It was the 7th of April 2014, one night after WrestleMania XXX, and down the ramp walked the shy Paige. She is a 21 -year old Diva from Norwich, England, and in one night she turned the company on its head. After AJ Lee successfully defeated every Diva on the roster in a Battle Royal, AJ Lee came out to state her dominance in the division. Paige entered the arena to quiet applause as many fans didn’t know who she was, as NXT was in its building phase at the time.
Paige came out to congratulate AJ Lee on her successful title defence, but AJ Lee slapped Paige and set up an impromptu match with the Divas Title on the line. Paige quickly defeated AJ Lee to capture her first Divas Title and ended AJ’s reign, making Paige the youngest WWE Divas Champion in history at the age of 21.
Why is this date so important? Well it coincides with a change in the Divas Division. AJ Lee, as amazing of a wrestler as she is, was the complete reason why the division needed to change. The Divas consisted of AJ Lee as the only competitor worthy of the title. She held the title around the same time as CM Punk, her now husband, would be leaving the company which brought the reign into some discussion with many believing it was to try and keep her sweet. Within this title change sparked a fire which has ignited the division. Paige has recently been the kick-starter in the Give Diva’s a chance trend that has taken over the internet.
Let’s just look at what has happened recently. In one night we had three new debutantes on Raw. That is unheard of in the Diva’s Division. We might get one at best but three is unheard of, especially with each debutante being an excellent addition to the roster. What I love about these women (including Paige) is their ability to actually wrestle.
1) First we have Paige, a woman who has been wrestling since she was thirteen and could run this division for years to come. She has an excellent look, persona, and excellent ring presence.
2) Then we have Sasha Banks, the current NXT Divas Champion. Originally wrestling under the name Mercedes KV on the independent circuit, and being only 23 we could have a future Divas Champion in the making.
3) Next we have Becky Lynch. The feisty redhead from Dublin, Ireland. At 28 she is in the prime of her career , with bags of experience under her belt. She has worked for countless promotions with each strengthening her craft.
4) Last, but definitely not least, we have the daughter of Ric Flair. Charlotte Flair is everything her father was. She is styling, profiling, and dominating with her size and submission ability. She is the oldest of the three women coming in at 29, but what she lacks for in youth she brings in talent.
What people cannot deny is that this change started with Paige. A Diva that went completely against what was considered “hot” by WWE’s standards at the time. Her pale skin, dark hair, and gothic look hasn’t been seen since the days of Lita. I am looking forward to seeing this division open up more and become stronger with many NXT Diva’s waiting in the wings.
Leave us a comment below on how you believe the Divas Division should go. Who has been the game changer and why now? Why has WWE decided to invest time into its division? Is it due to Total Divas being a success or is it something more?
Recent Comments