Farewell Layla

The internet and social media were a buzz recently, when Layla El, known to WWE fans as simply Layla, announced her retirement from wrestling. This came off the cusp of her recent engagement announcement to former WWE superstar Ricky Ortiz. While Layla began her career as a model and dancer, (even acting as a dancer during a Kanye West performance at a MTV Video Music Awards show), it was her time with the WWE, as a sports entertainer, that really put her on the map.

Layla enjoyed an incredible wrestling career with the WWE, spanning nine years; which can be considered quite a long time for some women to last within the company. She held both the WWE Women’s Championship and the Divas Championship; and the first Diva Search winner to win both titles respectively. As well, she is also the first British woman to win both titles, and while it is time for her to travel new roads, she will be greatly missed by the WWE Universe. Layla began her wrestling journey in 2006 when she entered and won the WWE’s Diva Search contest. Her first official appearance on WWE was during the 2006 SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) where the other divas on the roaster initiated her into the group by throwing her in a shower, fully clothed.

Things only went up from there. In 2009, Layla joined forces with Michelle McCool, and the duo was infamously known as LayCool; becoming a dominant heel force in the divas division. Further etching her legacy into the WWE history books, in 2010 on the May 14th edition of Monday Night RAW Layla pinned WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix during a two-on-one handicap match (with McCool on her side). She also participated in the first-ever women’s tables match at TLC later that year, with McCool – against Natalya and Beth Phoenix.

While LayCool had a falling out in 2011, which could not be saved by couples therapy, Layla moved on to win the Divas Championship in 2012; coming back from an injury, to pin Nikki Bella at Extreme Rules. Layla held onto the title for 140 days, until she was pinned by Eve Torres at Night of Champions that year. While new faces have joined the roster (and left), Layla has played a prominent role within the company, and has always been entertaining to watch; and is undeniably a future candidate for the WWE Hall of Fame.

On behalf of everyone here at WrestleNewz, we wish Layla El health, laughter and happiness as she enters this new and exciting chapter in her life. While I am sure fans are happy at the reason why she is retiring … she will truly be missed. All the best Layla El!