Professional Wrestling Studies Association
Studying the Past, Present, and Future of Professional Wrestling
We’re taking off the Nylons today, friends. I have much to say about the journey we’ve mapped for women’s wrestling in the past three years that Nylons and Midriffs has existed, but I want to take one last review at this unforgettable year first. So much happened in America in the midst of great trauma, … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Being Seen (Year in Review, 2020)
I’m laying all the cards on the table early this week. We have some major news to discuss in our Thorny section, ranging from very problematic to downright insidious. The lack of care for AEW’s women’s division is getting more attention recently with the pathetic build to Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose at Full Gear. … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Consequences (November 18, 2020)
We’re in the heart of spooky season pals, and there are some very scary things happening in the WWE world right now. We’ll talk about them at the end of this entry, but before that we’ll keep our discussion centered on in-ring action. I apologize in advance that this week’s Nylons will once again tilt … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Wicked Ways (October 14, 2020)
Fall is finally here, friends! And with the withering of the leaves outside also comes the winding down of the wrestling calendar year of 2020. I can’t believe we’re entering the final quarter of this black hole of a year. Are we heading toward going out with a bang, or a quiet sizzle for the … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Wild Women (September 30, 2020)
The summer is drawing to a close in this marathon of a year. And as far as wrestling is concerned, there’s been plenty of heat in and out of the ring in both WWE and AEW. For the women, there have been some definite highs, but mentally I’m drawn more to the bad stuff, unfortunately. … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Discombobulated (September 16, 2020)
WWE and AEW are gearing up or their summer-end pay-per-views: SummerSlam and All Out, respectively. And the women’s divisions of both promotions are busy to say the least. In the span of two weeks, countless feuds were continued and begun – some poetically, others haphazardly. But, minus a few blemishes, I felt very invested in … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Build It Up, Shut It Down (August 19, 2020)
Disheartened, exhausted, hopeful. These are just a handful of the emotions that I’ve felt in the last three weeks of American life. I, like Black folks everywhere in this nation, had to search deep in my well of stamina to both process the violence hurled at Us and protesters, as well as find resilience to … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Meritocracy Is A Lie (June 10, 2020)
The oddest WrestleMania in history has come and gone, folks. And well, with all due respect to AEW, I think the historic nature of WrestleMania this year requires me to focus on it exclusively this week. Still, I will give some general thoughts on AEW at the end of this post. All in all, I … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: The Business of Wrestling (WrestleMania Review, 2020)
In the words of the great feminist writer Roxane Gay, every day is a month in this new world of social distancing. As a fan of wrestling, I am glad to still have this form of entertainment during this tumultuous time. However, it comes with a twinge of concern for the people I see on … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Near? Far? Wherever You Are… (March 25, 2020)
Good day, wrestling fans! I’m back here on your tiny screens to describe how the scenery is looking on the Road to WrestleMania so far. NXT Takeover: Portland has passed, and AEW Revolution is around the corner as well. And in the midst of these events, we’ve been bearing witness to some awesome women’s wrestling, … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Back in My Day (February 26, 2020)