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The backstory
Back in the early 80s, Vince McMahon bought off the WWE from his father, and the purchase kicked off a golden era that turned professional wrestling into a household name. Vince soon came up with the concept of WrestleMania, as an answer to Starrcade, and the success of the first 'Mania made it sure that this event was going to be HUGE going forward.
The first edition of The Show of Shows saw the Women's title being defended at MSG, with Wendi Richter defending against Leilani Kai. Richter went on to win the match and celebrate with singer Cyndi Lauper. 35 years later, history was made at WrestleMania 35, when three women headlined the famed show.
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The interview
In 1985, the Boston Globe's weekend magazine conducted an interview with Vince McMahon. One of the questions asked to McMahon was whether he was putting more effort into women's wrestling at the moment. McMahon responded that with the arrival of women like Wendi Richter and Cyndi Lauper, the women's division is gaining more recognition, after being overlooked for many years.
He also stated that he sees potential in the division.
Yes. I see it as a growth area. I think that women’s wrestling was an area that was overlooked for many years, and it wasn’t until recently that a very attractive element, physically, began to enter ladies’ wrestling. And with the advent of Cyndi Lauper and Wendi Richter who now, there will be a deluge of female athletes who are nice looking as well. Not that all women wrestlers have to be nice-looking, because they won’t be. Just as all male wrestlers aren’t handsome devils.
The aftermath
Vince's comments in this interview have aged incredibly well, as WWE's Women's division has seen a resurgence over the past few years. Women like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Asuka and other have taken the division to heights that were once cosidered unachievable.
