I am a heterosexual, white, able-bodied male. I know absolutely nothing about oppression. I used to make the mistake of pretending I understand it. Hell, go back and look at my early stuff I wrote on this platform. It's cringe city. Actually do me a favor and don't look back; I don't.

However, I know a thing or two about Pro-Wrestling and good characters. Look, I know I talk at an excessive length about Pro-Wrestling. It drives all my friends crazy, and I withstand all the looks I get when I wear my wrestling shirts. I withstand all the "Ya know it's fake, right?" That is because I am passionate about it and because I truly believe it is culturally relevant. It is overlooked by so many people when it really should be held in the same regard as any other form of entertainment or sport.

With all that being said, the only place you'll find true positive female portrayals and characters in Entertainment is Pro-Wrestling. It's not in TV, and it's damn sure not in movies. Which is ironic as hell considering Pro-Wrestling used to be the most demeaning place for a women. Bra and Pantie matches anyone? I will not linger on that. The past is the past. It does not excuse it, but almost every entity in the world has skeletons in the closet.

Looking at the product now, there are not only good female characters and performers, but a plethora. Honestly, the women are holding the Pro-Wrestling fort down and keeping it on lock. I'll mostly be discussing the women of the WWE because that is what I watch the most of and what I know the most. However, Pro-Wrestling is not just WWE. There are plenty of promotions out there doing really good inventive stuff. Promotions like Pro-Wrestling Gorilla and Lucha Underground have women going toe to toe with men and it's amazing.

So, enough with the elongated preludes I am famous for. Let me tell you exactly why Pro-Wrestling is the place for positive female portrayal. It's simple really; they are actual characters and treated as actual people with hopes and desires. They aren't focused on romantics and men at all. They are all unique and aren't the dime store characters that you see on TV and movies where they were obviously written by men.

I have a couple examples for you. I am only mentioning a couple because I don't want to write 9,000 words and I refuse to cut my overly long preludes. The first one is Asuka. If you haven't heard of that name, look it up. She is presence personified and will give you goosebumps within seconds of seeing her. The best way to describe her is like watching a tornado touch down on the ground. You know it's going to devastate everything it touches, and that's scary, but damn does it look cool. She also throws kicks that even you will feel. She is cool. I have no problem saying she is one of the best in Pro-Wrestling.

The next example is Bayley. If you want to talk about a positive example of a human being in entertainment, look no further than Bayley. The Bayley character is an inspiring figure who represents the person who refuses to change who they are for fame and fortune. The best word to describe Bayley is genuine. She is genuine in her goofy and loving nature. She is an important role model for kids. I'd argue more so than John Cena, the dude whose moniker is "Never Give Up." If you need an example of what Bayley and what Pro-Wrestling in general is all about these days, go watch Bayley vs. Sasha Banks at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn.

Becky Lynch represents the alternative underground scene of people. I will refrain from saying hipster because that is not the right word. She is someone who is quirky and will kick your ass. She shows signs of loyalty and forgiveness. She gets screwed over by all of her friends and she takes it in stride because she isn't vindictive unless you really press her.

I saved probably the best example for last. There was no way in hell I was going to write something about positive female portrayal in Pro-Wrestling and not bring up The Boss, Sasha Banks. I can think of very few female characters in history who have more character than Sasha Banks. She is confidence and talent rolled up into a brilliant little package. Her determination and willingness to set her above the rest of the flock is a dynamic few writers and performers know how to nail down without it coming across as hokey or disingenuous. Sasha Banks hits that note perfectly and she is something else entirely when it comes to in-ring performance. As famously quoted by my good friend, David Tyson of PWFEmpire fame, "Sasha Banks carries herself like a world champion." Notice he did not preface that statement with "women's world champion." He said and meant, "a world champion."

Which brings me to my final point. All of these women and the majority of the female performers I haven't even mentioned have broken down barriers. They are no longer sectioned off and told that they only have so far they can go. They are limitless potential encapsulated on a product that gets very little love and respect. How many movies have characters that don't revolve around men or love or popularity? How many women in TV and movies have distinct characteristics that aren't just catty, a lame duck or boring? How many females are given the same respect the male characters do? Think about that for 5 minutes and realize how much of the short end of the stick women get in media. Ronda Rousey and Serena Williams have opened so many doors showing what women can do. The women in the Pro-Wrestling industry have taken that inch and are running miles with it. For the past two years in a row, the women have had the matches of the year. They have the most compelling of characters. They are shaking things up for the better and I feel it is a social crime for this not to be more recognized. It's not about sex, it's about talent. So, do yourself a favor. Watch some great wrestling performed by these amazing talents. You can hate wrestling because it's "fake," "stupid," and "crap," but you can't deny the fact that "fake stupid crap" has the best female portrayal in media today.