"It was all for Stephanie McMahon PR" - Ex-writer questions WWE's Women's Revolution (Exclusive)
Vince Russo thinks WWE changed the way it presents female superstars simply to make Stephanie McMahon look good.
In 2016, WWE stopped referring to female superstars as “Divas” and began treating the women’s division as more of a priority. Since then, many women have headlined premium live events and become just as popular as some of the top male superstars.
Russo, WWE’s former head writer, spoke to Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Dr. Chris Featherstone about McMahon’s involvement in the company’s booking of women:
“Bro, the whole women’s revolution in the WWE… that was PR for Stephanie McMahon. That’s all it was. It was positioning for Stephanie. You’ve not seen Stephanie associated with that women’s division and the women’s revolution for years now. They did the one pay-per-view, one and done, and it was all for Stephanie McMahon PR.” [9:18-9:42]
Watch the video above to hear Russo’s honest opinion on Becky Lynch’s recent criticism of AEW’s women’s division.
Despite Stephanie McMahon’s efforts, Vince Russo thinks sexism still exists in wrestling
Awesome Kong announces she is done with pro wrestling and wanted to go out with Gail Kim.❤
#NWAEmpowerrr | #EMPOWERRR https://t.co/lKMbboQqFf
After working as the head writer for WWE and WCW, Russo also wrote television for IMPACT Wrestling (formerly known as TNA). One of the most memorable storylines in IMPACT history took place in 2007 and 2008 when Gail Kim feuded with Awesome Kong.
Reflecting on that rivalry, Russo said some male talents disliked the fact that women took the spotlight from them:
“There were a lot of times on TNA when the women’s matches were the highest-rated matches on the show, and the guys didn’t wanna hear that. Well, too bad. Whether you wanna hear it or not, that’s a fact… Those women had to work so hard for everything that they got because it [wrestling business] is sexist… it is sexist to this day.” [8:42-9:17]
Arguably the biggest moment in the history of women's wrestling occurred in 2019 when WrestleMania was headlined by female superstars for the first time. The show ended with Becky Lynch defeating Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair to win the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships.
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