The history of the WWE Women's Championships since 2010 is marked by significant changes, rebranding, and a movement toward greater recognition and respect for women's wrestling. During this period, WWE transitioned from the Divas Championship era to the modern Women's Championships, focusing on athleticism, storytelling, and equality. Here’s a detailed overview:
The Divas Championship Era (2008-2016):
Introduction of the Divas Championship (2008):
The WWE Divas Championship was introduced on July 20, 2008, as a new title for WWE's women’s division on the SmackDown brand. This period marked a transition from the older, more traditional wrestling titles to a more modernized, entertainment-focused era.
Unification of the Women’s and Divas Championships (2010):
In 2010, WWE decided to unify the WWE Women’s Championship (originally established in 1956) with the newer Divas Championship. At the Night of Champions event on September 19, 2010, Michelle McCool (representing LayCool) defeated Melina to unify the two titles. After this, the Divas Championship became the sole active women's title in WWE, and the historic Women's Championship was retired.
The Divas Championship continued to be the primary women's title across both brands (Raw and SmackDown), with champions like Natalya, Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, Eve Torres, AJ Lee, Paige, Nikki Bella, and others holding the title.
Transition Period and Rise of New Stars (2010-2015):
During this era, the Divas Championship was often criticized for a lack of serious storylines and for being more focused on entertainment rather than athletic competition. Matches were often shorter and less emphasized compared to their male counterparts. However, several performers stood out and began to change perceptions:
AJ Lee held the Divas Championship for 295 days, becoming one of the most popular champions and advocating for more respect for women's wrestling.
Paige debuted in 2014 and became the youngest Divas Champion in history at age 21, injecting new energy into the division.
Nikki Bella set the record for the longest single reign as Divas Champion at 301 days (November 23, 2014 - September 20, 2015).
The Women’s Evolution and the Return of the Women’s Championship (2016-Present):
Women’s Evolution Movement (2015-2016):
The "Women’s Evolution" movement began gaining momentum in 2015, sparked by fans and wrestlers demanding more equal opportunities for female talent in WWE. The hashtag #GiveDivasAChance trended worldwide after a particularly short women's match on Raw, prompting WWE to reconsider its approach to women's wrestling.
The movement was heavily supported by key figures in WWE, including Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and the female superstars themselves, who advocated for more time, better storylines, and more meaningful opportunities in the ring.
Introduction of the WWE Women’s Championship (2016):
At WrestleMania 32 on April 3, 2016, WWE officially retired the Divas Championship and reintroduced the WWE Women's Championship as the new primary title for the women's division. The title was unveiled by Lita and featured a design similar to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship but with a white strap and a red background plate.
In the same event, Charlotte Flair defeated Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match to become the inaugural WWE Women’s Champion under the new title lineage. This match was praised for its high quality and marked the beginning of a new era for women's wrestling in WWE.
Brand Split and the Creation of Separate Titles (2016):
After the WWE brand split in July 2016, the WWE Women’s Championship became exclusive to the Raw brand and was renamed the Raw Women’s Championship.
In response, the SmackDown brand introduced its own SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2016. Becky Lynch became the inaugural champion by winning a six-pack elimination challenge at Backlash on September 11, 2016.
Growth and Major Milestones (2016-Present):
Rise of New Stars and Key Rivalries (2016-2018):
The period saw the rise of several key female stars, including Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Nia Jax, Carmella, and Naomi. These wrestlers began headlining major events and delivering some of the best matches in WWE.
Significant moments included:
Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks feuding over the Raw Women’s Championship in 2016, culminating in the first-ever women's Hell in a Cell match and the first time women main-evented a WWE PPV.
Bayley winning the Raw Women’s Championship in 2017 and becoming a fan favorite.
Alexa Bliss becoming the first woman to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships.
First-Ever Women’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber (2018):
WWE continued to make history with the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match at the Royal Rumble PPV in January 2018. Asuka won the match, cementing her place as one of the top female talents in WWE.
In February 2018, WWE held the first Women’s Elimination Chamber match, which was won by Alexa Bliss.
Women’s WrestleMania Main Event and Continued Evolution (2019):
At WrestleMania 35 on April 7, 2019, the women’s division reached a historic milestone when Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey competed in the first-ever women's main event at WrestleMania. Becky Lynch won both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships, becoming “Becky Two Belts” and solidifying her status as "The Man."
This period also saw the continued rise of Bayley, Sasha Banks, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and others, who further elevated the women’s division with compelling storylines and high-quality matches.
Modern Era and New Developments (2020-Present):
New Stars and Championship Changes (2020-2023):
Bianca Belair won the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble and headlined WrestleMania 37 against Sasha Banks, marking the first time two African American women main-evented a WrestleMania. Belair captured the SmackDown Women's Championship, which further highlighted WWE's commitment to diversity and excellence in women's wrestling.
Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Rhea Ripley, and others continued to dominate the title scene on Raw and SmackDown.
In 2022, Liv Morgan captured her first SmackDown Women’s Championship after cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase, highlighting WWE's commitment to building new stars.
Introduction of the WWE Women's World Championship and WWE Women's Championship (2023-Present):
In June 2023, WWE rebranded the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships:
The Raw Women’s Championship was renamed the WWE Women’s World Championship, and the SmackDown Women’s Championship was renamed the WWE Women’s Championship to align with the men's title naming conventions. Rhea Ripley and Asuka were presented with the new titles, respectively, reinforcing WWE’s continued efforts to elevate women’s wrestling.
Current Champions and Ongoing Storylines:
Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, IYO SKY, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Asuka continue to be focal points in the women’s division, with new and returning talent such as Tiffany Stratton, Zoey Stark, and Jade Cargill emerging as potential future stars.
Legacy of the Modern Women's Championships:
The evolution of WWE’s women’s championships since 2010 reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing the visibility, credibility, and respect of its female talent. The emphasis on longer, more competitive matches, major storyline developments, and historic firsts has allowed WWE's women's division to grow significantly, paving the way for future generations and continuing to break barriers in professional wrestling.
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