‘Women’s wrestling’ has ALWAYS been wrestling
Written by Katherine: (@Katherine_973x)
Professional wrestling, at least in its more mainstream forms, has historically catered to a certain demographic of fans…
To look back at some of the biggest names in the profession, particularly in the west, is to face a media laden with insensitivities and reductive stereotypes. One that belittled and demeaned so many performers in spite of their dedication and passion for an industry which, at times, did not appear to love them back.
To be a woman in this space is to confront that same reality, often unspoken yet ever present.
In some ways, it’s a privilege to see in real time the growth and expansion of a whole division that, just 20 years ago, would have been relegated by many to a joke - the default “toilet break match” on the card.
This is, of course, not to diminish the accomplishments of the women in the industry at that time. Look back at any point in wrestling history and you’ll be sure to find trailblazers carving out their legacies; Manami Toyota, Aja Kong, Meiko Satomura, Awesome Kong, Mickie James, Gail Kim and so on.
To contrast this with my experience growing up, watching western wrestling was to accept a reality peppered with two-minute bouts in a division where looks and marketability were pushed above talent and ability. Where mud pits and bra and panties ruled supreme, with women relegated to ‘male fantasy’ roles, both on and off screen.
Today’s reality is a stark reminder of just how far women have come.
When I first discovered professional wrestling, I struggled to reconcile my love for the sport with my ever present beliefs around gender equality. I saw myself in wrestlers like AJ Lee and Paige, and yet with every card, every match, every feud, I was reminded of just how little respect women’s wrestling garnered from those in power.
It wasn’t until the introduction of the ‘Four Horsewomen’ that I truly understood what it meant to feel seen in this industry. I can still recall the awe, the magic that I felt watching Sasha Banks vs Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn for the first time. A match which proved that not only could the women keep up with the men’s division, they could damn well outdo them.
It felt like a true turning point in the mainstream perception of women’s wrestling, seeing how beloved and respected these two athletes were in that moment. It meant something that even today I struggle to articulate - the first (and certainly not the last) time that wrestling moved me to tears.
It's the perseverance of these women, despite the obstacles they’ve faced along the way, that makes their success all the more inspirational. Hostilities are ingrained in the culture of wrestling: from stories of abuse and harassment at the hands of peers, as told by so many brave women during the ‘Speaking Out’ movement; accounts of stalking and targeted hate from supposed ‘fans’, and even from management, with cases like the facilitation of alleged abuse and sexual assault by WWE towards Ashley Massaro and Janel Grant.
It’s almost unfathomable, the strength and resolve required to not only survive in the professional wrestling industry at times, but to thrive in spite of it. In an industry where the unforgivable is so often forgiven, where the inexcusable can be so quickly swept aside with a half-baked apology, PR counterattack, and a few flashy moves, it can be hard to love something that can be quite so cruel.
Wrestling is an inherently emotional art form. At its core it combines storyline with in-ring action to create compelling and structured stories designed to make you feel. This goal is universal among performers, regardless of gender or race.
Many will agree that the very best stories draw from real life, and it’s that sentiment and shared understanding among performers and fans of what a moment can mean, that enriches these victories in the community.
It’s why representation matters so deeply. Every milestone, whether that’s a PPV main event, more airtime, richer storylines or better pay, represents acceptance and change for the better.
Of course, the industry remains imperfect to say the least. Women in the space still fight tooth and nail to prove themselves worthy of de facto ‘male spots’, from WrestleMania main events to weekly TV time. Their championships are othered and needlessly gendered while the same standard rarely applies to their male counterparts.
If I can encourage you to do one thing today, take a moment to think about all the ways women’s wrestling continues to be stifled:
What proportion of a match card do they make up?
How many non-title feuds are they afforded?
How many are afforded consistent and adequate TV time?
Why is it seemingly only the women that are unable to escape the shackles of ROH?
The women’s revolution in the west showed so many of us just how much talent is out there, and its impact has inspired a whole new generation of female performers. That’s why it’s so important to support women’s wrestling at every level – from your local indies to international promotions, mixed gender or all-female like the likes of Pro Wrestling EVE here in the UK, or Joshi promotions such as Stardom, Marigold, TJPW and Sendai Girls.
‘Women’s wrestling’ has, first and foremost always been wrestling.
In honour of International Women’s Day I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite women’s matches over the years:
Sasha Banks vs Bayley – NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn (22/08/2015)
Mercedes Moné vs Willow Nightingale – Double or Nothing (26/05/2024)
Aja Kong vs Manami Toyota – AJW Doumu Super Woman Great War Big Egg Universe (20/11/1994)
Io Shirai vs Meiko Satomura – Stardom Year-End Climax (23/12/2015)
Syuri vs Utami Hayashishita – Stardom Tokyo Dream Cinderella Special Edition (12/06/2021)
Jamie Hayter vs Alex Windsor – EVE 131: Multiverse Rumble (07/02/2025)
Mercedes Moné vs Hazuki – NJPW Strong Style Evolved (15/12/2024)
Willow Nightingale vs Kris Statlander – AEW All Out (07/09/2024)
Mayu Iwatani vs Sareee – Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom (27/04/2024)
Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair – WWE WrestleMania 37 (10/04/2021)
Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair – WWE WrestleMania 39 (01/04/2023)
Aja Kong vs KAORU – GAEA Big Destruction – Tag 2 (13/02/2000)