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| photo courtesy: dailyddt.com |
WWE announced that it has released Emma from the company via a release on its website.
Later in the day WWE had a change of heart. Per a release from WWE.com: "Upon further evaluation, WWE has reinstated Tenille Dashwood (WWE Diva Emma) but will take appropriate punitive action for her violation of the law."
Original Text
WWE diva Emma, real name Tenille Dashwood, was arrested on Monday in Hartford, Connecticut, which is where this week's edition of Raw took place on suspicion of sixth-degree larceny, according to the arrest log from Hartford.gov (h/t Daniel Pena of Wrestling Inc.).
According to Ben Kerin of WrestlingNewsSource.com, the offence occurred at a Walmart and larceny in the state of Connecticut constitutes "the theft of an item $250 or below."
Christine Dempsey and David Owens of the Daily Courant provide details on the arrest:
Dashwood, whose ring name is "Diva Emma," appeared in community court Tuesday. She was told to perform community service, according to her lawyer, Hubert Santos. When she completes the community service, the charge will be dismissed, Santos said.
Santos said outside the courtroom that his client's arrest was the result of a mistake. She was using a self-checkout machine at the Hartford Wal-Mart when she bought about $30 of items but forgot to pay for an iPod or iPad case, Santos said.
Dave Meltzer of WrestlingObserver.com noted that the rumor going around during the television tapings was Emma stole an iPod and the maximum penalty for sixth-degree larceny in the state is three months in prison and a $500 fine.
TMZ passed along Emma's mugshot following her arrest:
WWE Diva Emma -- BUSTED for Shoplifting iPad Case http://t.co/YmAdrJuZdm
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 1, 2014 Emma made history when she debuted on television earlier this year as the first Australian-born WWE diva. She started a feud with Summer Rae that culminated with her being put into a relationship with Santino Marella.
However, the 25-year-old's last notable appearance on television came in April after she took part in the battle royal at WrestleMania.
For the most part, WWE utilizes Divas as filler on a card instead of built to be actual in-ring performers, so sometimes their directions can be unclear. Emma is the latest in a long line of women to get lost in the shuffle.
Emma didn't appear to be losing any sleep over the incident, as she was tweeting during Monday's edition of Raw about AJ returning to WWE and defeating Paige to win the Divas Championship:
Umm wow! I don't even know what to say.... Can hardly believe what just happened with @WWEAJLee and @RealPaigeWWE! #RAW #WWEHartford #WWE
— EMMA (@EmmaWWE) July 1, 2014 At times in these situations, WWE will keep its talent off social media before making any decisions about their future. The fact that Emma was tweeting during the show could mean she's not in danger of being released, though the more details that the company finds out could change that in a hurry.
It also doesn't help Emma's cause that AJ returned to television after nearly three months, adding depth to the Divas roster and potentially dropping the Australian another spot on the totem pole.
source: bleacherreport.com
