The conversation surrounding representation in professional wrestling often centers on in-ring performers, but a crucial, often less visible, aspect is the presence of women in key backstage leadership positions. This topic gained renewed attention recently following comments from wrestling legend Gail Kim shortly after her departure from TNA Wrestling.
Kim, a WWE Women’s Champion, multi-time TNA Knockouts Champion, TNA Hall of Famer, and former producer/agent for the company took to social media after her exit. She wrote on Instagram: “Just wanted to say thank you to the fans, friends and especially my peers for all the support you have given me over the last few days. I’ve received such an enormous amount of love and it really has helped process this change for me. More than anything I am grateful for all the years and opportunities I was given to help build something I always dreamed of. The KO division is and will always be my heart and all the women who were a part of it. Thanks to the incredibly hard working and passionate TNA talent & crew that I have had the pleasure of working with. This will not end my passion or my love for wrestling and this is not the end of Gail Kim in the wrestling world. You don’t put in 17 years in one company and stop when you are this passionate. I look forward to sharing my journey and am taking some time for myself and prepare for what’s ahead. Looking forward to the future.”
In the caption of her post, she wrote: “THANK YOU and one last thought……. More women in leadership roles. Not less.”
Echoing the desire to contribute behind the curtain, another highly respected veteran, Lisa Marie Varon – known to fans as Victoria in WWE and Tara in TNA – recently shared her aspirations. On Instagram account, Varon stated she would “love” the opportunity to work as an agent or producer within a major wrestling promotion. Varon, a multi-time Women’s Champion in both WWE and TNA, possesses a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of character work and in-ring psychology, qualities highly valued in backstage roles responsible for match structure and talent development.
Hey pro wrestling companies, Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon) is available to work as a producer/agent. pic.twitter.com/ytW3vw2vnE
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) March 27, 2025
The Current Landscape and Untapped Potential
While Kim’s comments suggest a need for further progress, it’s important to acknowledge the women who currently hold significant backstage roles. Promotions like WWE and AEW employ several female producers, coaches, and writers who contribute significantly:
- Sarah Stock (formerly Sarita in TNA/Dark Angel): A highly respected veteran, now works as a Coach/Producer in AEW.
- Molly Holly: The WWE Hall of Famer works as a Producer for WWE.
- Madison Rayne: Another TNA veteran, has served as a coach for the women’s division in AEW.
- Allison Danger: Danger has experience coaching and producing, including a stint with WWE’s NXT UK brand before its closure. She remains a respected figure with valuable expertise. She also ran the SHIMMER promotion with Dave Prazak.
Beyond those currently employed, there is a deep pool of experienced female veterans who could potentially transition into influential backstage roles:
- Gail Kim: Despite her recent TNA departure, her track record as both a top-tier performer and a respected producer makes her a prime candidate for a leadership role elsewhere.
- Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria/Tara): As mentioned, she has explicitly stated her interest and possesses the necessary experience.
- Mickie James: A decorated champion across WWE and TNA, James successfully produced the all-women’s NWA Empowerrr pay-per-view in 2021, demonstrating her capability in a leadership and organizational role.
- Trish Stratus: The WWE Hall of Famer has made successful in-ring comebacks and possesses significant mainstream recognition and business sense, which could translate well into a producer or mentorship role.
Why It Matters
Increasing the number of women in leadership positions isn’t just about equity; it’s about enriching the wrestling product. Female producers and agents can offer unique insights into character development, match psychology, and storytelling for women’s divisions. They can serve as mentors, understanding the specific challenges female performers might face. Furthermore, diverse voices in creative rooms generally lead to more nuanced, relatable, and engaging content for a broader audience.
As the wrestling world continues to evolve, the calls from veterans like Gail Kim and the expressed interest from figures like Lisa Marie Varon underscore a critical opportunity. By actively recruiting and promoting experienced women into backstage leadership, wrestling companies can not only foster a more inclusive environment but potentially elevate their entire creative output. The talent pool is available; the question is whether the industry will fully embrace it.
