Backstage WWE Frustration On Current State Of Women's Division

More on WWE women's division problems ahead of SummerSlam 2023.

by Andy H Murray
Becky Lynch
WWE.com

Current reporting does not paint a great picture of WWE's women's division heading into SummerSlam 2023 this weekend.

Along with Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus being pulled from the 5 August premium live event in high-profile and controversial fashion, Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley is nowhere to be seen on the lineup. This leaves Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey's MMA Rules bout and Women's Champion Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair on the eight-match SummerSlam card.

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Insider account WRKD Wrestling reported on Thursday that the division's current state is causing problems backstage:-

There are growing frustrations backstage in WWE regarding the handling of the women’s division.

This follows Fightful Select reporting that neither Stratus nor Lynch was thrilled with WWE's decision to pull their clash from SummerSlam, which was supposedly a product of the company wanting to limit their PLE match counts and runtimes.

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PWInsider reports that Lynch is in Detroit, MI ahead of SummerSlam, opening the possibility of WWE running an angle featuring her and Stratus.

Meanwhile, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that while Ripley vs. rival Raquel Rodriguez is unlikely to happen in Detroit, WWE may add it as a surprise. He added, too, that WWE wants to ensure all matches get enough time.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.