Ryan Dilbert's 10-Count: WWE Divas Division's Revolution Fully Underway

1. WWE Heading in the Right Direction with Women's Wrestling

Fans kept thinking it was coming—real, tangible change in how WWE presented its women wrestlers.

The company brought in Awesome Kong (as Kharma) and the collective thought of many was, "Okay, now here we go." Beth Phoenix rose to power. AJ Lee delivered her now-famous "pipe bombshell" promo. WWE called up Paige from NXT.

Each time out, it appeared that a revolution was near. A savior was ready to take the women's division away from its tawdry, looks-centered present into an improved future.

It never happened.

Kharma left. Phoenix didn't have enough rivals or storylines to work with to make a trailblazing impact. Even an AJ-Paige feud provided surprisingly few sparks. Things promise to be different this time.

For one, the current women's division isn't centered on a savior. The roster is as deep and loaded with female talent as it ever has been. On July 13, a group that already included Paige, Naomi, Tamina Snuka and the much-improved Nikki Bella added three potential centerpieces in Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch. 

Unlike in the past, WWE now has a multitude of options when it comes to who to crown champion, who to make the marquee wrestler and who to feud with each other.

This isn't one or two top wrestlers surrounded by fluff and filler; this is a legit division.

Their talent has been on display more than fans are used to seeing. At Battleground, Charlotte won a Triple Threat that was longer than both the tag team title bout and the main event. The next night, Raw featured two women's matches on Raw, the second of which was not only lengthy but felt significant.

It was a part of a real, full-blown story. It showcased new faces and gave a big win to a newcomer in Banks.

Still, it's hard not to be nervous. WWE has a long history of either ignoring the women on the roster or viewing them as little more than eye candy. In addition to the newly robust roster in the division, the fact that two powerful voices are behind Banks and company is hugely encouraging.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are reportedly supporters of the "Divas revolution" angle, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc).

Vince McMahon still has final say and ultimate power, but if there is any pair of people he's mostly likely to listen to, it's his daughter and son-in-law. Triple H has a collection of great women's action from NXT to show Vince as proof of the potential of women's wrestling. He and Stephanie can point to the recent outcry from fans for more chances for the women of the squared circle.

And for now, Vince is convinced enough to give it a shot.

There's an electricity surrounding WWE's women of a much higher voltage than the norm. A women's division bolstered by earnest attention and opportunity is a very real one that is no longer just something fans pine for—it's in motion at this very moment.

2. A Slew of Defenses 

In an effort to have John Cena bring prestige to the oft-neglected United States Championship, WWE has had him put the title up for grabs at an impressive rate.

That's partly thanks to him being in high-profile feuds since winning the title, but of course, it's also because of his almost weekly open challenges. That has led to Cena defending the title 13 times since winning it at WrestleMania just four months ago.

Credit: WWE.com

For perspective on that number, simply look at what the last few champs have done in comparison.

Dean Ambrose just barely had more title matches than Cena. He had 15 defenses during a reign that lasted 10 days short of a year. Cena, meanwhile, is on pace to approach 40 U.S. Championship bouts if he holds onto the belt as long as The Lunatic Fringe did.

Rusev had six defenses during a reign just slightly longer than Cena's is right now. Sheamus was champ for six months and put the belt on the line just seven times.

Cena's star power has certainly aided in adding interest to the U.S. strap but so has the frequency at which he's been battling to keep it his.

3. Throwback Video of the Week: Undertaker

In 1989, Mark Callaway was not yet The Undertaker. He had yet to start his famous WrestleMania streak, don his trademark wide-brimmed hat or deliver a single Tombstone Piledriver. 

Back then, he was working for the Continental Wrestling Association as Master of Pain. His gimmick was that of an ex-con who apparently went to jail after killing two men in a fist fight. And we thought The Deadman was dark.

Seeing him underwhelm on the mic with this character is an odd sight. It's a testament to how important finding the right vehicle for one's talent is.

The Undertaker gimmick has helped him achieve an impressive, unrivaled amount of longevity. Some 25-plus years after this match, Undertaker is still competing, set for a date with Brock Lesnar in SummerSlam's main event.

Ryback was eight years old when Master of Pain scored this victory. Seth Rollins was just three.

4. The Ring Apron is the New Frontier 

The hard edges of the wrestling ring have quickly become a go-to place for some of WWE's most hard-hitting moves. At first, it was a rare sight for someone to use the ring apron to hurt their foes.

Kevin Owens has made it his calling card. He's laid out Sami Zayn, Cena and others with a powerbomb on the ring's borders.

At Battleground, it was abundantly clear that others have followed his lead.

Bray Wyatt drove Roman Reigns' head into the ring apron. Darren Young hit a suplex onto that same spot. Big E crushed Young on the apron.

Credit: WWE.com

Reportedly, this is all by design. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t PWMania.com) that WWE officials are wanting wrestlers to do more of these moves. 

This makes for more physical matches and gives wrestlers more weapons in their arsenals, but it's hard not to wonder how many more back and ribs injuries we are set to see. Enjoy these bumps while you can. WWE is likely to start pulling back on them once the ring apron starts leaving the medical staff overwhelmed.

5. Luke Harper's Solo Ventures

Harper has to be thrilled to be back by Wyatt's side. Not only does he not have to deliver full promos alone anymore, but his record is sure to improve.

WWE just didn't treat Harper as much of a threat when he was by himself. Rather than make him a Bruiser Brody-like monster, the company treated him as an oversized, midcard stepping stone.

After leaving Wyatt's flock and before realigning with Erick Rowan, Harper's win-loss record was just 10-29. That's a .256 winning percentage. The lowly Sacramento Kings outdid that last year.

Yes, he held the Intercontinental Championship, but it was for less than a month and he was so low on the totem pole that he once lost to R-Truth on Superstars. You won't see that kind of blemish on the resumes of Reigns, Cena or Rollins.

Harper is now back home with his "family," a move that will surely lead to WWE presenting him as more of a formidable force and less like a cellar-dweller.

6. Seth Rollins Doing Twitter Right

If the WWE champ's recent tweets angered you, then it's clear he did his job well.

In an era where kayfabe is usually not kept up outside of the ring, drawing genuine heel heat is tough. Rollins did just that, though, by laying into "keyboard warriors" on Twitter:

This rant is a winning mix of him speaking his thoughts, playing his character, grating on fans and selling his match. Rollins, like Kevin Owens so often does, effectively used the medium to further what he does onscreen. Here's hoping we see more of that from WWE's heels.

7. Not the Last We've Seen of Patrick

In the most surprising development of the current season of Tough Enough to date, fans voted to oust Patrick Clark.

Many considered Clark the most talented prospect of the bunch. He has a good look, speaks well and is a young, promising athlete. Mick Foley was among those frustrated to see him go. He took to Twitter to criticize the show's ability to find a star and say that he's "tapping out" of Tough Enough.

Like Ryback and The Miz before him, Clark will find his way to wrestling stardom despite not winning this reality show.

He's just too talented and has too much of the elusive "it" factor to not get another chance. Chris Jericho certainly thinks so. He approached Clark after the elimination and told him that there's "nothing but a huge future ahead of you."

With the flashes of excellence we've seen from Clark so far, it's a safe bet that statement turns out to be true.

8. Jushin "Thunder" Liger, an Introduction

A New Japan Pro Wrestling legend is heading to NXT. Liger is set to invade WWE's developmental brand at the next live special in a clash against Tyler Breeze.

For those unfamiliar with the pioneering cruiserweight's work, be sure to seek out the following bouts:

• Jushin Liger vs. Owen Hart: NJPW, April 28, 1991
• Jushin Liger vs. Chris Benoit: WCW Starrcade 1995
• Jushin Liger vs. Rey Mysterio: WCW Starrcade 1996
• Jushin Liger vs. Tiger Mask IV: NJPW New Year Gold Series 2005
• Jushin Liger vs. Jay Lethal: Ring of Honor Supercard of Honor IX

This collection offers his more high-flying early days as well as a look how he was evolved over the years. NXT fans will see a match far more like the one against Lethal than the battles against The Rocket and Benoit.

His speed has faded over time. His wings aren't quite as powerful as they once were, but Liger has always been and remains a world-class storyteller in the ring. The above list is a taste of that ability. 

9. No One Has Cena's Number

Kevin Owens couldn't beat John Cena in a three-match series. He fell twice to him, most recently at Battleground. Even with as much momentum as Owens had, that shouldn't be a surprise.

WWE doesn't allow Cena to struggle against an opponent.

Wrestlers simply don't win the total series. Not Bray Wyatt, not Rusev, not Umaga, not Edge. The company seems to have a constant need to even things up, as if he can't be inferior to anyone. That includes CM Punk.

Punk earned three straight wins against Cena in 2011. His overall record versus Cena, though, isn't nearly as newsworthy. He's just 9-10 against the leader of the Cenation.

That's a mistake. Cena has the power to launch folks forward with every victory over him. It's a power kept unused too often.

10. Sunny Missing the Point

Not everyone is pleased with what's happening with the WWE women's division right now. Former Diva Sunny (Tammy Lynn Sytch) had some harsh things to say about Charlotte and the NXT transplants.

She wrote on Facebook, "Who else thinks the 2 new red/purple/orange heads in the diva divisions are buttafaces??? and charlotte (Ashley) really has in ring talent???" In the comment section, she wrote that she's "never been a fan" of women's wrestling, adding that they should "Leave it to the men."

Yes, Charlotte really has in-ring talent. She's one of the better female performers on the WWE roster in recent memory and she's just getting started.

If she, Banks and Lynch had chosen to "leave it to the men," the overall product would be worse off. They have produced some of the most enthralling, gut-stirring matches this year.

To want anything other than more of that is an indication that someone isn't a fan of wrestling, women's or otherwise.

All match statistics courtesy of CageMatch.net.