On Feb. 23, 2015, WWE wrestlers Paige and Emma lost a match to the Bella Twins in 30 seconds. Their entrances were longer than the match was:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyrdheEfBIw]
The match was such a slap in the face to WWE’s female talent that it inspired a Twitter backlash: fans the world over urged WWE to #GiveDivasAChance. The outcry was so great that even WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon took notice:
We hear you. Keep watching. #GiveDivasAChance
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) February 25, 2015
As we all know now, Vince kept his word: WWE gave Divas a chance. They even dropped the longstanding “Divas” term. At the Fortune Business Tech conference on Tuesday, WWE chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon explained how social media was the driving force behind the company’s decision to completely rebrand the women’s division. Watch below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw-S_bSBikI]
Since the #GiveDivasAChance hashtag took over Twitter, the WWE women’s division has improved by leaps and bounds. The awful Divas Championship was retired and replaced with a proper Women’s Championship. Charlotte and Sasha Banks became the first women to headline a WWE pay-per-view – and in a Hell in a Cell match, no less. The WWE Network introduced the Mae Young Classic, an all-women’s tournament. Indeed, it’s never been a better time to be a fan of women’s wrestling.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShNK0GI6aEA]
Many WWE fans complain that Vince McMahon doesn’t care what the fans want and that he only does what he thinks is best for business (Roman Reigns is a prime example). But the overhaul of the WWE women’s division is proof that he does listen. The fans just have to be loud enough to get his attention.
Do you support what WWE has done? Let us know in the comments section!