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We’ve seen a very pronounced evolution in professional wrestling when it comes to female competitors. The grassroots era featured some very prominent performers throughout the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Throughout the ’90s, we saw somewhat of a shift — where the ‘diva’ era was implemented. In-ring performance was augmented by sexually charged storylines, manufactured backstage drama, and utter silliness at times. However, the last 20 years or so have seen a reemergence of the dynamic in-ring performances for women’s divisions all over the industry. This piece will aim to tackle all of those eras — from valets to World Champs.
25. Terri Runnels
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Marking her debut in Royal Rumble in 1996 as Marlena, Runnels quickly rose in the organization. Inspired by Marlene Dietrich and her love for cigars, Runnels pitched the Marlena character to WWE, showcasing her creative vision. Despite her huge contributions, controversies and rivalries arose, including a feud between Goldust (whom she was married to) and Brian Pillman over her managerial style. Runnels’ journey extended beyond Marlena, leading her to form factions like the Pretty Mean Sisters and managing wrestlers like The Hardy Boyz and Perry Saturn.
24. Madusa
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Madusa’s tenure in WWE during the early 1990s saw her brought in to rejuvenate the women’s division. Notably, it was WWE legend Greg Valentine who was vocal in getting her signed, praising her athleticism and potential impact on the wrestling scene. However, her departure from WWE came unexpectedly, despite her still holding the championship title. Madusa attributes her release to Vince McMahon’s tumultuous period dealing with the steroid scandal, IRS issues, and the need to downsize — leading to abrupt decisions regarding talent. Eventually, she found further fame by driving a monster truck named “Madusa” in shows and rallies.
23. Sensational Sherri
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“Sensational” Sherri Martel was a trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling and was posthumously honored in April 2006 with induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. As a manager, Sherri’s presence elevated stars like “Macho King” Randy Savage and Shawn Michaels, providing them with credibility and guidance during their careers. Michaels, in particular, recognized her invaluable contribution, acknowledging her pivotal role in boosting his early success. Despite her departure from WWE in 1995, Sherri continued working in WCW, notably managing Ric Flair and later Harlem Heat. Tragically, Sherri passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and unforgettable moments.
22. Luna
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Despite not holding major championships, Luna is considered one of the most overlooked icons in wrestling. Trained by legends such as Vivian Vachon and The Fabulous Moolah, Luna’s talent and character shone brightly in the ring. She lived with Raven during her early career, and her debut was marked by challenges, including a head-shaving incident and clashes with Sabel. Luna’s versatility extended beyond wrestling as she provided vocals for a metal band and managed her eventual husband, Gangrel. Her hiring by WWE involved a search effort, and she made history as the first woman to appear in a WWF video game.
21. Mickie James
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Throughout her career, James consistently delivered high-quality matches throughout a plethora of promotions, showcasing her athleticism, technical skills, and storytelling ability. Her versatility allowed her to seamlessly transition between various wrestling styles, whether it be technical grappling, high-flying maneuvers, or intense brawling, making her a formidable force in the ring. Beyond her in-ring abilities, James possessed a magnetic personality with the crowd. Her character work was second to none. Most notably, her groundbreaking feud with Trish Stratus brilliantly portrayed the obsessed fan turned bitter rival, creating one of the most memorable storylines in women’s wrestling history.
20. Victoria
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Rising to prominence during WWE’s Ruthless Aggression era, she engaged in notable rivalries with top female competitors, including a memorable feud with Trish Stratus – culminating in Victoria winning the WWE Women’s Championship. Teaming up with Steven Richards provided added depth to her character, and she made history by competing in the first Women’s Steel Cage Match against Lita. As a two-time Women’s Champion, Victoria defended her title at two consecutive WrestleManias. One of her most memorable moments came at WrestleMania 20 when she famously shaved Molly Holly’s head bald. Victoria returned to WWE in 2021, participating in the Women’s Royal Rumble match after a decade of absence.
19. Ivory
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Perhaps one of the most overlooked Diva in history. Ivory was a versatile performer who graced the WWE ring from 1999 to 2005. Despite the Attitude Era’s focus on sexuality, Ivory emerged as a pivotal figure in the Divas division. She adeptly portrayed both hero and villain roles, defying stereotypes and earning recognition as a cornerstone of women’s wrestling. Her vocal opposition to objectification resonated with fans, and her feuds with the likes of Trish Stratus and Chyna showcased her talent.
18. Sunny
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Sunny, portrayed by Tammy Sytch, began in WWE as a manager, breaking new ground for women in wrestling. Her partnership with Chris Candido in the Bodydonnas showcased her ability and elevated the team’s status in the tag division. Despite not wrestling, Sunny’s popularity soared, leading to various roles on television and significant fan interest. However, personal issues marred her legacy, overshadowing her contributions to women’s roles in WWE and paving the way for future female performers to thrive in managing positions.
17. Bayley
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A lifelong fan of professional wrestling, the Northern California native eventually developed into one of the biggest names within the industry. She was very over as a babyface with her ‘hugger’ persona. Bayley has run through the industry — winning belts on NXT, SmackDown, and RAW. A true performer when the lights are the brightest, it’ll be fascinating to see how her story evolves at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia. After toggling back and forth between a babyface and a heel, it seems as if the crowd is now behind her in the wake of Damage CTRL crumbling. In terms of mic work, she’s easily one of the best.
16. Stacy Keibler
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Keibler’s journey to wrestling stardom began unexpectedly when she entered a contest to become a Nitro Girl while cheering for the Baltimore Ravens. Winning the competition, she debuted as Nitro Girl Skye but soon transitioned into the role of Miss Hancock in WCW, and became a fan favorite ever since.
Following WCW’s closure, Keibler joined WWE, where she became one of the most popular Divas. Her memorable feuds, including her engagement to David Flair and her involvement in the Invasion angle, solidified her status as an icon. Keibler’s WWE tenure came to an end in 2005, but her impact on the industry continues to be remembered through her contributions to the Divas division.
15. Beth Phoenix
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Dubbed the “Glamazon”, Beth Phoenix was one of the greatest female wrestlers of all time. Her dominant presence in the women’s division earned her four Women’s Championships and one Divas Championship during her five-year full-time wrestling career. She boasts an impressive background, including a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Relations.
Before her WWE career, Phoenix wrestled on the independent circuit Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Additionally, her personal life includes high school participation in track and tennis, and she was previously married to fellow wrestler Joey Knight before tying the knot with WWE legend Edge in 2016.
14. Sable
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In the late 90s, WWE experienced a surge in popularity led by Stone Cold Steve Austin, but amidst the chaos, one woman stood out: Rena ‘Sable’ Mero. Sable’s immense popularity earned her appearances on shows like ‘Pacific Blue’. However, backstage tensions marred her WWE journey, including a tumultuous marriage and subsequent divorce. Despite the challenges, Sable’s impact on the wrestling world remains undeniable. An interesting fact: Sable’s Playboy issue became the highest-grossing ever at the time, highlighting her immense mainstream appeal.
13. Molly Holly
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A cornerstone of WWE’s early 2000s women’s division. Despite not having the same level of star power as Trish Stratus or Lita, she played an essential role in shaping their careers. Trained by the esteemed Dean Malenko, Molly’s journey began in 1997, paving the way for her eventual debut in WWE as the cousin of Crash and Hardcore Holly in 2000.
Throughout her tenure, Molly engaged in memorable feuds and captured the Women’s Championship twice. Her WrestleMania 20 match against Victoria, where she agreed to have her head shaved if she lost, remains a standout moment in her career. Despite facing challenges and unfair ridicule, Molly’s legacy as a true wrestler’s wrestler and a dedicated professional endures.
12. Gail Kim
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Gail Kim doesn’t get the respect she deserves. She was caught in a bit of a transitionary period — between the end of the Attitude Era and the current crop of stars in the sport. She had a short though triumphant run in WWE — where she held the belt for only a month before dropping it again. However, Kim did emerge as a star in TNA. Kim is a very strong worker and has steadily gotten better and better with her promo work. She also was able to break several barriers as an Asian female wrestler hailing from a country outside of Japan (Kim is Canadian). Many view her as a highly underrated talent when taking a step back and viewing the industry from a bird’s eye view.
11. Sasha Banks
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While technically still a free agent (though rumors about an impending AEW deal have been festering for months), Sasha Banks aka Mercedes Moné was a gigantic star during the height of her career in WWE. Starting in her early 20s, Banks had a decade-long stint in the company where she was easily among the biggest attractions. She headlined virtually every Pay-Per-View you could think of — and held the RAW Title on five separate occasions. Banks offered a perfect blend of athleticism, flair, and likability. We’d love to see her get back into the ring consistently. After leaving the company unceremoniously, she’d be a massive pull for Tony Khan and his promotion.
10. Rhea Ripley
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Rhea ‘Bloody’ Ripley has arrived — and everybody should take notice. She’s a near-perfect performer at this point in her career, which is wild to say considering she’s still not 30 years of age. Ripley is one of those rare athletes that can fit into any era. Technically, there’s not a better female wrestler today. The Australian star was able to craft her own unique character while still radiating buckets of charm. At this rate, she could become one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots.
9. Bianca Belair
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Belair is a pioneer in the industry. With a relative dearth of African-American female stars, Belair has emerged as a true icon. Her marketability is everywhere — whether it be on the cover of Video Games, magazines, or ads for upcoming events. Belair’s EST movement — coupled with her signature long braid — just further adds to her aura. As an in-ring performer, Belair is an excellent athlete. The trajectory for her career is quite good, and she will be an all-timer by the time she retires. Essentially, she’s still in her prime and is already in the discussion.
8. Wendi Richter
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Trained by the legendary Fabulous Moolah, Richter wrestled for various promotions before her famous WWE run. She achieved legendary status by defeating Moolah for the WWE Women’s Championship in a historic match aired on MTV. Richter’s partnership with Cyndi Lauper brought mainstream attention to WWE, solidifying her status as one of the biggest female stars in wrestling history. Despite controversy and a tumultuous exit from WWE, Richter’s contributions earned her a well-deserved spot in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.
7. Asuka
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The colorful Asuka has made a huge impact since debuting in 2004 as a 23-year-old. Asuka worked in Japan for over a decade, and part of her polishing also came on the indie scene within the United States. Eventually breaking through on NXT in 2015, her audience grew exponentially. A tremendous worker with natural charisma, Asuka emerged as a true star in this industry. Among her many accolades, she’s won the RAW Women’s Title, the SmackDown Women’s Title, and the NXT Women’s Title, and is currently a Tag Team Champ with The Kabuki Warriors stable.
6. Lita
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Lita was special in the ring. She knew how to energize and build connections with the crowd. Her legendary rivalry with Trish Stratus spanned six years and produced some of WWE’s greatest Women’s Championship matches. Transitioning to a darker character alongside Edge, she became one of the most despised figures in the industry, capturing the Women’s Championship four times. Despite retiring in 2006, Lita made a brief reappearance in 2023 during a steel cage match.
5. Becky Lynch
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“The Man” really is ‘the man’ when it comes to the landscape of female wrestlers over the last decade or so. Lynch is a strong performer — there’s no doubting that. She’s gritty, tough, and full of energy. However, where she truly shines is on the mic. Lynch can cut a promo as well as anyone. You are captivated by her presence whenever she has something to say. This immense ability further magnifies the ability she has in the ring. From a comparison standpoint, it’s eerily similar to how The Rock was — except Lynch is poised to perform for a much longer period. Being able to maintain this top-billing status truly is impressive.
4. Chyna
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“The Ninth Wonder of the World” was one of one. We’ve not seen anyone like Chyna since her debut over 25 years ago — and we probably won’t ever see someone with the presence she had. Initially brought on as ‘muscle’ for D-Generation X, Chyna morphed into a very accomplished singles wrestler. Often forced to wrestle with men, Chyna more than held her own. She was beauty and brawn all rolled into one. While she sadly passed away far too soon, the legacy she leaves behind is that of a true trailblazer.
3. Mae Young and The Fabulous Moolah
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We pair Moolah and Young together based on the friendship they cultivated together over half a century. In the later years, they were comedic relief on SmackDowna and RAW — giving birth to hands, threatening to flash the audience, and taking bumps off the stage through tables well into their 70s. However, there’s so much more to their respective stories. Moolah essentially was responsible for shaping the sport for women. She not only was a multi-time Champion, but she also aided in training a host of wrestlers. Like Moolah, Young was also there right from the beginning. In terms of sheer toughness, no one could touch her.
2. Trish Stratus
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During the Attitude Era and beyond, everybody loved a little Statusfaction. The famed Canadian wrestler was among the most popular performers in the industry during her run. Stratus was a true icon — there’s no other way to put it. While she was forced into some rather cringy scenes involving Vince McMahon, her in-ring talent was terrific. The running bulldog was a patented Stratus move, and her ability on the mic through various storylines was quite good. She was professional, hard-working, gorgeous, and well-liked by virtually everyone. To this day, her influence on younger female wrestlers can be felt.
1. Charlotte Flair
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Like father, like daughter. It’s not shocking to see Flair take the top spot here. Of course, her father is arguably the greatest wrestler of all-time. Charlotte is a 14-time Champ — and someone with every tool requisite of a belt holder. If you need someone to cut a fantastic promo, Flair can do that. If you’re looking for an uber-athletic move off the top rope — or even a submission hold — Flair can do that as well. Once she gets fully healthy again, we’d love to see her compete in what’s developing into a very competitive and deep female division in WWE.
