Without question, Monday Night Raw has played a huge role in my love for women’s wrestling. Women’s wrestling was something that always stood out to me because, even as a kid, it was under-appreciated. That being said, it was disappointing to see a lack of women represented on the 30th anniversary of Monday Night Raw. Personally, some of the best moments in women’s wrestling took place on the show.
One example is WWE HOF Lita defeating Stephanie McMahon on the show in August 2000. That night, Lita won her first of four Women’s Championships as Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson was the special guest referee. Four years later, Lita would main event the show, facing longtime rival Trish Stratus for the Women’s Championship. It remains a big deal as that match set the bar for other women’s matches that followed.
As for the 30th-anniversary show, neither Lita nor Stratus made appearances on the three-hour show. While we’re at it, other groundbreakers weren’t in attendance as well or even acknowledged. Below is a list of some of those names:
- Chyna
- Ivory
- Victoria
- Torrie Wilson
- Jazz
- Jacqueline
- Mickie James
- Stacy Keibler
- Nikki Bella
- Brie Bella
- Beth Phoenix
- Natalya
- Alicia Fox
- Michelle McCool
- Layla
- Melina
- Candice Michelle
- Maria Kanellis-Bennett
No Lita, Trish, Jacqueline, Michelle, Alicia, Jazz, Beth, Mickie, Victoria, Stacy, Melina, Torrie, Bellas.. RAW 30 and the women were barely represented! At least Medusa was there but come on..
— Stephanie Hypes (@StephanieHypes) January 24, 2023
Honestly, I could go on and on, but my point remains the same. Many women made an impact on Monday Night Raw over the last three decades but weren’t given their proper due.
What did the 30th Anniversary of Monday Night Give Us Instead?
I was looking forward to seeing Becky Lynch face Bayley in a steel cage on the show. It didn’t happen. Not seeing two of my favorites competing that night was deflating, to say the least. Although HOF Alundra Blayze was there, it still felt light in the representation of women’s wrestling.
Why are we in 2015 again?
— Helena (@_duhhh_its_me_) January 24, 2023
With all of he trails women have blazed we should be moving forward not backwards.#WWEWomenDeserveBetter #GiveWomenAChance pic.twitter.com/PMLO91y1Us
However, a segment featuring Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair did lead to a match between Belair and Sonya Deville. What’s more, we saw Alexa Bliss cut a promo ahead of her title match against Belair at the Royal Rumble premium live event. Overall, WWE let down many fans, including me, that night. Do better.
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