Ryback Speaks Out On WWE's Gender Classification

The ex-WWE star had a LOT to say on his podcast...

Rhea Ripley NXT Champion

The subject of gender classification is a hot topic in pro wrestling right now, especially since Becky Lynch spoke out and gave her view that the word "Women's" isn't necessary when talking about divisions or titles. WWE has also rebranded the NXT Women's Title as the NXT Championship going forwards.

Ryback isn't sure what to think about this.

Via his 'Conversations With The Big Guy' podcast, the ex-WWE star said it'll only confuse fans and skew presentation if the company don't make things clearer. For example, Ryback asked if Brock Lesnar could challenge for belts that were previously designated to women now that the gender classification has been stripped away.

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The same would go for someone like Rhea Ripley. What's stopping her from challenging for Adam Cole's "other" NXT Championship?

Ryback thinks WWE should've made things easy for themselves by matching the gender branding across both the male and female divisions. He believes calling Cole's belt the NXT Men's Championship would be better than having two titles with exactly the same name.

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There's merit to those thoughts. Ryback isn't criticising Lynch or anyone else for wanting to be equal, but he does think such equality should never come at the cost of straightforward presentation.

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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.