As NXT is attempting to evolve the view of women’s wrestling, they are running into the worst possible roadblock: the view of women’s wrestling still spouted and supported by their own parent company. And the guys who “support” women getting their due, but only if they still get to comment on their body, boobs and butts.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t exactly shy away from commenting on wrestlers’ bodies. To say I get weak in the knees at Dean Ambrose’s arms, Finn Balor’s abs, Dolph Ziggler’s butt or Roman Reigns’ ANYTHING is putting it lightly. The guys get this kind of thing, too, especially if Reigns’ story about the Buttcheek Bandit is anything to go by (short version: as he was making his entrance through the crowd a female fan full-on groped him).
But the difference is that the men in that ring are not reduced to sex objects. They are athletes who also happen to be extremely fit and attractive. The women, though?
C’mon, if you’ve ever watched WWE you know what they get put through. And even though the PG era has gotten rid of bikini contests, bra and panties matches and a certain percentage of Jerry Lawler’s creepy old uncle persona (though still not enough of it, ew), the women are still clearly reduced and belittled. They are there to fight, but mostly to look at, and to call “crazy-but-hot”.
Oh boys, wouldn’t YOU like to be put in AJ Lee’s Black Widow hold, huh? Can’t hurt that much, a girl does it, and look at her butt.
NXT’s attempts to fight that are so very clear. While their women certainly wear gear that shows off “assets,” that is something rarely, if ever, commented on outside of “she looks good.”
Yeah, Alexa Bliss and Carmella are both gorgeous women – but they’re athletes and competitors first and foremost. Carmella’s introduction storyline was even presented as “you look at her and underestimate her, but she is one hell of a fighter.” And yeah, she’s introed by Enzo as being “hot as hell,” and a reminder that you can’t teach that, but she then proceeds to take it right to her opponent.
The thing is, I’m not worried about the women in the ring. They’ll get through. They know what they have going for them and some jackass in Pittsburgh screaming about their breasts like he hasn’t seen a pair since his mother breastfed him isn’t going to deter them. They’ll keep working, they’ll keep wrestling, they’ll keep bringing down the house and even main eventing shows.
My concern is the Tiniest Bayley Fan. My worry is for the Charlotte fan with her mother. It’s for any girl there or in any other audience who might have felt stronger or better because of what was going on in the ring.
Because to see that and feel that, but then be in an audience surrounded by guys who still reduce them to cheap jokes and good looks and that awful scream of “PUPPIES!” is devastating. It’s the message that no matter how hard you try, even if you get as far as these girls have and are working circles around the guys who came before them, the men in the audience who are watching are still going to judge you based on your looks and your sex appeal.
It’s not about how much you can f*ck them up, it’s still about how much they want to f*ck you.
For those girls, we need to protect women’s wrestling. For older girls, for women, we need to protect women’s wrestling.
Oh, and if I ever hear someone scream “Puppies” at a live event again? You need to protect your junk, because I kick hard, fast and without regrets, douchebag.
Ashly Nagrant, also known as the New Age Amazon, is a writer and photographer from Pittsburgh, PA. Her work has appeared on Buzznet.com, Pop Damage, DOOM! Magazine and more. She has also freelanced for LiveNation’s Always Summer Blog and Destination Festival site and other outlets. She can be reached at newageamazon at gmail dot com or on twitter @newageamazon.
