5 Golden Era Female Wrestlers Who Laid the Groundwork for WWE Evolution

WWE Evolution is a part of the larger trajectory of the evolution and revolution of women’s wrestling. While women like Trish Stratus, Natalya, and The Four Horsewomen are often considered the cornerstones of the Women’s Evolution, the Women’s Evolution started way before them.

Women never played a large role in the WWE. However, there are many women who fought for women's wrestling to have a place in the WWE.

Here are five women’s wrestlers of the Golden Era who laid the groundwork for WWE’s Women’s Evolution.

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Honorable Mention: Cyndi Lauper

While not an in-ring performer the “Time After Time” singer brought not only popularity to the WWE, but also prestige to the women’s division. She worked with Captain Lou Albano to push the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection and bring mainstream attention to the WWE.

Her involvement in the women’s division catapulted women to the forefront of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection. Women were the only televised match on "The Brawl to End It All," and fans have Lauper to thank for that.

Many attribute the success of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection to Hulk Hogan but it was Lauper who worked with women to develop the backbone of the concept. Her contributions to the WWE are unprecedented. Her influence didn’t stop at MTV specials; she played an integral role in WrestleMania 1 and was a huge part of the show’s success. Wrestling was cool again…and fans and the WWE have Lauper to thank.

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#5 Leilani Kai

Leilani Kai is a revolutionary figure in women's wrestling. She defeated Richter at MTV Special "The War to Settle the Score" and cemented her name in wrestling history as WWE Women's Champion. This PPV was apart of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection, which fused wrestling and music. Kai would also go on to compete at WrestleMania I in a losing effort against Richter for the WWE Women’s Championship.

After her singles run, Kai went on to become a two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. She holds the record, along with her tag partner Judy Martin, for the longest combined reigns at 1,157 days.

Kai's career spanned over 29 years and she even made a brief return at WrestleMania X to once again challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship, this time against "New Era" wrestler Alundra Blayze.

Kai’s achievements in WWE surpass some of the WWE’s most popular and celebrated women as only one other woman can boast a 1,157-day combined championship reign. She is among the crucial names that are overlooked when discussing the evolution of women’s wrestling.

#4 Velvet McIntyre

Billed from Dublin, Ireland, Velvet McIntyre is another overlooked woman wrestler of the Golden Era. She is a one-time WWE Women’s Champion and a 2-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Her combined tag team championship reigns total 811 days. It is noteworthy that McIntyre never lost the tag titles within these 811 days.

Rather, her partner, Princess Victoria, suffered a career-threatening injury and was replaced with Desiree Patterson. The WWE considers these two separate reigns.

McIntyre challenged Moolah at WrestleMania II and defeated her for the WWE Women’s Championship. McIntyre was a real women’s wrestler and has the accomplishments to match. The Fabulous Moolah once called her the “best female wrestler in Canada.”

Her dedication to wrestling and to WWE helped keep Women’s Wrestling relevant during the "Golden Era".

#3 Rockin' Robin

Rockin’ Robin is better known than the previous women mentioned. She is partially known for being the sister of Jake “the Snake” Roberts and the sister-in-law of Baby Doll, but she also is a former WWE Women’s Champion. With an impressive reign of 502 days. Her reign is only second to Moolah in length.

With an extremely thin women’s roster Rockin’ Robin was the torchbearer for the WWE Women’s division for two years. She battled Sensational Sherri throughout 1988 before she bested her for the WWE Women’s Championship.

She then feuded with Judy Martin for six months. With a lack of competitors, Robin still contributed greatly to the WWE and is one of the greatest women’s champions in WWE history. She carried the title until there was no one to defend it against. She was the last champion before the Women’s Championship was deactivated in 1993.

#2 Wendi Richter

Wendi Richter is best known for ending the Fabulous Moolah’s 28-year WWE Women’s Championship reign. She challenged Moolah at the MTV Special "The Brawl to End it All" with Cyndi Lauper in her corner.

Richter was at the center of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection as she and Moolah headlined "The Brawl to End it All." In fact, Richter and Moolah’s match was the only televised match despite the card having eleven matches. Fans should remember this when they are discussing women headlining PPVs.

Richter lost her title in legendary fashion as she was the victim of the “original screw job”, where Moolah disguised herself as the “Spider Lady” and duped Richter out of the women's championship. Nevertheless, Richter is still one of the greatest women’s champions with a combined reign of 449 days.

She was at the forefront of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection - she is the prototype for the babyface women’s champion leading the entire company to victory.

#1 Sensational Sherri

Finally, Sensational Sherri is simply Sensational. Many fans do not know that she was a skilled technician and began her career as a women’s wrestler. She is a one-time WWE Women’s Champion having held the title for 441 days. She defeated the Fabulous Moolah for the Women’s Championship in her debut match in WWE. Many fans do not know but she also had her very own Survivor Series’ team at the 1987 Survivor Series.

Even after the WWE eliminated it's women’s division Sherri remained relevant. She developed to the point where she was the main character in the wrestlers’ she managed storylines.

She managed Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, and Shawn Michaels to name a few. She often got physical with male wrestlers, directed storylines and led the way for the return of women’s wrestling to the WWE.

Even after there was no WWE Women’s Championship she had grudge matches with Luna Vachon. She was the glue between women and the WWE when the only other woman in the company was Miss Elizabeth. Sherri is often underrated and her hard work is often forgotten. Listen to her 2005 Hall of Fame speech, she discussed being the only woman on the road with the men's locker-room.

She paved the way for women to return and have a place in the WWE. She showed that women not only could wrestle but they could be the center of storylines as well. She held down the women's spot in WWE until Alundra Blaze came along to reactive the WWE Women’s Division.