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WWE presented their 35th edition of WrestleMania from the MetLife Stadium on April 7. Even though it was an 8-hour long marathon show, the event had some iconic moments. Seth Rollins won the Universal Championship. Kofi Kingston became the first African-American to win the WWE Championship. However, no moment can match the fact that women were in the main event of WrestleMania.
Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey tore the house down in an iconic match worthy of being the main event. However, they wouldn't have been there if not for many more women who made a difference. If we miss someone deserving, please feel free to add the name in the comments.
#18 Brie Bella
One-half of the Bella Twins, Brie Bella became quite a star overcoming her limited in-ring abilities. She is a former WWE Divas Champion and a 3-time WWE Slammy Award winner. However, she has achieved greater success outside the ring, starring in reality series Total Bellas and their YouTube channel.
Brie Bella stated that Total Divas helped start the women's revolution, especially the drama surrounding the feud between Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon.
"I think [Total Divas] helped start the women's revolution. Total Divas led to more women coming to our show [saying] 'I gotta check this out'"
We can agree. She might not have been the best wrestler in town, but she was a marketable star and that helped sell women's matches for sure.
#17 Bayley
A former NXT Women's Champion, WWE RAW Women's Champion, Women's Tag Team Champion, The Huggable One, Bayley has been a big part of the Women's Revolution. Her match against Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015 has been considered as a major landmark in the Women's Revolution. On that night, these two women stole the show and outshone everyone else.
It was the first televised NXT Takeover event, and Bayley and Shasha made an emphatic statement. Bayley became a star, especially.
She became so popular among the youth that everyone began to think she'd be the next John Cena. While she hasn't yet replicated the level of success in the main-roster that she had in NXT, she has made a difference. Her contributions will never be overlooked.
#16 Molly Holly
The WWE Hall of Famer Molly Holly has the unique distinction of being a former WWE Women's and Hardcore Champion, the latter of which she won at WrestleMania X8. She even sacrificed her hair for entertaining us at the 20th edition of 'Mania.
Yet, her legacy is much bigger than what she achieved inside the ring. During her HOF induction speech, Beth Pheonix mentioned that Holly paid for Phoenix's tuition so she could learn how to wrestle. She was a teacher. We need our stars to set examples as such, don't we?
She's one of the most respected women in the business. For her contribution, can just say thank you, Holly.
#15 Melina
Ranked No. 3 of the best 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2009, Melina was definitely a class act inside and outside the ring in WWE. She's a 3x-Women's and 2x-Divas Champion and a future Hall of Famer. At WrestleMania XIV, she teamed up with Beth Phoenix to beat Ashley and Maria Kanellis in a Lumberjill match.
She had started off as a fashion model, but her love for wrestling brought her into the business. She had to work her way and overcome plenty of obstacles, but she did. She was too tough for negativity and failure.
Her contribution to the business has been understated. She had some of the best offensive moves among wrestlers. Bret Hart once called Melina the "best in the world."
#14 Paige
Paige made her WWE RAW debut the night after WrestleMania XXX, and she instantly immortalized herself in the annals of WWE history, beating the Divas Champion for the title. The former NXT Women's and WWE Divas Champion was truly an anti-diva. PWI ranked her as the #1 female wrestler in 2014. Moreover, she won both her 'Mania matches, retiring undefeated on the Grandest Stage.
Sadly, a neck injury ended her career prematurely. The most wonderful things only last a short time, don't they? And, Paige was a wonderful in-ring talent with a unique charisma that led her to the top spot in women's wrestling.
She was a prominent figure in changing the way women in WWE were looked at by the WWE Universe She was a trailblazer whose contribution to women's wrestling will remain immortalized in the annals of WWE history.
#13 Mickie James
Mickie James is still wrestling in WWE, and she wrestles well. Having made her debut in 2005, James has shown incredible longevity. Through an illustrious career, she has won every accolade possible for a woman in wrestling, winning championships and honors in various promotions.
Mickie James is certainly one of the most accomplished women in the business. She has inspired many athletes, including Bayley, who had the following to say about the legend:
I grew up with her and Trish Stratus. They both had a great storyline, and I learned a lot from their contributions to the company from a character standpoint and techniques inside of the ring.
She fought Trish Stratus for the Women's Championship at WrestleMania 22, and she has never looked back ever since. It's about time she takes her place in the WWE Hall of Fame. Mickie James is a revolution herself.
#12 Nikki Bella
One-half of the Bella Twins, Nikki Bella needs no introduction. She's as big a mainstream star as any woman ever in WWE. She was the longest reigning Divas Champion in WWE history, holding the title for 301 days. She improved leaps and bounds throughout her career, even being ranked the #1 female wrestler in 2015 by PWI.
Nikki Bella's contribution to the Women's Revolution is really underrated. She was a star who helped introduce the likes of Flair and Banks in WWE.
Also, Bella evolved smoothly as an in-ring performer and became one of the best heels in women's wrestling. Her rivalry with Ronda Rousey in 2018 was a prime example of how Nikki Bella could hold her own against the toughest in the business. And, Evolution turned out to be one of the best events in 2018.
#11 Natalya
She's a part of the Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame, both individually and as part of the Hart family. She's spent over a decade in WWE, winning the Divas and Women's Championships. She's a workaholic and a role model for many. Natalya has and is still making a difference. WrestleMania 35 was special for her, as she fought alongside her best friend Beth Phoenix on April 7, a day after inducting her father into the Hall of Fame.
Natalya is probably one of the safest women's wrestlers inside the ring. She has learned from the best, and it shows in her skills inside the ring. If given an opportunity, Natalya Neidhart can go toe-to-toe against the best in the business. She needs to be appreciated for being the veteran leader for so long and putting over other women in WWE.
We don't get such classy and selfless acts too often, ones who always put the spotlight on others.
#10 Beth Phoenix
Beth Phoenix was the standout WWE Woman in the late 2000s. She is a former Women's and Divas Champion, and the youngest Hall of Famer. Famously, she even entered the men's Royal Rumble match, eliminating The Great Khali. She was a clear cut above everyone in the WWE roster during her stay. But, fighting alongside Natalya for the Women's Tag Team Championship would surely be a moment she'd savor.
Beth Phoenix was powerful and dominant. She never really begged for the spotlight, but her talent always brought it on her. She was not like the women WWE spotlighted then, but she struggled her way to the top. She was the badass woman much before the Women's Revolution took place. In an interview, she said:
"I feel so proud and so happy that if in any tiny way I can contribute to the world being a more girl-power friendly place," Phoenix said. "I'm so grateful for that, and I hope that I represent enough so that the world my daughter grows up in is more accepting and more willing for girls that want to get out there and kick booty and not feel held back by their gender."
She broke stereotypes and paved the way for this change to take place.
#9 Lita
Lita was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014, and it was a well-deserved reward for the woman who has been part of some unthinkable stories and controversies in WWE The PWI Woman of the Year (2001) is a former Women's Champion. She was a part of the Women's Championship match at WrestleMania X8. She had incredible moments while managing the likes of the Hardy Boyz and Edge. Her legacy will always stand tall as a woman who could go toe to toe with anyone.
She took some really nasty bumps throughout her career, and always came across a lion-hearted woman. She wrestled the 'extreme' style. Most importantly, along with Trish Stratus, she headlined RAW. She was a true game changer. Her legacy will never be forgotten.
#8 Alexa Bliss
Alexa Bliss hasn't been in WWE for very long. But, Little Miss Bliss has definitely made a name for herself. She was the host of WrestleMania 35, and she has already won the Women's Championship 3 times. She was ranked PWI's #2 female wrestler in 2018. Well, her WWE career looks set to be worthy of the goddess.
Talking about being a changer, Alexa Bliss has been a game changer. Bliss opened WrestleMania 35. Her Bliss' 'Moment of Bliss' has become a prominent part of WWE television. If there were things women in WWE hadn't done, Bliss is on a mission to do them.
#7 Chyna
WWE finally recognized the efforts of the late great Chyna in 2019, getting her inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of DX. She was revolutionary. The woman was a former 2x-Intercontinental Champion who even pinned Chris Jericho. Moreover, she's also a former Women's Champion.
Chyna was a pioneer in the Wrestling business. She was one of the reasons why DX took off in 1997. She was an inspiration. Things could have been very different if not for one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era. No women of the time had played a role in Wrestling as she did, and became a huge draw.
Moreover, wrestling folklores state that Vince McMahon even wanted to book her to win the World Championship. Her appearance in the Playboy magazine cost her the championship. She was definitely the 'Ninth Wonder of the World.'
#6 AJ Lee
AJ Lee was the PWI Woman of the year from 2012 to 2014. She is a 3x- Divas Champion. But, her legacy extends far beyond championships and accomplishments. She was at the forefront of the Women's Revolution, putting over the debuting Paige in an iconic moment at RAW after WrestleMania XXX, where she had defended the championship against 13-other divas.
Her gimmick, her antics, her stories and ultimately her success in WWE are defined by one adjective: Crazy. Lee came around at the time when WWE and the WWE Universe had stopped caring about women's wrestling. Lee became a catalyst in that change. The Women's Revolution would have been impossible if she didn't carry the division until Paige & Co. came around.
#5 Sasha Banks
'The Boss' Sasha Banks' inaugural feud with Charlotte Flair set the WWE on fire and escalated the women's revolution to another level. She's a 4x Women's Champion. More recently, she (with Bayley) became the first WWE Women's Tag Team Champion.
We have already mentioned her TakeOver match with Bayley. Banks also fought Charlotte Flair in the first women's Hell in a Cell match in 2016, which was also the first time women were in the main event of a PPV. She lasted over 54 minutes in the first women's Royal Rumble match.
Banks has just started. She is a main event level star and one woman who can main event WrestleMania some day.
In conclusion, Sasha Banks' contribution to the Women's Revolution will live beyond us.
#4 Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus was perhaps the greatest women's wrestler before the Women's Revolution came into existence. She won the Women's Championship 7 times. Also, she fought 5 times at WrestleMania, more than any female star till now. She's also a former Hardcore Champion. PWI named her the Woman of the decade in 2009. It's an understatement to make that the Hall of Famer made a difference.
Still, the Hall of Famer's legacy is beyond these championships. Her legacy is making a prominent spot for herself in WWE at a time when women used to be mere afterthoughts. She paved the way for women who wanted to wrestle and not just be "eye candy."
It'd not be wrong to say that the revolution in women's wrestling had started the day Trish Stratus entered WWE.
#3 Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is an 8x Women's Champion. She was the PWI #1 female wrestler in 2016. She ended Asuka's streak at WrestleMania 34, and she's one of the 3 incredible women in the main event of WrestleMania 35. We certainly need to bow down to the Queen.
Charlotte has won the Women's Championship 8 times, which is the most by any woman in WWE history. She's an exceptional in-ring worker, and a sensational heel act. Undoubtedly, Charlotte is well on her way to establishing herself as one of the greatest women ever in WWE.
Charlotte has consistently stolen shows delivering 'Match of the Year' candidates. Moreover, She has proven herself to be as one of the best heels of the business. She definitely is one of the reasons why people have started to care about women's wrestling.
#2 Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey made her WWE debut at WrestleMania 34, and she fought her way to undoubtedly deliver the greatest debut performance by any women in WWE history. Within months, she won the RAW Women's Championship. Basically, she has had the best ever 1st year in WWE history.
Love her or hate her, but you can’t deny that Rousey will always be remembered as WWE’s ultimate game changer, long after she has left. Without her, Evolution couldn’t have happened, and we wouldn’t be talking about women main-eventing WrestleMania so soon.
She brought mainstream attention to the Women's Revolution and got more people to talk about women's storylines.
#1 Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch is WWE’s “man” of the moment. If Rousey has brought attention to the women, Lynch has grabbed the attention with some amazing charisma and character work. It's just correct that Becky Lynch walked out of the MetLife Stadium as RAW and SmackDown's Women's Champion.
She has given it all to this business. With an unmatchable charisma, she has become the most over star in the industry right now; she has made the ultimate difference, and she deserves everything. She has often been referred to as the Steve Austin of the new era. Now, it's definitely a responsibility for her, and many of these women to evolve women's wrestling in years to come.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
