WWE: Naomi controversy highlights why wrestling journalism needs diversity

The incident and reaction to Wrestling Observer critics bashing Naomi’s performance at WWE Royal Rumble highlights why wrestling journalism needs diversity.

Last Sunday, as per is usually the case every year, both Royal Rumble matches exceeded expectations and had the WWE Universe on their feet. But one of the most memorable crowd reactions came when Naomi made her triumphant return after spending six months away from the ring.

Naomi’s return in itself managed to exceed expectations, as some of her clips even managed to go viral on Twitter. It seems like everyone from casual fans to die hards around the world had some high praise for Naomi. Except for a trio of critics at The Wrestling Observer.

In a viral clip of the Bryan and Vinny Show, starring Bryan Alvarez and “Big Vinny V” (or Vince Verhei), the piggy back on some harsh comments made from their “special” guest, Mark, about Naomi’s return and her Rumble save.

To be fair, all three men did have kind things to say about Naomi within the full clip of their show, but in context or out of it, it is not a good look for three white men to be singling out a black woman with outlandish criticisms and calling her out of her name.

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Even if they meant no real malicious intent from their words, first off, better word choice should have been implemented. Criticize spots and even performances of a wrestler all day, but attacking the wrestler themselves with naming calling and accusing them of “sheer idiocy” is uncalled for. Second, the bulk of the wrestling world perceives malicious intent because of the space in which these words were said.

Again, three white men singling out a black woman for spots which have been practically universally loved by the fanbase (and even those outside of said fanbase).

The worst part is that this is not an isolated incident in the wrestling community. It’s not the first time that men being outlandishly critical of women in the wrestling has spurred controversy.

Other instances that spring to mind include Sam Roberts’ bashing Bianca Belair on a TakeOver pre-show and Dave Meltzer body shaming Peyton Royce, just to name a couple. Incidents like these highlight the lack of diversity when it comes the journalism in wrestling spaces.

The female voice offers a certain nuance and approach that certain male journalists seem to struggle with, specifically when speaking on female performers. Naturally, a woman can relate to other women and, therefore, they know what should and should not be said when talking about another woman in a wrestling space.

Having a woman present in some of these aforementioned incidents, like the Naomi situation, suddenly offers an appropriate voice necessary to analyze the Women’s Rumble. The Bryan/Vinny/Mark clip felt like watching a guy’s club, and as is the case with most guy’s clubs in any space, problematic things get said in the vain of men feeling the need to participate in locker room talk with their fellow man.

Would either Bryan, Vinny, or Mark have made the comments they made if there was a woman present? Or would they consider changing their tune if a person of color was there to educate them on why their words were problematic? I think not.

That’s the power that women in wrestling journalism could offer. Yet, unfortunately, women aren’t visible in wrestling journalism. They aren’t being hired in prominent positions, or worse, they aren’t given the same respect and attention that most male journalists receive.

All it takes is one woman to call out or tell the boys “settle down” or “don’t say that” to prevent clips like this from happening, but since no women or ever present in these clips, we’ve seen a lot of male journalists flub their words and verbally show their backsides over the past couple years.

Let it be known: the female voice is valuable in wrestling spaces. Both to speak in place of men who may misuse their platform or to educate men on what should and should not be said in regards to women’s wrestling. On top of that, there are just some flat out incredible women’s journalists out there who unfortunately are not given the time of day by the masses within the wrestling community.

Follow and support women’s journalists within the wrestling community. Off the top of my head, I encourage you, gentle reader, to support the likes of Kristen Ashly, Lauren Founds, Andrea Hangst, Harmony Cox, Laura Mauro, and Scarlet Harris. These women know their stuff and are cautious about their approach to reporting about wrestling.

I wish I could name drop more women of color as well, but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that women of color are being hired in prominent positions in wrestling journalism (or at least not enough of them).

Please support these women. Support women of color in wrestling journalism, if you can find them. Support them enough to create the next top women’s journos in wrestling; the next popular, well regarded alternative to Dave Meltzer, if you will.

And to those in positions to hire women and WoC journalists: hire them. We need their voices now more than ever.

And of course, if you are reading this as a female journalist who either is in the industry or wants to break in, do not ever stop using that voice of yours to breed change into the wrestling stratosphere. We need those voices now more than ever.