Countdown: LU's Top Women of Wrestling

[Misanthrope]

Rather than just counting down a top 20 or 50, I'm going to include all women who got votes - which gives us a 'Top 80'. You'll all be grateful for the spank bank material, I'm sure.

Let's start!

=#80 - Summer Rae

A relative newcomer to wrestling, Fandango's former dance partner is a former Lingerie Football League cornerback who successful made the transition to professional wrestling via NXT.

Her recent face turn and weird storyline with Dolph Ziggler and Layla hasn't exactly set the world on fire, but there's no debating she's a looker.

=#80 - Candice Michelle

It's something of a surprise to see this former Playboy centrefold and passably talented women's wrestler so low in the pecking order, but it has been a while since she was relevant to WWE audiences.

A GoDaddy girl, she rose to prominence in the mid to late 00s and even held the WWE Women's title before persistent injuries derailed her career and brought it to an early end.

=#80 - Alexa Bliss

A body-building, kickboxer, and former gymnast, this relatively new NXT Diva has yet to debut on WWE television officially, but was one of Triple H's bimbos during his Wrestlemania XXX entrance.

Having debuted less than a month ago, who knows what the future holds for this pint sized diva?

=#80 - Kimberly Page

The former wife and valet of Diamond Dallas Page, Kimberly graced the pages of both Playboy and Penthouse during her time in WCW - and is also the (on screen) creator of the infamous Nitro Girls.

She left WCW and professional wrestling shortly before the WWE buyout of WCW, and has not been involved in the business since.

=#80 - Woman

The tragic circumstances surrounding her death have perhaps made people forget that Nancy 'Woman' Benoit (nee Sullivan) was actually a very good valet who managed the likes of Kevin Sullivan, The Sandman, Chris Benoit, and even the Four Horseman.

Perhaps most famous for her murder at the hands of Chris Benoit and the fact that her then husband essentially booked his own divorce when he booked an on-screen romance between Woman and her future husband, it's sad that her admirable pro wrestling legacy is so often overlooked.
​

 

[Misanthrope]

=#80 - Nidia

Rocking a kind of white trash thing as part of her angle with Jamie Noble, the first ever Tough Enough winner had a bit of a butter face, but damn did she wear the hell out of those shorts!

Nidia has since left wrestling, but was arguably the most successful female Tough Enough product.

=#80 - Nikki Roxx

Maybe better known for her stint in TNA as Roxxi Laveaux, this recently retired indie star was one of the best parts of early SHIMMER and held titles in more than ten promotions.

=#73 - Kimona Wanalaya/Leia Meow

A valet in both ECW and WCW, Leia Meow started out as Raven's 'replacement' for Bealuh and would later move to WCW as a cheerleader (Leia Meow) for the Varsity Club made up of Kevin Sullivan, Rick Steiner, and Mike Rotunda.

She also managed the Jung Dragons, but never really amounted to much in a crowded WCW roster.

=#73 - Santina Marella

Because Hoggmaster is Britishn and therefore finds a man dressed as a woman to be the height of entertainment, we have former Miss Wrestlemania, Santina Marella.

Portrayed as the 'twin sister' of the recently retired comedy wrestler, Santina won the 'title' in a Battle Royal and would go on to defend it against Beth Phoenix and even Vickie Guerrero in a 'handicap hog pen' match. Late 90s Vince Russo stuff.

=#71 - Sarita/Sarah Stock/Dark Angel

An indy star with the likes of SHIMMER as well as part of AAA's lucha libre style, Sarah Stock gained national attention as Sarita in TNA, but was already well known in both Mexico and Japan due to her indy exploits.

A two time TNA Knockouts Tag team champion, Sarah Stock's high flying style made her popular, but TNA didn't really know what to do with her.
​

 

[Misanthrope]

=#71 - Wendi Richter

The subject of the original screwjob, Wendi Richter was one of the biggest names in women's wrestling during the 80s and part of the famous feud that brought Cyndi Lauper to the WWF and helped establish Wrestlemania as the star-studded event it remains today.

=#71 - Major Gunns

From one of the most influential women's wrestlers of the early to mid 80s, to a vacuous bimbo who was part of the abhorrent 'Misfits in Action' that saw wrestlers with names like Corporal Cajun and G.I. Bro basically being wasted.

For those interested, she is now a porn-star.

=#71 - Madison Eagles

The first Australian to make it into the count down, 6'1" Madison Eagles is one of the emerging stars of the women's independent scene, working with promotions such as SHINE and SHIMMER. She held the SHIMMER Title for 539 days, making her the promotion's second longest running title holder.

#67 - Luna

One of the strangest valets and women's workers to ever step into the ring, Luna's career spanned three decades and saw her featured alongside prominent WWF/E stars such as Shawn Michaels and Goldust, as well as starring against Sable in a Wrestlemania match.

After a fire destroyed her home and memoribilia, Luna spiralled into depression and ultimately committed suicide in 2010.

#66 - Debra

Coming in at a surprisingly low 66, the real life former wife of Steve Austin was one of the original divas with attitude. She held the WWF Women's Title, but was perhaps best known and suited to her role as valet (to workers such as D'Lo Brown and Jeff Jarrett) and being eye candy.
​

 

[pennywisealfie]

woah, Luna committed sucide? That's awful.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Hard to believe Debra is 54!

 

[Misanthrope]

woah, Luna committed sucide? That's awful.

Well, it was an overdose, so I guess we'll never know for sure.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

That's one down for me (I think I voted for Candice Michelle).

 

[Misanthrope]

=#65 - Cheerleader Melissa

A star of women's independent wrestling, it's a shame Cheerleader Melissa is probably best remembered as either Awesome Kong's vaguely Muslim valet, Raisha Saeed or as her other TNA name, Alissa Flash.

One of the most talented and versatile women's wrestlers out there, it's a shame she's never made it to the big leagues in any meaningful way.

=#65 - Chaparrita Asari

Our first obscure Japanese worker is so obscure she doesn't even warrant a Wikipedia page - a first for this countdown. She has worked almost exclusively in Japan.

=#63 - Francine

One of the down and dirty valets of ECW's golden generation, Francine managed the likes of Stevie Richards, The Pitbulls, Tommy Dreamer, Triple Threat, and Jeff Jarrett.

She enjoyed short stints in both TNA and the WWE re-imagining of ECW, the lowlight of which was an Extreme Catfight against Ariel.

=#63 - Lioness Asuka

One of the stars of Japanese wrestling in the 80s, Lioness Asuka was famed for her strong-style wrestling and unorthodox (not s**tty) look.

She was part of one of the most successful women's tag teams of all time, and put on great matches all the way up into her retirement in 2005.

=#63 - Shelly Martinez/Ariel

The other half of the God awful catfight mentioned above, Shelly Martinez started out as Kevin Thorn's vampiric valet but enjoyed more success as the buxom manager of LAX in TNA.
These days, Martinez is involved on the independent scene and also occasionally does softcore pornography. Winner!
​

 

[Bulldog Force]

Well so far Summer Rae and Candice Michelle for mine are on the list (both were #16 for me so 1/2 point each) and Sarita came in a #14 on my list. Glad she's ranked a bit higher. She was an absolute machine of a worker in TNA. She would've gone great in WWE.

 

[pennywisealfie]

woah, that Ariel is hot!

 

[Misanthrope]

=#60 - Renee Young

This delectable little bit of backstage interviewer is a fairly recent newcomer to the WWE world, but is already winning fans with both her general hotness and the fact she actually conducts interviews in a manner that doesn't make you want to shoot yourself.

=#60 - Beulah McGillicutty

Arguably the most famous ECW valet, Bealuh's backstory as part of the Raven/Tommy Dreamer feud was that of a jilted fat girl who was now a Penthouse centrefold intent on revenge against the jock who broke her heart.

While she didn't survive the jump across to the WWF, Beulah is likely the best known of the women of ECW.

=#60 - Madison Rayne

One of the mainstays of TNA's hot and cold Knockouts division, the talented Madison Rayne has been with TNA for five years now and has featured in such popular moments as the initial Beautiful People run, a number of Knockouts Championship runs, and even her recent feud with hot newcomer, Britney (aka Santana Garrett).

#57 - Taylor Wilde

Another TNA knockout, Wilde was the one the company gave the rub of being the first woman to almost defeat Awesome Kong in her monstrous $25,000 challenge angle. Playing the plucky underdog, would go on to be a Knockouts Champion and feature in the division until her retirement in 2011.

=#56 - Emma

The first Australian diva in WWE history, the effervescent Emma won hearts at NXT with her eccentric dancing, but has yet to translate that popularity to the WWE. Part of this could have been being paired with Santino Marella, mind.

She's young and has a future ahead of her, so we shall see what comes next.
​

 

[Misanthrope]

=#56 - Jacqueline

She might not be a sex symbol like many of the above/below, but Jacqueline was a more than capable worker who was involved as a manager with acts such as Harlem Heat, Mark Henry, the APA, the Pretty Mean Sisters (PMS), and TNA stars such as James Storm and Robert Roode.

Her trademark cowboy hat and bad-ass attitude made her stand out from the tittering, blonde bimbos of the time.

=#54 - Scarlett Bordeaux

A more obscure one for you, but I'm sure you'll all appreciate her inclusion. A fiery redhead out of OVW, Scarlett has since made her mark in indie promotions such as Ring of Honor, CHIKARA, and Combat Zone Wrestling.

She's also had appearances in TNA and, more recently, as one of Adam Rose's 'Rosebuds'.

=#54 - Leilani Kai

One of the stars of 80s and early 90s women's wrestling, Fabulous Moolah trained Leilani Kai is a former WWE Women's Champion and an NWA hall of famer. Billed from Hawaii, the obviously Caucasian Kai still managed to carve herself out a bit of a niche in a rather homogeneous women's roster.

#52 - Ms. Kitty

Well remembered for her time as Chyna's 'valet' and for her scandalous cling wrap 'bikini' in the Miss Royal Rumble competition.

Dating Jerry Lawler at the time, Kitty (or The Kat) was involved in a number of purely sexual angles including matches such as 'thong stinkface' and 'snow bunny'. Her most notable feud saw her feuding with Right to Censor over her right to nudity. She even went topless on occasion.

Ah, I hate the PG era.

#51 - Nikki Bella

Coming in a few spots behind her more likable sister, John Cena's main squeeze is sometimes referred to as the 'one with breast implants' for obvious reasons. She's known for being the more vacuous, shallow, and generally needy one on Total Divas.
​

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Scarlet Bordeaux *fap, fap, fap*

 

[Bulldog Force]

I think that Nikki Bella is ranked pretty high given how many people here don't like her wrestling ability.

 

[Misanthrope]

I think that Nikki Bella is ranked pretty high given how many people here don't like her wrestling ability.

I think it's more that people want to f**k her.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Brie > Nikki

 

[Misanthrope]

Agreed. Cuter and seems like a slightly less awful human being.

Plus, she's down with the beard.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I'd go to tier 15 with Brie

 

[Misanthrope]

=#51 - Hamada

A star of women's wrestling in both Japan and the United States, Hamada is best known for her year in TNA in which time she was a two time TNA Knockouts Tag Team champion with Awesome Kong and Taylor Wilde. She remains a fixture in SHIMMER today.

=#51 - Jumping Bomb Angels

A rare tag team inclusion here, the Jumping Bomb Angels comprised Itzuki Elephant Poo and Noriyo Tateno, and were made a splash in the WWF's short lived Women's Tag Team division in 1987.

=#48 - Brie Bella

Coming in above her chestier twin sister, Brie Bella/Danielson is currently involved in a fairly high profile (and surprisingly enjoyable) feud with Stephanie McMahon following her kayfabe firing and Bryan's legitimate stripping of the title due to injury.

The more likable of the pairing, Brie is SGLC's nominated Tier 15 partner.

=#48 - Jillian Hall

Saddled with awful gimmicks for the entirety of her time in the WWF, Jillian Hall is actually a very talented worker. Whether she was dealing with a monstrous mole or being an annoying faux pop singer, Jillian showed remarkable poise to stick with some truly dire gimmicks while largely being relegated to a comedy act rather than a legitimate women's wrestler.

#46 - Aja Kong

One of the original 'monsters' of women's wrestling, Kong's intimidating physique and strong style approach made her something unique in women's wrestling in the mid nineties.

While she never held a major US title, she has enjoyed a huge career in her native Japan.
​

 

[alien]

emma and the bella twins should be ranked better