CES 2018: Bringing female equality to the WWE's ring

[Scrumptious]

World Wrestling Entertainment’s Stephanie McMahon explains her firm's move into virtual reality.


Originally Published: Sat, 13 Jan 2018 03:13:04 GMT
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[Sid]

She doesn't, actually, she never even mentions virtual reality. But she is surprisingly candid, lucid and sensible about the business they are in and the direction in which they are heading.

I haven't watched WWE since I was a kid so I can't really comment but I know there are at least two fans here. What do you guys think about the [apparently] changing and increasing role of women in the spectacle?

[LZA]

It's pretty cool, actually. Some women I thought were really talented as far as an athleticism standpoint, but their role used to be more T&A support for the men. I never thought that they'd get a fair shot as wrestlers, since Vince would give the women roles that were more...Harvey Weinstein-esk.

This is something the WWE was reactive to, since fans asked for this on Twitter. They were not proactive in developing the women as characters, so I'm not patting the WWE on the back for their innovation. They are just adapting as a way to make more money moreso than a women have equal rights, ideal.

But i'm happy for it. Some women's matches are more of an athletic show than some men's ..

[RobertX]

If they want to display female equality, then they should take lessons from the All Japan Women promotion (AJW).

EDIT: All this time with having a women's division, they never inaugurated lower league titles or spinoff titles.

A tag title for the women league would speak volumes!

EDIT: I believe that this Royal Rumble, there will be a male Rumble and a female Rumble. Let's see what they will come with before virtual reality.

[Sid]

Why, what does the AJW do?

I had assumed when I saw the [misleading] title of the original post that it meant they were releasing a game where female characters could wrestle male characters. To which my initial reaction was that it was ridiculous. But given the scripted nature of professional wrestling, the long history of male vs. female fighting games (back to at least Mortal Combat), and Hollywood's increasing focus on female action movies, where even little/young girls are apparently capable of defeating 6ft soldiers then perhaps it's not only plausible for a video game but for "real" wresting too.

i.e. why have a female rumble? Why not just let the females fight in the current rumble? Sure it wouldn't be realistic but that's no real obstacle in context--you already have little guys occasionally beating big guys; they would have to have to develop storylines to avoid being seen promoting "violence against women" but storylines are their business; and they would need to develop some new holds/moves so it wouldn't come across as too pervy but, again, new moves are part and parcel of each new character anyway so they ought to be able to come up with something.

[RobertX]

Actually it's All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling, my bad.

The example is arbitrary.

My point was that all the time which WWE had women's divisions, they never anything beyond the women's belt. In Japan, there are actually female-filled promotions where they had divisions within the women wrestling, and WWE should get around to that one day.

Technically, there were women in past Rumbles. Chyna was in the 1999 and 2000 Rumble, where Beth Phoenix was in 2010's Rumble match.

If they want to show a glimmer of equality with females, then they would start with women-specific belts and tournaments. The Mae Young classic that was featured on the WWE Network comes to mind.

And yes, I like Kairi Sane.

[LZA]

Sid, do you remember a female wrestler named Chyna? She would fight (and beat) male jobbers as part of her push.

The reason I think they'll never mix, is due to a real life awkwardness between men and woman working together... Let me explain why I say this:

Chris Jericho was told to work with Chyna, and to "treat her like an equal". She was big and strong, so she wanted to be one of the boys. Chris was apprehensive, but worked with her... At that time, her boyfriend was HHH, who had pull in the locker room. I guess one night she thought Chris "went to hard" on her and told HHH. HE was pissed, and Chris felt the tension in the locker room.  Vince Mcmahon (the one who told Jericho to treat her like an equal), was incensed. He was going to fine and suspend him, if CHris didn;t explain himself and satisfy Vince... Chris said it was awkward working with her afterward.

Think of Vince: all the flak he caught from steroids and the brutality from men on men, can you imagine if a woman complains that she was   brutalized by a man who "works stiff" in the ring. That'll make his steroid crucifixion look like a walk in the park.  That's why they'll never mix the genders IMHO.

On paper, I agree with you, but that's not how I see it playing out practically... I agree with RobertX. a tag team, IC, and other championship may further push the woman, but it'll be too much of a real life hassle backstage. Stories I've heard, some of the men can be bitches...

Just a side note: HHH had an affair with Stephanie McMahon, whom he later married. Chyna was blackballed bacause , well , you know, the ex can't be working in the same company as HHH's wife...

[RobertX]

How are women treated in UFC?

[LZA]

How are women treated in UFC?

From what I know, respectable... Sometimes their fights are better than the men... Amanda Nunez for her weight class can his harder than some men. There are titles for different weight classes. WWE should strive to emulate the UFC as far as structure

The only issue I saw was when a transgender man (man becoming a woman)... was on therapy and I think, had the parts... Problem was "she" still had the male bone density and testosterone built muscles. She was KILLING her real female competitors... (not the topic, but you asked)

[RobertX]

She was KILLING her real female competitors... (not the topic, but you asked)

OK, that was too much! .