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Intergender wrestling has been a subject of debate among WWE fans. During the height of the Attitude Era, it was common for women to go up against male Superstars. As time passed, things changed. WWE has become a PG company and since then, men and women facing off in matches has become rare.
While we have seen men wrestling women fairly recently (James Ellsworth vs Becky Lynch, for instance), there was no seriousness in it. It was totally for fans’ entertainment and even Lynch says that.
Though sometimes, even WWE hinted for a possible intergender wrestling match. Remember the time when Randy Orton hit Nia Jax during the Royal Rumble match? And when King Corbin hit Lynch during a mixed-tag team match on RAW?
But it seems we are still far away from seeing an actual intergender match in WWE. In this article, we will talk about Superstars who are in support of intergender matches and those who aren’t a fan of it.
#5 Supports intergender wrestling: Naomi
One of the main reasons we see people debating about intergender wrestling is because some think it’ll lead to “equality” in wrestling. There was a time when wrestling was considered a man-only sport but things changed and now women are making records in WWE.
When Naomi talked with So Catch, she discussed intergender wrestling and shared her views:
"I love it. I understand (why it's not done), but doing Mixed Match Challenge, that was my favorite thing about it because we get to interact with the guys. I think it would be awesome, as long as there is limitations and boundaries so stuff doesn't get too crazy. At this point, with the women being where they are and proving ourselves and wanting to be considered as equals in the company, you can't hold back in some areas and not in others. It would really make things equal. I think we can handle ourselves against the men."
A few weeks ago, fans showed their support for Naomi on Twitter using the #NaomiDeservesBetter hashtag. So far, WWE hasn’t truly capitalized on the situation but it wouldn’t be surprising if she wins a major title in the company. Naomi has remained consistent over the years and it’s due to her work that the fans want WWE to push her.
#4 Not a fan of intergender wrestling: Booker T
Booker T has been vocal on the subject of intergender wrestling. When Tessa Blanchard won the IMPACT Wrestling World Championship, he called it the worst mistake in wrestling history.
Recently, Randy Orton brutally attacked his friend and mentor, Ric Flair. After that, some fans said that Charlotte should have come to save her father. Talking about the same, Booker T made several remarks and it seems like he’s totally against intergender wrestling in WWE:
"It's ridiculous, it's nonsensical. Charlotte Flair goes and beats Randy Orton or Drew McIntyre, ruins these guy's careers, forever. Now she has to go against Braun Strowman for the title. This is not Wonder Woman. This is making people believe they're watching a simulated fight between two equals."
Recently, Lance Storm made comments against intergender wrestling and Booker T was one of those Superstars to support him. Booker T said:
"Lance Storm made a quote that they should abolish intergender wrestling. He got a lot of heat on social media because he said it. I second that emotion as far as definitely abolishing intergender wrestling. I don’t think it does a whole lot for female wrestlers. If it is to ever be done on an independent level, for women to be able to get a little more training because there are less women out there working at the top level or better level that can get a lot of practice in working with guys, but as far as intergender wrestling ever making it to the big stage in professional wrestling, I think it would screw everything up."
This is likely one big reason why intergender wrestling hasn’t returned on WWE programming.
#3 Supports intergender wrestling: Sonya Deville
Speaking to Forbes earlier this year, Sonya Deville expressed her desire to compete for a men’s title in the future. She believes intergender wrestling will bring equality in wrestling as a whole. Here’s an excerpt from her interview:
"I’ve always been one for equality, whether it be gender, sexuality, race, religion, I firmly believe that that’s important and that’s part of the progression of the women’s evolution that’s taking place today. I mean, we’re in 2020, I think anything’s possible. And I would love to be one of the first women to kind of pioneer that concept."
Deville is also confident that a female Superstar will win the WWE Championship in the next five years. She is one of Vince McMahon’s favorite Superstars right now and it’ll be interesting to see if the WWE boss will warm up to intergender wrestling and allow her to compete for a men’s title in the future. Deville comes from an MMA background and it wouldn’t be tough for her to beat one of WWE’s top male Superstars if she ever faces any of them.
#2 Not a fan of intergender wrestling: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has proved to be a major draw for WWE. He’s doing his best in WWE to keep the fans engaged to the company’s product during these tough times. When Daily Star Online questioned Rollins whether intergender wrestling should become a part of WWE, he gave his opinion on why these types of matches are unrealistic and shouldn’t happen.
"There are places for it. But this full-on independent style women vs men match where the women are chokeslamming the men? Our business is based in realism a little bit, so let's do that as best we can."
He then cited Olympics as an example and said that there’s a reason why men and women don’t compete against each other as one reason he does not support intergender wrestling.
"I think let’s live in a reality a little bit here, I am not saying women aren’t as good as men because that is not the case. But there is a reason when you go to the Olympics there are men's and women's [sports], there is a reason you have men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball."
#1 Supports intergender wrestling: Tegan Nox
Tegan Nox currently performs for WWE’s NXT brand. In a Sportskeeda exclusive interview given to Stephanie Chase, Nox said that she hopes WWE to bring back intergender wrestling matches in the future.
“I'd love to see WWE doing intergender wrestling. Me and Candice (LeRae) actually talk about this a lot because obviously we both from intergender backgrounds."
“When it’s done right it’s absolutely beautiful to watch so I think WWE definitely does have the platform and we've teased or a little bit with Johnny (Gargano) and Candice and Zelina (Vega) and Andrade.”
“It can be done right and if it's done right it's incredible. So I'm hoping one day that we actually get a chance to do it.”
In the past, Nox has had several intergender matches against the likes of Chris Brookes, Pete Dunne, and Robbie X. She seems to have a bright future in NXT and it remains to be seen when WWE brings her up to the main roster — and if she’ll ever get to fight one of the men in the company.
Do you want WWE to bring intergender wrestling back? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
