Could intergender wrestling work in AEW or WWE?

Intergender wrestling is frequently featured in independent promotions, and some wonder if it could ever return to the biggest stages in wrestling. 

Standing out is an important aspect of professional wrestling. The individual performers look for ways to stand out to both fans and the companies that book them, hoping to elevate their status in the industry. Promotions also look for ways to differentiate themselves as it helps draw in fans and potential revenue. One way that either WWE or AEW could separate themselves from their main competition is to find a way to bring intergender wrestling to the forefront of today’s business.

Professional wrestling is an industry that remains dominated by men. But the women on rosters around the world continue to prove that they belong. Not only are they capable of everything their counterparts do in the ring, but there are also multiple examples where the ladies far exceed their colleagues.

All Elite Wrestling has shied away from intergender wrestling completely. WWE dabbled with it in the past, but in the worst ways possible, more so being a representation of the misogynistic behavior that was occurring backstage and behind the scenes. Impact Wrestling makes intergender wrestling work, even elevating Tessa Blanchard to become the Impact World Champion before her behavior outside the ring railroaded her entire career.

Still, intergender wrestling could have a place in the wrestling promotions competing on the biggest stages. Both rosters boast women who are well-versed in intergender wrestling. Individuals like Candice LeRae, Mia Yim, Mercedes Martinez, Athena, and others boast a catalog of great matches to show fans around the world. Couple that in with athletes like Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Raquel Rodriguez, and those are some of the first names that jump off the page as characters that could be presented in such a fashion.

The onus would be on both promotions to make the concerted effort to write creative for the women that works. This is one of the biggest complaints for both WWE and AEW, as neither has created an atmosphere that nurtures the development of quality creative for their women’s divisions. There are moments and flashes of what could be, but those are often marred by more of the same tired narrative, tropes, and lack of consistent attention. Attempting to write for intergender wrestling would need even more consideration, as the topic matter comes with a built-in contingent ready to argue against it. Would either promotion take the time to do their homework, and bring in women writers to help tell the right stories, the right way? That’s the biggest question that would have to be asked and answered.

Intergender wrestling has worked across smaller, independent promotions. But could it work with bigger companies like AEW and WWE? The answer is yes, but both organizations would have to take steps in the right direction with women’s wrestling that neither has shown a commitment to making.