The changing of representation for Female Professional Wrestlers in WWE (1980s-2010s)

This thesis aims to explore the representation of female wrestlers in WWE across a set period of time. The study aims to answer several research questions related to female wrestlers’ representation and how it changes. This is done by following two viewing methods inspired by Stuart Hall’s Theories of Representation. By analysing a specific match from a particular decade, the thesis aims to explore what changes for female wrestlers’ representation can be constructed from what is shown. By watching the same match again, but listening to the commentary, the thesis hopes to explore how the intentional representation from what the commentators are saying affects what has previously been seen. Both of these viewing methods also raise the question of whether any external influences affect female wrestlers representation. The aim of this thesis is to provide insight by comparing the analyses collected. The thesis hopes to demonstrate changes in specific areas such as costume, characterisation, dialogue, profession wrestling moves and the overall presentation of matches involving female wrestlers. The purpose is to help provide more insight into women’s professional wrestling in WWE, whilst also demonstrating how different viewing techniques of performance may affect how we interpret them.