Now we’re ready to rumble
How women became the new stars of the grapple game
For decades wrestling has been dominated by the hulking statures of John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Hulk Hogan.
Now there’s a new talent on the block – and “The Man” is part of a modern generation that’s leading the way for women to take centre stage.
In recent years, women’s wrestling has grown in popularity, drawing bigger crowds, more sponsorship and increased parity with the men’s circuit. At the forefront of this revolution is 32-year-old Becky Lynch – also known by her stage name “The Man” – whose storylines, rivalries and skills are fast helping her to become one of the biggest stars of WWE, the world’s largest wrestling promotion.
Lynch, real name Rebecca Quin, stands alongside the likes of former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey, Paige and Sasha Banks as the strong women who are changing the face of female fights.
According to Kenny McIntosh, co-host of Inside The Ropes podcast, women’s professional wrestling has changed dramatically over the past 20 years, thanks in part to new characters, rebranding and reality shows like E! Entertainment’s Total Divas.
He said: “I’ve been covering wrestling for about seven years now, and I’ve watched it since the early 90s.
“When I was younger, women were always a manager – or what’s called a valet. They were often sexualised, bit-part players and never the focal point. “They would have matches but no one was watching. So the bar wasn’t exactly set very high.
“Now we’re seeing different types of female characters and different types of women.
“If you were a dad who loves wrestling, 10 years ago you maybe wouldn’t have sat your daughter down with you to watch. There was nothing for her. Now, it’s more for everyone. With Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey in headline programmes, it doesn’t feel like they’re there because they’re women – it’s because they have the most interesting story.”
This month sees the release of new wrestling film, Fighting with My Family, directed by Stephen Merchant. Inspired
by the real-life success of Norwich-born Saraya-Jade Bevis – WWE’s Paige – the story is one Kenny hopes we’ll see replicated in the future, as the influence from America reaches UK promotions.
“There is definitely a shift happening in women’s wrestling”, he said.
“In years gone by it would never have been an option for young, Scottish female wrestlers to join WWE.
“But recently they’ve just introduced a new character to WWE TV called Nikki Cross, and she’s from Glasgow.
“Ten years ago the idea that a girl from Glasgow could go from wrestling in the Classic Grand in front of 200 people to performing in front of 10,000 people in New York was impossible – now it isn’t.
“And I think that’s going to spur a lot of women from Scotland and the UK to start trying to do it themselves.”
Outside of WWE, shows like Netflix’s GLOW are also pulling in big audience figures. Set in the 80s during the early days of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, and starring Mad Men’s Alison Brie, the second season attracted 1.3million viewers in the first three days of its premiere.
Kenny added: “Wrestling has become something that everyone can watch. Everyone is represented.”