Midwest Militia Photo by Belinda Raia.

Top 25 Ranking of 2011 – #8: Kelly Kelly
Tag Team Top 10 of 2011 – #8: The Midwest Militia

Top 25 Ranking of 2011 – #8:
Kelly Kelly

—This year, Kelly Kelly ranks #8 on Lethalwow.com’s Annual Top 25 Ranking. It is no secret, Kelly Kelly has been the most criticized woman in wrestling for her in-ring work; despite this, her incredible year cannot be overlooked…

Kelly Kelly began 2011 in a rivalry against acting General Manager of Smackdown Vickie Guerrero. On February 4, 2011, in the Main Event of SmackDown!, Kelly Kelly teamed up with World Champion Edge, to take on the team of Dolph Ziggler & LayCool (Michelle McCool & Layla El), with Edge’s World Heavyweight Championship on the line. The end of this match saw Kelly Kelly spear Layla to pick up the win in the match. After the match, Vickie Guerrero “fired” Kelly Kelly.

Two weeks later, on February 20, 2011 at World Wrestling Entertainment‘s Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View—in continuation of the storyline, Theodore Long re-hired Kelly Kelly. This prompted her to get some revenge on Vickie Guerrero, by attacking her in the middle of the ring. Kelly Kelly’s fun was cut short by an attack by LayCool; however, 7-Time WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus came to Kelly Kelly’s aid. Days later, on the February 25, 2011 edition of WWE SmackDown, Edge & Kelly Kelly defeated Drew McIntyre & Vickie Guerrero. Theodore Long then fired Vickie Guerroro from Smackdown, in the same fashion Vickie fired Kelly Kelly weeks prior. In the weeks that followed, Kelly Kelly competed in Divas matches before being drafted to Raw on April 26, 2011.

From April through June 2011, Kelly Kelly competed on a weekly basis. On June 20, 2011, on a special “Power to the People” edition of Raw, Kelly Kelly defeated Brie Bella to become WWE Divas Champion. Kelly Kelly went on to successfully retain the Divas Championship on July 17, 2011, at WWE Money in the Bank, where she defeated Brie Bella. A feud between Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix followed. Kelly Kelly was able to successfully defend the Divas Championship against Beth Phoenix at WWE SummerSlam 2011 and WWE Night of Champions. On October 2, 2011 at WWE Hell in a Cell, Kelly Kelly lost the Title to Beth Phoenix. Kelly Kelly’s reign lasted 104 days. Kelly Kelly went on to challenge Beth Phoenix for the Championship on December 18, 2011 at WWE Tables, Ladders & Chairs; however, she was unable to pick up the victory. While many disagreed with the booking, Kelly Kelly was able to defeat one of the most respected female wrestlers in the business; Beth Phoenix, on a number of occasions. This goes down in Women’s Wrestling history.

Kelly Kelly‘s popularity skyrocketed in 2011, despite the constant criticism by the internet wrestling community. Her ability to get constant reactions from area to area—a feat that is hard to accomplish by the Divas in the WWE, speaks volumes. There is just something about Kelly Kelly that WWE fans connect to, which goes beyond her beauty. Accomplishments included being on the cover of Maxim Magazine, and winning World Wrestling Entertainment‘s Slammy Award for Divalicious Moment of the Year. Kelly Kelly was also ranked #01 on Diva-Dirt.com‘s Women of the Year 2011, ranked #15 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated‘s Female 50 2011, and more.

—On August 6, 2011—during a WSU Double DVD taping (Taping Results), The Midwest Militia” was born. The formation of this stable was pure genius. During Taping one, Allysin Kay (Interview) sat at ringside, stalking WSU Spirit Champion Sassy Stephie during her match against Amber. Allysin fought Sassy Stephie to a no contest later in the night. The outcome saw a heel turn from Stephanie, who aligned herself with Havok and Kay. Stephie and Kay later assisted Havok in a vicious attack on WSU icon Alicia, during her Last Woman Standing Main-Event match against Havok. Despite the presence of WSU World Champion Mercedes Martinez, The Midwest Militia were able to get the better of the situation, prompting Brittney Savage to even up the odds. “Pryme Tyme” Amy Lee was revealed as the new commissioner of WSU, and set up a 6-Woman Main-Event at WSU’s Breaking Barriers 2 Internet Pay-Per-View.

The Midwest Militia certainly made their presence felt on the road to Breaking Barriers 2, and on Saturday November 11, 2011 in the main event of the Pay-Per-View, they defeated WSU World Champion Mercedes Martinez, Alicia and Brittney Savage in a Steel Cage War Games Match.

The Midwest Militia has created a nice buzz among Women’s Wrestling fans in an extremely sort time. 2012 should definitely be an interesting year for Jessicka Havok, Sassy Stephanie and Allysin Kay. Perhaps a Tag-Team run for Stephie and Kay? Or perhaps a Tag-Team run under free-bird rule? Although Jessicka Havok has her eyes set on the WSU World Championship, it would be great to see some Tag-Team gold in the stable.