WWE Announces Release of Diva Kelly Kelly

WWE has released Kelly Kelly on Friday, according to their official website.

This release should not come off as a huge surprise, as Kelly Kelly had been rumored to be leaving WWE since June. She had taken time off a couple months ago to recharge her batteries. Obviously, she has had a longer vacation in mind.

Her release caps a six-year stint with the company, in which she started as the youngest Diva on the WWE roster in 2006.

One of the company's most popular divas in recent memory, Kelly Kelly (aka Barbara Blank) represented the class of the Divas division. Her absence creates a significant void in that female class.

She had become a fixture on both Raw and SmackDown, winning the Divas Championship on both programs.

Her feud with LayCool on SmackDown a couple years prior was one of her more memorable storylines. She also had storylines with Beth Phoenix, Drew McIntyre and the Bella twins, among others.

Outside of the ring she was one of the most marketable stars the WWE had to offer and a popular choice in interviews and merchandising opportunities. Kelly Kelly was not only a role model for female fans to look up to, but for other WWE Divas to emulate by example.

The company is losing a class Diva who possessed the all-around package for both wrestling and entertainment.

Hopefully this will not be the last of Kelly Kelly in the WWE ring.