What is Professional Wrestling?
Professional Wrestling is simulated violence between opponents inside a wrestling ring. The wrestler intends to entertain the crowd, and the outcome is almost always predetermined (unless someone gets injured).
Black History: Black Women's Wreslters
Jacqueline Moore
What makes her one of the best black women wrestlers of all time:
Jacqueline Moore’s influential career in WWE is marked by her groundbreaking accomplishments and role in advancing women’s wrestling. As one of the most formidable competitors, she broke barriers with her in-ring prowess and became the first African American woman to hold the WWE Cruiserweight Championship. Her versatility, strength, and ability to inspire future generations of wrestlers have cemented her legacy as a trailblazer in the industry.
Jacqueline Moore’s Greatest Achievements in WWE
- Became the first African American WWE Women’s Champion
- Captured the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in 2004
- Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016
Jazz
What makes her one of the best black women wrestlers of all time:
Jazz’s career in WWE is marked by her commanding presence and powerful in-ring style, which set a high standard for women’s wrestling during the early 2000s. Known for her intensity and resilience, she was a trailblazer, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of Black female wrestlers. Her fierce rivalries and championship victories proved her as a dominant force, establishing her legacy as one of the greats in women’s wrestling.
Jazz’s Greatest Achievements in WWE
- Won the WWE Women’s Championship twice,
- Successfully defended the Women’s Championship in a high-profile triple-threat match against Trish Stratus and Lita at WrestleMania X8.
- Secured a second reign as WWE Women’s Champion by defeating Trish Stratus at Backlash 2003
Mercedes Moné AKA Sasha Banks
What makes her one of the best black women wrestlers of all time:
Sasha Banks’s career is marked by pioneering moments, such as becoming one of the first women to headline a WWE pay-per-view and participating in historic matches that redefined women’s wrestling. Her magnetic charisma and exceptional in-ring abilities have earned her numerous accolades and the admiration of fans worldwide. Banks, alongside Bianca Belair, made history as one of the first Black women to headline WrestleMania, solidifying her legacy in the industry.
Sasha Banks’ Greatest Achievements in WWE
- Won the WWE Raw Women’s Championship five times
- Made history as part of the first women’s Hell in a Cell match against Charlotte Flair in 2016, headlining the event and the first-ever women’s match to headline a PPV event
- Became a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion
- Current AEW TBS Champion, NJPW Strong Womens Champion, and REVPRO Undisputed Champion
International Women's Month: Mexico and NYC
Happy (late) International Women’s Day To All
This post comes a bit late, but I wanted to show everyone an all-female wrestling card by CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre). For International Women’s Day eve, the promotion CMLL decided to run an all-female card, which was great. The talent is phenomenal, and the matches were great. If you are a paid subscriber to CMLL on YouTube, you can watch the whole event or catch the highlights on their channel. Regardless of that this card reminded me of another show and I why I decided to delve into the world of gender disparity in professional wrestling.
Below is the NYC-based wrestling promotion BCP (Battle Club Pro) and their annual WCW (Women Crush Wrestling) event back in 2023, which I attended. (I still have my ticket stub.) This event played a significant role in my studies of gender disparity in professional wrestling. It marked the first event I attended with an all women’s card, including non-binary wrestler Edith Surreal (Get well soon). Some video highlights are still on my phone; there is so much to say and write about this card. Sumie Sakai is now retired, but I am blessed to have seen her wrestle with Masha Slamovich (BCP trainer/founder).
I don’t expect all wrestling cards to be like this, but there should be a balance—the equality of professional wrestling. It doesn’t have to be just once a year like CMLL or an independent promotion like BCP. Professional wrestling should be a balance of all things and wrestlers. Regardless of gimmicks, there will be a time when we can all enjoy it and not have to question ourselves, “Why are there more men on the card than women tonight?”
