On the August 26, 2013 episode of Monday Night RAW, reigning Divas Champion AJ Lee cut a promo on the rest of the Divas division in WWE in what many described as a “pipebomb”, presented as a worked shoot in which Lee was scathing, insulting, and held nothing back as she ran down the division in a way that no one else had ever done. This promo was a vital part of her rise in WWE as the most over female star in WWE at the time, and it helped propel her further on as a record-breaking champion. With Lee returning to WWE, it is high time to revisit this moment.
AJ Lee Called Out The ‘Total Divas’
- Many of WWE’s Divas division were part of a reality TV series.
- Women in WWE were very much living up to the “Diva” name.
- AJ Lee was not involved in Total Divas.
In 2013, the Divas division in WWE was struggling for screen time, good stories, or anything that resembled anything on the level of the men in the company. The Total Divas reality TV series did bring some eyes and popularity to select members of the division, but all this did was spark soap opera style stories that were based upon the reality show, rather than any real progress. When some of the cast members of Total Divas were in the ring and ringside on an episode of RAW following a match, Divas Champion AJ Lee decided she’d had enough. Despite being a heel at the time, AJ Lee’s tirade against Total Divas began getting her cheers.
“Do you wanna know what I see when I look in that ring? Honestly? A bunch of cheap, interchangeable, expandable, useless women. Women who have turned to reality television ’cause they just weren’t gifted enough to be actresses and they just weren’t talented enough to be champion. I have done more in one year than all of you have done in your entire collective careers. I have saved your divas division, I have shattered glass ceilings, I have broken down doors. Why? So a bunch of ungrateful, stiff, plastic mannequins can walk on through without even as much as a thank you?”
AJ Lee Cut A Pipebomb On Women’s Wrestling
- AJ Lee’s promo was different from anything else in WWE for women at the time.
- She celebrated her own accomplishments outside of drama.
- AJ Lee showed off her promo capabilities here.
At first, AJ Lee made fun of the Total Divas reality show, but her promo transitioned into something more meaningful. She spoke about the state of the division, the talent involved, and the fact that she was working hard to change things despite not having the traditional look of those who WWE favored. On talent alone, Lee bragged about breaking down glass ceilings and becoming a real champion. The fans were listening to every word (well, attempting to listen over the cries and shouts of the Total Divas in the ring), and AJ Lee delivered in a fantastic way with conviction, passion, and something that would resemble more of what you see today in women’s wrestling.
“You guys can’t even walk backstage and shake my hand and look me in the eye because you know that I worked my entire life to get here. I gave my life to this and you were just handed fifteen minutes of fame. I didn’t get here because I was cute or because I came from some famous wrestling family or because I sucked…up to the right people. I got here because I am good. I earned this championship and you know what? No matter how many red carpets you guys wanna walk in your four thousand dollar ridiculous heels you will never be able to lace up my Chuck Taylors.”
AJ Lee’s Pipebomb Was An Important Step In The Women’s Revolution
- AJ Lee was a big part of the change in WWE for women.
- Her “pipebomb” showed fans that women could cut serious, impactful promos.
- WWE fans still remember this important promo today.
It may not have had the same infamy as her future husband’s “pipebomb”, but AJ Lee’s speech may have had more of a lasting impact on the industry, as it was another huge step in the fans seeing the potential for change in women’s wrestling. AJ Lee was so far above everyone else at the time when it came to character and promo work, and she was too good to be dragged into the high school drama that often took place in the Divas era. This worked shoot was another example of that, following on from a standout match earlier that year against Kaitlyn at Payback 2013, which increased the fans’ desire for more serious and physical matches in the women’s division.
When it comes to AJ Lee’s WWE career, this is one of the standout moments that fans will always remember, especially seeing as it was so unexpected and unique at the time. Today, a promo like this might not be seen as anything too crazy, but this is due to the fact that AJ Lee did it first, paving the way for the women’s roster of the present.
