Over the last several years, WWE's women's division has been experiencing a newfound level of respect. Since the "Women's Revolution" began, women's matches have been given more television time, women's storylines have been given more exposure and the women's division has headlined several pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania 35.
As WrestleMania 36 approaches, the Women's Revolution is leading up to another milestone: Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair for the NXT Women's Championship. Two of the most accomplished female competitors facing off will no doubt ignite a competitive fire sure to burn down the house. Here is a look back at the Women's Revolution and how the world of female wrestling has arrived at this moment.
The Revolution
In early 2015, Nikki and Brie Bella were involved in a feud with Emma and then Divas Champion, AJ Lee. The four took part in a match on an episode of Monday Night Raw that lasted all of about 30 seconds. Fans were understandably upset. For years, not only had women been given only a small fraction of air time on a given week, but they had also regularly been relegated to valets, "eye candy" or objects to be ogled. Fans took to social media using the hashtag #GiveDivasAChance, imploring the powers that be to give the female competitors a fair shake in WWE.
Shortly after the #GiveDivasAChance plea from fans, Stephanie McMahon announced several members of the talented NXT women's roster were being called up to the main roster, including Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Charlotte. Over the next several years, the three women called up that night have combined to win nearly 20 titles in the women's division on the main roster. Not only that, but they also went on to main event several pay-per-views, something that before the Women's Revolution was reserved for only the men on the main roster.
Evolution
The call ups of these talented women displayed a shift in ideology already in effect in WWE's developmental territory, NXT. NXT has been a hotbed for both male and female talents that cut their teeth and honed their craft for a long time in hopes of displaying it for millions of WWE viewers. This system has gone on to launch the likes of Asuka, Kairi Sane, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Bayley and many others to the main roster to showcase their talents.
In 2018 the first all women's WWE pay per view, WWE Evolution, showcased the best female talents currently on the roster while also paying homage to the women who came before them. The pay-per-view was generally well-received but has yet to be met with a sequel.
While the triple threat match that headlined WrestleMania 35 was not the first pay-per-view main event to feature female competitors, it was the first WrestleMania main event to do such. Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey. Lynch would win the main event, capturing both the Raw and Smackdown Women's Championships, fueling a run as a main event star and face of WWE that she is still enjoying nearly a year later.
Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte
As WWE's NXT brand feuds with upstart company AEW in a ratings war, WWE has experimented with stars like Finn Bálor crossing over from the "main roster" back to the NXT roster. Following Charlotte's win the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble match, the former Raw and Smackdown Women's Champion chose to challenge the current NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 36 in April.
The unprecedented move is doing a lot to not only legitimize the NXT brand as a whole but the NXT women's division and Rhea Ripley as well. Looking towards the future, this match at WrestleMania 36 will not only drive the current women's roster to keep marching forward but will also inspire many future superstars for years to come.