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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

A Look at the History and Future of WOW - Women Of Wrestling

In the world of professional wrestling, few promotions have carved out a niche as unique and persistent as WOW - Women Of Wrestling. Born from a vision to showcase female athletes in sports entertainment, WOW has navigated decades, remaining relevant in the wrestling scene. Existing in an industry that features women's wrestling in a variety of styles of presentation, WOW's journey helps the company stand out.

WOW made its debut in 2000, created by David McLane, known for his previous work with GLOW, which to this day continues to have ongoing popularity. McLane's vision was clear: to present an all-female wrestling product that emphasized athleticism and larger-than-life characters, while aiming for a family-friendly audience. WOW was the only wrestling company on syndicated television that was putting its female athletes front and center, allowing them to be the sole focus of the action.



A standout member of the WOW roster during the promotion's beginnings was Selina Majors. She is a two-time former NWA World Women's Champion, and this success, along with Majors' extensive career in professional wrestling, was an asset to WOW, adding credibility to the promotion and establishing it as a valuable platform for women's wrestling.



One of the people who WOW piqued the interest of was Jeanie Buss (who later became owner of the Los Angeles Lakers), who was invited to a show by David McLane, and eventually even joined McLane at the commentary table for a WOW event.



WOW went on hiatus in 2001 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which created a chain reaction never before seen across the media and entertainment sectors, as the economic repercussions and the TV industry's immediate focus on news and more established programming made it challenging for a new wrestling company to secure the necessary backing and audience. During WOW's hiatus, Jeanie Buss continued to support its concept, believing that it was evidence that women could make a living as entertainers and professional athletes. The passion for an all-women's wrestling promotion on national television never decreased, and during this time the wrestling industry was more receptive to female-led content. Buss' belief in WOW, led to her and David McLane relaunching it in 2016.

Leveraging social media, WOW shows were produced for Facebook originally, and later for YouTube. WOW utilized the late-1980s/early-1990s style of having a big focus on characters while remaining relevant in the current wrestling scene, presenting its colorful roster of athletic Superheroes with distinct personas and backstories.



There were a number of wrestlers who were at the forefront of popularity during this era of WOW, one of them being Jungle Grrrl. With her athletic and high-flying style, Jungle Grrrl became the longest-reigning WOW Champion in history.



WOW quickly built a loyal following, and that, combined with the company's renewed commitment, was a signal that a strong return to national television as in WOW's near future, which happened in 2019, via AXS TV. This was the beginning of WOW's modern era, featuring an upgrade in production values, a new generation of female athletes, and a continued focus on blending in-ring action with character development.

In 2021, Women Of Women achieved its best distribution deal yet, forming a partnership with Paramount Global Content Distribution, resulting in WOW airing in national broadcast television syndication beginning in 2022. WOW's product moving to broadcast television nationally significantly expanded WOW's reach, attracting a viewership of over 300,000 via syndication without having a prime-time cable slot. WOW presented its unique blend of athleticism and performance, and WOW's viewership numbers suggested that it has a loyal audience and broad appeal that allows it to succeed across various local stations and time slots. It solidified WOW's position as a prominent player in the modern wrestling scene, demonstrating the growing demand for diverse, high-quality women's sports content, and increasing its potential for greater mainstream recognition.

WOW has always been more than just a wrestling product; it's a platform dedicated to empowering female athletes and telling their stories in a unique way. Its decision to being character-driven, combined with a strong emphasis on athleticism, offers a distinct flavor in the wrestling world. It appeals to a broad demographic, from long-time die-hard wrestling fans to families simply looking for accessible, engaging entertainment.

With its strong TV presence via Paramount Global Content Distribution, the future of WOW looks positive, with there being the possibility for continued expansion and influence. Looking ahead, WOW can further grow its diverse roster of Superheroes, and as new talent emerges and existing characters evolve, the possibilities within WOW are limitless, ensuring that fan interest will remain high. Most importantly, Selina Majors continues to be a part of WOW, utilizing her knowledge as a trainer and mentor, directly shaping and developing the next generation of WOW Superheroes. Majors' passion for women's wrestling and her dedication to passing on her expertise are fundamental to WOW's mission and success, making Majors a cornerstone of the organization.

Beyond traditional broadcast, there's a significant opportunity for WOW to enhance its digital and international footprint, which it will be doing in the near future. Paramount Global Content Distribution is going to launch Wrestling Central, a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel on The Roku Channel in the United States and Canada, which will include weekly matches from WOW.



Currently, there is already a 24-hour streaming channel dedicated to WOW programming on Pluto TV, a free ad-supported streaming television service owned by Paramount Global that has 80 million monthly active users and is available in the Americas and Europe. WOW leveraging Wrestling Central will amplify its reach in North America.

In addition, further strengthening its social media engagement will also amplify WOW's reach, drawing in fans who appreciate its unique brand of sports entertainment. The ongoing success of WOW will also be an inspiration and benchmark for other women's wrestling promotions, further fueling the overall growth and innovation within the industry, and paving the way for future generations of female wrestlers.

As someone who closely follows the evolution of women's wrestling globally, it's clear that WOW holds an important place. Its history is a testament to perseverance, adapting its format and distribution while staying true to its values and its mission. The journey of WOW is a powerful reminder that compelling characters and athletic ability, when combined with a clear vision and unwavering dedication, create a lasting legacy in professional wrestling.

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