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Zivile Raudoniene: IFBB Figure Pro to WWE Diva?
- Updated: July 27, 2009
On a career path that seemed destined for possible greatness in the IFBB figure division, Zivile Raudoniene appears headed to the squared circle. The 2009 Figure International at the Arnold Classic winner was the favorite headed into the Ms. Figure Olympia but has dropped out of the competition.
There had been speculation that Raudoniene was planning on joining the ranks of World Wrestling Entertainment and Flex Online reported that the blonde beauty had officially pulled her name from the Olympia ring, basically spelling out the story of the rumors.
The 27-year-old had established herself in the division even before defeating Gina Aloitta in Columbus, Ohio. Raudoniene finished in third place at the 2008 Olympia, bettering her placing from the previous year by nine spots. She also won the New York Pro in 2007, a highly-regarded show throughout the industry.
Assuming that the WWE rumors are true, it is apparent that Vince McMahon’s wallet is fatter than any purses given out at figure contests. How this move will affect Raudoniene’s relationship with Gaspari Nutrition remains to be seen. A supplement contract is not something to walk away from without a safety net, either meaning that she will still be plugging the products or her new deal with the top wrestling league was too good to pass up.
Where exactly the 5’5″, 130-pound Raudoniene will fit in as a WWE diva is another question. Although in excellent condition, she is small in stature and will have to learn an entire new trade, one with physical implications. The days of valets looking pretty and walking a male wrestler to the ring are over. These ladies, smoking hot and all, get in the ring and go at it toe-to-toe. There is an entire story line with them completely separate from the male grapplers, but with similarities of a group of ‘heels’ (bad guys) and ‘baby faces’ (good guys).
At the WWE’s most recent pay-per-view event (Night of Champions) on Sunday, Mickie James, a baby face, defeated Maryse, a heel, for the Divas Championship. In the Women’s Championship match, heel Michelle McCool retained her title by besting baby face Melina.
The only diva who does not partake in the action is Tiffany, who is the general manager of the ECW brand. Perhaps Raudoniene is destined for a similar role, but that does not seem like something as likely as her becoming one of the actual wrestlers.
Either way, it is the IFBB’s loss and the WWE’s gain. The Lithuanian-born stunner made the decision to not compete in the most prestigious contest of the year and that opens the door for the other women headed down to Las Vegas in September. By then, Raudoniene should have herself established in the WWE, new nickname and all.
CONTEST HISTORY
2006 NPC Metropolitan – 1st place
2006 NPC Pittsburgh – 1st Place
2006 IFBB European Championships – 2nd Place
2006 IFBB New York Pro – 12th Place
2007 IFBB New York Pro – 1st Place
2007 IFBB Pro Houston – 2nd Place
2007 IFBB Olympia – 12th Place
2008 IFBB Olympia – 3rd Place
2009 Arnold Classic – 1st Place
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