10 Times Wrestling GENUINELY Tried To Be Progressive
9. The NXT Women's Title
Paige's 2017 return as an indignant heel married up magnificently with the time she'd missed on the main roster. WWE are fortunately positioned in how they choose to portray the 'revolution' that's taken place in North American women's wrestling over the past several years, at various points mansplaining their way through narratives that credit everybody from Sasha Banks to Stephanie McMahon and Bayley to The Bella Twins as the real architects.
Frozen out of credit (for a change) is Triple H, but 'The Game' did on NXT what his wife refused to on Raw for years - he put women first.
The developmental brand's 'Divas' division was branded as such to keep consistency with the main roster, but the 'Women's title they fought for was a pointed statement of intent about both the direction and quality of the league going forward.
Paige's place atop the pile was a huge part of the motif, born into the business as she was with almost a decade of experience before even reaching her mid-20s. Her 2014 'Arrival' match with Emma was rightfully considered the best female clash in company history, setting the stage for countless classics to follow.