Intergender Wrestling: Evolution or Degradation?

A source of hot debate throughout the independent wrestling scene is the concept of intergender wrestling – matches which pit a male and female wrestler against one another without any boundaries or limitations. Aside from the occasional mixed tag match, wrestling fans have been conditioned to seeing male and female wrestlers separated into exclusive divisions, with the idea of men and women fighting each other somewhat of a taboo.

Of course, from time to time a female valet or manageress would be victim to a finisher or two from a male wrestler, but this would usually be treated as either comedic or controversial. WWE would often subject the likes of Trish Stratus, Stephanie McMahon or Stacy Keibler to a stunner, RKO or 3D through a flaming table, but never would a sanctioned match take place outside of eccentric storylines.

Yet, the indies are quite happy throwing the girls in with the boys. We live in an age where gender boundaries are pushed to the brink, with independent wrestling being a silent enforcer of this modern movement. WWE like to make a big song and dance out of how much they do for female empowerment, but taking a look through some lesser known promotions, this isn’t necessarily a newfound ideal for wrestling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4rZQK8SQs8

Lucha Underground is possibly the biggest promotion that consistently pushes for female stars to be considered on the same level as the gents. Names such as Ivelisse, Sexy Star (boo, hiss) and Taya Valkyrie are often found tussling with some big hitters, a couple even being pushed as far to hold the Lucha Underground Championship. Lucha Underground’s fantastical environment compliments this new-era of wrestling really well, certain characters such as Kobra Moon can come across as on a supernatural plain of existence, allowing her to compete and seem stronger than most of her male counterparts. Of course this requires you to suspend your disbelief a little further than normal, but it’s still fun to see gender be disregarded in such a manner. Ivelisse has proven herself to be a reliable in-ring worker with almost anyone of either gender, so seeing the crowd get behind her in such a way when fighting against esteemed names like Sami Callihan and Matt Cross is impressive. Lucha is quite possibly the best in promoting intergender wrestling matches, they manage so with such subtlety that you forget to realise that it’s even a taboo amongst most wrestling products.

This style naturally meets controversy with many fans and promoters standing by tradition, suggesting that intergender wrestling is nothing more than a degrading comedy act that goes too far and ‘kills the business’. Most of us dudes grow up being taught how to be a gentleman, and a gentleman would never strike a lady. So for the vocal minority that do take umbrage with seeing James Ellsworth defending a championship exclusively against female wrestlers.

It’s quick to jump to conclusions about these fans, but it’s a matter of what comes across as believable to those audiences, rather than assuming their thoughts on gender equality. I mean, would you really expect a 100lb Alexa Bliss to legitimately stand a chance against Keith Lee? These matches can quickly be brushed aside as comedy skits when fans aren’t willing to see that the female superstar has a fighting chance against whoever their male opponent is.

It wasn’t until NXT Superstar Candice LaRae started making waves with her former male rivals Joey Ryan, Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano, that intergender wrestling was finally taken seriously. Most of her matches centred around her playing the underdog against the overconfident heels, but throughout the match, her opponents and the audience were both made to consider her a threat. The matches themselves were fantastic, highlighted by some excellent storytelling.

Candice was really a modern trailblazer on the independent scene and intergender matches have since flourished from names such as Jinny, Session Moth Martina and even Ronda Rousey, who we saw squaring off with Triple H at Wrestlemania 34. Independent wrestling shows have really been a turning point in the evolution of wrestling, with intergender matches being given main event credibility and an aforementioned championship which is currently held by James Ellsworth. Many indie stars are standing up in defence of the style, with Pete Dunne, Mark Haskins and ‘Bad Boy’ Joey Janela showing support on Twitter.

The arguments against intergender wrestling can really be discredited when you sit down to watch some of these matches. Granted, you’re never going to find yourself a mat classic, but you can be guaranteed something that breaks the standard. If David/Goliath wrestling can be taken seriously when it’s two gents wrestling, then why can’t the same mindset be applied to a male/female cross up?

What are your thoughts on intergender wrestling? Do you ever think it will have a place in the mainstream? Let us know in the comments below.