Diva Dish: Jetset Divas head to Europe
By Kara A. Medalis
Written: September 12, 2008

In this week’s Diva Dish, Natalya, Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix prepare for their European tour; Victoria’s custom car shop moves into the fast lane; Candice Michelle and Mickie James talk about the National Conventions; and Katie Lea enjoys summer’s final days.

Europe-bound Divas
In less than two weeks, WWE Superstars and Divas will embark on a multi-city tour of Europe. Some of your favorite Divas will soon be strutting down the Champs-Elysees in Paris and enjoying the Spanish culture in beautiful Barcelona. (Read what the Superstars are saying.)

“Every time we go to a different country, there’s a totally different vibe. It varies from state to state, because we do travel a lot around the United States. But, when we go to a different country, the vibe, in general, is just insane,” said Natalya.

“I’m expecting fiery, passionate fans, in Spain, especially. The Spanish are very passionate about what they believe in. If they love you, they’ll show you, they’ll let you know they love you,” said the third-generation SmackDown Diva.

Kelly Kelly told Diva Dish she plans to use her limited free time in Europe on something near and dear to her heart: shopping!

“I’m going everywhere, every city we’re in, I’m going shopping. I’ll let you know which city is best. I’m going to guess Paris is best,” the Raw Diva said.

“I’m excited to go to the beaches, too. Apparently it’s really hot. Candice Michelle and I are going to party at night, go to sleep on the beach and wake up on the beach. We have big plans together for our tour!” Kelly Kelly said.

Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix said her presence in several European cities will only make them better.

“I’ve heard that Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world, so I’m totally looking forward to adding to their beauty by bringing The Glamazon to Barcelona and Madrid,” she said.

“More than anything, I’m looking forward to Paris, seeing the historic monuments and experiencing the culture. I definitely want to visit the Eiffel Tower. I’m a big fan of art, and I know Paris is known for its art and fashion,” the Raw Diva said.

Don’t be surprised if Phoenix is caught stealing a kiss from her boyfriend at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

“It’s a very romantic city. It’s probably the most romantic city in the entire world. Where better than the Eiffel Tower to take my man? Maybe we’ll grab a beautiful lunch at a bistro,” she mused. “Santino is Italian, he is European, so he’s going to feel right at home in one of his neighboring countries. Although it won’t be the same as Italy, it’ll be close.”

Raw, SmackDown and ECW travel through Europe from Sept. 24 to 27, and will visit Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona in Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Innsbruck, Austria; Munich, Germany; and Paris. (Click on the locations for ticket information.)

Life in the fast lane
There’s more exciting news in the high-speed life of Victoria. The success of her Louisville-based Black Widow Customs car shop has gone from zero to 60 in mere months, and the Diva couldn’t be happier.

“We just designed a 2009 HHR for Montgomery Chevrolet in Louisville,” Victoria told Diva Dish. “We pimped it out with Lambo doors, tinted windows, 18-inch black mesh wheels, we lowered it an inch and half to make it edgier and we put 12-inch subwoofers in the back, plus a DVD player. We totally hooked this thing up. It has Black Widow graphics on it. We designed three other cars and I’m happy to say they have a Black Widow Customs line.”

Victoria also filmed a 30-minute infomercial for Black Widow Customs, which will air on local and cable television channels in Louisville.

“This is just baby-stepping. We’ve been open for three or four months and already … gosh! It’s just expanding and I’m so excited. Hopefully I’ll show my Chrysler 300 in the SEMA Show this year and it’s in the L.A. Auto Show in November,” she said. “And the HHR is on view at Montgomery Chevrolet in Louisville on Preston Highway, right down the street from us. So people can see what we did and get a taste of what we do!”

Divas at the Conventions
The Democratic and Republican National Conventions have wrapped up, but the Divas who attended have made memories that will last lifetimes.

“It was really a great experience for me. I went into this really being out of my comfort zone, and not being politically involved, so going into this, I thought, ‘Wow, what do I have to offer here?'” Candice Michelle said.

“But after really researching our program, Smackdown Your Vote!, and the importance of it, being there was really amazing and really got me politically involved. I realize that it’s my duty as an American citizen to vote. I was able to register at Rock the Vote. I think it’s important that if I go out there and preach something to the young demographic to register, I lead by example,” Candice said.

The Diva, who is back in tip-top shape and will challenge Beth Phoenix for the Women’s Championship at No Mercy, admitted she was nervous about walking into the Democratic National Convention at first. But when Candice surprisingly ran into her L.A.-based church choir, her fears quickly went away.

“It was this totally inspiring, memorable moment. When I said, ‘Let go and let God,’ he just took me in his hands and really just blessed me with all these wonderful people. I went up there and I felt like I was part of that political world and I was really able to get our message across about Smackdown Your Vote!” she said.

Mickie James said her experience at the Republican National Convention wasn’t like anything she anticipated.

“I expected to go there and for it to be very uptight and just political, but everybody was really cool. They were down-to-earth and there were a lot of WWE fans there. As far as congress and senate, there was actually a fair amount of fans!” the Raw Diva said.

“We promoted WWE’s Smackdown Your Vote! and I think we were very successful. It was a lot of fun, and I got to meet a lot of cool people,” she said.

“I met Greta Van Susteren. She was really cool. I was nervous because she could be a hardball, you know? But she was really, really cool. She said she’ll be at the show in Washington D.C. and she wants to take me on. So I might have to beat up on some Greta. I don’t want to, you know, but I just might have to,” Mickie laughed.

For more on WWE at the Conventions, visit WWE.com’s official Conventions site.

Summer’s end
Katie Lea is making the most of the final days of summer. The Raw Diva recently spent a long weekend away at the New Jersey Shore to catch some rays and tease some boys, of course.

“I went to Wildwood, and much to my surprise, it turned out to be just like Blackpool, England. It was a little seaside resort with an amusement park and everything. It reminded me of home, which was nice,” she told Diva Dish.

“I got hooked up at the car rental place with a beautiful, perfect for Katie Lea Burchill, dark red convertible. So I was just cruisin’ along the shore, all the boys looking at me, wanting some. But I was giving them nothing, just ignoring them,” she smirked. “I ended up hanging out at the beach, getting in and playing with the waves.”

Credit: WWE.com