Women’s professional wrestling got its start in the carnival circuit. As time went on, women found their niche in pro wrestling in the 1940s with the likes of the Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Gladys Gillem. These women were tough as nails. They were ladies outside the ring but in the ring, they were dominant and sometimes even brutal. Gladys Gillem being one of the toughest women who wrestled alligators and bears. She was even a lion tamer at one time. Somehow, I cannot fathom any female wrestler of today, those the WWE deems “DIVAS” would even consider wrestling a bear, let alone alligators.
As is the case with so many things, there are high points and low points throughout history regarding professional wrestling. The 1940s and 1950s were very good for women’s wrestling. When World War II broke out, men went to war and the women were doing men’s jobs and wrestling was one of those. However, the 1980s saw resurgence for females in the wrestling industry. Enter the valets. Sunshine, Precious, Missy Hyatt, Baby Doll, and Miss Elizabeth, all come to mind. There were also female wrestlers such as Leilani Kai and Wendi Richter.
Right around this time a movie called, “All the Marbles” starring Peter Falk as Harry Sears, Laurene Landon, and Vicki Frederick as the California Dolls, came out. This movie was about two female wrestlers trying to make their way to the top. I loved this movie and received it recently as a gift. I had to watch it again so I made sure all things were done to give the movie my undivided attention. I literally got goose bumps watching this film again. It took me back to when I was thirteen and to a time I wanted to be in wrestling. I did not at thirteen want to be a wrestler but a valet, a woman who takes care of the male wrestler, like how Sunshine and Precious were for Jimmy Garvin. I did not want to be a female wrestler until the likes of Wendi Richter and WrestleMania.
To all of those that read this and think Hulk Hogan was the reason for the up rise in Wrestling, I would definitely argue that Cyndi Lauper and Wendi Richter had a lot more to do with the popularity than just Hulk Hogan. I am not saying Hogan didn’t have his followers but I was all aboard the Wendi Richter/Cyndi Lauper Rock N Wrestling!
Women were wanted in the industry again. In 1986, a show dedicated only to female wrestlers made its debut. G.L.O.W., Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the creation of Matt Cimbor and David McLane. Sadly, it only ran until 1990 and I was not able to see the entirety of this show. It had its gimmicks but it was working. How I wish there was a show like that now.
The WCW had the Nitro Girls who danced around each week, and it makes me think that was taken from GLOW. The women in GLOW danced and sang as well as wrestled. I was a very big fan of WCW and hated when it was done. The WWE has had their talented women as well. Lita, Trish Stratus, Sunny, Sable, even Fabulous Moolah, and Mae Young did their thing with the WWE.
The Divas Division of the WWE has me conflicted. I am a female wrestling advocate and want female wrestling to be around until the end of time. However, Court Bauer recently talked about doing away with the women’s division in the WWE on his podcast, August 1, 2014 on MLW.com. He suggested doing away with them and doing a lightweight division. WHAT??? Are you kidding me??? Look, I do not like the word “Diva” pertaining to wrestling.Here is why: When hearing the word DIVA, I think of the female lead in an opera. I think soft and fluffy not strong and, for lack of a better term, ass kicker. I have issues with the pink butterfly belt as well but I do have suggestions, they are as follows: Firstly, rename the division. Secondly, create a new belt reflecting a new image of the women’s division. Thirdly, and most importantly, WWE Creative needs to do just that, get flipping CREATIVE!! The women have talent. I have read people’s opinions on whether or not these women can wrestle, but those that think they cannot, CAN YOU???? I am sure if given the chance to shine, the women on the roster will and can. Better story lines equals better content equals better ratings. This goes for the men as well as the women. It’s a NO BRAINER. Give these women a chance to shine.
An After thought:
Maybe I was too harsh on the butterfly belt and it being pink. I love butterflies, but when I think of wrestling, I think of the ladies who were the pioneers of the female side of the industry. It was a tough mountain to climb and women are still climbing that mountain. I would love to see more women’s matches. I am sure I am not the only one. I would also love to see tag team champion belts back in the female division. I mean the women in the WWE are getting paired up in tag teams so why not bring this back? As far as the butterfly belt, it fits the name Diva, which I have already voiced my opinion on that but what would I do differently, what image would I use instead of a pink butterfly? I would use a lioness or tigress because both are strong, dominant, and also beautiful and nurturing animals. Women are so many things, we can be ladies when need be but we can also be very strong and independent.There are so many ideas floating around in my head that I would love to share with anyone in WWE Creative if given the chance. I really want to see the women’s division continue to grow and be stronger and better than ever.
zoraya aurora 