WWE’s Women’s Evolution: AJ Lee and Stephanie McMahon Reflect

STAMFORD, Conn. — In a recent podcast, WWE executive Stephanie McMahon and former Divas Champion AJ Lee discussed their influential Twitter exchange from 2015, which ignited the #GiveDivasAChance movement. The confrontation highlighted the pay and screen time disparity between male and female wrestlers in WWE.

The conversation started when McMahon tweeted her support for actress Patricia Arquette‘s advocacy for women’s rights. Lee replied, pointing out that despite their success, female wrestlers earned significantly less and received limited television exposure compared to their male counterparts.

The tweet gained traction, prompting a wave of support for women in WWE, and Lee explained her motivation. “I felt like change doesn’t happen unless there is sacrifice,” she said. “You have to be willing to lose everything to get what you want.” McMahon appreciated Lee’s courage, stating, “It was a big deal … the audience would never have gotten behind the movement if it weren’t for people like you who actually stood up for women publicly.”

Reflecting on the past, Lee believed that her actions were essential in pushing for change. McMahon agreed, highlighting that the women’s evolution was driven by the female talent in wrestling history, rather than executive decisions. She credited women like Lee for paving the way for current stars.

Both women spoke about the ongoing changes in WWE regarding its female performers. As women prepare to make their mark in significant matches like WarGames at Survivor Series, Lee noted that without risk, extraordinary opportunities may never arise.

“Change doesn’t happen unless you take a stand,” Lee reiterated, emphasizing the importance of their conversation in context with WWE’s evolving landscape.