Women Wrestlers: Empowerment or Degradation?

I admit I've never been into wrestling, male or female.  Women bodybuilders left me cold, too -- I could see the benefits of being strong, but never thought a muscle-bound female body was the least bit attractive.  Since becoming something of a gym rat and fitness addict for the last seven years, I've done some rethinking on the subject of women invading and succeeding in such a male-dominated sport.  The question about women wrestlers, especially as depicted on WWE, raises another question in my mind:  Are these women empowered because they are succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated field, or are they degrading themselves (and other viewers?)

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As much as I rail against the violence in any sport, even football, which is America's passion (and I love it, too), female-on-female violence seems especially bad.   Men seem to get off on it, which is upsetting, but the images of two women -- the fairer sex, if you will -- down on a mat, getting each other into head locks and grabbing one another's hair -- just makes me want to cover my eyes.  The first thing that comes to mind is the male jeer:  "Cat fight!" whenever two women get into it.  I've always hated that phrase.  Unfortunately, when I see two women in a physical confrontation, that is immediately what I think.   We think we should be better than men, at least in the area of decorum.  I was raised to "act like a lady".  Keep my skirt down, keep my voice down, don't swear, and certainly never, never hit someone. 

The women on WWE are so far from that it could be comical, if it wasn't so disgusting.  I know the fights are scripted.  I know they are being paid.  And I know people (especially men) love to watch them.  They are invading a male-dominated arena, and I suppose there's something to be said for that.  But somehow the price doesn't seem worth it.