WWE TLC 2012: Naomi Wins Pre-Show Battle Royal to Become No. 1 Contender

Live from the online exclusive TLC pre-show in the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Naomi picked up the victory in a nine Diva “Santa’s Little Helpers” battle royal. While the gimmick here was merely an excuse to get the Divas into Christmas costumes as a novelty, Naomi's victory did earn her the no. one contendership to the Divas title.

Having bested Layla, Kaitlyn, Alicia Fox, Natalya, Tamina, Aksana, Rosa and her fellow Funkadactyl Cameron, Naomi will go on to face Eve for the Divas title later tonight at TLC. While it is surprising that Naomi claimed the victory over 2012’s more prominent Divas Layla and Kaitlyn, it is excellant to see a fresh face getting her first opportunity at the title.

The match itself was very short and quick as expected. The participants entered together with some generic Christmas music and got straight into the matchup. Besides a few unexpected suplexes the bout featured nothing special. At times Cameron and Naomi worked together, with Natalya and Tamina also hitting some tandem offense.

The final three standing were Naomi, Kaitlyn and Tamina. Tamina was taken out in a collaborative effort from her opponents and won’t be getting a second shot at the title in 2012 after her unsuccessful attempt back at Elimination Chamber in February.

With Kaitlyn firmly in control it appeared she would be claiming the victory until Eve—who joined Matt Striker and Scott Stanford on commentary—interfered, allowing Naomi to capitalize. Later tonight Naomi will step up to prominence within the division; however, only time will tell whether she is more than merely another name for Eve to defeat.

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