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when Serena got the pin in a four way battle against ODB, Beth Phoenix and Katie Lea. She held onto the title until October when it was lost to Beth Phoenix. Serena spent the next few months trying to get it back, but never quite getting close enough. Throughout this time she continued to feud with ODB whilst also trying to get to Phoenix. The following year was spent with much of the same format. Serena was absent for almost four months at the start of 2008, making a surprise return to answer an open challenge from the current OVW champion Josie. Her comeback was successful and she won the title for a second time. Serena proclaimed that she would defend the title at all times and a 24/7 rule came into play. This decision lead to her losing the belt back to Josie two months later when she attacked Serena, who just successfully defended her title against Reggie.
HER IN-RING SkILLS ARE ST ExCEPTIONAL GIvEN HER FA SS INE BuS E TRACk INTO TH The following months were chaotic with the 24/7 rule as the belt changed hands more times than they could lace their boots. Come August 2008, Serena won the title back for a unprecedented sixth time and the 24/7 rule was scrapped. She held onto the belt until November that year when she lost it in another four way match to Melody. Not being one to shy away from tough matches, she would challenge Melody in a steel cage match the following February, but once again failed to regain the belt. Throughout her time in OVW, Serena competed in various other promotions also, such as TNA, Shimmer and ROH. Unfortunately her beginning run of losing streaks in OVW seemed to follow her around, though she found strength and support through the likes of MsChif. Things took a turn again in July 2009 when she became billed as Mia Mancini upon arriving at Florida Championship Wrestling. At last she was
onto a winning streak. In August she pinned April Lee in another four way match to win the Queen of FCW crown, and kept hold of it until February this year when she lost it to AJ Lee (this time being billed as Serena Mancini due to her head already being shaved after asking Punk to save her). So what is next for Serena? She was popular with the fans from the beginning of her OVW career and has proved herself in the ring, both technically and as an entertainer on the microphone. Her in-ring skills are exceptional given her fast track into the business and she can only get better. She looks as if she wants to learn and is willing to do it the hard way by proving herself, not by flaunting her body or by association with a male counterpart. I am hopeful that the creative team appreciate the dynamite that they are sitting on with Serena. She needs to be given more to do other than run into the ring to cover CM Punk from attacks, she’s gritty and not afraid to take risks, and they should make the most of this. Personally I would love to see her in a feud with Beth Phoenix, though for now I think it’s in her best interest to stay with Punk and get the fans even more accustomed to her being in the picture, though she will need to leave him at some point. I’d hoped for big things with the women’s division what with Gail Kim coming back to the WWE, though once again I’ve been left very disappointed. Maybe Serena breaking away and getting into battle will spark some enthusiasm back into this division, and I seriously doubt she will let us down with her dedication and determination. n Froggy can be contacted at FroGGYLLLc@aol.com worldwide wrestling magazine 51