WrestleMania 2024 is the pinnacle event in professional wrestling worldwide. It is the Super Bowl of wrestling. The annual weekend-long event is the moment most if not all, professional wrestlers aim for in their careers. The event brings together the biggest stars and most intense rivalries throughout World Wrestling Entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide with its combination of athleticism, spectacles, and storytelling.
Recently, three Black women WWE wrestlers made history and closed out Friday Night SmackDown by aligning themselves for what could be a monumental tag team. Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi staked their claim on WrestleMania 2024 to face off against Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane, and Asuka of “Damage CTRL.” The tag team match was one of the most exhilarating fights of WrestleMania 2024 night one. It was evident Bianca, Jade, and Naomi came to WrestleMania 2024 to stake their claim on the wrestling world and slay. Shoutout to their iconic looks that paid a subtle tribute to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album.
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WrestleMania 2024 had me reflect on my journey as a wrestling fan; I remember watching my fair share of wrestling with my dad and cousins. I loved the action and larger-than-life personas of the WWE’s Attitude Era. I loved cheering for my favorites like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, The Rock, and Chyna. However, I couldn’t help but notice the limited number of Black women wrestlers. At least I don’t remember seeing many Black women wrestlers take center stage as much as their white counterparts did.
Eventually, I lost interest in wrestling and drifted away from the sport. I stopped watching it because I didn’t know many other girls my age, let alone Black girls, who liked wrestling. So, I thought maybe wrestling was something I should not be interested in anymore. Perhaps if I had seen more Black women wrestlers, that might have also held more of my interest in the sport.
However, Black women have always had a place in wrestling. They have been since the 1950s. Athletes like the trailblazer Ethel Johnson and her sisters Marva Scott and Babs Wingo were among the first Black women to enter the wrestling ring. The wrestling sisters were stars in their own right but faced their fair share of barriers in a white male-dominated sport. However, their work helped pave the way for more Black women to enter the ring. Beyond Ethel, many other Black women wrestlers have gone on to pave their way in the field over the years. WWE has been home to wrestlers like Jacqueline, Kharma, Jazz, Kristal Marshall, Alicia Fox, and Sasha Banks over the years.
Even in recent years, while improvements have been made, representation and inclusivity have persisted within the WWE. Not too long ago, in 2022, the WWE SmackDown division’s main roster lacked any Black women wrestlers. And the RAW Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair, was the only Black woman wrestler on the main roster.
In 2022, Sasha Banks and Naomi achieved a milestone by earning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, marking the first-ever Black women’s team to win the title in the organization’s history. Only recently, Naomi was signed back to WWE’s SmackDown in February of this year. Jade Cargill also signed to WWE SmackDown in March of this year, respectively.
As a recently rekindled wrestling fan, watching wrestlers like Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Jade Cargill brings me much joy and love for the sport again. I love seeing Black women of different shades and sizes competing at the top of their field. It is particularly empowering to witness them embracing and celebrating their strength and beauty. Given that we live in a society where women, especially Black women, are often shamed for having muscular builds that are deemed “man-ish,” “bulky,” or “unattractive.” Watching wrestling is a refreshing departure from those draining stereotypes surrounding Black women. Wrestlers like Bianca, Jade, and Naomi exemplify this empowerment by confidently owning and showcasing their bodies and physical abilities.
What I find most phenomenal in seeing three Black women unite and prominently displayed at WrestleMania 2024 is the message they are sending. Essentially, these women are telling the wrestling world that this is a new era for the league, and they are just getting started as a team. Bianca, Jade, and Naomi’s greatest challenge in this match was that their team was only thrown together a few weeks before WrestleMania 2024. Their chemistry, teamwork, and individual strengths allowed them to get the job done and win.
As the veteran wrestler and former tag team champion, Naomi brought the experience and knowledge needed to help this team become cohesive. Bianca’s explosive moves and ability to work well on a grand stage like WrestleMania helped set the team’s tempo during the fight. Lastly, Jade, the newcomer and the most charismatic fighter, dominates anyone who steps in the wring with her.
Even before their team’s formation, Bianca, Jade, and Naomi had significantly impacted the wrestling world and proved themselves repeatedly. Bianca Belair has one of the most impressive wrestling careers in the league. She wrestled on NXT and the WWE’s leading roster brands since 2016. Bianca has an outstanding record with multiple titles. Most notably, she held the WWE Women’s Championship three times. And set the record for the longest reign in the title’s history, lasting 420 days. Bianca also uses her platform to promote diversity and inclusivity. She aims to inspire other Black people and people of color to pursue a career in wrestling.
Naomi, a veteran wrestler who debuted in WWE in 2009, quickly rose to the main roster. Over the years, Naomi has wrestled at the WWE brand NXT. Naomi brings dynamic athleticism to her matches, captivating audiences with her high-flying style. Her record is another one that speaks volumes, as she was a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion, tag team champion with Sasha Banks, and winner of WrestleMania 2018 Women’s Battle Royal.
Jade Cargill is the latest rising star in the professional wrestling world. She made her debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020. Jade stood out for her athleticism, imposing presence, and charisma. With her unique blend of agility and strength, Cargill will surely be a formidable competitor on the WWE SmackDown roster. Although she is a relative newcomer, Cargill has established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
Bianca, Jade, or Naomi could have easily faced off against one another and become rivals. And while that might hold some entertainment value, it is way more impactful that they have chosen to support each other to form a team. Watching Black women wrestlers like them excel in their sport and support one another is significant for me. It’s not just about witnessing their physical prowess and athletic abilities. It is also about breaking barriers, making room for seats at the table, and challenging stereotypes.
Their presence in the sport shows there is always room for more Black women. Rather than competing to be the sole spotlight, they can stand together. Whether competing with or against one another. In a world where representation continues to matter, the unity demonstrated by Bianca, Jade, and Naomi is genuinely inspiring. These women’s journeys go beyond the wrestling ring. Serving as a beacon of encouragement for people to embrace their identities, pursue their dreams, and overcome barriers. I hope that the formation of their team and presence at WrestleMania 2024 can go on to encourage other Black girls and women to know they belong in the fandom and sport.
