They recognized the potential danger born with their breakthroughs
Women's professional wrestling has been around for a few decades, but it was not until the early 2000s that it really became established. The World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE (previously WWF), was responsible for catapulting female wrestling into the spotlight in the US, and consequently, around the world.
From the 'Attitude Era' in the late '90s to the current WWE Women's Championship and beyond, many talented female athletes have made history in the sport. In this gallery, you'll get to know some of them. Click on.
Mary Lillian Ellison, aka "The Fabulous Moolah," goes down in history for holding the WWF Women's Championship for 28 years. Ellison was the first woman to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Chyna (Joan Marie Laurer) was billed as "The Ninth Wonder of the World" when she started to compete in the WWF in 1997. The late Chyna was the first woman in history to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Amy Christine Dumas, best known as Lita, had her career plagued by several injuries. Still, she managed to become a four-time WWF/WWE Women's Champion. The American wrestler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.
Alundra Blayze was at the top of her game in the '90s. Debrah Ann Miceli also wrestled under the name of Madusa, which was short for "Made in the USA." In total, Blayze won three WWE Women's Championships.
Elizabeth Copeland aka Beth Phoenix aka the "Glamazon" is one of the strongest wrestlers in WWE history. The three-time Women's Champion was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
The turning point in the Irish wrestler's career was after she defeated Charlotte Flair in the SummerSlam 2018. The same year, Lynch was named 'Wrestler of the Year' by CBS Sports. "The Man," as she named herself, is one of the world's top wrestlers, ever.
The American wrestler was known for her feud with Trish Stratus. The six-time WWE Women's and Divas Champion is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the history of the sport.
A member of the wrestling stable Right to Censor, Ivory (Lisa Mary Moretti) finished her career with three WWE Women's Championship belts. Ivory was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.
Michelle Leigh Calaway, aka Michelle McCool, was the first woman to win both the Divas Championship and the Women's Championship.
Lisa Marie Varon, best known as Victoria, has a long list of impressive achievements. These include two WWE Women's Championships, five TNA Knockouts Championships, and one TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship.
The Canadian athlete was inducted into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame as a member of the Hart wrestling family, aka the Hart dynasty. Natalya is a WWE Divas Champion and a WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion.
The former model had an exciting professional wrestling career. Torrie Wilson's impact on the sport was recognized in 2019 when she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The 14-time WWE Women's Champion is often considered the best female wrestler of all time. The daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair holds the most Women's Championships in the history of WWE.
The Canadian wrestler has won seven WWE Women's Championship belts throughout her career. Patricia Anne Stratigias aka Trish Stratus is also considered by many the best wrestler in history.
Melina Nava Perez is a three-time WWE Women's Champion and a two-time WWE Divas Champion.
WWE's Sasha Banks aka "The Boss" has had a very successful wrestling career. The five-time Raw Women's Champion is now competing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as Mercedes Moné.
Japanese wrestler Kanako Urai is best known as "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka. She holds the record for the longest undefeated streak in WWE, which lasted from 2015 until 2018.
Pamela Rose Martinez, best known as Bayley, was one of the Four Horsewomen. The American wrestler has won the Smackdown, the NXT, Raw, and Women's Tag Team Championships.
The television personality has a successful wrestling career. Bella's achievements include winning the WWE Divas Championship twice. She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020.
"The Eradicator" began her WWE tenure in 2017. The Australian wrestler's accolades include one Women's World Championship, one WWE Raw Women's Championship, one WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, one NXT Women's Championship, one NXT UK Women's Championship, and winning the Women's Royal Rumble in 2023.
Former wrestler April Jeanette Mendez, best known by her ring name AJ Lee, is a three-time WWE Divas Champion.
Bianca Belair is one of the most exciting wrestlers to watch in the WWE. She has accomplished a lot since she first joined the organization in 2016, including two WWE Women's Championship wins.
Alexa Bliss, aka "The Goddess," made history in 2017 when she became the first woman to win the SmackDown and Raw Women's Championships.
The Canadian wrestler is a seven-time TNA/Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion. Kim was the first woman to be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame.
The "Pirate Princess" is a member of the wrestling stable Damage CTRL. The Japanese athlete won the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament in 2017.
Adrienne Palmer had a successful career in the WWE as Ember Moon. The former NXT Women's Champion is currently signed to AEW under the ring name Athena.
The New Zealand-Australian wrestler has a number of achievements under her belt, including an NXT UK Women's Championship and winning the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament.
Gionna Jene Daddio performs for the Raw brand as Liv Morgan. The two-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion is a member of the Judgment Day wrestling stable.
Thea Megan Trinidad Büdgen, best known as Zelina Vega, was the inaugural winner of the Queen's Crown tournament.
Britt Baker is both a professional wrestler and a dentist. Baker was the first AEW Women's World Champion.
The "Anti-Diva" was the first NXT Women's Champion. Paige also became the youngest Divas Champion at age 21.
Sources: (The Sportster) (Ranker) (Watch Mojo)
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Women's professional wrestling has been around for a few decades, but it was not until the early 2000s that it really became established. The World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE (previously WWF), was responsible for catapulting female wrestling into the spotlight in the US, and consequently, around the world.
From the 'Attitude Era' in the late '90s to the current WWE Women's Championship and beyond, many talented female athletes have made history in the sport. In this gallery, you'll get to know some of them. Click on.