The Roster Rating Project, Part 2

RANK 14- LAYLA (LAYLA EL, AGE 31)

In-ring work: Poor

Mic Skills: Average

Acting ability: Average

Charisma/Personality/”It” factor: Good

Consistency in performance: Average

Character development: Average

That Layla has a certain amount of natural presence is obvious when you consider she’s a Diva Search winner. She has not disappeared into oblivion like some of the other Diva Search winners, but has remained visible, first as part of Extreme Exposé on ECW, then as William Regal’s valet. Her in-ring skills are dubious though, and I hope the recent move to Smackdown helps her improve in that area. I think she could make a decent snobby, nose-in-the-air heel with time, as she showed flashes of this ability during her stint with Regal. As long as she doesn’t have to fake any more accents, that is.

RANK 13- EVE (EVE TORRES, AGE 25)

In-ring work: Average

Mic Skills: Average

Acting ability: Average

Charisma/Personality/”It” factor: Good

Consistency in performance: Average

Character development: Average

So far, Eve Torres hasn’t shown signs of special talent. But I was extremely impressed with her debut match against Michelle McCool a few months on Smackdown. Her in-ring work was nothing spectacular, average at best. But average is pretty darn good, considering she entered WWE after winning the Diva Search, and has been training for less than two years. Diva Search contestants, despite being gorgeous, have been anything but pretty in the ring, and I’d go as far as saying hers was the best debut I’ve seen from a Diva Search contestant. I’d guess that she’s a hard worker, and I hope I’m right when I predict only better things from her. She was also voted by VH1 (or somebody similar) as the hottest Diva in the WWE, so the company could have a really valuable prospect in her.

RANK 12- MARIA (MARIA KANELLIS, AGE 27)

In-ring work: Poor

Mic Skills: Average

Acting ability: Average

Charisma/Personality/”It” factor: Good

Consistency in performance: Good

Character development: Average

I’m the last person to complain about seeing Maria on TV, but she just hasn’t had much to show for her time so far in WWE, apart from being the best referee ever (It was impossible to concentrate on the match when she was refereeing), and the ditzy interviewer gimmick she had a couple of a years ago. Her work in the ring is a little sloppy, but once again, being relatively new to the business, that’s understandable. She seems extremely likeable, so I hope she learns the ropes quickly and can compete regularly in matches soon.

RANK 11- KATIE LEA (KATARINA WATERS, AGE 28)

In-ring work: Average

Mic Skills: Average

Acting ability: Average

Charisma/Personality/”It” factor: Very good

Consistency in performance: Good

Character development: Average

Katie Lea Burchill is either genuinely scary and icy, or plays her role very well. I’m going to assume it’s the latter. The fact that she’s British also makes her stand out, and she’s an asset to the Divas division. Apart from her great performance as Paul Burchill’s valet, what I’ve seen of her in the ring has been pretty decent as well, but I haven’t seen enough. I don’t suppose her being on ECW will help in this regard. Nevertheless, she’s someone to look out for in the future. I think a move to Raw or Smackdown could be just what she needs.