Why WWE is Still Treating Women’s Division like Divas

Booking still same old, same old for the WWE women’s division.

It wasn’t that long ago when Stephanie McMahon proudly proclaimed the kickoff of the Divas Revolution. The arrival of Sasha Banks, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch seemed to signal a long overdue legitimate effort to get the WWE Women’s Division back on track.

We’re not talking the glory days of Trish Stratus, Lita, Molly Holly, Victoria, Ivory, Jacqueline and Mickie James; but simply when Beth Phoenix and Natalya were carrying the load. Nikki Bella drastically improved, but her opposition was underwhelming.

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For a while, the division was reenergized with the new additions. Wrestlemania 32 was the Divas Revolution’s signature moment as the three way between Lynch/Charlotte/Banks stole the show. But gradually the booking and presentation of the women has felt more like the bad old days.

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Charlotte may be holding the Women’s title, but the silly overbooking meant to accommodate a roster that needed assistance is still in full effect. Instead of Brie Bella providing twin magic, it’s Ric Flair providing distractions with a kiss or Dana Brooke dressing up as Flair.

Back in NXT, Banks was a jerk and condescending to her opponents in her promos with an abundant swagger during her matches. Although a heel, Banks typically got clean wins for simply being better, but she did little things like harassing Bayley’s favorite fan at ringside to ensure fans understood she was the heel. Shenanigans like a woman pretending to be a man for a distraction finish didn’t occur in NXT because the bookers treated the wrestlers smarter and gave the audience more credit.

On the main WWE roster, the female wrestlers are constantly slipping on a banana peel thanks to a distraction finish or other unnecessary contrived angles. Poor Natalya has been made to look silly in matches that fail to make her or Charlotte look good. Back in NXT, the two brought the best out in each other without needing all the overly cute booking.

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Complicating matters is the recent rash of injuries. With Naomi, Tamina and now Sasha Banks down, the roster is definitely depleted. That’s another failure on the writers for failing to make the remaining members of the division viable contenders. Charlotte has already beaten Becky Lynch, Paige and Natalya, but who else can Charlotte conceivably battle that’s currently in WWE?

The easy solution seems to be to dip back in to NXT for some fresh faces. Bayley seems like an obvious choice for a potential Summerslam showdown with her former friend. Additionally, Alexa Bliss would benefit from being called up and can revert to her sunshine princess gimmick, which was a better fit. With Cass and Enzo on the main roster, Carmella seems like another sensible call-up and Tessa Blanchard. With TB, the synergy of having Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard’s daughters aligned or battling each other is too good to pass up even if Tessa isn’t completely ready for the main stage.

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Regardless of the roster, the booking needs to improve ASAP. No more distraction finishes and making the faces look like goofs. Just let the women battle one on one and two on two to decide whose superior in the pursuit of titles, respect, money or all three. It doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that. Only when that’s the new norm will this revolution truly have been won.