The world of professional wrestling has undergone a dramatic transformation, especially concerning the role and recognition of women. From being relegated to sideshow attractions to headlining major events, women have fought tirelessly to earn their place in the spotlight. This article delves into the rich and varied history of women in professional wrestling, highlighting key figures, promotions, and milestones that have paved the way for the current generation of female superstars.
GLOW: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling logo
Early Struggles and Sideshows
In the early 1900s, women were often relegated to sideshows, where they performed feats of strength and were often scantily clad to attract audiences between acts. The road was dangerous for women, with promoters like Billy Wolfe exploiting their position by demanding sexual favors in exchange for opportunities. Despite these challenges, women's wrestling persisted.
Despite the danger in and out of the ring women’s wrestling could not be stopped. In the 1930s and 1940s there was even what would be considered a high time for women in the ring. Women like Mildred Burke and Mae Young hit hard in the ring and had America watching. Mildred fought both men and women. She held the women’s Title for years and helped to bring in new talent. Later she traveled to Japan and helped to bring her style of wrestling there during a tour.
Mildred Burke, a pioneer in women's wrestling
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The Rise of GLOW
The next exciting chapter for women’s professional wrestling came in the form of big hair, crazy personas and a lot of glitter. In the 1980s, while the WWF (now WWE) showcased male wrestlers, women were often reduced to managerial roles or eye candy. Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) emerged as a groundbreaking alternative.
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (also known by its initials as GLOW or G.L.O.W.) is a women's professional wrestling promotion that began in 1986 (the pilot was filmed in December 1985) and has continued in various forms after it left television. Colorful characters, strong women, and over-the-top comedy sketches were integral to the series' success. David B. McLane created the series while working as an announcer and promoter with Indianapolis-based World Wrestling Association (WWA) after seeing fans react to women's wrestling. The show runner Dick the Bruiser believed that Indianapolis audiences would not be receptive to a wrestling promotion featuring female wrestlers and dismissed the concept as an unprofitable novelty.
Some of them were heels (or bad guys) who wore punk apparel in their pink ring. The women were the stars and they put themselves in a lot of danger to do so. While GLOW was canceled after four years of glitter and goofs it proved that women could wrestle on television.
The Attitude Era and Beyond
The 1990s and early 2000s gave fans would would become known as “the Attitude Era.” It was brash, unapologetic and fairly sexist. It was an odd time in wrestling, changes were coming for women but there was still a strong sentiment of a womens role in the ring.
My first match I ever saw featured Chyna, the Queen of the Ring. She joined as a bodyguard for two male stars. Chyna was also the first women to be in a King of the Ring Tournament. She was also the first female Intercontinental Champion. Chyna was big, powerful but also was given romantic storylines.
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Chyna, a trailblazing powerhouse in WWE
Here are some of the major achievements of Chyna:
- First woman to compete in a Royal Rumble.
- First woman to participate in the King of the Ring Tournament.
- First female Intercontinental Champion.
The Divas Era and the Seeds of Revolution
The women’s division continued to bounce back and forth between progress in the WWE. The division became the “divas” division. However there were the seeds of the revolution being sown. Divas like AJ Lee called out wage gaps in her scuffed Chuck Taylors. The Four Horsewomen; Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair led the charge in the WWE.
Recently the superstars, formerly known as “divas,” have gotten to participate in some amazing matches. Iron Man Matches. Money in the Bank matches, Royal Rumble matches, Mixed Match Tag matches and now their own pay-per-view.
Modern Era and the Rise of Women's Wrestling
Wrestling has come a long way for women. While the focus of this article is about the WWE it is only right to highlight some other sources and female wrestlers. Impact Wrestling currently has a supernatural storyline featuring women with coffin matches. The storyline of friendship between a demon and a bubbly, pink clad wrestler as they fight an undead bride has been drawing in viewers for months.
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SHIMMER Women Athletes is a group based in Chicago whose focus is giving female athletes a place to shine while they kick butt. Blanche Babish, Solo Darling, Oceanea and Princess Kimberly fight anyone and everyone at the family friendly Lucha show that is CHIKARA Pro.
Women from all over the world are also participating in the Mae Young Classic, which is a tournament highlighting female talent in the industry. Renee Young, Beth Phoenix, Paige and two female referees have also been making history as the first female announcers and GM in the WWE.
The Future of Women's Wrestling
Paquette has high hopes for the future and wants to create an equitable experience for womens’ wrestlers. “I want us to get to a place where girls have the same opportunities as boys… I want us to be in the same place where it's not just the girls as an afterthought to the boys… I want the girls to have their own standalone events… I want the girls to be on the same level as the boys and I want to be able to give them those opportunities,” she says.
Here is a table of some of the significant milestones in women's wrestling:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Debut of GLOW |
| 1999 | Debra wins the WWF Women's Championship |
| 2004 | First women’s college national championships |
| 2019 | NAIA held an invitational tournament |
| 2020 | The National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships |