MLW Needs A Women’s Division

I recently attended the MLW TV tapings in Dallas – a show that promised the return of the Von Erich family to a Texas wrestling ring and the return of the legendary Kevin Von Erich, patriarch of the new era of Von Erichs: Marshall and Ross. The crowd packed themselves into a small auditorium and was electric and loud. The excitement at the start of the four-hour taping for the main event was palpable, but understandably dissipated over the course of the evening.

MLW has a problem. It is a promotion built on the backs of an increasingly small amount of main event talent. Over the past two years, AEW, WWE and ROH have signed away even its midcard talents to fill out their ranks. (Does anyone even remember the RUSH vs. L.A. Park storyline that got scrapped one week after it was teased on MLW Fusion?) MLW is in desperate need of a draw that takes it from a small-time promotion fighting with Impact for market share to a legitimate contender rubbing shoulders with Vince McMahon and Tony Khan’s companies. MLW could take ECW’s place, the scrappy underdog filled with renegades hungry to prove themselves to a passionate fan base.

How does MLW get there? It needs a legitimate women’s division.

It’s 2019 and wrestling is in the throes of the women’s revolution. WWE’s biggest show of the year was headlined by the woman responsible for the revolution (Ronda Rousey), its next breakout star (Becky Lynch) and the most dominate woman in the company, perhaps ever (Charlotte). AEW has immediately showcased its women’s division, planning to crown its first champion on its inaugural episode on TNT. Hell, even Lucha Underground put women in the spotlight. So why can’t MLW figure it out?

In short? The powers that be don’t seem to want to. MLW seems comfortable filling its shows with international talent, familiar faces and rising stars. Which is fine, except that aside from Salina de la Renta and Aria Blake, they all happen to be men. (Credit where credit’s due: de la Renta has been treated as the cornerstone of the company, perhaps more so than any woman in any company in the history of pro wrestling.) There are enough independent promotions out there to go see guys cut their teeth in front of a live crowd. Meanwhile, there are droves of incredibly talented and experienced women across the globe just waiting for their one opportunity to prove themselves to the type of large audience that MLW has on beIN Sports and YouTube.

Fans have been clamoring for a women’s division for the past two years, but MLW owner Court Bauer never seems ready to pull the trigger on such an endeavor.

It’s more of an issue of timing. We’re in the process of signing female athletes for the division so when we accomplish our goals and are ready to take the division on-line, game on. https://t.co/Iu9UbEWbCS
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) September 20, 2019

Really enjoying MLW but would really like to see a women’s division on the show.
— Mystic Mogwai Bri (@brianchunt78) June 18, 2019

I’d like to see her work with @MLW. @courtbauer needs to create a women’s division. That should’ve been taken care of before the national championship, to be honest.
— Baron ZM (@ZTMbaronofurga) June 24, 2019

When are we getting a women’s division?
— Mister C El Bandido (@Mister_C1995) June 18, 2019

We are working on it. Who you want to see in it? https://t.co/sAqClueXJt
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) January 21, 2019

Wife & I wonder on a weekly basis. When will @MLW finally introduce a Women’s division & title? #MLW #MLWFusion @courtbauer
— 𝕾.𝕮. 𝕽𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖑 (@StaticPoetic) August 14, 2019

@courtbauer @alexdgreenfield out of curiosity! What do you guys think you need to create a women’s division in @MLW ?
— #Saveustripleh (@JoeDiano247) May 7, 2019

Yes! It’s very important part of the next phase to me. Just saw the first wave of designs for a women’s title… but before we can talk about that I want to hear from everyone who we should be looking at for the division. https://t.co/qUAaoHOMfD
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) December 24, 2018

Word @courtbauer??? @MLW getting a women’s Division…. #MLW #MLWFUSION https://t.co/8qQ3I4Mu4i pic.twitter.com/AaQ70ubZZ8
— Kaydrian Esau (@KaydrianWebb) August 18, 2019

Wrestling purists may argue that MLW will get a women’s division when NJPW does, but there is a major issue with that argument. Between Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling and Stardom, as well as a handful of other established promotions, there are several platforms for women to showcase their skills in Japan. Those performers are legitimate stars who can and do draw huge crowds on a regular basis. There is no such analogue in the United States for that style of wrestling company. Sure, SHINE is popular, but is no Stardom.

I’m not suggesting that MLW force a women’s division like WWE has in recent years, but it’s about time that Court Bauer start including a women’s match on the card. What’s even more mind-boggling is that when MLW resurrected at the end of 2017, there were women’s matches featured on several shows. Santana Garrett, Mia Yim, Leva Bates, Chelsea Green and Priscilla Kelly all competed in the promotion.

While all of whom except for Kelly have been signed by other companies, that doesn’t mean MLW should bury its head in the sand waiting for the next crop of women to gain buzz on the indie scene. Since the “world of MLW never stops,” Bauer could import talent from Japan, borrow NWA Women’s Champion Allysin Kay or even recruit luchadores from Crash, which he already has formed a strategic partnership with.

I suggest MLW bring in Sareee, Brandi Lauren, Holidead, Thunder Rosa, Lady Flammer, Kylie Rae (if possible), Jessica Troy and Dani Luna. Having Blake already under contract is a great start because she can definitely go in the ring.

Ultimately, it isn’t that hard to have a legitimate and believable women’s division in today’s wrestling world. The only reason you wouldn’t is either laziness or a desire to not have women as part of your product.

Which is it?