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- HOF & WWE Legend, Madusa Talks About Wanting a Retirement Match
Women’s Wrestling Talk catches up with WWE Legend Madusa to talk about what she thinks about celebrity boxing matches, her crazies Paul Heyman story and where she would want her retirement match to take place, and much more.
- Top 5: Sensational Sherri
A cornerstone of the Hulkamania era, few women stood out as much as Sensational Sherri. More than capable of holding her own, Sherri was a rare talent. One that neither surpassed nor was eclipsed by the larger than life personalities that surrounded her. Whether she was in the ring or a valet, she elevated everyone around her. With the new age she helped usher in, fizzling out soon after it started, Sherri Martel is a name lost on modern fans. And who can blame them? The evolution of wrestling over the last 40 years has been drastic. Anything before the early 00s does not gel with our modern sensibilities from a storyline and in-ring perspective. Combine that with WWE’s failure to treat these women with the reverence and awe they do of other wrestlers of the era. I do not blame modern fans if Sensational Sherri is not on their radar. Despite all this, Sherri still endures. She is a name that stands out and, along with Miss Elizabeth, as one of the defining characters of the Hulkamania Era. For those not in the know, here are a few of Sherri Martel’s finest moments to show why Martel’s name continues to be synonymous with 80s/90s wrestling. 5. Sherri Martel Wins the WWF Women’s Championship on her Debut Debuting at the Sam Houston Arena on July 24th 1987, Sherri stood across the ring from, at that point, the biggest name in women’s wrestling, The Fabulous Moolah. The two were polar opposites, Moolah, a grizzled woman in all black, Sherri pretty and in 80s neon colours. In a massive upset, Sherri won the title on her first night in the company, a rare feat that only Paige and Gail Kim have achieved since. By modern standards, the match is slow. Yet, that fact doesn’t dampen the impact of what was a passing of the torch moment. With the departure of Wendy Richter, Sherri looked posed to be one of the staples of the division. The match marked the beginning of Sherri’s 440-day title reign, making her one of the longest-running women’s champions. Sadly the division never had the opportunity to flourish. Three years after her title victory, the division would dissolve. 4. Sherri’s Induction into the Hall of Face 2006 was a stacked year for WWE’s Hall of Fame. Headlined by Eddie Guerrero and Bret Hart, Sheri was also inducted and the second woman to receive the honour. The accolade shows not only her popularity amongst fans but amongst the boys. Having earned the respect of Ted DiBiase, Jessie Ventura and Shawn Michaels, Sherri proved she was just as deserving of her spot as any man. 3. Managing Shawn Michaels Managers are like wine. When paired with the correct dish, the end result can be a total game-changer. They can elevate something already good into something truly outstanding. For Shawn Michaels, his perfect accompaniment was Sensational Sherri. Fresh off valeting for Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase, Sherri lent her star power as a heel to Shawn Michaels, who was fresh off throwing his best friend through a glass window. Shawn had been a babyface opening act as one half of The Rockers. Now on the verge of moving up the card, Shawn needed someone to give him that extra boost to really get the fans to hate him. Coming in as Shawn’s side piece, Sheeri was the missing piece of the puzzle, helping to elevate Shawn’s new ‘Boy Toy’ persona. Most iconically, Sherri lent her voice to Shawn’s entrance music. Singing the words to Sexy Boy went hand in hand with the obnoxious persona of the couple. The song was so iconic that it continued to follow Shawn for the rest of his career, well after the ‘sexy boy’ moniker lost its meaning. Sherri was the special ingredient that helped lift The Heartbreak Kid from talented tag team specialists to main-eventer. 2. No Holds Barred Promo If you distilled everything about the Hulkamania era into a promo, this is it. It’s loud, it’s colourful, it’s downright insane, and it is one of the first things that springs to mind when I think of Sensational Sherri. It shows the true power she had as a presence in wrestling. Any lesser performer would be swallowed by the massive personalities of The Macho King and Tommy “Tiny” Lister. Sherri matches their insanity, going full Saturday morning cartoon villainess. 80s wrestling in its purest form. 1. Sensational Sherri at Wrestlemania 7 In one of the few genuinely touching moments in WWE, Sherri’s moment in the spotlight in the reuniting of Macho Man Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth is Sherri’s crowning achievement. It is Sherri doing what she does best, elevating a scene. The way she dashes away from the Ultimate Warrior to her putting the boots to a semi-conscious Savage. She may not be the focus of the moment, but Sherri plays a pivotal role. She is the inciting incident in an iconic moment in WWE History that outshone the main event of that year. It is a must-watch moment, made all the better by Sherri’s presence. #ShawnMichaels #SherriMartel #RandySavage #womenswrestling #sensationalsherri #WWF #womenswrestlingtalk #WWE
- 8 Women Who Deserve Their Own Biographies
Wrestling biographies can really hit and miss. Books like Have a Nice Day and Hitman: My Crazy Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling are seminal works, entertaining and were key in smartening fans to the wrestling business. Their quality and enlightening perspective are what wrestling books have been chasing since Mike Foley scribbled his wrestling career on legal notepads. Some have come close to recapturing the blend of insight and crazy stories that made these books so popular. However, others have been less than stellar, written by someone with an axe to grind. Despite the varying degrees of quality, one thing that is missing from the wrestling biography game is the female despective. It feels like any wrestler who had an iota of notoriety during the Attitude Era has a biography. With the exception of a few histories chronicling the rise of women’s wrestling and a handful of WWE autobiographies, the women’s experience remains an untapped market. As the saying goes, women do everything men do, and they have to do it backwards and in high heels. The wrestling world is no different. Having to deal with the bumps, the hectic schedule, and the added issue of surviving a male-dominated industry. The stories of the women of wrestling are equally, if not more compelling, than their male counterparts. To honour those women of wrestling’s past, here is a list (a by no means exhaustive one) of the women whose stories need to be told. Alexa Bliss With her best wrestling days still to come, some might think that it is a little too early for Alexa Bliss to be writing a biography. But Alexa Bliss has faced more than her share of challenges to make for an inspirational read. While her accolades in the ring cannot be denied, it is Alexa’s life outside of the ring that adds another layer to her story. Bliss has been very vocal about her struggles with her childhood eating disorder. Overcoming her mental health issues, Bliss found solace in fitness. Earning her IFBB Pro card within a year and competed at the Arnold Classic Women’s Bikini class in 2012 and 2013. Bliss reached the pinnacle of the fitness industry, an accolade that some spend their whole lives chasing. Before that, she was a division I cheerleader. Despite her success, Alexa constantly struggled with the burden of expectation she placed on herself. Inside the wrestling business, Alexa has done everything. She has been a manager, a multiple-time women’s champion. She has played a role in the rise of Niki Cross, Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey. While she may not be as world travelled or have the lineage of her contemporaries, Alexa has a relatability and a past that could inspire those struggling with mental health and eating disorders. Bayley Full disclosure: I am a huge Bayley mark. I still remember the odd luck on a small girl’s face as she noticed we were wearing the same ‘I’m A Hugged’ tee at an NXT show. So naturally, I had to put her on this list. In my opinion, What makes Bayley more of an intriguing topic than the other Four Horsewomen is her change in character. While all these women have found success as both faces and heels, Bayley has gone from cuddly cute babyface to an uber Karen with a haircut to match. I want to know how such a tonal shift affected Bayley and the thought process in developing the character. Her early career was equally as interesting. Bayley crossed paths with Mercedes Martinez and Serena Deeb and even tagged with Mia Yim during her time in Shimmer. It would be great to read about what Bayley thinks WWE saw in her and what ultimately landed a spot in developmental. Obviously, she went onto NXT, where she became a mega-star. Her much-lorded rivalry with Sasha Banks remains one of the defining moments of the brand. Helping to usher in the ‘women’s revolution.’ The most underserved Four Horsewoman, a book highlighting Bayley’s career, would shine a light on a mainstay of the modern era that rarely gets the credit they deserve. Terri Runnels Few people that fall backwards into the wrestling business stick around for long. Terri Runnels is the exception to the rule. Initially working as a make-up artist for CNN, Runnels was flung into the crazy world of professional wrestling. She acted as a valet to some of the greatest names in professional wrestling, including Mike Rotunda, Ricky Morton, Terry Taylor as part of WCW’s York Foundation. Her run with her husband Dustin Runnels saw her play a pivotal role in developing the Goldust character. Runnels was even granted the freedom to create her own persona, Marlina, an opportunity rarely given to women at the time. During the Attitude Era, Terri teaming up with Jaqueline Moore and Ryan Shamrock to form Pretty Mean Sisters (P.M.S.) and was involved in a horrendous abortion angle. Two if the bottom of the barrel low points of women’s wrestling, it would be interesting to see what 20 years of hindsight have affected Terri’s view on such angles. During her later career, Terri was given the role of ‘handler’. Mentoring younger talent like the Hardy Boyz and a very troubled Perry Saturn. A man who, by his own admission, never worked a match sober his entire WWE run. Terri appeared to take an almost motherly role in supporting new talent, keeping them on the straight and narrow (relatively speaking). A rarely explored side of wrestling, we know that Tim White looked after Andre and Heenan was paired with Flair, At WWE, when it was at its most popular when toxic masculinity ruled the locker room. If Dark Side of The Ring is anything to go by, Terri has some stories to tell. While a tell-all is probably too salacious, the duality of a valet and wrestler’s wife is a unique perspective that few others can offer. Jazz Jazz is a wrestler who rarely gets her due. While hardcore fans know her, Jazz’s underutilization in WWE means many fans aren’t familiar with Jazz and her journey. Jazz was rocketed into the world of wrestling thanks to her impressive look. Honing her skills in ECW, Jazz was one of the few women with wrestling training. From there, she continued to learn under The Junkyard Dogg, one of the most beloved Black wrestlers, before making her jump to WWE. She continued to flourish and travelled the world, working for Shine, the NWA, Chikara, and Impact Wrestling. Married to fellow wrestler Rodney Mack, Jazz has the rare accolade of having a relationship that has endured the hardships of the wrestling business. The two have formed a lasting relationship and continue to train talent in their wrestling school, The Dog Pound, alongside Thunder Rosa. With Jazz announcing her retirement recently, the former two time WWE champion wants to cap off her career with a world tour. After which, there would be no better time for Jazz to reflect on everything she has accomplished. Ivory Another journeywoman on the list. It feels like Ivory was at the right place at the wrong time. A staple of the Attitude Era, Ivory (along with Jaqueline Moore and Luna Vachon) was one of the few competent wrestlers when bikini and evening gown matches were at their height. Appearing right before the resurgence in women’s wrestling with the arrival of Trish Stratus and Lita. Ivory’s contributions to wrestling are often overshadowed by her more famous contemporaries. Yet her journey is equally fascinating. Ivory got her break wrestling for the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling, a promotion that shot back into public consciousness after the success of the hit Netflix series of the same name. Working in GLOW’s various off-shoots and even a brief stint in Herb Abrams’ ill-fated UWF. Ivory’s early career is unique. Enshrined in pageantry and the sports entertainment style of wrestling, compared to heading to Japan to carve out a name for herself. Despite not having an array of opponents that could match her wrestling skills. While at the WWE Ivory made the most of every opportunity. She was a utility player, trusted enough to work with Chyna, an 80-year-old Mae Young and even Cindy Margolis. Later she took a role as a trainer in Ohio Valley Wrestling and even helped in the second season of Tough Enough. With a reputation as a solid hand, Ivory’s story is one that rarely gets the opportunity to be told. Biographies are reserved for champions. The stories of journeymen like Dean Malenko or Jerry Lynn fall to the wayside as they just don’t have the star power as their peers. Ivory is the exception. As a multiple-time women’s champion, her popularity matches her skill. Combine that with her connection to GLOW, Ivory’s time in the world of wrestling deserves to be told. Alundra Blayze At one point in time, if you heard the name Alundra Blayze or Medusa, one moment would instantly spring to mind. The one that can be found in every Monday Night Wars and Attitude Era documentary. A pissed off Medusa fresh off being future endeavoured from WWF, dumping the women’s title in the trash on Monday Night Nitro. Until recently, this was considered the defining moment of Alundra Blayze’s career. But Blayze was so much more than a hotshot angle dreamed up by Eric Bischoff. Raised by a single mother, Blayze has memories of living on food stamps and welfare. From there, she fell in love with wrestling and transitioned into the life of an indie wrestler earning a measly $5 a match. Heading to the AWA, she quickly won the women’s championship and became the first woman to win PWI’s Rookie of the Year. One of the first, Blayze, headed to Japan, where she had the lumps knocked out of her learning the Japanese strong style. Other Americans managed to ride it out for a year. Blayze surpassed them all, staying for three. Her reward was the respect of her contemporaries and massive popularity. One so strong that Blayze even returned to Japan as the WWF champion. As the only American woman on the card, Blayze put her title on the line against wrestling legend Bull Nakano at the Big Egg Wrestling Universe super-card, in front of 42,000 people inside the packed Tokyo Dome. Blayze abandoned the wrestling business after her career ended in 2001 and continued to succeed in everything she did, whether dog grooming or monster truck driving. It wasn’t until her induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 that Blayze stepped back into the wrestling spotlight. Now Blayze helps other women recognize the power of their brand and the financial side of being independent contractors. Much like how Have A Nice Day provided insight into becoming a wrestler, Blayze’s book could teach would-be wrestlers how to establish themselves as indie wrestlers. Blayze set a precedent, one that was replicated time and time again. Luckily this is one biography we might not have to wait long to read, with ECW Press announcing a planned autobiography released in 2023. Jaqueline Moore The importance of Jaqueline cannot be understated. As one of the few Black wrestlers during the Attitude Era, she, D’Lo Brown and Charles Wright were the only Black performers who weren’t former NWA champions, third-generation superstars or signed to a million-dollar contract. She was a mainstay of the women’s roster who helped inspire the likes of Bayley, Bianca Belair, Sasha Banks, and Naiomi. Even playing a pivotal role in helping show Trish Stratus the ropes. As a woman who made appearances in WCCW, USWA, Smokey Mountain Wrestling, WCW, WWE, TNA, and even Atsushi Onita’s FMW, Jaqueline is undoubtedly the most well-travelled woman on this list. Her globe-trotting career saw her manage and wrestle a who’s who of wrestlers greatest legends. With a tough as nails reputation and being viewed as ‘one of the boys,’ Jaqueline’s biography would be a wild ride and an insight into a Black woman’s journey through pro-wrestling. AJW Arguably the most significant women’s promotion of all time, All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling is a much-lorded promotion that revolutionized Joshi wrestling. At its height when women’s wrestling was non-existent in the States, AJW was the place for women’s wrestling, influencing countless wrestlers. The company has a rich history stemming from the 1960s. One that involved a mandatory retirement age of 26 and a tumultuous end in the mid-00s after the company’s owners went bankrupt. During that period, AJW produced huge stars like Bull Nakano, Aja Kong and Akira Hokuto. It is responsible for 19 Wrestling Observer 5 Star matches (if Dave Meltzer’s opinion is your sort of thing). A number that WWE is still chasing. With star Manami Toyota being responsible for 13 of the 19. The influence of AJW continues to be felt today yet like everyone else on this list it rarely gets the credit it deserves when it comes to its influence on women’s wrestling in America. However, a book on the most prolific women’s promotion may be more complicated than you think. A lot of information has been lost to time, especially AJW’s numerous untelevised events. Then there is the painstaking task of translating any material from Japanese to English. There may be some challenges, but that would not prevent an author from writing a compelling book on a promotion that shaped women’s wrestling. Honourable mentions: Sherri Martell, Nancy Benoit, Miss Elizabeth Sadly the wrestling world is littered with women who have left this world too soon. Nancy Benoit, Sherri Martell and Miss Elizabeth all played pivotal roles in wrestling and were defining figures during their time. I have left them off this list because, unfortunately, the thoughts and opinions of these women have been lost to drugs, alcohol, and murder. While it is not too late for their stories to be told, such a biography would come with its own set of problems. A second-hand account would come with the added challenge of portraying such women objectively. While trying to treat the sad nature of their untimely passing with dignity. The two goals are inherently contradictory and would inevitably clash. It doesn’t mean that these women are any less deserving. Just, the ends result would never match hearing a first-hand account. This is just scratching the surface of the women in pro-wrestling. My list is by no means definitive. There are countless other women equally deserving of having their stories told. As the female empowerment movement in the wrestling world continues to grow, it is equally important to honour the women of the past. While Hall of Fame spots and legends contracts are all well and good, giving these women a platform to share their experiences would be even better. These women lived the life of wrestlers while dealing with the added bullshit of surviving in a male-dominated industry. Such a perspective has rarely been explored and is at risk of being forgotten. But what do you think? Who’s biography would you read? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to let us at Women’s Wrestling Talk know whose biography you’d like to read next. #Ivory #JaquelineMoore #WCW #BullNakano #AlexaBliss #ECW #nxt #womenswrestling #Jazz #AlundraBlayze #Bayley #womenswrestlingtalk #WWE #FourHorsewomen #TerriRunnels #AJW
- Top 5 Moments! -Thunder Rosa
Screenshot of Thunder Rosa with her many championships. Thunder Rosa made her wrestling debut in 2014 wrestling in several companies and promotions such as NWA, Impact, Lucha Underground, Stardom, and AEW. Since her debut, Thunder Rosa has shown time and time again why she is one of the best women wrestlers around. She has had many accomplishments both inside and outside of the ring over the years. I wanted to give my top 5 moments that stood out to me as a viewer and a fan. Screenshot of Thunder Rosa VS. Britt Baker #5 Thunder Rosa VS. Britt Baker in the Unsanctioned Lights Out Match Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker participated in the Unsanctioned Lights Out match. This match showcased hardcore-style wrestling. While many focused on the images of Britt bleeding, I saw how both ladies told a great story. Thunder Rosa’s skillset was shown throughout the match, making her my favorite to win this match. Thunder Rosa was indeed victorious. This match was also the first women’s main event in AEW Dynamite. Screenshot of Thunder Rosa’s AEW Appearance #4 Thunder Rosa and her surprise debut on AEW On August 22, 2020, Thunder Rosa made a surprise appearance on AEW Dynamite. She challenged Hiraku Shida to a championship match at AEW, All Out. Thunder Rosa made her challenge via a vignette. This moment marked the first time a champion from another wrestling promotion came to AEW and competed. #3 Thunder Rosa vs. Hiraku Shida (All Out 2020) –AEW World Women’s Championship AEW’s women’s division has been the subject of much criticism. On August 22, 2020, Thunder Rosa made her challenge against Shida for the championship. This match was both technical and physical, showcasing both women’s unique styles. Thunder Rosa came into this match and proved to the world why she was one of the best women wrestlers out there. She delivered a beating to Shida, but ultimately she lost the match. She did this as the NWA World Women’s Champion and showed just how well she could work with other women around the world. Screenshot of Thunder Rosa and Mission Pro #2 Thunder Rosa and Mission Pro Wrestling Thunder Rosa started Mission Pro Wrestling in 2019 based out in Texas. Mission Pro is an all-women wrestling promotion. With the help of the Female Fighting Phenom, Jazz, Thunder Rosa is teaching, training, and allowing other women wrestlers to have the opportunity to shine. Many of the women from Mission Pro have been in AEW matches such as Vertvixen, Madi Wrenkowski, Red Velvet, and Big Swole. There aren’t many women-only wrestling promotions. Mission Pro helps elevate the game for other women in the wrestling industry. It also helps address the lack of women’s matches we have seen over the years. Screenshot of Thunder Rosa winning the International Princess Championship. Before I get to my number #1, I wanted to give an honorable mention to Thunder Rosa for winning the International Princess Championship. On January 5, 2020, Thunder Rosa appeared on Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling to have a match against Maki Itoh. She was victorious, becoming the first non-Japanese wrestler in Tokyo Joshi History to win this title. Screenshot of Thunder Rosa winning the NWA World Women’s Championship. #1 Thunder Rosa Becomes NWA Women’s Champion! Ever since her NWA debut on October 29, 2019, Thunder Rosa was a force to be reckoned with. She had feuds with Ashley Vox and Allysin Kay. Thunder Rosa continued to make a name for herself in NWA. Thunder Rosa will get her shot at the NWA World Women’s Championship by going against Allysin Kay at NWA Hard Times. She defeated Allysin Kay, becoming the new NWA World Women’s Champion. Thunder Rosa was the first Mexican-born wrestler to win the title. Thunder Rosa has already paved a path with so much greatness, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Until Next Time! xoxo #Stardom #LuchaUnderground #womenswrestling #AllysinKay #NWA #womenswrestlingtalk #BrittBaker #ThunderRosa #MissionProWrestling #AEW #Impact #Top5s
- Latina Heat: The 10 Best Female Latina Active Wrestlers
When you think of Latin American female wrestlers, there are plenty who may come to mind. Women from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and other countries have been making an impact in the WWE, AEW, and several independent promotions throughout the United States. Coming up with a list of the ten best Latina active wrestlers was a difficult task. There are many women who were considered but did not quite make the list, including Sexy Star, Miranda Alize, Delmi Exo, Amanda Rodriguez, Ashley Vox, Vulcana, Dulce Tormenta, Alejandra the Lion, Shaul Guerrero, Eva Marie, Zelina Vega, Katrina Cortez, Elektra Lopez, Katalina Perez, Alex Gracia, Jazmine Allure, and Labrava just to name a few. #10 Melina Slam Wrestling A wrestling veteran, Melina Perez is Mexican American and hails from California. Melina held five women’s titles in the scene and continues to stay active, challenging Deonna Purrazzo for her title at NWA Empowerrr. #9 Diamante Last Word on Pro Wrestling With more than a dozen years of fighting experience, Diamante is Cuban American and was born in Miami. As Adrenaline she is a WOW tag team champ and she held many titles in ICW. Diamante had a successful partnership with Ivelisse in AEW. #8 Mercedes Martinez The Overtimer From Connecticut, Mercedes Martinez is of Puerto Rican descent. She made her debut in 2000 and has held many titles in several promotions including SHINE, SHIMMER, WSU, and more. After starring in NXT she was released by the WWE in 2021. #7 Christi Jaynes Last Word on Pro Wrestling Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and now residing in Texas, Christi Jaynes is one of the best independent wrestlers right now. In her five years in the business she has held titles in RCW, SWE, and more. #6 Tay Conti wrestlingnews.co Also born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tay Conti has become much more successful after being released from the WWE’s NXT. She has made a name for herself in AEW after joining the Dark Order and continues to be a threat for the AEW Women’s Championship. #5 La Rosa Negra Wrestling Inc. La Rosa Negra has been the best independent women’s wrestler in 2021. Hailing from Puerto Rico, she made her debut in 2005 and is the Mission Pro Wrestling champion and former WWC champion. #4 Raquel Gonzalez Ringside News Raquel Gonzalez really made a name for herself when she won the NXT Women’s Championship in 2021 after holding the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships with Dakota Kai. Raquel is Mexican and hails from Texas. #3 Ivelisse Sportskeeda Born in Puerto Rico and residing in Florida, Ivelisse Velez has been tearing up the wrestling scene since 2005. She holds the Shine, SWE, and LNO championships and has had successful runs in AEW and Lucha Underground. #2 Bayley CBS Sports Some wrestling fans might be surprised to learn that Bayley is Mexican American. She is from California and is no stranger to anyone, having held the SmackDown championship twice, Raw championship, NXT championship, and tag team championship twice. #1 Thunder Rosa Sportskeeda Coming in at #1 is none other than Thunder Rosa. Whether you know her from AEW and her amazing win over Britt Baker in the lights out match, from being the former NWA champ, holding titles in Shine and Lucha Underground, or owning Mission Pro Wrestling, Thunder Rosa is numero uno! #wrestlingblog #prowrestling #wrestlingrankings #latinawrestlers #womenswrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpodcast #womenswrestlingtalk
- Up & Comers: 16 Women’s Wrestlers on the Rise in 2021
Women’s wrestling has picked up in a big way in 2021 after a down year. Brand new wrestlers are popping up across the country and some ladies who have been in the game for a few years are starting to get noticed. To be on this list of up and coming women’s wrestlers these ladies have to have been wrestling for no more than five years and not currently be signed to WWE, AEW, or Impact. Hopefully you will be reminded of a few of your favorites and discover some new wrestlers to keep an eye on. Feel free to share your comments on Twitter about who you agree or disagree with and who will become a big star in the years to come. You can find the author of this article @WWTRankingsDude and the hosts of Women’s Wrestling Talk on @WWTalkPod. #16: Sarah the Rebel The first wrestler on this list is our very own WWT host Sarah the Rebel. She started out as Razor in WOW and then began competing as Sarah the Rebel in independent promotions such as OVW, Empower, and more. Be sure to catch her on the Women’s Wrestling Talk weekly shows as well as in the ring. #15: Karma Dean Making her debut earlier this year, Karma Dean was trained by Cody Rhodes and featured on the Nightmare Academy showcase on YouTube. Karma has appeared in national fitness competitions and pageants and is an actress who gives off some Carmella vibes. With her ties to AEW she could show up on Dark in the near future. #14: Amaris Blair Glamorous Amaris Blair has been training for a few years and recently made her in ring debut in 2021. Check out her interview on Women’s Wrestling Talk. The proudest moment of her career was wrestling her mentor Amber Rodriguez for the Elev8 Pro Women’s title. #13: Eve Levine This amateur wrestler made the transition to professional wrestling in 2020 and has been featured on FSPW Jewels of Wrestling. So far her biggest moment was main eventing Premier Wrestling League’s first women’s championship match. She has the perfect combination of strength, speed, and amateur ability. #12: Ava Wilde The powerhouse Ava Wilde made her debut in 2020 and trained under Dustin Rhodes at the Rhodes Wrestling Academy and was featured on their showcase. She has been involved in bodybuilding and fitness competitions and set records. Ava reminds some of Chyna, Kamille, or Jade. She joined Mission Pro Wrestling’s first faction WAR in June 2021. #11: Brittnie Brooks Brittnie Brooks is new to the scene and her name is appropriate because she looks something like a 90’s pop star. But don’t let her looks fool you; she can go in the ring. Brittnie defeated Freya the Slaya this year and went on to win the Arizona Wrestling Federation women’s championship against Sandra Moone, Maya Martinez, and Brynn Thorne. #10: Julia Hart You might not know her by name but if you watch AEW you know Julia Hart as the cheerleader. She is not signed with AEW but has appeared on Dark after her connections from training at the Nightmare Factory and recently got her first win. Julia is only 19 and pulls off being a cheerleader so well because she really is one. She also trained with Ken Anderson and has been paired up with the Varsity Blondes in AEW where she may get signed at some point. #9: Labrava Labrava made the top 10 in our first ever independent women’s wrestling rankings. She competes in Florida and has held the OCW and POW women’s championships. She is a member of the faction Controversial Inc. Labarava was the first ever Pride of Wrestling women’s champion and keeps improving with every match. #8: Haley J “HollyHood” Haley J was #3 in our first ever indie women’s wrestling rankings and racked up more wins than any other female competitor in the first quarter of 2021. The OVW women’s champion is a second generation wrestler as the daughter of Amazing Maria and continues to push the limits. #7: Notorious Mimi Notorious Mimi has been tearing it up in New Jersey. Still in her late teens, Mimi is a former TCW Goddess Champion and won the MFPW Women’s Championship in 2021. Mimi has competed in promotions including Invictus, Global Syndicate, and more. She has a bright future and had an awesome ladder match against Vicious Vicki in 2021. #6: Skye Blue The young Skye Blue made her debut in 2019. She won the Chicago Style Wrestling Women’s Championship in 2020 and the ZERO1 USA Women’s Championship in 2021. Skye Blue has also wrestled in AEW and NWA and has a bright future. #5: Freya the Slaya Freya the Slaya should be no stranger to fans of Women’s Wrestling Talk. As the only female wrestler in Alaska she competes against men sometimes half her size. Freya has wrestled for AEW and NWA and has been training and wrestling in the lower 48 states when she can. Her size, strength, and moves resemble the likes of Bull Nakano, Kevin Owens, and even Andre the Giant. Check out her interview on WWT. #4: Vicious Vicki The vivacious Vicious Vicki has been tearing it up in her home state of New Jersey for the past few years. She won the TCW Goddess Championship in 2020 and held four belts at the same time in 2021. She has a stellar win-loss record for 2021 and has had quite the rivalry with the Notorious Mimi. #3: Trish Adora Everyone knows Trish Stratus, but now everyone should know Trish Adora too. She has been wrestling since 2016 and is the Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Champion. Trish has competed in Ring of Honor, Game Changer, Beyond Wrestling, and more. She even competed against Kairi Sane in NXT. #2: Jennacide Even though she is somewhat of a veteran, Jennacide can still be considered an up and comer. She started wrestling in 2016 and is a former ACW Women’s Champion and Diamonds Division Starlight Champion. Formerly known as Jenna Von Muscles, she has competed in many promotions including the NWA, AEW, and Mission Pro. #1: Brooke Valentine Brooke Valentine made her debut in 2017 and is the ZOWA Women’s Champion. The Queen Bee is a young powerhouse who has competed in Game Changer and several other independent wrestling promotions. She was trained by Michael Elgin and you can see some similarities in the ring. #wrestlingblog #prowrestling #womenswrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpodcast #womenswrestlingtalk
- WWT Rankings: 1st Half 2021
The first half of 2021 was refreshing for fans of women’s wrestling. Many fans have been able to get out to see an event, whether it’s from a major promotion or a local indy show. There continues to be a whole lot of wrestling to watch on TV and the internet. The midyear mark is a good time to reflect back on the first half of the year and rank the competitors in several promotions. After major events like WrestleMania and Double or Nothing it’s time to see where your favorite women’s wrestlers stack up compared to where they were after the first quarter of the year. Let me know if you agree with these rankings on Twitter @WWTRankingsDude. WWE Women’s Wrestling Rankings These rankings are for all WWE promotions combined. Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and NXT UK women have been grouped together. The WWE women’s wrestling rankings include the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, Fastlane, WrestleMania, Backlash, Hell in a Cell, NXT Takeovers, and all the weekly television shows leading up to WrestleMania. #1 Bianca Belair Bleacher Report Previous Ranking: #4 WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Won the Royal Rumble and defeated Sasha Banks to win the title at WrestleMania #2 Rhea Ripley TalkSPORT Previous Ranking: Unranked WWE Raw Women’s Champion Won the title from Asuka at WrestleMania #3 Alexa Bliss CBS Sports Previous Ranking: #6 Should have received a title shot at WrestleMania Defeated Randy Orton, Asuka, Shayna Baszler, Nia Jax, and Nikki Cross #4 Charlotte Flair New York Post Previous Ranking: #8 Defeated Rhea Ripley by DQ at Hell in a Cell in WWE Raw Women’s Championship match Wrestled 25+ matches in first half of 2021 #5 Raquel Gonzalez Media Referee Previous Ranking: #10 Won the NXT Women’s Championship from Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Defended her title against Mercedes Martinez and Ember Moon #6 Sasha Banks Wrestling-Edge Previous Ranking: #1 Lost WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship to Bianca Belair at WrestleMania Did not wrestle in May or June after losing her title #7 Natalya Channel Guide Mag Previous Ranking: Unranked One half of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions with Tamina Defeated Mandy Rose and Shayna Baszler in singles competition #8 Meiko Satomura Sportzwiki Previous Ranking: #9 NXT UK Women’s Champion Defeated Kay Lee Ray for title in June #9 Io Shirai Daily DDT Previous Ranking: #3 Lost NXT Women’s Championship to Raquel Gonzalez Began teaming with Zoey Stark #10 Xia Li Twitter Previous Ranking: #7 Remained undefeated for the first half of 2021 Part of the faction Tian Sha AEW Women’s Wrestling Rankings All Elite Wrestling continues to produce tons of content in 2021 with their Revolution and Double or Nothing pay per views, AEW Dynamite, AEW Dark, and AEW Dark: Elevation. With more than 60 women competing and multiple ladies going undefeated, this continues to be the strongest women’s division in wrestling. #1 Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. Wrestling Inc Previous Ranking: #8 Won the AEW Women’s World Championship from Hikaru Shida at Double or Nothing Had an epic Lights Out match with Thunder Rosa #2 Hikaru Shida Pro Wrestling News Hub Previous Ranking: #1 Lost AEW Women’s World Championship to Britt Baker at Double or Nothing Deserves a rematch against Baker #3 Thunder Rosa Twitter Previous Ranking: #2 Went 12-0-1 in singles competition in 2nd quarter of 2021 Defeated Baker in Lights Out match and had time limit draw with Kamille in NWA; deserves a shot at both titles #4 Big Swole ringsidenews Previous Ranking: #9 Undefeated in singles competition in AEW in 2021 Formed a successful partnership with Red Velvet and KiLynn King #5 Jade Cargill Wrestling Inc Previous Ranking: #7 Debuted teaming with Shaq in a win over Red Velvet and Cody Undefeated with 8 wins in first half of 2021 #6 Kris Statlander Wrestling Inc Previous Ranking: Unranked Joined Best Friends after returning from injury Undefeated with 9 wins in first half of 2021 #7 Tay Conti Wrestling News Previous Ranking: #3 20 wins in first half of 2021 Only loss in 2nd quarter of 2021 was to Shida for title #8 Nyla Rose Comic Book Previous Ranking: #10 Got her career back on track thanks to Vickie Guerrero Decisive wins over indy standouts Delmi Exo, Holidead, and Megan Bayne #9 Red Velvet sportskeeda Previous Ranking: #4 Lost to Serena Deeb for NWA title and La Rosa Negra for MPW title Stirring it up successfully with Big Swole and KiLynn King #10 Abadon Ringside News Previous Ranking: Unranked Undefeated in 2nd quarter of 2021 with 6 wins Only loss of 2021 was in title match against Shida Impact Wrestling Women’s Rankings Impact Wrestling has a competitive women’s division with some mainstays combined with a rotating cast. These rankings include the weekly programming, Impact Plus specials, and the PPVs Hard to Kill, Rebellion, and Against All Odds. #1 Deonna Purrazzo Mandatory Previous Ranking: #1 Impact Wrestling Women’s Champion 16-3 in first half of 2021 #2 Tenille Dashwood Bell to Belles Previous Ranking: Unranked Lost to Purrazzo for title Beat Ellering, Grace, and Hogan #3 Rachael Ellering Impact Wrestling Previous Ranking: Unranked Briefly held Impact Women’s Tag Team titles with Jordynne Grace Lost to Penelope Ford on AEW Dark #4 Jordynne Grace Sportskeeda Previous Ranking: #3 Briefly held Impact Women’s Tag Team titles with Ellering Won Zelo Pro Women’s title #5 Rosemary Previous Ranking: #2 Lost to Purrazzo for title Defeated Havok and Hogan Independent Women’s Wrestling Rankings 2021 has been a great year for independent women’s wrestling after many promotions have battled back from COVID-19. There are so many independent women’s wrestlers out there working hard every week that it’s difficult to limit them to just the top 10. The NWA and ROH have been ramping up their women’s divisions and there are promotions in just about every state. #1 La Rosa Negra 411 Mania Previous Ranking: #1 Mission Pro Wrestling Champion Undefeated in 2021 at 6-0, defeated Red Velvet, Masha Slamovich, Skye Blue, Madi Wrenkowski, and others #2 Kamille f4wonline Previous Ranking: #12 NWA Women’s Champion after defeating Serena Deeb Undefeated in 2021 going 4-0-1 with draw against Thunder Rosa #3 Ivelisse Twitter Previous Ranking: #2 Shine and Ladies Night Out Champions Lost to Christi Jaynes for SWE Women’s Championship #4 Christi Jaynes Pro Sports Extra Previous Ranking: #5 SWE and RCW Phoenix Women’s Champions 14-2 in 2021, beat Haley J by DQ in OVW title match #5 Vicious Vicki Twitter Previous Ranking: #8 TCW Goddess Champion Won Invictus title tournament, 10-4 record in 2021 #6 Su Yung Twitter Previous Ranking #6 FSPW, ICW, and ARW Champion Bad win-loss record mostly due to difficulty in Impact Wrestling #7 Haley J Twitter Previous Ranking: #3 OVW Women’s Champion Over 20 wins, lost IWA Women’s title #8 Kasey Catal Flickr Previous Ranking: Unranked Empower Women’s Champion and WSU Tag Team Champion Won Cannabis Cub over Masha Slamovich #9 Angelina Love Mandatory Previous Ranking: Unranked 3-0 in 2021, defeating Mazzerati, Allie Recks, and Quinn McKay One of the favorites for ROH Women’s Championship tournament #10 Skye Blue Pro Wrestling Wiki Previous Ranking: #13 ZERO1 USA and CSW Women’s Champions 20 wins in 2021, competed in war games match Women’s Tag Team Rankings With two women’s tag team championships in the WWE and one in Impact, women’s tag teams are battling it out to reign supreme. Many teams like Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon, Big Swole and KiLynn King, Big Swole and Red Velvet, Diamante and Ivelisse, and Jordynne Grace and Rachael Ellering narrowly missed out on a top five spot. #1 Natalya & Tamina Cageside Seats Previous Ranking: Unranked WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Ended long reign of Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler #2 Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz Sportskeeda Previous Ranking: #2 Impact Women’s Tag Team Champions Lost titles to Grace & Ellering before regaining them #3 Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell Wrestling Inc Previous Ranking: Unranked NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Won titles from Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart #4 Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler DNA India Previous Ranking: #1 Held WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships for most of the year Lost titles to Natalya & Tamina #5 Team Sea Stars Delmi Exo & Ashley Vox Amino Apps Previous Ranking: Unranked SHIMMER & BCP Tag Team Champions 8-2 record in 2021 #wrestlingblog #prowrestling #wrestlingrankings #women039swrestlingrankings #independentwomen039swrestlingrankings #womenswrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpodcast #womenswrestlingtalk
- The 10 Best Women’s Wrestlers from Canada
Throughout the years there have been many excellent women’s wrestlers from Canada, including Trish Stratus, Gail Kim, and many others. Today there are several Canadians in major and independent wrestling promotions. Check out the 10 best women’s wrestlers from Canada. #10 Addy Starr Bell to Belles Hailing from Guelph, ON, Addy Starr made her pro wrestling debut in 2006. She has held the International Wrestling Syndicate Women’s Championship for two years. #9 Angelina Love Wrestling News From Toronto, ON, Angelina Love has been on the wrestling scene since 2002. She is known for being part of The Beautiful People in TNA and Allure in ROH. Love is a six-time TNA Women’s Knockout Champion and a former ROH Women of Honor Champion. #8 Chelsea Green ewrestlingnews Coming down the aisle, from Victoria, BC is Chelsea Green. Her talents were wasted in NXT and she was released in 2021. As Laurel Van Ness she was the Impact Knockouts Champion. #7 Alexia Nicole Pinterest From Woodbridge, ON, Nicole is the Femmes Fatales Champion and BW Women’s Champion. She made her professional wrestling debut in 2013. #6 KC Spinelli Blog Talk Radio Hailing from Toronto, ON, KC Spinelli made her wrestling debut in 2009. She is the APW Women’s Champion since 2017 and the SCPW Women’s Champion since 2016. #5 Allie Ringside News Currently known as The Bunny in AEW, Allie hails from Toronto, ON and made her pro debut in 2005. She is an accomplished wrestler and a former Impact Knockouts Champion and SHIMMER and SHINE Tag Team Champion with Kimber Lee. #4 LuFisto ESPN The veteran on this list, LuFisto hails from Sorel, QC and made her debut in 1998. She is the JAPW Women’s Champion since 2017 and the GNW Women’s Champion since 2020. LuFisto is a former SHINE Champion. #3 Rosemary Wrestleview From Winnipeg, MB, Rosemary made her wrestling debut in 2008. She has held multiple titles including the Impact Knockouts Championship. Rosemary is always a contender and is part of the faction Decay. #2 Natalya Greenville Journal Natalya Neidhart is one of the most well known female wrestlers from Canada. Hailing from Calgary, AB, Natty is a second generation superstar who is a former SmackDown Women’s Champion and WWE Divas Champion. #1 Franky Monet 411Mania Formerly known as Taya, Franky Monet made her NXT debut in 2021. She hails from Victoria, BC and made her pro wrestling debut in 2011. She is married to John Morrison and is a three-time AAA Reina de Reinas Champion and a former Impact Knockouts Champion. #wrestlingblog #canadianwomen039swrestling #prowrestling #wrestlingrankings #womenswrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpodcast #womenswrestlingtalk
- WrestleMania Women’s Review
WrestleMania is the biggest event of the year for women’s wrestling and wrestling in general. WrestleMania week got off to a big start when The Bella Twins, Molly Holly, and Ethel Johnson were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. From there we saw a new NXT Women’s Champion crowned when Raquel Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai. We also saw the NXT Women’s Champions Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart retain their titles against Candice LeRae and Indie Hartwell. Each night of WrestleMania featured two women’s matches, and we also saw Alexa Bliss play a big role in the first match of night two. Tag Team Turmoil This match took place to find out who would challenge the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler on WrestleMania Sunday. As one of the favorite teams, it didn’t make any sense having Naomi & Lana lose first. Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke looked great in their new gear but their big WrestleMania moment was Mandy slipping coming down the ramp because of the rain. It would have been nice to see Billie Kay reunite with Peyton Royce instead of teaming with Carmella. Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan looked good, but in the end Natalya & Tamina got the win after they looked like the favorite on WrestleMania SmackDown. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair This match deserved to be the main event of WrestleMania Saturday and it lived up to the hype. Fans were most likely split with who to root for. Both women gave it their all and had a really good match. In the end Bianca fulfilled her dream to win the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship. Sasha is deserving of a rematch and should stay near the top of the women’s rankings. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs. Natalya & Tamina After winning the tag team turmoil match on WrestleMania Saturday, the team of Natalya and Tamina got a shot at the WWE Women’s Championships. Nia and Shayna have been undefeated in 2021, and they didn’t stop on this night. Natalya and Tamina were both impressive and have nice pink and blue gear that complements each other. With NXT getting their own women’s titles it’s hard to say who Nia and Shayna will ever lose to. It would have been nice to see The Bella Twins enter the tag team turmoil match and win, even if they didn’t capture the gold. At least we got to see them beat up Bayley. Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley In the second to last match at WrestleMania we saw Asuka defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Raw newcomer Rhea Ripley. It was the speed and agility of the long reigning champ Asuka against the size and strength of Ripley. In the end the power of Rhea was too much as she defeated Asuka to become the new champ. We saw new NXT, Raw, and SmackDown women’s champions all in the same week. #wrestlingblog #WrestleMania #womenswrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpodcast #womenswrestlingtalk
- WWT Rankings: 1st Quarter 2021
The world couldn’t wait to change their collective calendars from 2020 to 2021. The wrestling world was no different. The first quarter of 2021 was an exciting time. The WWE was preparing for WrestleMania, AEW added a new show, Impact Wrestling was being taken over by AEW, and more independent wrestling promotions were starting back up again. Check out these women’s wrestling rankings from the Women’s Wrestling Talk podcast. Leave your comments down below and follow us on Twitter for even more women’s wrestling rankings, news, interviews, and more. WWE Women’s Wrestling Rankings These rankings are for all WWE promotions combined. Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and NXT UK women have been grouped together. The WWE women’s wrestling rankings include the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and Fastlane along with all the weekly television shows leading up to WrestleMania. #1 Sasha Banks Bleacher Report The Boss held the top spot in the WWE and in women’s wrestling overall for the first quarter of 2021. As the WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion, she is set to square off with Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. Her only losses came with Belair as a tag team. #2 Asuka Whatculture Asuka held the WWE Raw Women’s Championship but was disrespected and didn’t wrestle very often in January, February, or March. Her tag team with Charlotte dissolved, but she remains near the top because of her abilities. #3 Io Shirai Twitter The NXT Women’s Champion holds down the #3 spot. She took on all comers and proved why she belongs at the top of the NXT Women’s division. #4 Bianca Belair Sportskeeda Bianca Belair won the Women’s Royal Rumble match and had a great start to 2021. She failed to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with her WrestleMania opponent Sasha Banks. #5 Kay Lee Ray Belltobelles The NXT UK Women’s Champion deserves some respect. She defeated the veteran Meiko Satomura to hold onto her title and is a legitimate contender. #6 Alexa Bliss TVInsider Little Miss Bliss has gone to the dark side. She didn’t wrestle much because she was dealing with a social media stalker, but when she returned she defeated future Hall of Famer Randy Orton. She should have had a title match at WrestleMania . #7 Xia Li PWMania After getting a new gimmick, Xia Li went on a tear at the beginning of 2021. She was winning almost every week and probably deserved a title shot against Io Shirai. #8 Charlotte Flair Cageside Seats The Queen had a lot of losses in the first quarter of 2021. After the angle with Lacey Evans and her father Ric Flair, she ended up getting COVID-19 just when it looked like she was in line for a title shot at WrestleMania. #9 Meiko Satomura What Culture This Japanese legend signed with WWE’s NXT UK brand. Her reputation speaks for itself although she did suffer a loss to NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray. #10 Raquel Gonzalez Sportskeeda This big bad Texan is a force to be reckoned with. She mostly wrestled as a tag team with Dakota Kai, but she was granted a title match against Io Shirai at WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver after winning both of her singles matches. AEW Women’s Wrestling Rankings All Elite Wrestling had one of the busiest first quarters of 2021 with their Revolution pay per view, AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, AEW Dark on Tuesday, and now AEW Dark: Elevation on Monday. We also had the Women’s Eliminator Tournament on top of all that. This is one of the strongest women’s divisions in wrestling. #1 Hiraku Shida prowrestlingnewshub The AEW Women’s Champion went undefeated in the first quarter of 2021 until the very last day when she lost a tag team match. Shida successfully defended her title against Ryo Mizunami and Abadon. She is one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world. #2 Thunder Rosa Sportskeeda Thunder Rosa is one of the most impressive athletes in wrestling. She racked up several wins in AEW and also competed in the NWA and had a time limit draw in a steel cage match in the company she owns, Mission Pro Wrestling. Her lights out victory against Britt Baker was epic. Rosa is not an official part of AEW’s rankings system, but she is worthy of this spot. #3 Tay Conti box24news Now an adopted member of the Dark Order, Tay Conti was on a tear in the first quarter of 2021. She was a member of the 10-win club and rose to the top of the AEW women’s division. #4 Red Velvet ringsidenews Red Velvet has been stirring it up ever since Brandi got injured and Velvet had to replace her in the match with Cody against Shaq and Jade. She went 9-1 in the first quarter of 2021 with her only loss coming in that match. #5 Ryo Mizunami wrestletalk This Japanese superstar won the AEW Women’s Eliminator Tournament to make a big statement. She didn’t beat Shida for the title, but racked up several wins after coming to AEW from Japan this year. #6 Penelope Ford theovertime Penelope Ford was a force to be reckoned with. She went 4-0 in singles competition in AEW and also got married to Kip Sabian on Dynamite. #7 Jade Cargill thepopbreak Jade Cargill demanded attention before she ever set foot in the ring. She teamed with Shaq to defeat Red Velvet and Cody in her debut match and then followed that up with an impressive singles debut. #8 Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. lastwordonsports Britt Baker has established herself as one of the best wrestlers in AEW. She lost in an epic lights out match to Thunder Rosa, but gained a lot of respect at the same time. #9 Big Swole sportskeeda Big Swole went undefeated in AEW in the first quarter of 2021. She picked up wins in singles, tag team, and trios matches. #10 Nyla Rose SI “The Native Beast” Nyla Rose had mixed results in the first quarter of 2021. She lost in the finals of the women’s tournament, but still looked impressive. Impact Wrestling Women’s Rankings Impact Wrestling has been holding their regular events without fans. They have a competitive women’s division with a few ladies even going undefeated in the first quarter of 2021. These rankings include the weekly programming and the PPV Hard to Kill. #1 Deonna Purrazzo Mandatory Deonna Purrazzo has held the Impact Wrestling Women’s Championship since late 2020. She has looked impressive in singles and tag team competition. #2 Rosemary Sportskeeda Rosemary went 4-0 in Impact Wrestling in the first quarter of 2021. Outside of the promotion she holds the Smash Women’s Championship and wrestled for SWE. #3 Jordynne Grace 411mania The small but mighty Jordynne Grace went undefeated in singles competition in Impact Wrestling during the first quarter of 2021. She has also competed on the independent circuit. #4 Jazz Sportskeeda Jazz made an impressive return to Impact Wrestling in 2021 and has faced just about every woman on the roster. She finally got her shot against Deonna Purrazzo but suffered a loss. #5 ODB lastwordonprowrestling ODB is another veteran who returned to Impact Wrestling’s women’s division with mixed results. Her reputation earns her this spot, but she will need to use her experience to climb Impact’s rankings. Independent Women’s Wrestling Rankings 2020 was a rough year for independent wrestling. Some promotions held events without fans and now fans have slowly been returning to more promotions in early 2021. There are hundreds of independent women’s wrestlers out there working their booties off and it’s good to see more and more of them returning to the ring. #1 La Rosa Negra Facebook Until the NWA makes a bigger comeback and ROH brings back their women’s championship, Mission Pro Wrestling is considered the premier destination for independent women’s wrestling. As Mission Pro Champion, the Black Rose went undefeated in the first quarter of 2021. Be sure to check out her feisty interview on WWT. #2 Ivelisse Prowrestling You may know her for her tag team success in AEW, but Ivelisse is the Shine Champion as well. She defender her title against Allysin Kay in January 2021 and lost by DQ to Deonna Purrazzo to keep her Ladies Night Out Title in February. #3 Haley J Facebook “Hollyhood” Haley J may not be a household name, but she holds the OVW and IWA Mid-South Women’s Championships. With more than a dozen wins in the first quarter of 2021 she had more official wins than any woman in the business. #4 Serena Deeb Wikipedia The NWA Women’s Champion only competed in AEW in the first quarter of 2021. She went 2-1 including a successful defense of her title against Tay Conti. Serena became injured but will have to face the intimidating Kamille for the title at some point. #5 Christi Jaynes Tenor This talented Brazilian superstar went undefeated at 6-0 in the first quarter of 2021. As SWE Women’s Champion, she successfully defended against many legitimate contenders, including Amber Nova, Malia Hosaka, Miranda Gordy, and Su Yung. #6 Su Yung ewrestlingnews Most fans know Su Yung (or Susie or Susan) from Impact Wrestling. She is also the FSPW Jewels of Wrestling Champion, the ICW Women’s Champion, and the ARW Bombshells Champion. #7 Labrava downvids Labrava has not received enough national attention. She is the OCW Women’s Champion and the POW Ladies Champion. Labrava is a member of Controversial Inc. and competes in CCW. She recently had a ladder match and some hardcore matches. #8 Vicious Vicki Facebook Vivacious Vicious Vicki is the TCW Goddess Champion which is a strong name for a title. She went 3-0 in the first quarter of 2021 and successfully defended her title against Gabby Ortiz and Dani Grey. She proves there is room for more than one Vicki(e) in ladies wrestling. #9 Mazzerati fswvegas Mazzerati had a rough start to 2021, losing the OVW Women’s Championship to Haley J. Mazzerati held onto the FSW Women’s Championship and competed in the Say It Loud event. #10 Masha Slamovich Facebook When she’s not busy on Pro Wrestling Pets, this Russian superstar is the only woman besides Haley J to have at least 10 wins in the first quarter of 2021. The GSW Soul of Syndicate Champion competed in 10 separate promotions from January to March, which may be another record. It was tough to narrow down the list to just the top 10. Here are #11 through #20. Check out #21 through #30 exclusively on Twitter at @WWTRankingsDude. #11 Mickie Knuckles – Girl Fight Championship #12 Kamille – #1 contender, NWA Women’s Championship #13 Skye Blue – ZERO1 USA and CSW Women’s Championships #14 Selina Rose – ALW Ladies Championship #15 Nina Monet – Anarchy Women’s Championship #16 Promise Braxton – ROW Diamonds Division Championship #17 Kacee Carlisle – BCW Women’s Championship, Queen of Valkyrie Championship #18 Brooke Valentine – ZOWA Women’s Championship #19 Tina San Antonio – NYWC Starlet Championship #20 Evelyn Carter – SOAR Women’s Championship Women’s Tag Team Rankings The first few months of 2021 saw the return of the Impact Women’s Tag Team Championships and the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships. Not many independent tag teams have had a lot of matches this year so these rankings are heavy on the bigger promotions for now. #1 Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler Sportskeeda Nia and Shayna have been on a roll this year, going undefeated in tag team competition even though their singles careers have both been lacking. They seem to be past having to worry about Charlotte and Asuka and now they won’t have to defend their titles in NXT either. #2 Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz Sportskeeda After winning the Impact Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament, the team of Fire N Flava has stayed hot. The only other consistent tag team in Impact has been Havok & Nevaeh, but they couldn’t get the job done and broke up at the end of the quarter. #3 Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon Lastwordonsports In March 2021 William Regal decided to create an NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship and award it to Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai. That team lost those titles in their first defense to Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon, after defeating them in the finals of the Dusty Cup. #4 Diamante & Ivelisse womenspw After winning the AEW Women’s Tag Team Cup Tournament in 2020, the team of Diamante & Ivelisse remained red hot in 2021. Their only loss came to the random but successful pairing of Red Velvet and KiLynn King. #5 Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai prowrestlingsheet The team of Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai won the inaugural women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament on Valentine’s Day. They were awarded the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships by William Regal, but lost them the same night to Shotzi and Ember. #wrestlingblog #prowrestling #wrestlingrankings #women039swrestlingrankings #independentwomen039swrestlingrankings #womenswrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpodcast #womenswrestlingtalk