Wrestling’s ‘Systematic’ Sexism Problem - International Women’s Day

As part of our celebration of International Women’s Day, we’ve asked some of the hard-working and most passionate fans in the British wrestling scene to share their experiences of the industry. In this feature we hear from Lucy Simons, a Lancaster-based wrestling fan who works closely with a number of promotions in the UK. Take it away Lucy…

About The Author
Name: Lucy Simons
Favourite female wrestler: Candice LeRae
Favourite promotion: Odyssey Pro Wrestling
Dream Match: AJ Lee vs Bianca Belair

Lucy’s Experience

My name is Lucy Simons and I have worked as a reporter in professional wrestling for four years. During this time, I’ve worked for Knockout Wrestling, Odyssey Pro Wrestling and The Midcarders, writing articles, conducting backstage interviews and assisting with social media.

I’ve also completed a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and I am currently studying for a Master’s degree in Media and Cultural Studies. I am a former President and Vice President of the Lancaster University Pro Wrestling Society.

It might not come as much of a surprise, then, that I bloody love wrestling. I’m also a feminist.

These things don’t really go hand in hand - the industry is dominated by a company whose executive chairman has a plethora of sexual misconduct allegations against him. In this same company, it took 35 years for the women wrestlers to gain much value.

The unequal power dynamic between men and women in wrestling remains unsolved even in independent wrestling as evidenced by the #SpeakingOut movement. This is not even to mention the raft of wrestling shows that go ahead with a disproportionate ratio of women’s matches to men’s - that’s if there’s even a women’s match on the show at all.

Executive boards and production teams, of both mainstream wrestling productions and independent ones, are heavily male-dominated (not to mention overwhelmingly white).

What I’m trying to say is that the problem is systemic. I’ve experienced horrid sexism and sexual harassment even just as a female wrestling fan, mostly on Twitter. A lot of this was when I was underage. You’d be hard-pressed to find a female who engages in wrestling in any capacity who hasn’t.

I once got asked “Who are you here for? A boyfriend, your brother?” when I was at a show I was working at. It’s not traumatic, but it’s a perfect encapsulation of how women are positioned within wrestling. You must be here for a man, right?

But I still bloody love wrestling. I love the sense of pride I get from watching an outstanding display of athleticism followed by the ecstatic reaction from the crowd. I love the intricate storylines, the character development, the payoffs and the unique mix of soap opera drama with heart-stopping combat.

I love the privilege of being able to write about this and talk about it with fellow wrestling fans. And I especially love it when women take centre stage and get the opportunity to prove why they deserve so much better in wrestling.

Women’s wrestlers across the world are constantly battling against adversity to put on fantastic matches and become role models for women and girls. They are all truly inspirational.

I will forever be grateful that I was given chance by a wrestling company to write for them with little experience and was treated as a member of the family immediately.

I was worried that backstage would be a testosterone-filled hellscape of toxicity, but in fact, everyone is very friendly and women are treated equally at all of the promotions I have worked for.

I don’t think wrestling will ever really escape sexism but I do think that the widespread movement that was Speaking Out, and all of the attention it garnered, represents a step in the right direction.

I think for true, meaningful change, we need to see more women in executive roles in wrestling, a conscious effort to make shows equal, zero tolerance for abuse and harassment (whether sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist) and more women in training positions.

In an ideal world, I think wrestlers should unionise and the industry should have some sort of authoritative regulatory board, but let’s be realistic. Then again, I never thought women would main event Wrestlemania.

If you are interested in anything else I have to say about wrestling, please give my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LucyProWrestlingJournalist a like or follow me on Twitter, @LucySimWrites.