By Scott Fishman
For The Miami Herald
Feb 10, 2011
Eve Torres is enjoying her second run as World Wrestling Entertainment divas champion.
The 2007 WWE diva search winner won the gold from Maryse for the first time last year in London. However, Torres thinks her run means more this time around.
“It’s kind of like the first time you really don’t know how much it means to you, until you lose it,” Torres said shortly after speaking at the WrestleMania 28 press conference Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
“When it is the first time, you almost don’t know how to make the most out of it and to truly fight for it. I think any time you get the chance to represent the title and to earn the title, you learn how to represent it in the best way.
“You learn how to wear it with honor, fight for it with honor and really become the face of WWE for the divas. It’s an amazing opportunity. You have to be ready for those opportunities when they come. Otherwise what is the point of having those opportunities? I have mine and plan on making it last. I plan on getting the most out of it.”
Torres is grateful for the chances she has received to succeed and takes her current position atop the divas division seriously.
“We are all given opportunities,” Torres said.
“All of the divas are given opportunities. It’s kind of the way you go after them and what you do with them. I feel like I was able to cease the opportunity I was given, and now I am divas champion.
“You are representing the entire company. I think it shows the company has faith in you, and we have faith in ourselves.”
Before joining WWE, Torres attended the University of Southern California and was a member of the school’s Fly Girls dance squad. She also entertained basketball fans as a performer for the Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance Team.
After winning the diva search, Torres honed her skills at Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE’s then developmental territory in Louisville. From the beginning, the diva was willing to learn and work hard. However, she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the people who helped her along the way.
“You never get anywhere on your own, especially in this business,” Torres said.
“You really don’t know what to do with the opportunities you are given, until you have people guiding you. You can’t figure this stuff out on your own. I had so many people helping me and giving advice. You have to be willing to listen to the advice, which is the other part to it.”
Torres credits Natalya Neidhart as one of the divas who has helped her grow as an in-ring performer. Neidhart lost the divas championship to Torres when she pinned Layla in a fatal fourway last month at the Royal Rumble in Boston.
Neidhart and Torres will meet on WWE Raw 9 p.m. [EST] Monday, Feb. 14.
“When I wrestle her, she is such a strong competitor and such a strong wrestler,” Torres said.
“Just watching her has helped me tremendously. I’d say one of the divas I look up to the most and hope to wrestle someday is Beth Phoenix. She is someone who has worked hard for everything she has gotten. She is such a strong, beautiful, powerful woman. I think she represents the divas well.”
Torres’ background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has helped her stand out among the other female athletes in WWE. She trains on her time off.
“Jiu-jitsu is something I absolutely love,” Torres said.
“I never planned on going into MMA or anything like that. I literally do it for fun and for my own self defense. I think it’s important for women to learn that. I think it’s very empowering and has helped with my confidence inside and outside the ring. I think that is why it’s so meaningful for me.”
The divas champion is looking to hold on to the gold when WrestleMania heads to Atlanta in April. At the same time, she knows nothing lasts forever.
“To me, every year has to be better, but you will never stay on top forever,” Torres said.
“There are times when I’m on top and times when I’m fighting to get back on top. Whatever it is, I want to make the most out of it. I hope to be on top again at next WrestleMania. I hope to still be on top at this WrestleMania.
“It’s a hard position whether you are defending or fighting for it. All that I want is that I’m representing the diva brand well, giving it all that I have. I am passionate about what I do, and I hope it comes across to the fans that way. I want people watching to enjoy the diva action, and I’m happy I can be a part of that.”
Fans can expect diva action next year when WrestleMania 28 heads to Miami. Torres is looking forward to the sun and the sand.
“It’s so much fun. When all the girls found out Mania was going to be in Miami, we all jumped up and down in the locker room,” Torres said.
“We were saying, ‘We are going to Miami’. It’s great because it’s such an awesome city. WrestleMania is really one of the only times we get to spend a lot of time in one place. We are doing activities with the surrounding city, local charities, local businesses and local schools. We always get involved with the city. We are there for an entire week, so we really get a chance to enjoy ourselves.”
During her appearance at the WreslteMania 28 press conference, Torres told the crowd her divas title is actually heavier than the Miz’s WWE championship.
l team website at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
One week y’all, Imsoexcited! Auditions for the 2011 ChivaGirls are in one week. Saturday, Feb. 19. Its’ the start of another fun-filled MLS season. Click here for everything you need to know about the tryouts.
If you’re thinking “hmmmm” or “maybe…?” or “should I…?” Yes you should. You definitely should audition for one of my favorite teams in the South Land. They’re looking for awesome dancers for this team. Blondes, brunettes, red heads, tall ones, short ones, ones who speak Spanish and ones who don’t. If you have showmanship and mad dance skills, it’s time to dust off those jazz shoes. You have a week to pull it together.
In the meantime, check out the video below, made with my two (somewhat unsteady) paws. This video will give you a good idea of what game day is like for the ChivaGirls. Just think, a few months from now, it could be you in those go-go boots! Get ready to bring it – woo-hoo!
The folks from MTV contacted us about this opportunity. It looks like it will be a great experience, lots of fun, and an opportunity to make a difference for a group of high school kids. It’s collegiate style cheer rather than dance, but I know many of you have experience with both. ~sasha
MTV Networks is looking for a peppy cheerleading coach between the ages of 25-35 who is willing to relocate to southern Missouri for 5-6 weeks, to turn a disorganized, uninspired high school cheerleading squad into the best cheer squad around. Filming is scheduled to begin tentatively around April 3. Interested Coaches should be energetic, charismatic, and have experience working with teens in boosting confidence. Coaches should also have strong credentials (tumbling, competitive or professional cheerleading experience a plus) and be available during our shooting weeks. Send pictures, resume or bio and any cheer links to MADECoaches@mtv.com.
Sports Illustrated has new photos of the Islanders Ice Girls doing their job at Nassau Coliseum. Click here to go there now.
Hawaii Army Weekly
Pfc. Marcus Fichtl
February 3, 2011
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — San Francisco 49ers “Gold Rush” cheerleaders visited Soldiers assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, to witness the final battalion muster before the unit deploys to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, here, Jan. 29.
While many of the other cheerleaders were looking forward to sleeping in or going to the beach, cheerleaders Elizabeth Dubach, Jasmin Linares, Rachel Marks, Jennifer Hayes and Chris Rhyu jumped at the opportunity to find a deeper experience.
They volunteered to visit Soldiers.
“We were sitting at dinner, and we got an e-mail asking for cheerleaders to support deploying Soldiers,” Marks said. “We said immediately, ‘sign up, sign up!’”
“There was no question about it; we were available,” Hayes said. “Within one minute of us being asked, we were all ready to go.”
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. David Phillips, MP regimental general, presented medals and coins to the Soldiers. Also, the battalion named Maj. Robert Green, commander, Training Command, Honolulu Police Department, as an honorary 728th MP Bn. “War fighter.”
The cheerleaders said they felt like honorary warfighters during Green’s speech, when he thanked the battalion for the honor.
“I felt like he was talking about me, and (I) related with him in every way,” Marks said.
“They play the national anthem at the start of every game; it’s a link that everyone has to each other,” Rhyu said, about how the national anthem was played at the beginning of the ceremony.
The cheerleaders gathered around one Soldier as he took re-enlistment vows during the muster.
After the ceremony, the cheerleaders and Soldiers took group photos, signed battalion posters and wished each other well.
“I told everyone I knew that cheerleaders came out to support us before we deployed; (I told) my mom, my brothers and my friends,” said Spc. Louis Williams, HHD, 728th MP Bn., 8th MP Bde. “Some were surprised, some were jealous, but they all told me how awesome and great the cheerleaders’ support was.
“That they took time out of their day to support us before we deployed was awesome,” Williams continued. “All I can say is ‘thanks.’”
“For a lot of our fans, it’s ‘wow I got to meet a cheerleader,’ but when we came out here, it’s the opposite. It’s ‘wow we got to meet Soldiers.’ It’s special for us,” Rhyu said.
“You could see and feel the camaraderie of everybody, when the Soldiers were doing little things like saying ‘hooah’ in unison,” Linares said. “I felt something (special).”
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Marks said. “We’ve never had this experience before, and I don’t know many who have.
“It was just awesome and an honor that we were able to come,” she added. ?
The NHL Atlanta Thrashers have updated the pages for the Blue Crew Ice Crew. Click here to check it out!
WOFL FOX 35
08 Feb 2011
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba- Some of the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders spent Super Bowl Sunday with Troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Jenny F., Melissa, Monica, Yani, Brittany and Mariela performed for the Troopers and expressed their appreciation and thanks during their visit on Super Bowl Sunday 2011.
The group also signed autographs and posed for pictures for the service members.
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Take a Peek Inside Melissa Rycroft’s Nursery!
OK! Magazine
February 8th, 2011
Melissa Rycroft and Tye Strickland Feb. After her Bachelor heartbreak and emotional Dancing With The Stars run, Melissa Rycroft and husband Tye Strickland’s lives are filled with joy as they get everything set for the arrival of their little princess! Melissa has been preparing for the big day with books and the help of a “what to do when you are expecting” iPhone app. Despite the planning, she got a taste of what the big day will be like last weekend.
“We had our first ‘is this or isn’t it’ moment, and I realized that Tye is not going to remain calm when the moment does come,” Melissa, host of Bachelor Pad, tells OK!.
And though she’s almost due, it isn’t stopping the former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader from celebrating the Super Bowl at two parties.
“I haven’t been able to travel or work for the past two months, so its exciting to me — and then I want to get this motherhood thing started!”
For more inside Melissa’s nursery, pick up the new issue of OK! on newsstands now.
Last Friday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and family hosted a big party at Mi Cocina Restaurant in Dallas, TX. The restaurant turned into a hot fashion spot for a preview for White Trash Beautuful, a couture fashion line from rocker Richie Sambora and partner Nikki Lund. The collection was modeled by a group of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Here they are in order of appearance:
Lauren Williams
Ally Traylor
Mia Greenhouse
Cassie Trammell
Nicole Bulcher
Tobie Percival
Jordan Chanley
Kaitlin LeGrand
Evan Anderson
Tia Williams
Kelsi Reich
Carey DePasquale
Meredith Oden
(I might have missed one. Corrections are welcome).
It’s amateur video, but it provides a pretty good look at the show. Warning: the opening song will get stuck in your head. “White Trash Beautifuuuuuuuuuuul”
By John Branch
New York Times
February 4, 2011
DALLAS — A substantial wing of the Dallas Cowboys’ suburban headquarters is devoted to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. On Thursday afternoon, in an immense dance studio, members of the world’s most famous cheer squad rehearsed for one of their dozens of appearances surrounding the Super Bowl this week.
“We have never been this busy,” said Kelli McGonagill Finglass, a Cowboys cheerleader in the 1980s and the director since 1991.
But Super Bowl XLV itself represents an unusual happenstance in the coupled worlds of football and cheerleading. In a state famous for Friday Night Lights and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, where Lawrence Herkimer practically invented the modern cheerleader (and did patent the pompom), there will be no cheerleaders at the biggest football game of them all.
The Packers and Steelers are two of the six N.F.L. teams without professional cheerleading squads. Sunday’s game is believed to be the first time in more than 40 years that no team cheerleaders will be on the sideline of the Super Bowl.
It will probably be the first and last time that no cheerleaders will be on the sideline for a football game at Cowboys Stadium, too, if not anywhere else in Texas.
This is a place where it is often said that parents wish their boys to become quarterbacks and their girls to become cheerleaders. That a cheerleader-less Super Bowl is being played in Texas, at the home of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, is seen here as the ultimate irony.
“In Texas, if you have football players on the field and you don’t have cheerleaders on the sideline?” Denise Martin, founder of Texas Cheerleader magazine, asked rhetorically. “Where there is football in Texas, there are cheerleaders.”
Not this time.
Both the Packers and Steelers have had cheerleading squads in the past. The Packers, in fact, say that they had the N.F.L.’s first, in 1931. But the franchises now believe that modern-day professional cheerleaders — dance squads, really — are not a good fit for their teams or their markets.
The New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns also do not have professional cheerleader squads.
They all stand in stark relief to the Dallas Cowboys and their famed cheerleaders, a profit maker for the franchise (the team will not reveal the numbers) thanks to merchandise sales, appearance fees and the millions of mouse clicks that bring fans to the team’s Web site. It is nearly impossible to imagine the Cowboys without the cheerleaders.
“We’re too strongly branded together,” Finglass said.
By doing without cheerleaders, however, the Steelers and Packers send a quieter message about how they view themselves and want to be seen by others.
The Packers disbanded their last professional cheer-and-dance squad in 1988, after a poll of fans found strong opposition and indifference. The team came to see the dancers as incongruous to the franchise’s focus on football history, from founder Curly Lambeau to coach Vince Lombardi and beyond.
For the past 20 years, there have been cheerleaders at Lambeau Field — co-ed squads borrowed from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and nearby St. Norbert College. The Packers did not invite them to the Super Bowl.
“We think our nod to tradition and a collegiate feel at games probably adds to our brand value — for the opposite reason having cheerleaders may add to that of the Cowboys,”‘ said Jason Wied, Green Bay’s vice president for administration.
Dressed in Packers regalia, the cheerleading men hoist megaphones and wave giant flags. The women wear traditional sweaters and skirts. They start chants, build pyramids and hold signs, just as they do for their college teams on other days of the week.
“Most other teams are more dancers, not cheerleaders,” said Ann Rodrian, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay cheerleading coach whose squad has worked Packers’ home games for 20 years. “They don’t usually show us because my girls have all their clothes on.”
The Steelerettes cheered in Pittsburgh from 1961 to 1969. They were women from Robert Morris Junior College (now Robert Morris University) brought to help a struggling franchise sell tickets and attract attention.
“We knew from the beginning that the Chief didn’t really want us down on the field,” said the Steelerette Dianne Feazell Rossini, referring to the late Steelers founder Art Rooney. “Mr. Rooney wasn’t really crazy about it, but he kind of tolerated it for a time.”
She remembers the game against the Bears at Forbes Field after the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. Given the somber mood, the Steelerettes were asked to stay seated on the sideline and not cheer. To fight the chill, Rooney ordered that they be given Steelers jackets, Rossini said. Hers now resides in a Pittsburgh museum, along with her Steelerettes uniform.
The Steelers make little mention of the Steelerettes. The team this week declined to discuss its reasons for not having cheerleaders.
“It’s simply an organizational decision,” the team spokesman Dave Lockett wrote in an e-mail message.
Yet it has been at least 40 years, however, since the Super Bowl was played without cheerleaders. The precise game is hard to determine because the N.F.L. and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have no records of whether cheerleading squads accompanied teams to various Super Bowls.
But one man has chronicled the games like no other. Steve Sabol is president of NFL Films, founded in 1964 by his father, Ed. (Ed Sabol is a finalist this year for the Hall of Fame, whose 2011 class will be announced on Saturday.) Steve Sabol was assigned to film off-field action on the sideline for the first Super Bowl in January 1967, between Green Bay and Kansas City.
“I don’t remember ever seeing any Packers cheerleaders or Chiefs cheerleaders on the sideline,” Sabol said. “That’s not to say they weren’t there, but it was my job to shoot anything like that. And I never saw any.”
Sabol vaguely recalls cheerleaders at Super Bowl II between Green Bay and Oakland, perhaps from the Raiders or a local squad from Miami, where the game was held, unaffiliated with either team.
“Super Bowl III, between the Jets and Colts, I know the Colts had cheerleaders,” Sabol said. And both the Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings had them at Super Bowl IV, he said. Every Super Bowl has had at least once squad since.
That streak will end on Sunday.
“It’s weird, for this site, not to have cheerleaders,” Sabol said. “Because the Dallas cheerleaders are the most famous cheerleaders in the N.F.L.”
Their studio at Cowboys’ headquarters is about 100 feet long and 40 feet wide, with a hardwood floor and mirrors lining two sides. Another wall holds life-sized posters of the cheerleaders, in their familiar uniform of cowboy boots, short white shorts, low-cut blue blouses and fringed vests.
A large banner hangs as a sort of cheerleaders’ creed; “Promise to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true,” one pronouncement reads. A scale stands at the door. An adjacent office is filled with posters of the cheerleaders in bikinis, shots used for the squad’s popular calendar.
On Thursday afternoon, 15 cheerleaders from the team’s “show group,” an elite part of the 34-member squad, practiced a routine with a hip-hop dance troupe. They will perform together at a party on Saturday night at the House of Blues.
On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders will make several appearances outside Cowboys Stadium, performing for fans and sponsors before the game.
But inside their home, something unusual will occur. The hubbub of the Super Bowl sideline will not include cheerleaders.
In Texas, of all places.
