A former WWE star has surprisingly called for the company to bring back the Divas Championship.
Since beginning her wrestling career in 2004, Maria Kanellis-Bennett has been a strong advocate for women in wrestling.
The star has previously been critical of WWE’s use, or lack of, female performers in the past, was integral in rebuilding Ring of Honor’s women’s division, while she recently launched her own promotion, Women’s Wrestling Army.
Throughout her career Kanellis has proudly called herself a ‘Diva’ despite the tag having negative connotations in WWE. The ‘Divas-Era’ is often maligned by fans with many suggesting that the company was only focused on looks and the women involved were very poor workers in the ring.
Speaking to Will Washington, Righteous Reg, & Phil Lindsey on Grapsody, the star hit back at these claims and suggested that there were a number of “good workers” during that period.
“There were a ton. Trish [Stratus], Lita, Ivory caught the tail end of that. Victoria, Molly was in that era. You had workers. Down the line, you have Beth [Phoenix], Melina, Mickie [James], Nattie. You had a ton of workers that came from the Indies too. It was a mix at that time. I think they should bring back the Butterfly belt. I do. I know people will disagree with me and that’s fine. That’s why wrestling is great because when you watch wrestling, you don’t see everybody looking exactly the same,”
Expanding further, Kanellis explained that there should be room for every kind of performer in wrestling, adding that it’s important to find a balance.
“I sometimes write in my Twitter messages, ‘Still a Diva.’ It had to [fluctuate]. You have to go all the way to the right and then all the way to the left and then somewhere in the middle we find what works the best. There’s still a place for that. I still think if you want to be glamorous and do more girly moves, that’s fine, that’s your style. If you want to be more aggressive and go out there with no makeup and wearing no shorts and t-shirt, fine. Talent comes in all forms. Sexy, there is a whole rainbow of sexy. That’s how society is,”
“I still consider myself a diva because it gave me the first opportunity in my career. I think some of those segments were funny and cute. We should have a little bit of humour to it. There is a place for everyone,”
In the same interview Maria Kanellis also discussed her wrestling future, revealing she has held conversations with Tony Khan, Triple H and WOW.
H/t to Fightful