9 Cringeworthy Moments Every Fan Needs To See On The WWE Network

2. Santino Marella Wins A Female Battle Royal At WrestleMania

Santina Marella
WWE.com

The 'female revolution' that has swept through WWE over the past few years has been described by some cynics as little more than a fad; citing the promotion's lack of care over female athletes until the rise of women like Ronda Rousey, these critics believe WWE's interest in women's wrestling is temporary.

Regardless, it's true to say that women like Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and others deserve their place in televised main events. Often, their matches are actually better than those worked by male counterparts. This much was evidenced by the sterling Hell In A Cell battle put on by Charlotte and Banks last October.

It wasn't always that way, and you don't have to dive too deep into WWE's archives for proof. As recently as 2009, a man was winning the only female match put on at WrestleMania - and he did so in drag.

Santino Marella was always a curious character, but his change into 'Santina' for 'Mania XXV was something else. Playing the role of his 'sister', Marella won a 25-Diva Battle Royal to crown the first ever Miss WrestleMania. It was embarrassing.

This is the kind of thing WWE would shy away from today, because it's a million miles from producing serious main events featuring female talent.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.