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=== Alliance with Vickie Guerrero and co-champions (2010–2011) ===
=== Alliance with Vickie Guerrero and co-champions (2010–2011) ===
With a common enemy, Guerrero began accompanying LayCool, interfering in their matches and favoring them in scripted booking decisions such as making herself the referee in McCool's Women's Championship rematch with James where she brought the title back to McCool on the February 26 episode of ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishop|first=Matt|title=Smackdown: Spear, spear, spear|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/27/13051991.html|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|accessdate=January 26, 2011|date=February 27, 2010}}</ref> With James out of the picture, their lingering rivalry with Phoenix flared up when Phoenix saved [[Taryn Terrell|Tiffany]] from a LayCool beatdown on March 12.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishp|first=Matt|title=Smackdown: Highlight Reel return successful for Jericho|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/03/13/13221876.html|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|accessdate=January 26, 2011|date=March 13, 2010}}</ref> The following week, Tiffany and Phoenix defeated LayCool in a standard tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=SmackDown Report 3/19: Undertaker vs. McIntrye, Jericho on Cutting Edge, Rey vs. Gallos with WrestleMania stip at stake|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39976.shtml|publisher=PWTorch|accessdate=January 26, 2011|date=March 19, 2010}}</ref> This led to a 10-Diva tag team match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]] which LayCool helped win after Guerrero pinned [[Kelly Kelly]] with a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Frog splash|frog splash]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/WrestleMania26/2010/03/29/13391706.html|title=Undertaker ends Shawn Michaels' career in thrilling rematch to cap off Wrestlemania XXVI|date=March 29, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|author2=Tylwalk, Nick |accessdate=August 14, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Phoenix gained revenge by defeating them again alongside Tiffany.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishop|first=Matt|title=Smackdown: Swagger cashes in|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/02/13451506.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714133202/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/02/13451506.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|accessdate=January 27, 2011|date=April 2, 2010}}</ref> On ''WWE Superstars'', LayCool and Guerrero cut a promo in which they mocked Phoenix for not fitting their image of what a Diva should be, and Guerrero placed Phoenix in an 'intergender' match against Layla, which Phoenix won, despite heavy interfering from McCool and Guerrero. LayCool later gained a measure of revenge by defeating Phoenix and a briefly-returning James, after which they taunted Phoenix's perceived bad looks by smothering her in make-up.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoefgen|first=Peter|title=Smackdown: Punk escapes a cutting|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/24/13706951.html|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|accessdate=January 27, 2011|date=April 24, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> At the [[Extreme Rules (2010)|Extreme Rules]] pay-per-view, McCool defended her Women's Championship against Phoenix in an Extreme Makeover match, where cosmetics products were legal as weapons. Phoenix won the title from McCool, despite support from Layla and Guerrero.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE Extreme Rules PPV Results 4/25: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Cena vs. Batista, Orton vs. Swagger|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40886.shtml|publisher=PWTorch|accessdate=January 27, 2011|date=April 25, 2010}}</ref>
With a common enemy, Guerrero began accompanying LayCool, interfering in their matches and favoring them in scripted booking decisions such as making herself the referee in McCool's Women's Championship rematch with James where she brought the title back to McCool on the February 26 episode of ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishop|first=Matt|title=Smackdown: Spear, spear, spear|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/27/13051991.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.07.13-230951/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/02/27/13051991.html |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=January 26, 2011|date=February 27, 2010}}</ref> With James out of the picture, their lingering rivalry with Phoenix flared up when Phoenix saved [[Taryn Terrell|Tiffany]] from a LayCool beatdown on March 12.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishp|first=Matt|title=Smackdown: Highlight Reel return successful for Jericho|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/03/13/13221876.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.05.30-090546/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/03/13/13221876.html |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |work=SLAM! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=January 26, 2011|date=March 13, 2010}}</ref> The following week, Tiffany and Phoenix defeated LayCool in a standard tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=SmackDown Report 3/19: Undertaker vs. McIntrye, Jericho on Cutting Edge, Rey vs. Gallos with WrestleMania stip at stake|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39976.shtml|publisher=PWTorch|access-date=January 26, 2011|date=March 19, 2010}}</ref> This led to a 10-Diva tag team match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]] which LayCool helped win after Guerrero pinned [[Kelly Kelly]] with a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Frog splash|frog splash]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/03/29/undertaker-ends-shawn-michaels-career-in-thrilling-rematch-to-cap-off-wrestlemania-xxvi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203100554/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/03/29/undertaker-ends-shawn-michaels-career-in-thrilling-rematch-to-cap-off-wrestlemania-xxvi/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |title=Undertaker ends Shawn Michaels' career in thrilling rematch to cap off Wrestlemania XXVI |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Plummer |first=Dale |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=August 14, 2010}}</ref> Phoenix gained revenge by defeating them again alongside Tiffany.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bishop|first=Matt|title=Smackdown: Swagger cashes in|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/02/13451506.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714133202/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/02/13451506.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=January 27, 2011|date=April 2, 2010}}</ref> On ''WWE Superstars'', LayCool and Guerrero cut a promo in which they mocked Phoenix for not fitting their image of what a Diva should be, and Guerrero placed Phoenix in an 'intergender' match against Layla, which Phoenix won, despite heavy interfering from McCool and Guerrero. LayCool later gained a measure of revenge by defeating Phoenix and a briefly-returning James, after which they taunted Phoenix's perceived bad looks by smothering her in make-up.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoefgen|first=Peter|title=Smackdown: Punk escapes a cutting|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/24/13706951.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.07.16-230210/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/04/24/13706951.html |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=January 27, 2011|date=April 24, 2010}}</ref> At the [[Extreme Rules (2010)|Extreme Rules]] pay-per-view, McCool defended her Women's Championship against Phoenix in an Extreme Makeover match, where cosmetics products were legal as weapons. Phoenix won the title from McCool, despite support from Layla and Guerrero.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE Extreme Rules PPV Results 4/25: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Cena vs. Batista, Orton vs. Swagger|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40886.shtml|publisher=PWTorch|access-date=January 27, 2011|date=April 25, 2010}}</ref>


On the May 14 episode of ''SmackDown'', Guerrero announced McCool was using her rematch against Phoenix, but the match was made a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap match]] with both of LayCool against Phoenix. Layla pinned Phoenix to win the Women's Championship for the first time, becoming the first British woman and [[WWE Diva Search|Diva Search]] winner to hold the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/14/13957816.html|title=Smackdown!: Titles shuffle around in Buffalo|date=May 14, 2010|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|accessdate=May 15, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> LayCool's beating of Phoenix was given as the reason Phoenix had to take time off for an injury she was suffering from. Owing to LayCool beating Phoenix together for the title, they began referring to themselves as co-champions, even appearing with two physical title belts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/22/14046906.html|title=Smackdown!: Revving up for Over the Limit|date=May 22, 2010|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|accessdate=May 23, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715090310/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/22/14046906.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On the May 14 episode of ''SmackDown'', Guerrero announced McCool was using her rematch against Phoenix, but the match was made a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap match]] with both of LayCool against Phoenix. Layla pinned Phoenix to win the Women's Championship for the first time, becoming the first British woman and [[WWE Diva Search|Diva Search]] winner to hold the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/14/13957816.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.07.13-141108/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/14/13957816.html |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=Smackdown!: Titles shuffle around in Buffalo|date=May 14, 2010|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|access-date=May 15, 2010|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> LayCool's beating of Phoenix was given as the reason Phoenix had to take time off for an injury she was suffering from. Owing to LayCool beating Phoenix together for the title, they began referring to themselves as co-champions, even appearing with two physical title belts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/22/14046906.html|title=Smackdown!: Revving up for Over the Limit|date=May 22, 2010|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|access-date=May 23, 2010|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715090310/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/05/22/14046906.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


During the [[2010 WWE Draft]], they defeated Raw Divas ([[Eve Torres|Eve]] & [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]]) to receive one Diva draft pick, and it was later revealed that [[Kelly Kelly]] was drafted to ''SmackDown'' and started a feud with her and her partner Tiffany. Around this time, [[Rosa Mendes]] asked to join the ranks of LayCool, but LayCool mocked and insulted her instead. LayCool continued to best Kelly and Tiffany in tag team action, but Kelly Kelly gained singles non-title victories over both Layla and McCool, earning her a Women's Championship match against Layla at Money in the Bank, which Layla won to retain the title. Layla was then informed that she would defend the Women's Championship against Tiffany on the July 30 episode of ''SmackDown'', but Vickie Guerrero claimed that LayCool were co-women's champions, and had McCool fight in Layla's place, in which McCool was victorious. Following the match, SmackDown's General Manager, [[Theodore Long]], informed LayCool that there was only one Women's Championship and they had to decide between them and relinquish one belt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/07/31/14886581.html|title=Smackdown: A "slick" episode to close July|date=July 31, 2010|last=Waldman|first=Jon|accessdate=August 10, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}} {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> The following week, LayCool gave one belt back and played a tug-of-war with the one belt, only for it to break in the middle and the two began to carry half of the belt each, circumventing Long's orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/07/14953166.html|title=Smackdown: The search for vengeance and championships|date=August 7, 2010|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|accessdate=August 10, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Also during this time, LayCool began mentoring [[Low Ki|Kaval]] during the second season of ''[[WWE NXT (TV Series)|NXT]]''. They were the first females and tag team to mentor a wrestler on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/06/01/14222371.html|title=WWE NXT: Barrett wins show's first season|date=June 1, 2010|last=Bishop|first=Matt|accessdate=June 2, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_41691.shtml|title=WWE News: NXT Results – Season Two announced, Pro & Rookie pairings revealed|date=June 1, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James|accessdate=June 1, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Kaval would go on to win the season.<ref name="NXTwin">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/31/15205276.html|title=WWE NXT: Kaval wins show's 2nd season, gets beat down|date=August 31, 2010|last=Bishop|first=Matt|accessdate=September 1, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> LayCool continued to pick up victories against Kelly and Tiffany.
During the [[2010 WWE Draft]], they defeated Raw Divas ([[Eve Torres|Eve]] & [[Maryse Ouellet|Maryse]]) to receive one Diva draft pick, and it was later revealed that [[Kelly Kelly]] was drafted to ''SmackDown'' and started a feud with her and her partner Tiffany. Around this time, [[Rosa Mendes]] asked to join the ranks of LayCool, but LayCool mocked and insulted her instead. LayCool continued to best Kelly and Tiffany in tag team action, but Kelly Kelly gained singles non-title victories over both Layla and McCool, earning her a Women's Championship match against Layla at Money in the Bank, which Layla won to retain the title. Layla was then informed that she would defend the Women's Championship against Tiffany on the July 30 episode of ''SmackDown'', but Vickie Guerrero claimed that LayCool were co-women's champions, and had McCool fight in Layla's place, in which McCool was victorious. Following the match, SmackDown's General Manager, [[Theodore Long]], informed LayCool that there was only one Women's Championship and they had to decide between them and relinquish one belt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/07/31/14886581.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.07.18-100938/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/07/31/14886581.html |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |title=Smackdown: A "slick" episode to close July|date=July 31, 2010|last=Waldman|first=Jon|access-date=August 10, 2010|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> The following week, LayCool gave one belt back and played a tug-of-war with the one belt, only for it to break in the middle and the two began to carry half of the belt each, circumventing Long's orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/07/14953166.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.07.19-101838/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/07/14953166.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |title=Smackdown: The search for vengeance and championships|date=August 7, 2010|last=Hillhouse|first=Dave|access-date=August 10, 2010|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Also during this time, LayCool began mentoring [[Low Ki|Kaval]] during the second season of ''[[WWE NXT (TV Series)|NXT]]''. They were the first females and tag team to mentor a wrestler on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/06/01/14222371.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.06.29-045655/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/06/01/14222371.html |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |title=WWE NXT: Barrett wins show's first season|date=June 1, 2010|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=June 2, 2010|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_41691.shtml|title=WWE News: NXT Results – Season Two announced, Pro & Rookie pairings revealed|date=June 1, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=June 1, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Kaval would go on to win the season.<ref name="NXTwin">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/31/15205276.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.07.14-034230/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/08/31/15205276.html |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |title=WWE NXT: Kaval wins show's 2nd season, gets beat down|date=August 31, 2010|last=Bishop|first=Matt|access-date=September 1, 2010|work=SLAM! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> LayCool continued to pick up victories against Kelly and Tiffany.
In September, LayCool appeared on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and challenged WWE Divas Champion Melina to a [[championship unification]] match at [[Night of Champions (2010)|Night of Champions]]. Despite Layla being the official champion, McCool participated in the match and won with Layla's help to unify both championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/09/20/15407301.html|title=Few gimmicks, more title changes at Night of Champions|date=September 20, 2010|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|accessdate=September 25, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/divas/15748578|title=History of the Unified Divas Championship: Michelle McCool|date=September 19, 2010|accessdate=September 25, 2010|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=February 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213183823/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/divas/15748578|url-status=dead}}</ref> Once again, they reigned unofficially as co-champions, wearing two belts and declaring themselves the WWE Unified Divas Champions while the Women's Championship was retired. The night after Night of Champions on Raw, Layla defended the Unified Divas Championship against Melina, cementing their status as co-champions.
In September, LayCool appeared on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and challenged WWE Divas Champion Melina to a [[championship unification]] match at [[Night of Champions (2010)|Night of Champions]]. Despite Layla being the official champion, McCool participated in the match and won with Layla's help to unify both championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/09/20/few-gimmicks-more-title-changes-at-night-of-champions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207174159/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/09/20/few-gimmicks-more-title-changes-at-night-of-champions/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |title=Few gimmicks, more title changes at Night of Champions |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Tylwalk |first=Nick |date=September 20, 2010 |access-date=September 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/divas/15748578|title=History of the Unified Divas Championship: Michelle McCool|date=September 19, 2010|access-date=September 25, 2010|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-date=February 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213183823/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/divas/15748578|url-status=dead}}</ref> Once again, they reigned unofficially as co-champions, wearing two belts and declaring themselves the WWE Unified Divas Champions while the Women's Championship was retired. The night after Night of Champions on Raw, Layla defended the Unified Divas Championship against Melina, cementing their status as co-champions.


After both members of Lay-Cool had successfully defended the championship against Natalya, they faced her in a two-on-one handicap match at [[Survivor Series (2010)|Survivor Series]], which Natalya won to become the new Divas Champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/11/22/16256891.html|title=The fate of Cena is finally decided at so-so Survivor Series|date=November 22, 2010|last=Plummer|first=Dale|author2=Tylwalk, Nick |accessdate=November 22, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Following Survivor Series, Beth Phoenix returned and formed an alliance with Natalya. This culminated in the first Diva [[Professional wrestling match types#Tables match|Tables match]] at the [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2010)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]] pay-per view where Natalya [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Splash|splashed]] both of LayCool through a table to win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/12/20/16615521.html|title=TLC delivers highs, lows and a new champ|date=December 20, 2010|last=Sokol|first=Bryan|accessdate=December 20, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/matches/16538544/results/|title=Lay(-Cool)ing it all on the table|date=December 19, 2010|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|accessdate=December 20, 2010|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|quote=first-ever Divas Tag Team Tables Match}}</ref>
After both members of Lay-Cool had successfully defended the championship against Natalya, they faced her in a two-on-one handicap match at [[Survivor Series (2010)|Survivor Series]], which Natalya won to become the new Divas Champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/11/22/the-fate-of-cena-is-finally-decided-at-so-so-survivor-series/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927151530/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/11/22/the-fate-of-cena-is-finally-decided-at-so-so-survivor-series/ |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |title=The fate of Cena is finally decided at so-so Survivor Series |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Plummer |first=Dale |author2=Tylwalk, Nick |date=November 22, 2010 |access-date=November 22, 2010}}</ref> Following Survivor Series, Beth Phoenix returned and formed an alliance with Natalya. This culminated in the first Diva [[Professional wrestling match types#Tables match|Tables match]] at the [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2010)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]] pay-per view where Natalya [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Splash|splashed]] both of LayCool through a table to win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/12/20/tlc-delivers-highs-lows-and-a-new-champ/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207195300/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/12/20/tlc-delivers-highs-lows-and-a-new-champ/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |title=TLC delivers highs, lows and a new champ |work=Slam Wrestling |last=Sokol |first=Bryan |date=December 20, 2010 |access-date=December 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/matches/16538544/results/|title=Lay(-Cool)ing it all on the table|date=December 19, 2010|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|access-date=December 20, 2010|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|quote=first-ever Divas Tag Team Tables Match}}</ref>


LayCool got a rematch for the Divas Championship at the [[Royal Rumble (2011)|Royal Rumble]] against Natalya, but the match was changed by the [[Anonymous Raw General Manager|anonymous Raw general manager]] to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|fatal-four way match]] including [[Eve Torres]], and was unsuccessful when Eve pinned Layla, despite McCool having simultaneously rolled Natalya up. Tension arose when McCool blamed Layla for the loss, but LayCool smoothed things out. In the coming weeks, Layla continued to lose, despite McCool's help, causing further friction. McCool attacked [[Rosa Mendes]] during her match with Layla and caused Layla to lose by disqualification, claiming that Layla was unable to win by herself, and Layla was furious at McCool for having no faith in her. At [[Elimination Chamber (2011)|Elimination Chamber]], LayCool attacked [[Kelly Kelly]], who was embroiled in a rivalry with [[Vickie Guerrero]]. After saving Guerrero, a returning [[Trish Stratus]] came to help Kelly. This would lead to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVII]], where LayCool teamed with Guerrero's on-screen boyfriend [[Dolph Ziggler]] to face Trish Stratus, [[Nicole Polizzi|Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]]. At WrestleMania, LayCool and Ziggler lost, and tension arose again between McCool and Layla.
LayCool got a rematch for the Divas Championship at the [[Royal Rumble (2011)|Royal Rumble]] against Natalya, but the match was changed by the [[Anonymous Raw General Manager|anonymous Raw general manager]] to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|fatal-four way match]] including [[Eve Torres]], and was unsuccessful when Eve pinned Layla, despite McCool having simultaneously rolled Natalya up. Tension arose when McCool blamed Layla for the loss, but LayCool smoothed things out. In the coming weeks, Layla continued to lose, despite McCool's help, causing further friction. McCool attacked [[Rosa Mendes]] during her match with Layla and caused Layla to lose by disqualification, claiming that Layla was unable to win by herself, and Layla was furious at McCool for having no faith in her. At [[Elimination Chamber (2011)|Elimination Chamber]], LayCool attacked [[Kelly Kelly]], who was embroiled in a rivalry with [[Vickie Guerrero]]. After saving Guerrero, a returning [[Trish Stratus]] came to help Kelly. This would lead to a match at [[WrestleMania XXVII]], where LayCool teamed with Guerrero's on-screen boyfriend [[Dolph Ziggler]] to face Trish Stratus, [[Nicole Polizzi|Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|John Morrison]]. At WrestleMania, LayCool and Ziggler lost, and tension arose again between McCool and Layla.

Revision as of 18:49, 1 March 2023

LayCool
Layla (left) and McCool (right) appearing at the WWE Tribute to the Troops event in 2010
Tag team
MembersLayla
Michelle McCool
Name(s)LayCool
DebutJuly 3, 2009
DisbandedApril 22, 2011
Years active2009–2011

LayCool (sometimes stylized Lay-Cool) was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Layla and Michelle McCool. The team worked for WWE and were featured primarily on the SmackDown brand but appeared on the Raw brand on some occasions, while they were champions and were also part of the second season of NXT, mentoring Kaval, who won the competition.

They first began teaming together in June 2009 but did not become a proper team until the end of the year. The two were portrayed as narcissistic and vain bullies, constantly espousing their own perfection while ganging up on others and attacking their looks. They were a successful team, having won both women's titles available in WWE, the WWE Women's Championship, which they retired when they unified it with the WWE Divas Championship; both titles they claimed to hold as a tag team though this is not officially recognized. The group did court some controversy, however, receiving criticism from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for what it considered the most disgusting promotional tactic regarding a storyline in which they bullied Mickie James for her supposed weight issues.

In April 2011, after nearly two years together, the team disbanded following several disagreements, at which point Layla defeated McCool in a Loser Leaves WWE match.

History

Formation and feud with Mickie James (2009–2010)

Though Layla and McCool had been tagging together over the summer of 2009 (due to partly because of a feud between McCool and Melina over the Women's Championship until she was traded back to Raw), they did not become a unit and display signs of a similar character and gimmick until the end of the year when Mickie James moved to SmackDown.[1] James defeated Layla in her first match back on the show on October 23, while reigning Women's Champion McCool snubbed Mickie James when picking Divas to represent SmackDown against Raw in a Bragging Rights interbrand tag team match, when her team won.[2] Layla and McCool appeared in a backstage segment on the November 6 episode of SmackDown threatening to make life difficult for James unless she left the brand.[3] They began doing so the following week, by bringing James' clothes to the ringside and cutting them, distracting her enough to lose the match she was in.[4] With James refusing to leave the brand, the situation escalated the following week as McCool began mocking James' weight and agricultural background. After James won a match against Layla, McCool appeared in a cartoon video that depicted James as a pig, renaming her "Piggie James" as both LayCool would continue to do, while singing a parody of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and a parody of the Porky Pig bass drum outro with the catchphrase "Th-Th-Th-Th-That's All Folks", portraying James as Porky.[5] This particular segment garnered criticism from journalists, describing it as disgusting and despicable.[6]

Subsequently at the following pay-per-view, Survivor Series, McCool led a team of five Divas, including Layla, against James' team, James' team won with two surviving members: James and Raw's Divas Champion Melina.[7] James was granted a match for the Women's Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, after winning a triple threat match on the December 4 episode of SmackDown, with James defiantly refusing to leave the SmackDown brand despite continued harassment from LayCool.[8] At Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Layla interfered in the match to help McCool retain the championship.[9] Despite the win, LayCool continued to torment James as they tried to make her leave, buying her a Jenny Craig gift certificate for the Christmas Day episode of SmackDown, but gained some revenge by pinning Layla in a tag team match in the same episode.[10]

Going into the new year, the rivalry widened on the January 1 episode of SmackDown. LayCool interfered in a match between James and Beth Phoenix and attacked James after; Phoenix responded by chasing away LayCool but giving the Glam Slam to James as well. The following week, Phoenix defeated Layla, but afterwards LayCool assaulted her together until James saved Phoenix.[11] On January 22's SmackDown, in an unusually long segment for the Divas, LayCool held a leaving party for James complete with a pig-shaped cake. Originally Maria came out to defend champion James, but James also appeared to answer LayCool. After a brawl broke out, Phoenix arrived on the scene appearing to come to their aid only to assist LayCool in attacking James and Maria. McCool hit James with the cake and poured punch over her.[12] LayCool continued to deride James, with Layla dressing up in a fatsuit with a pig mask and losing to McCool in a faux match for the Women's Championship as Piggie James.[13] LayCool's boasting would be their downfall at the Royal Rumble, however, when Layla came out in the Piggie James outfit. James used this to her advantage, when she attacked Layla which distracted McCool allowing her to be pinned in under a minute, losing the Women's Championship.[14] On the February 12 episode of SmackDown, LayCool defeated James in a non-title handicap match made by SmackDown Consultant Vickie Guerrero, who had been accidentally humiliated by James backstage.[15]

Alliance with Vickie Guerrero and co-champions (2010–2011)

With a common enemy, Guerrero began accompanying LayCool, interfering in their matches and favoring them in scripted booking decisions such as making herself the referee in McCool's Women's Championship rematch with James where she brought the title back to McCool on the February 26 episode of SmackDown.[16] With James out of the picture, their lingering rivalry with Phoenix flared up when Phoenix saved Tiffany from a LayCool beatdown on March 12.[17] The following week, Tiffany and Phoenix defeated LayCool in a standard tag team match.[18] This led to a 10-Diva tag team match at WrestleMania XXVI which LayCool helped win after Guerrero pinned Kelly Kelly with a frog splash.[19] Phoenix gained revenge by defeating them again alongside Tiffany.[20] On WWE Superstars, LayCool and Guerrero cut a promo in which they mocked Phoenix for not fitting their image of what a Diva should be, and Guerrero placed Phoenix in an 'intergender' match against Layla, which Phoenix won, despite heavy interfering from McCool and Guerrero. LayCool later gained a measure of revenge by defeating Phoenix and a briefly-returning James, after which they taunted Phoenix's perceived bad looks by smothering her in make-up.[21] At the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, McCool defended her Women's Championship against Phoenix in an Extreme Makeover match, where cosmetics products were legal as weapons. Phoenix won the title from McCool, despite support from Layla and Guerrero.[22]

On the May 14 episode of SmackDown, Guerrero announced McCool was using her rematch against Phoenix, but the match was made a handicap match with both of LayCool against Phoenix. Layla pinned Phoenix to win the Women's Championship for the first time, becoming the first British woman and Diva Search winner to hold the championship.[23] LayCool's beating of Phoenix was given as the reason Phoenix had to take time off for an injury she was suffering from. Owing to LayCool beating Phoenix together for the title, they began referring to themselves as co-champions, even appearing with two physical title belts.[24]

During the 2010 WWE Draft, they defeated Raw Divas (Eve & Maryse) to receive one Diva draft pick, and it was later revealed that Kelly Kelly was drafted to SmackDown and started a feud with her and her partner Tiffany. Around this time, Rosa Mendes asked to join the ranks of LayCool, but LayCool mocked and insulted her instead. LayCool continued to best Kelly and Tiffany in tag team action, but Kelly Kelly gained singles non-title victories over both Layla and McCool, earning her a Women's Championship match against Layla at Money in the Bank, which Layla won to retain the title. Layla was then informed that she would defend the Women's Championship against Tiffany on the July 30 episode of SmackDown, but Vickie Guerrero claimed that LayCool were co-women's champions, and had McCool fight in Layla's place, in which McCool was victorious. Following the match, SmackDown's General Manager, Theodore Long, informed LayCool that there was only one Women's Championship and they had to decide between them and relinquish one belt.[25] The following week, LayCool gave one belt back and played a tug-of-war with the one belt, only for it to break in the middle and the two began to carry half of the belt each, circumventing Long's orders.[26] Also during this time, LayCool began mentoring Kaval during the second season of NXT. They were the first females and tag team to mentor a wrestler on the show.[27][28] Kaval would go on to win the season.[29] LayCool continued to pick up victories against Kelly and Tiffany. In September, LayCool appeared on Raw and challenged WWE Divas Champion Melina to a championship unification match at Night of Champions. Despite Layla being the official champion, McCool participated in the match and won with Layla's help to unify both championships.[30][31] Once again, they reigned unofficially as co-champions, wearing two belts and declaring themselves the WWE Unified Divas Champions while the Women's Championship was retired. The night after Night of Champions on Raw, Layla defended the Unified Divas Championship against Melina, cementing their status as co-champions.

After both members of Lay-Cool had successfully defended the championship against Natalya, they faced her in a two-on-one handicap match at Survivor Series, which Natalya won to become the new Divas Champion.[32] Following Survivor Series, Beth Phoenix returned and formed an alliance with Natalya. This culminated in the first Diva Tables match at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per view where Natalya splashed both of LayCool through a table to win.[33][34]

LayCool got a rematch for the Divas Championship at the Royal Rumble against Natalya, but the match was changed by the anonymous Raw general manager to a fatal-four way match including Eve Torres, and was unsuccessful when Eve pinned Layla, despite McCool having simultaneously rolled Natalya up. Tension arose when McCool blamed Layla for the loss, but LayCool smoothed things out. In the coming weeks, Layla continued to lose, despite McCool's help, causing further friction. McCool attacked Rosa Mendes during her match with Layla and caused Layla to lose by disqualification, claiming that Layla was unable to win by herself, and Layla was furious at McCool for having no faith in her. At Elimination Chamber, LayCool attacked Kelly Kelly, who was embroiled in a rivalry with Vickie Guerrero. After saving Guerrero, a returning Trish Stratus came to help Kelly. This would lead to a match at WrestleMania XXVII, where LayCool teamed with Guerrero's on-screen boyfriend Dolph Ziggler to face Trish Stratus, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and John Morrison. At WrestleMania, LayCool and Ziggler lost, and tension arose again between McCool and Layla.

Implosion and break-up (2011)

On the April 8 episode of SmackDown, tension between the team rose when McCool refused to tag Layla into a match against Kelly and Phoenix. Layla continued trying to fix their relationship, but McCool was resistant. Tension was further highlighted in a SmackDown scene where the two were seen undergoing couples therapy. When Layla lost a singles match against Kelly despite McCool's attempts to help her, McCool told Layla she was sick of doing all her work for her, and shoved her over. Finally, on the April 22 episode of SmackDown, McCool turned on Layla by attacking her after the therapy session, thereby disbanding LayCool. During the 2011 WWE Draft, McCool cost Layla a match against Eve Torres. After the match, McCool tried to taunt and bully Layla again, however Layla snapped after all of her efforts at trying to keep LayCool together, and viciously attacked McCool, saying she was sick of her, before throwing her at the announce table. On the April 29 episode of SmackDown, Layla and McCool fought to a no contest. After the match, Layla challenged McCool to a no countout, no disqualification match at Extreme Rules. McCool accepted on the condition that the loser leave WWE. At Extreme Rules, Layla defeated McCool, which meant she had to leave WWE. After the match, a debuting Kharma came out and attacked McCool with the Implant Buster, and McCool then retired from professional wrestling. Layla retired from professional wrestling on July 29, 2015.

Championships and accomplishments

A dark-haired, tanned Caucasian female straddles the top rope of a wrestling ring with blue ropes. She is wearing a red patterned crop top, and matching shorts and kneepads. She is holding a wrestling championship above her head with both hands.
Layla was the final WWE Women's Champion.
McCool was the inaugural WWE Divas Champion.

References

  1. ^ Waldman, Jon (October 17, 2009). "Smackdown: Making 7". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  2. ^ Waldman, Jon (October 24, 2009). "Smackdown: The SD! seven switch". Slam! Sports. a Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  3. ^ Parks, Greg (November 6, 2009). "WWE SmackDown Report11/6: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Batista vs. Hardy". PWTorch. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  4. ^ Parks, Greg (November 13, 2009). "WWE SmackDown Report 11/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including, for the first-time ever, Jericho vs. Undertaker". PWTorch. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  5. ^ Parks, Greg (November 20, 2009). "WWE SmackDown Report 11/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Jericho & Show vs. Undertaker & Kane". PWTorch. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  6. ^ Waldman, Jon (November 21, 2009). "Smackdown: Dave's gonna kill you!". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  7. ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (November 23, 2009). "Lots of wrestlers per match but no title changes at Survivor Series". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  8. ^ "WWE SmackDown Report 11/27: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Batista vs. Kane". PWTorch. November 27, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  9. ^ Kapur, Bob (December 14, 2009). "New champs at strong WWE TLC show". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  10. ^ Parks, Greg (December 26, 2009). "WWE SmackDown Report 12/25: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the Christmas edition of the show, including Undertaker vs. Mysterio for World Championship". PWTorch. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  11. ^ McNamara, Andy (January 8, 2010). "Smackdown: The lights go out for Batista and Mysterio". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  12. ^ Parks, Greg (January 22, 2010). "WWE SmackDown Report 1/22: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Mysterio calling out Undertaker". PWTorch. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  13. ^ Parks, Greg (January 29, 2010). "WWE SmackDown Report 1/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Morrison vs. McIntyre, no-DQ match for the IC Title". PWTorch. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
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  15. ^ Goodridge, Jeff (February 14, 2010). "Smackdown Report for Feb 12". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  16. ^ Bishop, Matt (February 27, 2010). "Smackdown: Spear, spear, spear". SLAM! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  17. ^ Bishp, Matt (March 13, 2010). "Smackdown: Highlight Reel return successful for Jericho". SLAM! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  18. ^ Keller, Wade (March 19, 2010). "SmackDown Report 3/19: Undertaker vs. McIntrye, Jericho on Cutting Edge, Rey vs. Gallos with WrestleMania stip at stake". PWTorch. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  19. ^ Plummer, Dale (March 29, 2010). "Undertaker ends Shawn Michaels' career in thrilling rematch to cap off Wrestlemania XXVI". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  20. ^ Bishop, Matt (April 2, 2010). "Smackdown: Swagger cashes in". SLAM! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
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  30. ^ Tylwalk, Nick (September 20, 2010). "Few gimmicks, more title changes at Night of Champions". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
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  32. ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (November 22, 2010). "The fate of Cena is finally decided at so-so Survivor Series". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2010.
  33. ^ Sokol, Bryan (December 20, 2010). "TLC delivers highs, lows and a new champ". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  34. ^ Medalis, Kara A. (December 19, 2010). "Lay(-Cool)ing it all on the table". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved December 20, 2010. first-ever Divas Tag Team Tables Match
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  36. ^ a b "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2010". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  37. ^ a b "RAW Results December 13, 2010". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
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