How a Los Angeles wrestling promotion became a global powerhouse for women athletes
In short: Founded in 2000 by David McLane, Women of Wrestling has evolved from a niche local experiment into a nationally broadcast juggernaut. Owned by Jeanie Buss and McLane, the promotion distinguishes itself with an all-female roster of dramatized superheroes, recently outperforming industry veterans in ratings through strategic global distribution partnerships.
Women of Wrestling (WOW) was established in 2000 as a successor to the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). Based in Los Angeles, the promotion operates as a sports entertainment product where performers adopt heavily dramatized, empowered personas. Despite a rocky start that included a single pay-per-view event in 2001 and a long hiatus, the organization secured a major turning point in 2017 through a partnership between Jeanie Buss and MGM Television executive Mark Burnett. This collaboration paved the way for a return to weekly television on AXS TV in 2019.
The promotion's modern resurgence is anchored by a 2021 distribution deal with CBS Media Ventures. By 2022, this agreement facilitated international reach across Canada, Australia, and Indonesia. A report from The New York Times in December 2022 highlighted that WOW had become the highest-rated wrestling program outside of WWE and All Elite Wrestling. Analysts attribute this success to the show's widespread availability in nearly every cable home in the United States, combined with its international broadcast footprint. In 2025, the brand expanded further into the streaming era via a partnership with the FAST channel Wrestling Central.
Despite its commercial growth, the promotion has faced internal turbulence. The organization has navigated controversies involving high-profile talent, including the 2020 scrutiny of Tessa Blanchard regarding allegations of bullying and racism, and the 2024 departure of the Tonga Twins amid similar claims of misconduct. In both instances, the promotion maintained a policy of silence, declining to issue official statements regarding the exits. These incidents highlight the complex reality of a promotion that markets itself on empowerment while managing the volatile interpersonal dynamics of a competitive, character-driven roster. Today, the promotion continues to evolve, recently introducing titles like the WOW World Trios Championship to maintain engagement within its expanding television universe.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Women of Wrestling
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