David McLane on How Far WOW Has Come Since It Started, The Rise of Women’s Wrestling, Ronda Rousey Changing Women’s Sports

– Earlier this month, 411mania spoke to WOW-Women of Wrestling founder and promoter David McLane to talk about the show’s second season on AXS TV. During Below are some highlights. [Author’s Note: This interview was conducted before Anthem Media announced the acquisition for a controlling interest in AXS TV.]

David McLane on WOW’s latest season on AXS: “It’s overwhelming because the fans overwhelmingly applauded the first season on AXS, and they rewarded us with the biggest renewal of episodic series they’ve done in 17 years; 24 episodes instead of six or seven. That’s all due to the fans’ response and welcoming WOW as an alternative wrestling program for our fans of wrestling.”

David McLane on how far WOW has come since it first debuted in 2000 to now have a TV platform on AXS: “I get emotional when I look into the eyes of the wrestlers. It’s about them. Jungle Grrrl’s been doing this with us. Fabulous Lana Star. Selina Majors has been our trainer, and then you see someone brand-new like Tessa Blanchard step up. And she’s got a revolution of her own style of professional wrestling that’s new and crisp and exciting. That’s what’s emotional. And when you look back at the journey from all the way back, as you mentioned when you started started, GLOW to today, that was the pinnacle of what the vision always was: the best in women’s wrestling. And we really have it. We’re excited that we’re gonna have another name of legacy in professional wrestling in Teal Piper joining us this seasons, so that’s exciting. So, in that respect, I look at it as I’m blessed that I’ve been able to do this so long and see the journey to where it’s going to be.”

“And someone mentioned last week, and I humbly, humbly, humbly accept it, I agree with him. WOW is the best wrestling on TV. And I think anyone who is gonna watch this season on AXS TV will agree with that compliment. Production value is terrific. We’re small. We’re David vs. Goliath with the big wrestling companies. I think we offer a unique alternative. Clearly, we’re the only ones who give an hour of power dedicated to all women’s wrestling in the world.”

David McLane on how he had a vision for making women the main stars of the show back in the 1980s with GLOW before the Women’s Revolution even started in WWE: “There’s no doubt about that, and I’m so appreciative that others, including WWE, have seen the light and given the women a platform in which they can shine on a worldwide stage as well as the men. And in some respects, you gotta say that the performances of the women wrestlers exceed the men. And they always just needed the opportunity. They needed the stage. They needed the chance to shine, and we’re giving them that every week, weekly, on AXS TV. You gotta take your hat off for Jeanie Buss, who’s got a day job at the Lakers. I don’t think without her stepping up and putting her financial backing and her resources and her passion behind WOW women’s wrestling and it’s revolution, if you will, would’ve not come about as quickly or as abruptly and as big as it has.”

“And then you gotta give credit where it’s due. Ronda Rousey changed the landscape of women’s sports when she entered MMA. And all those blenders, including just recently, we mentioned it, Tessa Blanchard joining WOW, have all provided an opportunity for women’s wrestlers that never existed before to be seen and to be seen doing what they do well to perform in that ring. I’m just lucky that I’m still around, and that it’s taken 30 years for everyone else to catch up to the vision. So, I’m blessed in that respect too.”

In the full interview, McLane talks about the promotion’s second season, the status of a possible third season, WOW’s relationship with AXS TV, the rise of women’s wrestling, what Tessa Blanchard and Teal Piper are bringing to WOW, the options that wrestling fans have these days and more.

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Introduction (0:00)
On how it feels coming back for a second season on AXS TV (0:28)
On the WOW Tag Team Championship Series (3:23)
His reflections on how far WOW has come since its founding (4:14)
On the rise of women’s wrestling and how it fits his vision for what women’s wrestling could be (6:01)
On Tessa Blanchard and why she’s one of the best in the world (8:27)
On bringing in Teal Piper and her role in WOW – Women of Wrestling (10:41)
On the status of a potential third season (13:07)
On the possibility of taking WOW on the road to tour (14:48)
On WOW’s relationship with AXS TV (15:55)
On the myriad options that wrestling fans have now (17:03)
On whether AXS TV has any equity in WOW (16:58)
On where to find WOW and his message for the fans (18:59)

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