Beth Phoenix discusses the WWE Women's Evolution.
Before Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair stole headlines and main events as the leaders of the WWE Women's Revolution, Beth Phoenix had already broken the mold as to what a female superstar in the WWE could be. Phoenix voiced her frustrations on WWE television, took part in the first-ever female I Quit match in 2008, and participated in the 2010 Royal Rumble.
In 2011, she partnered with best friend Natalya to form the Divas of Doom, a duo who wanted to be known more for their wrestling than their looks.
"Nattie and I waited years to work together," Phoenix told Ring The Belle. We wanted to wrestle each other, but it didn't really pan out, so we got to work with each other [as a team]. We felt like we were spearheading this movement to try to provide an alternative to the more model style of branding. We don't want to be put in a box. It didn't really make us 'nasty heels' because we had a point with some of the things we were saying. We truly believed in what we were saying. We're freakin' wrestlers! Lets us be wrestlers!"
Phoenix continued, explaining her thought process as she was given matches and storylines that didn't fit the way she felt women wrestlers should be presented.
"I looked at it as, if I was given a Gravy Bowl Match -- fortunately, I never had to do that -- Fit Finley would come to us with the utmost respect and say, 'This is what it is tonight. You guys are entertainers.' Would this be my top choice? No. But we're going to make it classy and entertaining," said Phoenix. "We're going to find a way to make these people smile and react because that's my job. My job is not to judge what anyone wants to see. We try our best to work within our comfort zone. I had to do a lot of stuff that I didn't love and didn't want to do, but I knew in the end that I'm here to entertain and make people happy. And I knew it would change. I knew in my heart that someday, if we don't give up, it will change. And it has."
Phoenix returned to WWE earlier this year to reunite with Natalya and challenge for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 35. Although the titles were won by The IIconics, Phoenix was proud of what the division had accomplished since her retirement and what the titles represented.
"It did mean a lot to me because the girls feel as passionately as myself, as Nattie. It wasn't always nice. It was always a battle, every week. I appreciated that the girls continued to fight, and they got a win. That felt like a win."
While Phoenix has retired from in-ring competition, Natalya remains active and will challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women's Title this Sunday at WWE SummerSlam.
