Former star Opens Up About WWE’s Past Treatment of Women: Short Matches, Lack of Support, and the Rise of LayCool

WWE Arena (Image via Getty)

Layla, a former WWE star, recently dished out some juicy details about the company’s treatment of its female performers. In an interview on the No Name Wrestling podcast, she revealed that WWE would frequently cut time for women’s matches, making it hard for them to tell a compelling story. Layla, who wrestled in the women’s division from 2006 to 2012, shared her personal experiences and shed light on the company’s lack of interest in the women’s division back in the day.

According to Layla, the company didn’t care about the women’s division, and writers would often treat female stars as an afterthought. She recalled a writer telling her that the company didn’t care about the “girls,” which left her feeling disappointed and unvalued. This lack of support translated to the ring, where women’s matches were often cut short without consideration for the story being told.

Layla, who was part of the popular LayCool tag team with Michelle McCool, also discussed how the company’s priorities hindered their success. Despite being a talented performer, Layla and her teammates were often relegated to secondary storylines and given limited time to develop their characters. The duo’s popularity, however, ultimately led to a successful run as a tag team, with their mean-girl personas resonating with fans.

WWE Headquarters and Arena (Image via Getty)

The creation of LayCool was an accidental byproduct of the company’s initial plan, which involved pairing Michelle McCool with Alicia Fox. Layla was initially meant to be a fill-in while McCool feuded with Mickie James, but their chemistry was undeniable, and they ended up becoming a tag team. Layla credited the success of LayCool to their strong bond and chemistry, which was nurtured despite the company’s lack of support.

The WWE’s women’s division has come a long way since Layla’s time, with female performers headlining major events and receiving increased attention and recognition. Fans have been vocal about their support for women’s wrestling, and the company has responded by investing in the division. Layla’s candid comments serve as a reminder of the progress made in the past decade and the challenges faced by women in the wrestling industry.

Layla’s revelations provide valuable insight into the WWE’s treatment of its female performers during her time in the company. Her story serves as a testament to the perseverance and talent of women in wrestling, and it’s heartening to see the progress that has been made in recent years.

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By Sam Palmer

Sam is a wrestling news writer for Pro Wrestling Wire. He has accumulated over 5 million reads during his time covering All Elite Wrestling from 2021 to 2023. Sam is also the proud owner and manager of the popular Instagram accounts Five Star Meltzer and All Elite Meltzer. One of his early articles gained recognition when it was shared on social media by AEW star Bishop Kaun. Sam brings his extensive experience and deep knowledge of AEW to Pro Wrestling Wire, continuing to deliver high-quality wrestling news and analysis. You can reach out to him at sampalmer@prowrestlingwire.com.