Fitness Stars Invade WWE; A Change in the Air?!

Are we looking at the return of fitness muscle in WWE?
From Left to Right: Kaitlyn (Celeste Bonin), Aksana (Zivile Raudoniene), Jamie (Brittany Beede)
Photo credit: WWE.com

As some of you know, I happen to be a big fan of wrestling, especially WWE. One of their big things happens to be their Divas, the names for their female wrestlers, or more appropriately, their female entertainers. For the most part, the Divas are seemingly fit, but not in the realm of fitness/figure competitors, at least not since the days of Trish Stratus, Chyna, and Torrie Wilson. The closest to that kind of physique right now is Beth Phoenix...at least until this past Tuesday.

This past Tuesday was the season premiere of WWE NXT, and this season's an all-Divas season. I mentioned earlier on this blog that Aksana (Zivile Raudoniene) and Jamie (Brittany Beede) are two fitness stars that are a part of the cast this season, and as broken first by Isaac Hinds, we would find out that ANOTHER fitness star would join the NXT rankings.

Before NXT even began, WWE NXT was down one Diva (Aolesia) due to some outside complications that surfaced before the season began. So they teased a new Diva coming in for Pro Vickie Guerrero. That diva would be Kaitlyn, but for us, we know her by the name of Celeste Bonin.

Celeste's a former NPC figure competitor who was contemplating going to bodybuilding, but obviously that is out the window now with her being in the WWE. Her look alone has definitely caught the eye of WWE fans, collectively known as the WWE Universe.

This article is not about how well they did (For those interested in THAT, go to my NXT column on Diva-Fiva.com. WARNING: I get a bit personal and carried away a bit when I do wrestling talk.). Rather, this article is about how it seems like the winds of change are fast approaching WWE, and possibly mainstream entertainment. Let's be honest, things are not the same anymore. Thin is not in when it comes to what people LIKE to see. It seems like those with a bit of meat on their bones are being more praised. No, I'm not saying that female bodybuilding is becoming the norm. That could be some time, as I don't think the mainstream is quite ready for that yet. But there are those seemingly willing to give those in figure/fitness/bikini a chance to showcase themselves in the mainstream eye.

I might be jumping the gun a bit, but there's a good chance that these three ladies in this aricle might be going something more than they realize. They might holding the keys to the future of entertainment, possibly the future of what women's aspire to be. Maybe not wreslter, but fit yet feminine women who can do anything they can put their minds into. The Original American Gladiators did it in the 1980s. Kiana Tom did it in the mid-1990s into early 2000s. These three (regardless on how long they last in the competition) just might be the start of something big in the world of mainstream entertainment. Only time will tell whether these three help make a difference by just being on TV, but if their past achievements are of any indication...I wouldn't bet again any of these ladies and the influences they can bring in in the short-term and long-term.

Aksana is Now TV Bound!!

Photo Credit: WWE.com

Tonight on the season two finale of WWE NXT, World Wrestling Entertainment announced that there will be a third season of NXT, but this time...it will be an all-Diva season (minus two male Pros). And it's with great pleasure that I announce that one of those Rookie Divas is former Figure International Champion Zivile Raudoniene, aka Aksana!!


Yep, the former IFBB figure star will be a Rookie Diva, looking to become WWE's next Breakout Diva. Her pro will be the Bizzaro One...Goldust. Man...is that going to be a trip, or what?!?! :)


Aksana will be joining another FitGems Nation favorite, Jamie Keyes, along with Maxine, AJ Lee, Naomi Night, and Aloisia (who's heads and shoulders above all the other Divas Literally...at 6 foot 9!!!) to form the first ladies-only Rookie group for NXT. One of these ladies will go on to win NXT and will (I believe) earn the right to take on the Women's Champion at the PPV of their choosing. The buzz is crazy right now, and I have no doubt in my mind that all six ladies will be on Raw or Smackdown once this is over. How far will Aksana go in this competiton could possibly be up to you. After next week, I'll let you all know how the voting process will be.

You can catch Aksana, as well as the other Rookie Divas, on WWE NXT beginning next Tuesday at 10PM Eastern/9PM Central on SyFy.

Best of luck to you, Aksana!!! :)

Aksana Avenue

If you are a fan of IFBB Figure Pro Zivile Raudoniene, aka Aksana in FCW, then you're in luck. Aksanians (or fans of Aksana) now have a site dedicated to one of the newest FCW stars called Aksana Avenue. Aksana Avenue is your destination for all things Aksana! Here is where you will get updates and looks at the FCW Diva on the rise and possible future WWE Diva. It's also the place where you can take a look back at her previous career (being an IFBB figure competitor) and get up-to-date news on the Lithuanian beauty. Let's support one of our own as she looks to make it to the mainstream! :)

To view the site, go to http://aksanaavenue.blogspot.com.

Poll Results for November and New Poll for December

Thanks to everyone that voted on last month's Poll. I asked: Would YOU like to see an Arnold Selection Show. For the first time since I began the Poll of the Month, EVERYONE voted yes. Not a single person voted "No". We'll see if this happens again. Maybe as early as this month.

The last poll question of 2009 has to do with two IFBB pros in the wrestling world right now: Who do you think will have a better career in pro wrestling? Zivile Raudoniene in WWE or Kristal Lashley (Marshall) in TNA? Time will tell, and there's no guarantee they will have major television time. Then again, both could redefined their respective companies's women's division, for better or worse.

Zivile's FCW Name Is...

Well, as announced on Diva Dirt today, the wrestling name for IFBB Figure Pro Zivile Raudoniene will be Aksana, at least that's what it will be for her in Flordia Championship Wrestling (FCW), which is World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s developmental territory. I prefer this name than her previous name, Olga. That screamed EPIC FAIL!! But I can definitely live with Aksana.

Here's her profile pic curteousy of FCW's official website:

From what I've gathered, she's supposed to make her FCW debut sometime next month. There are a few pics out from the taping right now, but since the show hasn't aired yet, I won't actually post a pic from the tapings. I can though give you the link to some pics I found of her FCW debut if you click here for them. I think she looks great, and if you were to have told me a few months ago that the current IFBB Figure International champion would be heading to the biggest sports-entertainment company on Earth (WWE), I would have though you were crazy. But now, it seems like Zivile is well on her way to being a television star.

I'm pulling for Aksana to do well in FCW and eventually WWE. I hope she follows the paths of other fitness stars such as Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, and Lisa Maria Varon (Victoria in WWE, currently Tara in TNA) and become a big star in wrestling.

From the FitGems Nation...Kick some a$$, Aksana!!!! :)

Zivile/WWE Update

Remember how I mentioned that the 2008 Figure International Champion Zivile Raudoniene was possibly heading to the WWE, hence skipping out on competing in the Figure Olympia? Well, if you don't, click here to revist what I wrote about it. Apparently, things are now moving forward in her quest in possibly becoming a WWE Diva. RxMuscle's Dave Palumbo and John Romano caught up with Zivile over the weekend and informed them on her progress and transition from the figure stage to the squared circle.

Click on the picture below to go to the video:

Judging by the video alone, I personally think she would make a great WWE Diva. I thought it was interesting for her to say that she was one of the bigger girls in the Flordia Championship Wrestling (FCW) territory. Interesting as she is one of the smaller girls in figure. Like any wrestling personality (or in her case, wrestling personality-to-be), there were going to be some "mock wrestling holds." And she mentioned that her delivery of speech is improving, which is a must in WWE, as they are very big on promos.

I won't mention much else, as I'll let you view the video for herself, but from what I gathered from it, Zivile could very well be a great asset to the WWE family. She's got the look, the personality, and she's eagar to learn. I'm just hoping her wrestling skills are up to par and decent when and if she goes on TV. Today's fans (especially those internet marks, smarks, and critics that THINK they know everything about the business and it revolved around THEM because THEY say so) are more crucial to a female wrestler's skills now more than ever before. I mean, they don't mind mention that this woman is hot, but at the same time, they won't hesitate for a second to say that she doesn't belong in the wrestling world. I believe that if Zivile wants it bad enough, she will make something out herself in the WWE. And when that is realized and the WWE and fans get that Zivile is for real, the sky's the limit for this future blonde superstar.

As things progress with Zivile and WWE, I'll try to keep you posted as much as I can. Good luck Zivile. The FitGems Nation supports you all the way!!! :)

Zivile Raudoniene...WWE Diva?!

Yes, you read the title right. The 2009 Figure International Champion Zivile Raudoniene may be exchanging high heels and sparkling suits for spandex and wrestling boots in the near future, if the rumors are true. According to an article on Flex Magazine, Zivile will NOT be competing at this year's Figure Olympia because she's rumored to be heading to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).



(Zivile....future WWE Women's or Divas Champion? It could happen...)

I'll admit, this news came completely out of left field when I found out this news. This obviously means that the Figure Olympia has quite a shake-up with one of the top contenders out. But the big question is...assuming the rumor is true, how big of a move would this be for Zivile? Personally, I think this could end up being a HUGE move, if the right cards are played. Looking at the big picture, Zivile will get a far more mainstream exposure opportunity that being in the IFBB. Actually, come to think of it, this would be a big step for for the sport of figure itself as one of their own would get I mean, the IFBB is big, but nowhere near as mainstream as WWE, despite its less-than-stellar outlook by the mainstream media.

Of course, should Zivile enter the ring in the very near future, she's going to have to prove herself in a time where you have to earn respect by the fans. These days, believe it or not, a good deal of wrestling fans attempt to watch women's wrestling for the wrestling, and not just for the eye candy, as in years past. That's why so many people admire those such as Trish Stratus, Lita, Molly Holly, Chyna, etc. As a long-time fan of WWE, I wish Zivile nothing more than the best and hope she has what it takes to be sucessful in the WWE.

Who knows, maybe someone like Zivile is what WWE needs right now...