Many wrestling fans know the names of the greats, from Hulk Hogan to John Cena. But lately the WWE and other major promotions have done a much better job of highlighting the amazing female performers who have honed their craft to perfection. Here are the 30 greatest female wrestlers of all time.
30. Tegan Nox
Through no fault of her own, Tegan Nox has struggled with injury throughout her career. She works very well in the ring and her stylish moves are something to see, but she has a bit of difficulty connecting with crowds. If she can iron that out, she could be championship material.
29. Isla Dawn
Isla Dawn is one of the most exciting newcomers to the WWE, wrestling in a tag team with Alba Fyre. She plays the “goth enchantress” role shockingly well and should continue to be a force to be reckoned with throughout the tag team storylines once Damage Control has wrapped up.
28. Candice LeRae
Candice is phenomenal at character work. Her “mean girl” persona is great for working up rivals and makes her an excellent heel. If she continues to hone her in-ring work, she could work herself up to some major cards. Crowds have recently started reacting to her heel work, a good indicator that she might be getting over.
27. Ivy Nile
Wrestling is two parts aesthetic and one part charisma. Or maybe it’s the other way around? Ivy Nile has both in spades, in either event, and her Women’s World Championship match against Rhea Ripley was one of the best wrestling matches in recent memory.
26. Alba Fyre
Like the aforementioned Isla Dawn, Alba Fyre is a goth-aesthetic tag team menace who brings an awesome level of theatrics to the ring. As she and Isla work their way through the tag team storylines, they’ve got the potential to develop into major players in the WWE.
25. Kayden Carter
Kayden is mostly known for her work alongside her tag team partner, Katana Chance, and both have interesting layers to their athleticism. With some work on her promos and persona, Carter could easily become a superstar in the WWE as her career unfolds.
23. Katana Chance
Speaking of Katana, her athletic prowess deserves special mention. She’s so unreasonably acrobatic that she pulls off moves that would look just as good in a gymnastics event as in the ring. She’s got what it takes to go far.
22. Sonya Deville
There are few heels in the ring quite as loathsome and mean as Sonya Deville. She’s the kind of heel you throw at a face who needs a big boost, because taking her down makes the crowd love you by default. That’s the type of character the sport always needs to work, and Deville fits the bill perfectly.
21. Stephanie McMahon
While she’s now known as much for her behind-the-scenes work as anything, the daughter of Vince McMahon has some serious in-ring chops. Her work alongside real-world husband Triple H is genuinely enthralling stuff, and storylines involving her were quite entertaining given her role in the company.
20. Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany’s a rare type of wrestler in the modern WWE, with her plucky, cheerleader-style attitude and flashy persona. Fans love her for it, too, and she gives them her all with her extremely athletic performances in the ring. Watch this space, as she’s a rising star with a bright future in pro wrestling.
19. Kairi Sane
Kairi Sane has made a career out of her literally perfect elbow drop. That just goes to show that sometimes nailing it in the ring is all you need. That’s not to dismiss the other facets of her work in WWE. She’s so engrossing that it would be great to see her make a solo run after spending so long in the tag team side of things.
18. Piper Niven
There’s one word you need to associate with Piper, and that’s “power.” She’s got the physique and in-ring movement that you want to see on a heel, but she plays babyface just fine, too. That kind of versatility makes her an easy tag team partner with tons of wrestlers, too, which only extends her reach as a great all-arounder.
17. Shayna Baszler
Shayna’s career got a little off-kilter when COVID hit the scene and upended her championship run. That’s not her fault, though, and she’s got the talent to own the ring. She’s a submission expert, which is a rare role in the WWE these days, so it’s easy to root for her if you’re a fan of the classic hold-style takedowns.
16. Raquel Rodriguez
It may have taken some time, but audiences are starting to love Raquel. Her bilingual promos and overtly Latina persona are genuinely awesome homages to both her heritage and the deep history of Spanish-language wrestling promotions, and her in-ring work is unimpeachable.
15. Alexa Bliss
While she might not be wrestling much lately, Alexa Bliss has made a noticeable impact on WWE. She’s reinvented herself numerous times and each time she creates another compelling persona. From her “evil sidekick” days to her face turns, she’s the kind of wrestler you just can’t help but watch.
14. Naomi
If you don’t love Naomi, you’re just wrong. I don’t make the rules, sorry, that’s just the way it is. She’s got a larger-than-life, fun-loving persona and acts as an in-ring technician who can pull off some seriously awesome maneuvers. When she’s up in the ring, pay attention, because you’re about to see some cool athleticism.
13. Nia Jax
Write this down: Nia Jax is awesome. She’s a towering “mean girl” heel who can make your favorite babyface look like a ragdoll at a moment’s notice. That kind of menace and power is rare in the industry and it makes her a serious contender whenever she steps into the ring.
12. Natalya
You might not love her character work, but Natalya has some awesome talent. Sure, the “anxious veteran” angle is weird, but watch what she does in the ring. And listen to how crowds react to her walk-on. She’s on another level, and the fans know it.
11. Liv Morgan
The often-underrated Liv Morgan has come a long way throughout her career and has fully earned another title shot. She’s one of the most well-rounded wrestlers in the WWE these days and has the mic skills and athletic ability needed to become a champion.
10. Iyo Sky
There’s cool, and then there’s Iyo Sky. It takes some serious wrestling ability to become a superstar without speaking great English, and Iyo has that ability. Her high-flying, acrobatic wrestling style and outlandish sense of style make her an instantly recognizable (and lovable!) figure in the ring.
9. Mercedes Mone
Once known under the stage name Sasha Banks, Mercedes Mone is one of the most impressive wrestlers of her generation. Her eye-catching (and frightening) finishing move, the Bank Statement, catapulted her to superstardom. She’s the only female pro wrestler to ever win championships in AEW, WWE, and NJPW.
8. Bayley
Bayley is a professional in every sense of the word. Look no further than her recent Damage Control storyline to see how great she is with character work, or her matches in the tag team league to see how strong she in the ring. What else could you want from a wrestler?
7. Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus brought a level of elegance to the ring that few performers could match. She’s widely renowned as one of the best female wrestlers in the WWE due to her long career and memorable promos and character, including some high-profile matches against some of the league’s best.
6. Asuka
There’s dangerous, and there’s Asuka. She’s unpredictable, dynamic, and downright vicious in ways few other wrestlers have ever been. She’s held an absurd number of titles, too, and is a fan favorite to this day.
5. Bianca Belair
Graceful, elegant, athletic, mesmerizing: Belair is all that and more. And she’s just getting started. There’s a reason the WWE has made her one of the faces of the company, and that’s because she’s a star—and she will be for years to come. If you don’t know her work, you should.
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4. Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is such a big deal that she was in the first ever women’s main event at WrestleMania. Sure, being the daughter of Ric Flair gives her a big boost, but she’s earned every bit of the hype with her amazing matches and unbeatable promos. You’ve got to see her in motion to understand.
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3. Becky Lynch
Few could ever hope to do it like Becky Lynch, the pioneering wrestler who injects passion and artistry into the ring. She’s stunning, athletic, and captivating in ways that many wrestlers wish they could be. And her in-ring work is absolutely phenomenal. What else is there to say?
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2. Chyna
Beloved wrestler and model Chyna had an outstanding in-ring persona, an unbeatable physique, and some great in-ring athleticism that made her a joy to watch. Her tragic passing and the controversies that dominated the narrative of her personal life underscores the darker side of professional wrestling, but her professional work leaves behind a lasting legacy.
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1. Rhea Ripley
Women’s champion Rhea Ripley is among the best to ever step foot in the ring. She’s so popular that non-fans know her name due to her viral social media appearances. Ripley has the look, the swagger, and the in-ring ability that makes her a bona fide superstar. Everyone who sees her either loves her, wants to be her, or both.
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