2024: The Year Black Women Take Center Stage in Wrestling

We win so bad.

All Image Rights Belong to WWE

Disclaimer: This Article is biased in its entirety, this is quite literally our whole brand 

Historically, Black women in the world of professional wrestling have been massively overlooked. Their talents often overshadowed, their opportunities limited, they've fought an uphill battle for recognition and respect in an industry that has often struggled with diversity and inclusion. However, 2024 is shaping up (potentially, hopefully, finally) to be the year that changes everything.

Across major US promotions, we're finally beginning to see signs of progress in the positioning of Black women. From the red carpet rollout for the debut of Mercedes Mone in AEW to the banger matches being put on by Athena in Ring of Honor as women’s world champion, it's refreshing to witness the acknowledgment of their talents. But perhaps the most significant indication of potential change comes from the biggest promotion in the world, WWE.

Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi point towards the Wrestlemania sign on Friday Night Smackdown

The announcement that Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Jade Cargill will team up to face Damage CTRL at WrestleMania is a watershed moment. It's a never before seen sight to behold – three powerhouse Black women standing together, pointing at the WrestleMania sign, ready to make history. Each of these women possesses the talent, aura, and star power deserving of this moment.

But this cannot be just another brief moment of fan service for WWE. The company's history with issues related to race and gender precedes them, and it can never truly be rectified, though this WrestleMania match presents an opportunity for progress.The magnitude of this moment should inform their presentations and booking choices for Black women throughout the roster. 

When Bianca and Sasha Banks main evented WrestleMania, they made history. Yet, when Sasha took the pinfall, it seemed WWE was convinced only one Black woman could be a star at a time. This mindset must change. 

All Image Rights Belong to Bianca Belair

Bianca belair has been presented as a star, a former babyface, the “black woman version of John Cena” if you will for a few years now. But even her stellar matches, lengthy title reigns and time spent as the face of the company and undeniable talent have not been enough to protect her from the racist ridicule when she was chosen to grace the cover of the most recent WWE video game.

All Image Rights to Impact Wrestling

Naomi walked out alongside her real life friend and tag partner at the time Sasha Banks a few years back and found herself needlessly vilified though none of us know the real story of what happened that night or what was said in the lead up, she then left and did great work in endeavors outside of wrestling, like gracing the runway of fashion weeks acrosss the globe. She also went to TNA/Impact and became knockouts champion before eventually returning to WWE earlier this year in the royal rumble, she has been underutilized since and is well due for a well deserved push, and hopefully this match can serve as the jumping off point for a big push for the back half of the year 

All Image Rights Belong to All Elite Wrestling

Jade cargill has not been wrestling for that long, she first debuted in AEW, and was best known for her lengthy undefeated streak and long reign as TBS champion, she exited the company last year and almost immediately started to be teased on WWE television, she made backstage appearances on the likes of smackdown, nxt, and even pay per views as far back as WWE fastlane in october of 2023. She did not get in the ring however, until the royal rumble, where she had had a good showing including an intriguing standoff with someone of similar stature and strength, Bianca Belair. This Wrestlemania match alongside Naomi and Bianca versus Damage Ctrl is the first real WWE in ring test for the superstar. We have all the confidence she has the ability to be a superstar for years to come. 

Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Jade Cargill have all walked different paths to get to this point. Bianca has been portrayed as a star for years, yet even her undeniable talent hasn't shielded her from racist ridicule. Naomi, too, has faced her share of challenges, including needless vilification and underutilization. And Jade Cargill, relatively new to wrestling, has already shown immense potential but faces her biggest WWE in-ring test at WrestleMania.

But this match isn't just about personal opportunities. It represents a turning point in how major companies present their Black women stars. No longer should there be a belief that only one Black woman can be a star at a time. This match is a statement – Black women belong in the spotlight, and they deserve equal opportunities to shine.

As fans, we eagerly anticipate seeing Bianca, Naomi, and Jade tear down the house at WrestleMania. But beyond that, we hope this match sparks a broader conversation about the presentation and treatment of Black Women in professional wrestling. 2024 has the potential to be the best year yet for Black women in wrestling, and it's about time they get the recognition and respect they've always deserved.