WWE’s Women’s Division: A Night of missed Opportunities and the WarGames Focus (November 22, 2024)
Did you tune into WWE Raw this week and feel like something was…missing? While the build to next week’s WarGames matches dominated the narrative, the women’s division felt noticeably sidelined, a recurring pattern that raises questions about consistent spotlighting beyond a single, major storyline. This isn’t about diminishing the importance of WarGames - a highly anticipated spectacle – but rather examining the broader implications of a division seemingly constrained by limited airtime and creative focus.
This week’s Raw exemplified a common WWE strategy: prioritizing one primary women’s storyline, often to the detriment of others. While understandable given time constraints, this approach can leave talented performers underutilized and storylines underdeveloped. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what WWE could do to better showcase its remarkable roster.
The Shadow of WarGames
The impending WarGames matches understandably took center stage. These matches, known for their chaotic and dramatic nature, are a meaningful draw for fans. You can learn more about the history and structure of WarGames matches on WWE’s official website. However, the intense focus on these rivalries – both for the men and women – left little room for other narratives to breathe.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. WWE has historically struggled with consistently presenting multiple compelling women’s storylines simultaneously. The result? Talents outside the immediate WarGames picture felt like afterthoughts.
Chelsea Green: A Champion Diminished?
Perhaps the most glaring example of this was the treatment of Chelsea Green, the current Women’s United States Champion. Despite being promoted throughout the week, her championship celebration was entirely absent from the broadcast. This is particularly frustrating considering Green’s accomplishment: she’s the first woman to win the Women’s United States Championship twice.
While some argue the title itself isn’t presented with the same prestige as other WWE championships, Green has undeniably injected personality and intrigue into the belt. Her dedication to the character, even displaying what appeared to be genuine emotion on screen, deserves recognition. Bleacher Report highlighted Green’s commitment to the character and the potential of the Women’s US Championship.
A simple solution could have been a brief celebration interrupted by a potential challenger, launching a new feud. Or, a running gag of Green attempting to celebrate in every city, constantly thwarted by rivals, could have provided consistent comedic relief and kept her relevant. The lack of anything felt like a missed opportunity.
Jade Cargill’s Limited Presence
Even Jade Cargill,the newly crowned WWE Women’s Champion,received minimal screen time. A short backstage segment with Alba Fyre felt insufficient, especially considering the timing of her championship win amidst the WarGames build. Cargill’s arrival in WWE was highly anticipated, and fans are eager to see her establish herself as a dominant force. CBS Sports covered Cargill’s debut and the expectations surrounding her reign. A more substantial appearance, even a promo addressing her future plans, would have been a welcome addition.
The Absence of In-Ring Action
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the show was the complete lack of women’s matches. WWE frequently utilizes tag team matches or singles contests featuring members of larger factions to build momentum. The absence of even a single match felt particularly stark, especially with a women’s WarGames match looming.
potential matchups – nia Jax vs. IYO SKY, or Lash Legend and Alexa Bliss – could have served as effective preludes to the WarGames bout, with post-match brawls involving the remaining team members to further escalate the tension. These matches wouldn’t necessarily need clean finishes; the chaos and drama would have been perfectly suited to the wargames atmosphere.
What Does This Meen for the Future?
The situation on this week’s Raw highlights a persistent challenge for WWE: balancing the need to build major storylines with the importance of consistently showcasing the entire women’s roster. While WarGames is a significant event, it shouldn’t come at the expense of other compelling narratives.
WWE needs to find ways to integrate more
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