Earlier this summer when the 2006 $250,000 Diva Search contest began, eight beautiful, talented women had high hopes of becoming one of the sexiest women on television. Now, with the live Diva Search Finals at New York City's Hard Rock Cafe just one day away, only three women remain in the competition: Layla El, Jen England and J.T. Tinney. The finalists will compete in a bikini arm wrestling contest and a live lingerie competition during the show Wednesday night at 10/9 CT on USA.

Last year's Diva Search winner and current SmackDown Diva Ashley, will host Wednesday's finale with Todd Grisham.

"Winning the Diva Search absolutely changed my life." Ashley told the Diva Search hopefuls earlier in the competition. "You guys are being given a golden opportunity right now. You really need to run with it."

Let's take a look back at the highlights of WWE's 2006 $250,000 Diva Search.

For their first challenge, the eight Diva Search contestants participated in Sgt. Slaughter's Boot Camp on SmackDown. Layla was the quickest to pass through a series of obstacles and was declared the winner. The next Monday on RAW, Amy Zidian was told by host Mike "The Miz" Mizanin that she received the lowest number of votes and was the first one eliminated.

"I didn't want to be the first to go. I wanted this really bad. To say the least, I'm not happy," a tearful Amy told WWE.com after her elimination.

Later that week on SmackDown, the final seven competed in a Diva Search Dance-Off. Each woman performed her sexiest moves for the WWE fans, and Milena Roucka won. On the next RAW, Maryse Ouellet was the next to go.

"I feel really, really sad," Maryse said. "It was my dream. I had an amazing, amazing time. I thought this would be great for me. I expected [I would do better in the voting]."

For their next challenge, the remaining six hopefuls faced Diva Search Musical Chairs on SmackDown. J.T. won Musical Chairs, but Rebecca DiPietro fought hard (and shoved J.T.) and ended up with second place. It wasn't enough to secure her spot in the competition, and on the next RAW, Rebecca was given the bad news that she was the next out.

"I'm surprised that I was voted off," Rebecca told WWE.com. "I didn't see it coming."

When it came down to five, the competition got a little bit sweeter on SmackDown. As each finalist told WWE fans why she should stay in the competition, she got pied in the face with whipped cream, giving viewers a revealing look at how each reacts to a surprise. On RAW, Erica Chevillar was the next to say goodbye.

"It was a great experience. It was all new to me. I look at it as a learning experience. I was so happy to be a part of this," Erica said. "I hope this is a stepping stone to me one day being part of the sexiest women on television. After experiencing it, I want to be part of it."

After Erica's departure, the final four played Diss the Diva, telling the WWE fans who should be the next Diva Search hopeful to go. Then on SmackDown, the finalists strutted their stuff during the Diva Search Talent Show, hosted by actor Luke Perry. Layla won over the Nashville, Tenn., crowd with her sexy dance, and Perry declared her the winner of the Diva Search Talent Show. The WWE fans voted for their favorite Diva hopeful, and Milena was eliminated on this week's RAW, but she promised this isn't the last WWE fans will see of her.

"I want to wrestle. I want to learn. I will work my ass off," Milena said Monday night.

And then there were three: Layla, Jen and J.T. They competed in the Diva Beat the Heat Water Fight against Candice Michelle, Victoria and Torrie Wilson in front of the Charlottesville, Va., crowd. The veteran RAW Divas won the wet and wild competition, and The Miz ended up just as soaked as the sexy ladies in the ring.

Who will WWE fans vote to win the 2006 $250,000 Diva Search and the chance to become a WWE Diva? There's still time to vote for your favorite online or via text messaging. Layla, Jen and J.T. will compete in a bikini arm wrestling contest and a live lingerie competition during the finale, live from the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, Wednesday night at 10/9 CT on USA.