

As in 2004, other contestants were hired by WWE, including Kristal Marshall, Trenesha Biggers (eliminated in the Top 25) and Elisabeth Rouffaer. Īshley Massaro was declared the winner on August 15 and received $250,000. Contestant Leyla Milani accidentally exposed herself by falling out of her top while attempting to navigate an obstacle course on the July 4 edition of Raw, leading to a "disqualification" in the contest. One contestant was eliminated each week until there were a final three. Rob Schneider and Diva search contestants AugNotes įor the 2005 WWE Raw Diva Search, the eight finalists began appearing on Raw on June 27. Several of the girls were sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling to train.Ĭandice Michelle would become the first Diva Search contestant to win a championship on the main roster, defeating Melina for the WWE Women's Championship at Vengeance: Night of Champions. From the 2004 Diva Search, Michelle McCool, Amy Weber, Candice Michelle, Maria Kanellis, and Joy Giovanni all received contracts after losing the contest. ĭespite only one winner being crowned in the competition each year, WWE hired a large number of the contestants from past contests and immediately placed them in on-camera in non-wrestling roles. Also, during an earlier segment in the competition, Maria Kanellis gave DeCesare the middle finger. Backstage, the four contestants bickered with and disliked each other, as well. įinalists (winner Hemme, runner-up Carmella DeCesare, Amy Weber, and Joy Giovanni) took part in a segment titled "Diss the Diva" on August 30, 2004, which was censored at several points due to foul language and obscenities from the contestants when they were asked to taunt one another verbally. The eventual winner of the competition was Christy Hemme, who went on to pose in Playboy and competed at WrestleMania 21 for the WWE Women's Championship where she was accompanied to the ring by Lita, but ended up with Trish Stratus retaining the title. Fans were allowed to vote for the winners, but the outcome of the voting process was questioned by media outlets. Despite reported claims by the company that the contest would be handled in a classy manner, the contest involved prospective divas performing suggestive acts on live television, such as "seducing" a male wrestler. They began airing the weekly Raw Diva Search segments on July 19. The final ten contestants were chosen on a casting special aired on Spike TV on July 15, with guest judges Triple H, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho and Edge. Over 7,000 females applied to be a part of the contest. In 2004, WWE decided to make an extension of the Diva Search, which included a one-year contract worth $250,000 and was held on Raw. Michelle McCool was the first Diva Search contestant to become the inaugural Divas Champion
