WWE Women’s Revolution Earned, Not Given

By Bodyslam Staff Last updated Feb 23, 2018

Hi, I’m Justin Watry. You may remember me from such columns as March 2012’s “WWE WrestleMania 28: Sheamus Should Defeat Daniel Bryan In Less Than A Minute” and October 2016’s “WWE NXT: Bobby Roode, You’re Next.” Today I will be tackling the controversial women’s revolution…

Like many, I am on Twitter and love to interact with wrestling fans. A local sports writer here in Wisconsin always remarks that the internet is the both the greatest and worst thing in the world. That is no truer once you enter the world of professional wrestling and the plethora of websites discussing the ins and outs of the business. I would know. I have written for more than a dozen different outlets (some paid, some not) and have seen more than my fair share of ridiculous comments from readers over the past 10 years. Rarely it gets to me. Heck, I would say it pretty much never gets to me. I know the insults are coming. The typos I make will be pointed out and laughed at in the comment section. The predictions, the bold statements, etc. That is what comes with the territory of writing for a public audience. Seen it all and read it all. Good or bad, the feedback is what it is. Last week, I admit it. A comment on my new 411mania.com column got to me. Thus, here is my follow-up column, exclusively for BodySlam.net!

Reality4U: IMHO, the women’s royal rumble would have been the main event because it was the politically correct thing to do, even if Rousey wasn’t involved.

*sighs*

I thought we were past this point in 2018, but I guess not.

Let it be stated right at the top: WWE has the most talented women’s roster they have ever had. Ever.

Go ahead and tell me about Trish Status, Lita, Jazz, Mickie James, Ivory, Molly Holly, Victoria, Stacy, Torrie Wilson. Go ahead, I will concede that each had their own unique wrestling style, were marketable, and no doubt – the company had a great roster battling over the Women’s Championship. I am not putting down anybody there, and they are all current/future WWE Hall of Famers. However, as much as I loved them, 2018 trumps that era with ease.

Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch, Mickie James, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Natalya, Naomi, Paige, Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, Ember Moon, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Shayna Baszler, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Nia Jax, Dana Brooke, Carmella, and many more that I have not even named. That is also withholding Maryse, Maria, JoJo, Renee, Cathy, Dasha, Stephanie McMahon and other talented personalities that all shine on WWE television. It is not even close. This era is THE era for women to be in professional wrestling.

That is why it still bugs me that everything they do has a ridiculous qualifier, like “the politically correct thing to do.”

You know why the women were front and center on the WrestleMania 32 poster in front of a record 100,000 fans in Texas? Because Charlotte, Becky, and Sasha busted their butts in NXT and deserved that triple threat spot. That is why. Not because of some silly “GIRL POWER” speech or looking for publicity.

You want to know why Sasha and Charlotte made history main eventing Raw, just Lita and Trish did years earlier? Because that was the best feud going in WWE. Those two proved their worth multiple times, and those behind the scenes rightfully allowed them to carry the program and trust their skills to deliver. Not because of them hoping for a SportsCenter Moment or wanting an extra pat on the back.

You want to know why the October 2016 was headlined by the first ever women’s HIAC match? It is because history had brought us to that point with a long-standing rivalry and had the distinction of entering the steel structure. Nothing was handed to them at all. As Triple H stated before, the women in NXT were not given the main event. They WERE the main event. Same applied there.

You want to know why the women in WWE had a Money in the Bank ladder match last summer, a Royal Rumble match in January and now an Elimination Chamber in two weeks? It certainly isn’t due to a laughable PC defense. It is because, as noted, the roster is beyond stacked at this point, and they can draw money for the company. Just as the male wrestlers bring in revenue and draw viewers. The audience is made up of nearly 40% female. There is money to be made and talent to be spotlighted. No gimmies here or freebies. Becky, Ms. Flair, Sasha, Paige, Asuka, and everybody in between has something to offer. Unlike past eras where I can understand why the division was put on the back burner, that is no longer an option in 2018. The girls are too good to ignore. You MUST showcase them.

The best part? Ronda Rousey is now coming into the fold and is reportedly going to be full-time. While I have my doubts on this truly being a full-time wrestling contract, the bottom line is the women’s revolution is about to evolve once again. Main events on Raw and B-pay-per-views is one thing. However, Rousey is not only a main event act on any stage; she is THE main event on the stage. Yes, I am talking about WrestleMania. The biggest stage of them all. Mark it down folks. Put it in black ink. It’s happening. While the dream may not become a reality in April 2018, the women will main event a future WrestleMania. No BS, no hidden agenda, no politically correct nonsense.