Keeping up with Impact/GFW/Impact again has been a real challenge lately, as the company spent most of 2017 and early 2018 wrapped up in ownership changes that detrimentally affected personnel  and content. During the summer, the Knockouts – hopefully with a steadier roster now! – began to release some photoshoots again. The first, themed “Back To Basics”  seems to be a ground floor attempt to take the division back to its most recent high point, 2013 when Christy Hemme was directing the KOs marketing. The presentation includes adjectives with each photo highly reminiscent of the photoshoot that accompanied the opening of the now-defunct WestlingKnockouts.com website. I hope this does indeed herald a renewed beginning for these ladies! In keeping with the theme, the styling is stripped down and simple: denim shorts, tees, girl-next-door vibes. I’m having an inordinate amount of fun with these snaps, likely because we’ve been so starved for shoots on all fronts lately!
Katarina (the lady formerly known as Winter) kicks things off with a black tank and dark  denim shorts. She throws some edge into the look by completing it with knee-high scrunch boots with a sexy lace-up back. Her rock-solid poses show her comfort and experience: they’re fierce and sensual at the same time.
Allie takes the shoot to a lighter, brighter place: pairing a white tank with medium wash denim. Fringed beige ankle booties give an on-trend Western vibe to her look. She plays around on the bench prop flawlessly, conveying both sweetness and sexiness at once.
Tessa chose a black cropped top paired with cut-off dark denim and rounded off the look with fierce pointy ankle booties. Despite the minimalist vibe of her clothing, she manages to channel femme fatale attitude with her unique poses and stunning facials. She gets props for working hard to push the envelope.

We’ve fiiiiinally gotten some new fashion-containing photos from Impact: a trio of snaps highlighting the newest additions to their roster. While I’m sorry to report that Laurel is no longer a Knockout (I really enjoyed her fashion!), I’ thrilled to have Madison back in the line-up. This snap gives us a look at the gold version of her gear and it is a stunning set! The clean lines and simplicity of this iteration, which she’s been using for two years or so, continue to make it powerful and compelling. The highlight is the holographic sheen to the fabric, which gives a futuristic vibe to the ensemble. I love how it keeps the gear – in no matter what color- from feeling flat or done; it’s a flawless touch! I also love the touch of sheer fabric at the shoulders. It adds a hint of sexiness without seeming thirsty – just what you’d expect from a queen of the ring like Maddy! Her dark red hair really pops against this gear set and she looks amazing! Also new to the roster is Tessa Blanchard, a third generation wrestler. Her black and gold gear features a copped halter top and shorts, a combination we’ve seen plenty of, but which suits her very well.  The gear has a polished, professional quality that I admire and enjoy. Hopefully, in future, we’ll see her explore some unique detail that will add her own personal touch - in addition to the diamond insignia- to this well-designed attire.  Impact’s newest Knockout, Katarina, may look familiar to you – she was previously part of the roster under the name Winter (and previously part of the WWE roster as Katie Lea, back in the early days of my fandom :)). I love that she finally gets to use her real name – it’s so pretty and unique! While she has a new, party-girl persona on-screen, in this snap we see fashion that reminds me of her Winter character in that she’s incorporated lace and a vintage vibe. It’s not quite Winter’s Gothic style, but it has vestiges of it. She paired the sexy, feminine plum blouse with simple black leggings. I’ve always enjoyed what Katarina brings to the table; she always has a creative take and I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes with this new run.

Aaaaaand, iiiiiiit’s tiiiiiiiiime!  We are about to unveil the photoshoots that won our stylish hearts this year. And YOU get to award the one best ‘shoot the honor of the Silver Snap.  Are you ready?
First, a few quid pro quo: this year was especially difficult as it suffered from a dearth of photoshoots from both promotions. Also, both companies leaned toward gallery-type snaps where a number of ladies got individual sets all at once. Consequently, I decided to count each lady’s set as an individual ‘shoot. From there, I whittled down and split hairs and compared and contrasted and evaluated and… you get the picture. In the interests of full disclosure, since diva-fierce is a fashion site and we are all about the fashion, there is a slight bias around these parts towards fashion-type ‘shoots, so I tended to weight those a little higher than less style-inclined snaps. Ok…the lawyers can go off retainer now. Let’s get to the good stuff…

We have a couple of addenda to Impact’s Halloween ‘shoots ( I know, I know...I’m a full holiday behind *hangs head in shame*). First up is McKenzie as a lovely and quite glamorous mermaid – a theme that seems to be a perfect choice for her. Her outfit is classic and flawless, from the seashell bra to the aptly named mermaid skirt of her costume. I really love the color combinations in this set – they create an ombré effect starting with metallic azure, shifting into bright lime and then into shimmering mint. It aptly reflects the sea theme but also looks quite stunning. Many mermaids are content to allow the seashells to be their only baubles, by McKenzie gives us a flashier, more luxe interpretation of the look, adding a sparkling crystal choker and glittering statement cuff, which definitely up the wow factor. Her eyeshadow echoes the colors of her outfit, as well as it’s sheen, enhancing her natural beauty. She nails two standard poses, setting up my only regret regarding this ‘shoot: that we didn’t get a couple more snaps in it.             
Taya’s Viking-themed “set” unfortunately suffers from the same paucity of shots, but what’s there is solid. She dons an ivory bodysuit with a metallic front panel, which gives a nice illusion of armor and adds a heavy dose of fur: gloves, epaulets, even a sort of bustle, which I’m sure there is much tougher, more technical, and far more Viking-esque name for :). Fur also trims her horned metallic cap. Fishnets stockings add a subtle dose of sex appeal to the look, while the red streaks in her hair bring in a welcome shot of color. We sadly never get to see her footwear choice, but I’d put good money down on fur-lined boots – what else would a Nordic warrior face battle in? Her pose is an appealing one and presented with confidence. On my wishlist:  I would have loved to see her carrying a giant shield or sword…I’d even settle for an ice pick. Perhaps those were in the snaps that didn’t get released. Ooo..and maybe she’s off to do battle with the one keeping them prisoner.  If so, I hope she wins! ;)

Kim: If we have any Marvel fans reading... *I raise my hand*... You're probably going to immediately recognize who Rosemary is dressing up as... *Raises my other hand*. She's bringing the darkness with this Venom look. The coolest part of this costume is without a doubt the face paint. The big, gaping mouth going all the way down her neck, with an even longer and twisted tongue, completed with lots of sharp, fang-like teeth. She also continued the black face paint down her chest to match up with the black body suit. And I mean a full on body suit, no cuts outs or sheer material, with long sleeves and everything. We've got the spider logo in silver right in the middle, and the hood with Venom's eyes is a haunting touch.  The final pieces of this costume are the knee high black boots, and the black leather gloves. I will call her poses very spidery, with her arms outstretched and her hands curled. Her facial expressions are so calm, and yet chilling. She isn't smiling, I mean come on it would mess up the paint, so for these shots it's all in the eyes.

Kim: The Impact shoots just keep on comin'! Allie is up next, and her costume is so... dang... cute! Like, it's definitely flirtatious, and a little sexy, but it's also just so adorable. I love how so many different materials are brought together to make this costume work. We've got the satin bunny ears that tie into the long, black satin gloves. So classy! The white lace body suit contrasts with the black frilly panties, but not in a bad way. They work so well together! I also love how she layered the bodysuit over a black bra, which again brings the shorts and the top together. And oh my gosh, we got a shoe shot! Thank you! Nothing too fancy here, but you can rarely go wrong with a simple pair of strappy black stilettos. We get a pop of sparkle with that crystal tie, and of course, it wouldn't be a bunny costume without a fluffy tail.

I’ve been working super hard on a massive new Melange post. Coming this week for ya, loves! XO
Maria was cool and casual in her black and red graphic tee and leggings. I love how she put a rocker-cool spin on this look with her leather vest and, most of all, those super hot ankle boots! A little hardware always gets my attention ;). For her summer tv appearance, she ditched casual for glam, showing off this silver sequined dress with a tulip front. The cutesy vibe of her lipstick-kiss pumps wouldn’t have been my first choice as a pairing from a fashion standpoint, but they’re a perfect way to convey her character, so I’m giving them the ok here. They definitely add a whimsical touch to this fancy piece, which makes the look stand out from the ordinary. She doubled down on that theme with her next look, a pairing of black kabooty shorts with a sequined Betty Boop tee and lipstick-kiss leather jacket in blush. The whole ensemble is so over-the-top and almost cartoonish that only Maria could pull this off successfully. Her massive, fearless personality carries this look: it doesn’t wear her, she wears it. And she channels it into a faux serious sexy lovefest. I’m completely in awe of how she makes something so wrong seem exactly right. And she earns bonus points for the on-trend fishnets.
We saw Maryse wear this BCBG cape dress alone with nude pointy pumps and layered over a sheer piece with Rockstud pumps, but here she lighten the look up by completing it with Nudist ankle strap sandals. They have  a barely-there quality (hence the name ;)) which really highlights the sleek softness of this dress. I’m also 100% in for her self-wrapped pony, which looks amazing on her and is rapidly becoming one of my favorite hairstyles. I also want to express my delight for Maryse and Miz and their forthcoming bundle of joy. Congrats to them!

Kim: Halloween is quickly approaching, in fact it's coming up in just a few nights, and we've got a fun costume shoot to review from Laurel Van Ness. Donning the red, blue, and gold, she is being her own hero as Wonder Woman. There are multiple ways someone can represent this fearless superhero, from the traditional comic book character to the recent movie adaptation. Laurel went more so with a classic look, but still made it unique. From top to bottom, we start with the signature gold headband, holding back her hair which is styled in some beautiful curls. Her gold and red top is tied into her high waisted, bright blue shorts covered in little while stars, by a big gold waist piece. The final touches are the gold gauntlets on her wrists and a bright pop of red on her lips. Laurel nailed some amazing superhero poses, like the side view of her crossed arms, to really send this shoot home. Wonder Woman is personally my favourite superhero, and Laurel did a fantastic job of bringing her justice in these photos.

The Impact (formerly TNA, now GFW) Knockouts are back in a BIG way! They have their first full photoshoot in aaaaaages and it includes most of the roster. Even better, the snaps are seriously awesome! The ladies each portray a force of nature, in keeping with their new promotion. Earth, wind, water and fire are all represented and quite fabulously at that!
Allie took on the force of water in a beach-setting collection of snaps. She paired a white faux-wrap cami with lace shorts, which are noteworthy for the gorgeous scalloped edges. While I'm a little surprised that she didn't reach for blue tones, I love the softness of these shots and the way she explores classic pin-up poses as she rolls about in the sand. The backdrop takes a bit of artistic license with its wispy waves; if you're looking for ultra-realism, this might throw you for awhile, as it did me. It's not my favorite facet of the 'shoot, but when I adjusted my perspective to looking at it as an artistic assemblage, rather than a photograph, it's dealable. It does add a hiccough to a very solid set of snaps that are not only the sultriest we’ve seen from Allie, but also some of the prettiest, as well as an indication of her appreciable fashion talent.
As with her street fashion, Laurel's photoshoot pops off the page; it's immediately engaging,  impactful and hot as heck! She donned a black, strappy monokini for her interpretation of water's force. The piece is 100% fierce in and of itself and Laurel unquestionably owns the look. Posing with poise and confidence, she rocks my word hard by playing with her hair and  glancing over her shoulder , smashing the open-mouth facial in the process and making it instantly relevant again. Her wet hair looks as though it is catching the spray from the waterfall backdrop, which is fittingly symbolic of both danger and beauty.  Everything – background, fashion , poses – comes together brilliantly in this set, making it one of the standout collections of the ‘shoot. Brava.
It's been too long since we've gotten to enjoy Gail's prowess in a photoshoot and her skill and experience shines through here, as she embodies the force of wind - what else but a gale force for Gail? I'm thrilled with her interpretation - it's creative and darkly beautiful, expressing the theme in an intriguing and aesthetically stunning way. Outside of a strappy bikini bottom  and strappy heels, the fashion consists primarily of fringe-like strands of black ribbon that extend the full length of her body and sway in the breeze, creating the sense of movement and drama that makes these snaps so captivating. Her long, flowing curls reinforce the idea. The peekaboo effect of the blowing fabric brings in a seductive tension that adds intensity to the snaps, while Gail's flawless poses heighten the effect. I especially love the one of her playing with her hair, eye half-closed, as if savoring her power!

McKenzie tried out a denim-on-denim look, variously known as a Canadian tuxedo and Texas  tuxedo (seems like a lot of places claim the pairing! ;)). She noted on her IG that the look was inspired by Guess and I can see it! It would totally work as one of their campaign snaps. She pairs high-waisted blue denim shorts with a coordinating tied-high button-down that lets just a hint of brassiere peek through. For a real life look, I’d probably swap the bra for a bandeau, cropped tank or bustier, but for a Guess ad, I’ll let it slide ;). It’s also worth noting that denim-on-denim is remaining an important trend this fall.
This look from Renee strikes me as a quintessential example of her style: it’s offbeat, laidback and unexpected. She pairs a half-tucked sleeveless graphic tee with high-waisted leather pleated shorts and rounds off the ensemble with suede peeptoe booties. The textural play here – leather, suede, knit – is fantastic and the whole styling has this enviable urban-chic vibe that I’m wild over. Her half-updo adds a softer touch which works nicely.
Sasha explored a similar vibe at the BET Experience as she, too, chose leather shorts to pair with a hanf-tucked top. The Boss went with a drapey white cami (from Fashion Nova) instead of the sleeveless tee for a more polished, but still casual, effect. Strappy sandals brought just the right dose of fierce to the look, keeping it from being bland, while a minimalist choker tied everything together nicely. I also love Sasha’s incorporation of her trademark “Legit” and “Boss” statement rings: they bring panache and Banks-ian attitude to the ensemble. Sasha slays a more formal look for her appearance at the BET Awards in an emerald lace dress by Willfredo Gerardo. The super-size lace pattern set on a mesh background has a wonderful contemporary quality, while still retaining its beauty. It’s sexy, but not crassly so. An added bonus is how stunning the color is with her plum hair shade! She brings in hints of metallic glam via her gold sandals. Nude or beige would have been more expected, but I like that she chose to do something different.