Thai Times

Covering the Thai Renaissance
Monday, Jun 09, 2025

Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars

From Marginalization to Mainstream Stardom in WWE: A Look at the Evolution of Women's Wrestling

In February 2015, a pivotal moment in the history of women's wrestling occurred when a Divas Tag Team match in WWE ended in just 29 seconds. This match, featuring lesser-known wrestlers, ignited a movement for change that would eventually redefine the treatment and representation of women in professional wrestling. The outcry from fans, encapsulated by the hashtag #GiveDivasAChance on social media, demanded respect and better opportunities for female athletes, marking a significant departure from a legacy of humiliating portrayals and superficial storylines.

Historically, WWE's women's division was branded as the 'Divas,' a term that connoted objectification rather than athletic prowess. Significant moments of disrespect, such as the 2009 'Miss WrestleMania' segment, exemplified this trend, where a male wrestler, Santino Marella, dressed as a woman won the competition, reinforcing perceptions of women as mere props within the wrestling narrative. During this era, women's matches often received minimal airtime, occasionally lasting only a few minutes.

The turning point came in April 2016 during WrestleMania, WWE's marquee event, where the Women's Championship belt was unveiled. The main event featured three key figures of the women's revolution: Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Charlotte Flair. Their 17-minute match served as both a symbolic rejection of the Divas gimmick and the introduction of a new era for women's wrestling—one characterized by legitimacy and skill. Becky Lynch, in particular, emerged as a transformative figure, adopting the moniker 'The Man' to assert her equality and dominance within the sport. Her ability to connect with fans led to her becoming the first woman to headline WrestleMania, solidifying her status as a superstar.

Recently at WrestleMania 41, held two weeks ago, the women's matches garnered significant attention, with a triple threat bout involving Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Rhea Ripley receiving accolades for its technical superiority. The event continues to reflect the increasing prominence of female wrestlers, going beyond mere participation to leading events.

Since 2015, female wrestlers have seen their earnings increase dramatically—reportedly multiplying by five to ten times. Notably, Ronda Rousey secured a contract worth $1.5 million per year, while Becky Lynch became the top merchandise seller for WWE in 2019. The current landscape sees multiple women's matches occurring each night, with average match times exceeding nine minutes, a far cry from the previous limitations.

The organizational culture has also shifted, with more women taking on roles behind the scenes. The number of female officials, producers, and behind-the-camera personnel has risen by over 300%, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and representation in all facets of WWE.

Additionally, WWE has experienced a surge in success, reporting revenues of $1.4 billion in 2024—its highest ever. A recent partnership with Netflix, allowing for a 10-year deal worth $5 billion, further indicates the company's growth and global outreach, featuring women's wrestling prominently in promotional materials.

In this evolving context, individual wrestlers like Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan have emerged as leading figures. Ripley, with an annual salary estimated at $6 million, exemplifies the newfound recognition of women as key attractions, while Morgan, transitioning from a side character to a main event talent, has also begun pursuing opportunities in Hollywood, indicating the crossover appeal of these female athletes.

The changes in WWE's women's division represent a fundamental transformation in how female wrestlers are perceived and compensated. With ongoing developments suggesting continued growth, the landscape of professional wrestling is being reshaped, confirming the sustained impact of this revolution.

Newsletter

Related Articles

American Tourist Arrested in Pattaya Following Vandalism and Altercation
0:00
0:00
Open
American Tourist Arrested in Pattaya Following Vandalism and Altercation
0:00
0:00
Close
American Tourist Arrested in Pattaya Following Vandalism and Altercation
Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban Targeting 12 Countries
Chiang Mai Airport Allocates Land for Commercial Development
Thai Army Responds to Cambodian Statement on Sovereignty
Royal Thai Navy Prepares Amphibious Forces Amid Border Tensions
Border School Conducts Emergency Shelter Drills for Students
Police Chief Orders Border Patrol Readiness in Seven Key Areas
Royal Thai Navy Conducts Amphibious Assault Exercises
Naval Commander Monitors Cambodian Military Drills
Japan Grapples with Rice Shortage Amid Soaring Prices
Transport Minister Orders Expansion of Highway 211
Cambodia Eyes Four Contested Border Areas, Rejects JBC Talks
Thailand to Face Turkey in VNL 2025 Women's Volleyball Clash
Thai Army Asserts Readiness Amid Border Tensions with Cambodia
Thailand's Community Liquor Law Takes Effect Tomorrow
Thai Military Emphasizes Patience in Cambodian Border Dispute
Pichai Celebrates THAIFEX - ANUGA ASIA 2025 Generating 135 Billion Baht
Thai Army Denies Sending Drones to Spy on Cambodia
Holiday Crowds at Korat Zoo Cause Traffic Jam Over 1 km Long
Naka Cave Increases Daily Tourist Quota to 1,500 Visitors
Royal Thai Air Force Plans to Procure New GRIPEN E/F Fighter Jets
First Army Region Commander Inspects Tank Readiness and Personnel
Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake in Myanmar Felt in Chiang Rai, Thailand
1st Army Region Reviews Readiness of 'Black Panther' Division
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
‘Vibe Coding’ Emerges as the New DIY Trend
AI Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Warns Models Can Deceive Users
Big Four Firms Rush to Create AI Auditing Systems
Musk’s xAI Pursues $113 Billion Valuation in New Share Sale
Walmart Increases Revenue Despite Shrinking Workforce
Hims & Hers Plans UK and EU Launch of Replica Obesity Drugs
Toyota to Acquire Supplier in $33 Billion Buyout
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
BlackRock-Backed Fintech Aims to Become Europe’s Charles Schwab
Thailand's Parcel Delivery Market Faces Consolidation Amid Evolving Consumer Trends
Thailand's Rainbow Economy Flourishes During Pride Month
Macron Lightheartedly Addresses Viral 'Shove' Incident in Indonesia
S&P Affirms Thailand's Credit Rating at BBB+ with Stable Outlook
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi's Business Empire Transitions Leadership to Next Generation
Thai Government Plans Debt Relief for Millions Amid Growing Economic Pressures
Suchata 'Opal' Chuangsri Crowned Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad
Chiang Mai Zoo Prepares to Welcome Two New Pandas from China
Thai Fruit Festival Scheduled for June 19-22 to Promote Domestic Consumption
Cambodia Decides to Bring Border Dispute with Thailand to World Court
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
×