Stephanie McMahon On The Women’s Evolution: Listen To Your Fans, Give Them What They Want, And It’ll Work
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WWE has been trying for years to push its women’s division up onto the same level as the men’s level.
During an appearance at the Sports Business Journal World Congress of Sport, Stephanie McMahon and Becky Lynch spoke about empowering the women in their company and how important they are to the company’s success.
Lynch was asked about what it meant to headline WrestleMania 35, in her historic Triple Threat Match against Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair, and she said it was a dream come true.
“That meant the world to me, that was my life goal,” Lynch said. “And I remember when I left home, I had just gotten signed by WWE, and I said to one of my friends, ‘I’m going to main event WrestleMania,’ and…he said ‘It’s nice to have goals, but be realistic,’ because it just was unthought of that a woman could main event WrestleMania. But the women have been developing and improving so much over the past few years, and I got to grow with an incredible, incredible group of women that it become inevitable.”
Stephanie McMahon also weighed in on the bout by describing how she pulled all three superstars aside prior to the start of the show and thanked them for making the dreams of countless women a reality. She went on to talk about the incredible moment prior to Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair’s match at WrestleMania 37, where the crowd began cheering prior to the match.
“Our fans are part of the Women’s Evolution,” McMahon said. “If you listen to your audience, they can impact your brand in such positive ways. Give them the power, empower your audience. We had started to train, develop, and recruit female athletes the same as men, giving them opportunities and the same match times, but it wasn’t until our fans started the hashtag ‘Give Divas A Chance’ in 2015 that gave rise to the whole women’s evolution in our business.
“Listen to your fans, give them what they want, and it’ll work.”
"Our fans are a part of the women's evolution." @BeckyLynchWWE and @StephMcMahon on the rise of women's wrestling in @WWE 👏 #SBJWCOS pic.twitter.com/cnmtPt63kr
— Sports Business Journal (@sbjsbd) October 13, 2021
Stephanie McMahon and Becky Lynch’s comments come at a time when fans have been frustrated by WWE’s booking of the women’s division. Most of this criticism has focused on the short match times seen in the Queen’s Crown Tournament.
RELATED: Report: WWE Talent And Staff Frustrated By Recent Booking Of Women’s Division