STEP UP: WWE Divas Division
I just have to give a shout-out to the Divas division, and whoever is in charge of helping them come up with their programs, characters, etc. Since WrestleMania there’s been a lot of focus on creating unique personalities and content for the majority of the Divas division. Some of it is subtle and unimportant to the RAW narrative – Rosa Mendes return, recovery and coaching by Natalya, for instance – but exists on Total Divas and is helping to establish a more interesting roster of women.
I was critical of the AJ/Paige program when it started, as they didn’t do a great job of individualizing each girl; granted, the story was based of Paige trying to BE AJ Lee, so I guess that makes sense. Lately I’ve seen Paige break away and start developing her own persona. She did a great job on commentary this week on RAW, I thought.
Natalya and Tyson Kidd have their own deal, mostly on Total Divas and Main Event, but it’s great that they’re getting time even when not in the title picture. Alicia Fox is “crazy”, which I guess isn’t super uncommon these days, but it works for here more than the others.
There are a few Total Divas stars – Eva Marie, Cameron, Naomi – that aren’t utilized on WWE television, but you can’t expect them all to get a slot every week. And that’s why, even though I don’t watch the show, I’m grateful for programming like Total Divas, because it gives them time to be comfortable in front of a million people every week; something you just can’t teach.
And then there’s NXT. Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch, just to name a few (and the best).
I don’t have an agenda here, I just want to point out that WWE is doing right by the ladies this year. We are so critical most of the time, and the Divas are a division prime for our jokes and jabs, so I think it’s important to stop and appreciate when they’re doing something well.
