In defense of WWE having one or two women’s midcard titles

Last Friday, Nick Aldis announced a new title for the women’s division, and it took less than two minutes for a few columnists on this site to go negative on the idea. While I respect their opinions, I have to disagree with what they wrote. It’s been proven that having more than one championship in a women’s division can actually work and help elevate more talent with the crowd.

First, I completely disagree with Mr. Tito’s claim that women’s wrestling doesn’t attract viewers. Women of Wrestling, which airs in syndication between 9 PM and midnight depending on location, typically draws between 300,000 to 400,000 viewers each week—similar to AEW-level ratings. That’s not too shabby for an all-women’s show. Additionally, NXT, which often features more women’s matches than men’s, consistently brings in around 600,000 viewers per week. This shows that women’s wrestling can, in fact, draw.

As for adding one or maybe two new mid-card titles to the women’s division, I believe it’s a great move. I expect we’ll soon see an announcement for a women’s Intercontinental Championship, which further indicates that Triple H wants to increase the division’s prominence on the main roster. Don’t forget, it was Triple H who established the current structure in NXT, where the women’s division is often as important as, if not more important than, the men’s division. So it’s only natural he’d want to bring this approach to the main roster as well.

Why do I think this is such a good idea? Just look at how NXT is booked. In a two-hour show, they manage to feature at least three or four strong women’s feuds. The NXT Women’s Championship feels important, as does the NXT Women’s North American Championship. They still find room for additional feuds involving the tag titles. Everyone is engaged, and everything feels significant because of the emphasis on making the women’s division look strong.

So why wouldn’t this format work on the main roster? There’s no reason it couldn’t, especially with both shows expanding to three hours next year. Consider the talent on the main roster who could benefit from competing for a mid-card title: Lyra Valkyrie, Natalya, Ivy Nile, Alba Fyre, Shayna Baszler, Piper Niven, Michin, Chelsea Green, Candice LeRae, just to name a few. These wrestlers could thrive and become fan favorites if given this chance, but right now they’re overshadowed by male mid-carders who don’t necessarily add much to the grand scheme.

Furthermore, there are numerous women in NXT who will soon be called up and need something to do when they arrive. It doesn’t make sense to keep them in NXT for years, only for them to sit on the sidelines once promoted. Another women’s title would give wrestlers like Fallon Henley, Roxanne Perez, Jacy Jayne, and Cora Jade a reason to be called up, rather than end up underutilized, as Blair Davenport is now.

In the end, WWE has shown they can provide the women’s division with the same opportunities as the men, making them feel equally strong. With Triple H in charge, I believe the perception that women’s wrestling is less important will continue to shift. Adding these titles is a step in the right direction, and with both shows going to three hours next year, there will be ample time to develop these titles and talents. Let’s stop being so negative and enjoy this evolution—women’s wrestlers deserve as many opportunities as the men, and they’re finally starting to get them.