Eve def. Divas Champion Layla

BOSTON — In a surprising turn of events, an ankle injury to No. 1 contender Kaitlyn opened the door for Eve to step in and challenge Divas Champion Layla at Night of Champions. When the dust settled, the talented, ambitious and motivated Eve had topped Layla to begin her third reign with the butterfly-emblazoned belt. ( PHOTOS | KAITLYN INJURY UPDATE)

Early in the night, Kaitlyn was warming up for her title match against Layla when she was viciously attacked from behind by someone covering their face, rendering her unable to compete with a twisted ankle. Since every title must be defended at Night of Champions, SmackDown General Manager Booker T decided that due to her recent success in the Divas division, in addition to excelling in her role as his assistant, Eve would be Layla’s substitute challenger in a fortuitous — or suspicious — case of being in the right place at the right time.

However unusual the circumstances behind her impromptu title match may have been, Eve, for her part, did not let the opportunity slip by. Resisting a quick pin attempt from Layla, Eve utilized her extensive jiu-jitsu training to win a series of grappling exchanges and take control of the match.

When Layla caught Eve with a hard high kick, the champion offered a handshake as a sign of good sportsmanship, but Eve instead kicked the champion to the ground. Battering Layla around ringside, Eve repeatedly slammed her opponent into the ring, seizing momentum in the match and showing her aggressive side.

Layla escaped Eve’s leg scissors submission hold and flew off the ropes with a crossbody, but Eve saw it coming and got out of the way. Hitting a dazed Layla with a spinning neckbreaker, Eve then pinned the champion to win the Divas title.

While it’s unclear whether she swayed events in her favor or simply took advantage of a last-minute opportunity, there is no doubt that Eve is the new Divas Champion. Will her first title defense come against Layla when the former champion invokes her rematch clause? Or will ex–No. 1 contender Kaitlyn recover from her ankle injury to challenge for the title? Whether it’s Layla, Kaitlyn or another Diva, the stunning and dangerous Eve appears ready for all challengers to her newly won, third Divas title.