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Could Paige Lead a Divas Resistance?

By Callum Wiggins

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With the recent tension building between the Bella Twins and Paige over opportunity in the Divas Division, could Paige become the leader of a revolution?

Paige has made a noticeable impression in just over a year on the main roster. A two-time Divas Champion, cast member on Total Divas and one of the most popular female performers in recent history, the Anti-Diva has been an integral part among the Divas. However, these days that is unfortunately not saying much, as the Divas division has consistently been ignored or devalued on both television and PPVs. Their rivalries don’t garner as much attention and are afforded limited time to perform in matches.

This hasn’t been helped by the women that the audience have naturally become invested in over time have left due to this neglectful attitude by the creative team. Names like AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix, Kaitlyn and Kelly Kelly all departed for pastures new, and have been critical of the discriminate treatment of the ladies on television. This was brought to the forefront with the #GiveDivasAChance movement that garnered a lot of steam for a couple of months, but was not sustained for a significant time.

The lack of attention paid to the Divas division has become even more explicit in WWE by the success of the women wrestlers of NXT. Whilst the Bella Twins and Alicia Fox have been switched from babyface to heel with the flip of a coin, in NXT their ladies are treated with respect and equality as performers with consistent character development. And the fans have responded in kind, positively getting behind the showings of the women in matches and promos – they are crucial parts of the show and not afterthoughts.

Therefore, based around the current storyline in WWE, this could be the opportunity for Paige to launch a revolution of talent against who she has claimed represents everything wrong with the Divas Division today, The Bella Twins. Whilst I am fans of both Nikki and Brie, as they have improved greatly in the ring in the last few years and have a great deal of charisma, I can understand the position Paige has taken along with most other fans. Whilst the two sisters have often been pushed to the summit of the division and its focal point, this has resulted in the omission of others on the roster.

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In a passionate interview on the latest edition of SmackDown, Paige discussed women like Emma, Summer Rae and even her current rival Naomi and how they have been kept down by the presence of the Bella Twins on top. Whilst like many Divas angles of the last few years, this could be a flash in the pan that disappears in a few weeks. But, this could also be the start of something very special that could rejuvenate them from their plight, with the popular Paige at the front line.

Paige should lead a revolution of the Divas Division not only against The Bella Twins, but those at the root of their oppression – WWE management. For television purposes this would take the shape of the Authority, particularly Stephanie McMahon as the matriarch of the faction. She could garner the support of those that have been held down for too long, particularly Emma, Summer Rae, and Alicia Fox. To oppose this, McMahon could look to build a team of divas that she promises success and wealth to in return for their support against this uprising, including the Bella Twins, Naomi and Tamina Snuka.

WWE.com

Whilst it would be something of a challenge due to Nikki and Brie’s well-known relationships with Authority enemies John Cena and Daniel Bryan, McMahon could offer them protection and a fresh start as part of their enterprise. This would not be a case of the WWE pushing one group above the other, but offering all the ladies a chance to gain attention and a fair chance on television to perform and gain the attention of the fans. As NXT has clearly shown, wrestling fans do not consider women’s wrestlers as window dressing or sex objects, but value their talent, charisma and skill between the ropes.

If they are given the opportunity to perform and make their bouts meaningful as part of this overarching revolution storyline, the fans will respond positively. Anyone can have good or bad matches, but what makes the divas such a target is down to a preconception they are less capable wrestlers, and their contests having generally less significance in the course of a regular week in WWE. This would change both of these problems, and the Divas Division can start its much-needed recuperation.

Next: Predicting the NXT TakeOver Card

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