, showing no jealousy will be essential for all participants in this match. It’s no secret that Phoenix and Natalya desire to become Women’s Champion as it is for Melina’s teammates to become Divas Champion. But first they must concentrate on their opponents at WWE Bragging Rights – not on the gold they hope to obtain in the future.

Which Divas will establish brand supremacy? Be sure to catch all the action at WWE Bragging Rights Sunday at 8/5 PT, exclusively on pay-per-view.

The Women of Wrestling Podcast has a new episode starring former WWE Diva, Jackie Haas. Among the many topics she discusses and questions she’s asked, the host brings up WrestleMania 25 and the Diva Battle Royal. He asks Jackie if anyone caught her eye or if anyone had the “right attitude” to make it/be a diva. Jackie brought up WWE Women’s Champion Michelle McCool. Here’s what she had to say:

I can say as far as wrestling is related…is how much Michelle McCool improved. She really, from when I knew her, just being the diva constant…or one of the girls from the Diva Search… she was just meek. A meeker little girl and then you walk in there several years later of course, but it’s like wow! She rules everything now and her work certainly backs it up in the ring. I couldn’t believe it was the same person that I was watching. I thought that was really, really neat.

Another reminder that it’s Michelle’s world, we’re just passing through.

Again, it’s so cool to hear from people Michelle works with, or has worked with in this case. Dawn Marie, Ken Kennedy Anderson, Torrie Wilson… Jackie Haas is now added to the ever growing list. Visually it’s clear that Michelle has all the talent and ability in the world, but we’re never going to say no when the experts, aka fellow wrestlers, chime in with their two cents. If wrestlers (we said wrestlers, as in plural!!) who know what they’re talking about say she’s good, improved and talented, then it gives us even more reason to laugh at the reports that say she’s dull, bland or boring. We’re not blind and neither are her co-workers, thank you very much haters!

If you would like to listen to the full interview, visit DivaDirt.com.

Michelle’s alter ego has resurfaced with her latest photoshoot on dotcom. We haven’t seen the “sweet as apple pie” smile in quite some time! Not only do we get the All-American Girl image back, but we get her after a trip through the time machine. Michelle time warped all the way back to the 1950s. For what? We’re not sure. Maybe she wanted to do the Twist.

A tea length halter dress isn’t something we’re used to seeing from Michelle, or any diva for that matter. Usually their tiggers are pushed up, front and center, and their thighs are showing. Not this time! As it’s been said before, sexy isn’t always about showing the most skin. If this were supposed to be a bikini or lingerie shoot, then we’d be disappointed; however, it isn’t. We’re reminded that Michelle is a classy diva who defines sexy by being comfortable in her own skin. Her skin (or fabric) this time around is navy blue with white polka dots! Does it get any more housewife than that? She could have added a white, lace apron, but they may have been over kill. The white trim around the top and waist are good enough for finishing touches on the dress.

On to the hair and make up! Holy updo, Batman! We’ve seen Michelle sport pony tails. Nine times out of ten if you catch her outside a WWE ring, she’ll have her hair pulled back into the easy-to-do pony. We can’t recall seeing her in a bun, at least not lately. The bun look complete with a pencil was a staple (pun intended) back in her teacher days on Smackdown. Now she’s bringing it back. Only this time it’s goodbye pencil and hello side swept bangs. Nothing completes the Stepford Wife look more than red lipstick! We’re glad Michelle’s done something different! Usually we see a sheer gloss and the attention is put on her eyes. Now we see a dazzling smile and ruby red lips.

Accessories were kept to a minimum. Her red high heels are a great touch and a nice splash of color, just like the lips. With those to stand out, nothing more was really needed. Perhaps a necklace would have been okay, but we’re happy with the simplicity. It’s weird seeing her with bare wrists. Bangles have played a predominant role in nearly all of her photoshoots. We’re always up for a change when it comes to Michelle, so we’re content that they didn’t make an appearance here.

This certainly isn’t a pictorial that would be published in any high fashioned magazine. It’s still fabulous, no doubt, but not quite what we would call fierce. The poses were kept simple and cute. A bit of June Cleaver and Lucille Ball have channeled their way into Michelle’s shoot. This isn’t a look we want to see all the time, but it’s a good change of pace. Michelle mixes it up, from ring attire to Louis Vuitton boots. She may not hit it every time, but it’s way better than the same thing over and over again. And with Halloween right around the corner, we can’t wait to see what costume the Champ will choose.

Final Grade: B - “Lucy, you cannot be in the show!” “Oh, but Ricky!”

To find out what Michelle McCool will be doing on Friday Night SmackDown, jump ahead for this week’s spoilers!

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