Layla’s journey in WWE began with her entry into the 2006 Divas Search competition, which she went on to win. Across the next nine years, she’d then enjoy reigns as WWE Divas and Women’s Champion. As Layla attests, though, much of it came at a cost.

“I feel like the people look at the Diva era like it was a bad thing, but I don’t think you guys quite understand what we had to fight for,” Layla said. “[WWE] didn’t want us to wrestle. They really did want us to wrestle and they even held back the girls. There were times where they were like ‘No punches. Slap, hair pulls.’ There was certain things that happened. Even Michelle and Melina had a match on the pay-per-view once and I remember we had a meeting afterwards because they did so well in that match that they were told, ‘No, you need to put it back.’

“They did not want us to shine or to outshine the guys at that time. They just didn’t want to have it.”

Deemed “too good for girls” by WWE officials, Michelle McCool vs. Melina at Night of Champions 2009 saw the former successfully defend her WWE Women’s Championship, beginning with a dropkick that sent Melina crashing to the floor from the apron. Later in the match, McCool dropped Melina onto the barricade, courtesy of a DDT. The following year, Layla helped McCool beat Melina in a Divas and Women’s Title unification match at Night of Champions.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Wombreezy Wrestling Podcast” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.