Women‘s wrestling. At one time considered a novelty act in the business, women’s wrestling over the last ten years has evolved into a more legitimate part of the sport. Once, fans turned the channel when the women’s match started. But thanks to a handful of stand outs in the women’s division, fans instead began tuning in.

But that was then. This is now.

Women’s wrestling is struggling, especially in this country’s two big promotions, the WWE and TNA.

It’s bad. It’s been bad for a while, and there doesn’t look to be a lot of hope for the future.

The truth is, TNA shouldn’t even be having this problem. After all, the talent level in the Knockouts division has always been above par, with some of the brightest stars women’s wrestling has seen in years.

There is a Knockouts Championship, even Knockouts Tag Team Titles. The matches are there, the angles are there, so what exactly is the issue?

Part of the problem seems to be that TNA has lost the focus on the Knockouts.

The women’s matches were once heavily featured on IMPACT, but since the birth of the Hogan and Bischoff era, that has changed. Now, with the emphasis being on the big names continuing to enter the company, the women seem to have been lost in the shuffle.

TNA is doing what it needs to do in order to become a competitive wrestling promotion. That means pushing the men, wrestlers who have automatic face and name recognition with fans. I understand that and appreciate where they’re trying to go as a company.

But the Knockouts division, at one time, separated TNA from the WWE, with the spotlight being on the wrestling instead of the physical attributes of the women involved.

The one exception to this, of course, are The Beautiful People, who have always been singled out because of their massive sex appeal.

In other words, they wear next to nothing and grind the middle rope as they enter the ring.

It’s a shame really, because the women in The Beautiful People can work. But now, even accepting the fact that their gimmick calls for risqué behavior, these women are a hard sell.

The sad fact is that the only way TNA sees fit in putting The Beautiful People over are by putting them at odds with each other. They have been reduced to using foul language and constantly referring to their highly touted breast implants.

Seriously, how many times can you say the word b***h in one spot? These girls are better than this.

The Diva division in the WWE is also struggling, and for me it all goes back to one person. Mickie James.

She was the heir apparent to carry the division in the WWE after Trish Stratus left the company in 2006, and did so until this year. It came as quite a surprise to many fans that she was released, as she still seemed to be at the top of her game.

But supposed attitude issues backstage and her weight led the company to decide that Mickie’s services were no longer required.

That’s right. In addition to whatever problems the WWE had with her as a worker, it was also the fact that she had put on a few pounds that helped to seal her fate. If that’s the case, then Awesome Kong will probably never get a chance in that company.

It’s one of the realities of the business. The demand for a guy to be in shape, especially in the WWE, seems to be pretty big. Granted, it’s not necessarily required for a guy to be ripped and tan to get a push, but one look at the top tier of the company tells you all you need to know.

John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton. All three are muscled, toned, and built like Greek gods. While wrestlers are expected to be in good cardiovascular shape to endure long matches night in and night out, going the extra mile by living in the gym has always been an added plus.

But, of course, there are guys like Mick Foley, Big Show, and Mark Henry. Yes, Henry is thick with big arms, but he’s not exactly ripped. There are always exceptions to the rule.

For the Divas, however? Evidently, no exceptions are made.

As if the pressure to be gorgeous, with flawless skin and perfect hair aren’t enough, the WWE Divas also have to stay at a reasonable weight. If not, then that’s it. The WWE will say goodbye and wish them well in their future endeavors.

So, what is the solution? What does the WWE and TNA need to do in order to revitalize women’s wrestling in the eyes of the fans and improve the overall quality of the product?

I believe the real issue lies in the fact that the women are not pushed like the men.

Men sell the shows, there is no denying that. How? By having a locker room filled with good talent and one guy to be the face of the company.

In other words, the Divas need a John Cena.

One woman, one face, to sell the division, to put on a t-shirt, on a magazine cover, to build a pay per view around. This just doesn’t exist in the WWE, and really hasn’t since Trish.

The truth is, Alicia Fox is not the answer. Neither is Eve or Mayrse. Gail Kim is very good in the ring, but since coming back from TNA, she’s really not been given much. Beth Phoenix is also a good worker, but she inevitably suffers the same fate as those who came before her—she is pushed as far as the WWE feels a woman can go, and then she is pushed back down.

Again, TNA has the talent. Sarita, Taylor Wilde, Hamada, they can all definitely go in the ring. Why are they not being pushed to the forefront of the company?

I’m a fan of women’s wrestling. I enjoy a good women’s match as much as the men’s. Unlike some fans, I don’t watch hoping there will be a wardrobe malfunction or what skimpy ring gear will be worn.

I’m a wrestling fan. I want wrestling. Women in this business work hard to be taken seriously; they deserve their share of the spotlight. Unfortunately, in the WWE and TNA, they are being kept in the dark. And there’s nothing sexy about that.