10 Reasons WrestleMania 32 Changed Everything
1. The Women's Championship
The days of Divas are dead, thanks to a new initiative launched by WWE Sunday night at WrestleMania.
The demeaning and somewhat discriminating label was eliminated from the company's lingo, courtesy of a press release and phenomenal article penned by Stephanie McMahon and available at ThePlayersTribune.com.
While the company set out to change the perception of its female performers through media, it was a physical representation that proved most effective in waving goodbye to the ghosts of women's wrestling's past.
The revelation of the new WWE Women's Championship by Lita, herself a revolutionary figure in the sport, was the latest attempt by the company to erase the negative image of bra and panties matches, hot lesbian action and other degrading matches and segments featuring its female talent.
The belt, a near replica of the men's heavyweight title except for the white leather strap and the words "Women's Championship" underneath the glistening WWE logo, is a representation of the idea that the male and female Superstars are to be viewed as equals. They should be judged on the quality of their performance and their athleticism rather than gender.
It is a brand new way of thinking for a company who once produced an angle in which its owner forced a woman to her hands knees, made her bark like a dog, then threatened her job if she did not strip to her underwear.
On a night in which style trumped substance, WrestleMania 32 may forever be recognized as the event where women stood up, seized the spotlight and refused to ever allow themselves to be relegated to the background.
Beginning with Lita's introduction of the prize every great female Superstar will fight for in the coming weeks, years and generations.