Female wrestlers list: A list of 30 of the most famous female wrestlers in the world currently

Female wrestlers list: A list of 30 of the most famous female wrestlers in the world currently

Grace Waruguru
updated at September 18, 2023 at 10:01 AM

The list of female wrestlers has increased over the last few decades. These women have broken world records in different franchises in their countries and abroad. Netizens are searching to discover who these phenomenal women are. Scroll on to find out.

 WWE female wrestler list
Trish Stratus' professional debut was in 2000. She is also an actress and dancer. Photo: Phillip Massey (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

For several years, professional wrestling was dominated by men, with female fighters shying away from the ring. Today, numerous federations like the WWE have invested fully in women wrestlers, and they are excelling and breaking barriers. Check out the female wrestler list and some of their incredible achievements.

List of best female wrestlers

Women's wrestling has grown immensely in high schools and colleges, leading to an increase in professional players pursuing the sport. Here is a ranked list of the top 30 female wrestlers in the world today:

30. Stacy Keibler

female wrestler list
Stacey Keibler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2023. Photo: Light Brigade (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Stacy Ann-Marie Keibler
  • Date of birth: October 14, 1979
  • Nationality: American

Stacy Keibler is a retired professional wrestler, actress, cheerleader, model, and dancer. She was active between 1999 and 2006 and is remembered for her performance in the WWE and WCW (World Championship Wrestling). Keibler won the 2004 WWE Babe of the Year and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2023.

29. Bayley

most famous female wrestler list
Bayley is the leader of Damage CTRL and plays for the SmackDown franchise. Photo: Matt Hayward (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Pamela Rose Martinez
  • Date of birth: June 15, 1989
  • Nationality: American

Bayley is one of the top WWE female wrestlers signed under the SmackDown brand. She leads the Damage CTRL (Damage Control) wrestling crew comprising Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky. She started fighting professionally in 2008 and was the first woman to defend a WWE title in Saudi Arabia. Pamela Rose is also a four-time WWE Women's champion.

28. Ronda Rousey

 WWE female wrestler list
Ronda Rousey is a wrestler, actress and former Mixed Martial artist. Photo: Leon Bennett (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ronda Jean Rousey
  • Date of birth: February 1, 1987
  • Nationality: American

Ronda is one of the top female wrestlers in America who is also an actress and former judoka Mixed Martial Artist. She joined the WWE in 2018 at the Wrestlemania34. That same year, CBC named her the Rookie of the Year. She is a two-time WWE SmackDown Women's Championship winner and has appeared in movies like Entourage (2015) and Charlie's Angels (2019).

27. AJ Lee

European female wrestler list
AJ Lee was active between 2007 and 2015. Photo: Albert L. Ortega (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: April Jeanette Mendez
  • Date of birth: March 19, 1987
  • Nationality: American

April is a retired professional wrestler, screenwriter, and author. Her wrestling career ran from 2007 to 2015. She won the WWE Divas Championship thrice, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most wins. She also won the WWE Divas Championship thrice.

26. Lita

female wrestler list UK
Amy Christine Dumas went by the alias Lita, Angelica, or Miss Congeniality, Photo: Unique Nicole (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Amy Christine Dumas
  • Date of birth: April 14, 1975
  • Nationality: American

48-year-old Amy, who went by the stage names Lita, Angelica, or Miss Congeniality, is a pro wrestler and singer whose debut was in 1999. The four-time WWF Women's Champion retired from active fighting in 2006 to concentrate on her music career. However, she still made occasional appearances until 2023.

25. Madusa

 list of famous female wrestlers in USA
Debra Ann Miceli, also known as Madusa, was active between 1984 and 2000. Photo: Victoria Sirakova (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Debrah Ann Miceli
  • Date of birth: February 9, 1963
  • Nationality: American

Madusa, known fully as Debra Ann Miceli, is a retired wrestler currently working for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as a producer. She was the first woman to be awarded Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year in 1988. In 1989, Madusa signed with All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling as the first foreign wrestler. She was active between 1984 and 2000.

24. Beth Phoenix

 female wrestler list Europe
Beth Phoenix was the first wrestler in Notre Dame High School. Photo: Alexander Klein (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Elizabeth Copeland nee Kociański
  • Date of birth: November 24, 1980
  • Nationality: American

Beth is an American wrestler who is a former WWE Divas Champion and three-time WWE Women's Champion. Phoenix started fighting at Notre Dame High School, where she was the first female wrestler and has been playing professionally since 2001. The athlete was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, making her the youngest inductee at 36.

23. Gail Kim

female wrestler list,
Gail Kim's professional career lasted 19 years, between 2000 and 2019. Photo: Frazer Harrison (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Gail Kim
  • Date of birth: February 20, 1977
  • Nationality: Canadian

Gail Kim is one of the most famous wrestlers whose career ran from 2000 to 2019 when she left to join Impact Wrestling as a producer. She joined the Canadian-American Independent circuit at the onset of her career before joining the WWE in 2000. Kim is a one-time WWE Women's Champion and was ranked number one of Pro Wrestling Illustrated's top 50 female wrestlers in 2012.

22. Torrie Wilson

most famous female wrestler list
Torrie Wilson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019. Photo: Gabe Ginsberg (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Torrie Anne Wilson
  • Date of birth: July 24, 1975
  • Nationality: American

48-year-old Torrie Wilson is a wrestler, fitness trainer, and model. The 2019 WWE Hall of Famer joined the WCW in 1999 and stayed for one year before joining the WWF. She was part of Vince's Devils crew, which existed until 2006, consisting of Candice Michelle, Victoria, and Chloe (the mascot). Wilson retired in 2008.

21. Molly Holly

WWE female wrestler list
American wrestler Molly Holly went pro in 1997. Photo: @MollyHollyWWF (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Nora Kristina Greenwald
  • Date of birth: September 7, 1977
  • Nationality: American

Molly started training in 1997 under the renowned WCW champion Dean Malenko. She started fighting professionally in the same year under the WPWF (World Professional Wrestling Federation). Nora has appeared in several video games and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.

20. Mia Yim

most famous female wrestler list
Mia Yim performs with SmackDown and went pro in 2000. Photo: @MiaYimOfficial (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Stephanie Hym Lee
  • Date of birth: April 16, 1989
  • Nationality: American

Stephanie Hym Lee, whose stage name is Mia Yim, is a SmackDown member whose professional career started in 2009. She is a member of The O.C. Club AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson. Mia is a one-time Shine Wrestling champion and appears as her own character in the WWE2k20 video game.

19. Sasha Banks

female wrestler list UK
Sasha Banks went pro in 2010 and is signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Photo: Etsuo Hara (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado
  • Date of birth: January 26, 1992
  • Nationality: American

Sasha Banks, whose official name is Mercedes Justine, is signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). She was in the WWE between 2012 and 2022. Her career debuted in 2010, and she has appeared in several TV productions, including WWE Untold (2020) and Barmaggedon (2023).

18. Becky Lynch

 list of famous female wrestlers in USA
Irish wrestler Becky Lynch is among the highest-paid fighters. Photo: Jeff Kravitz. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rebecca Quin
  • Date of birth: January 30, 1987
  • Nationality: Irish

Renowned fighter Becky Lynch makes the top female wrestler list in Europe. The Irish national started fighting professionally in 2002. She is among the highest-paid female wrestlers and has numerous accolades, including 2018 Wrestler of the Year and WWE Women's Championship winner.

17. Natalya

female wrestler list
Canadian wrestler Natalya is also an amateur wrestler and Mixed Martial Artist. Photo: Desiree Navarro (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Natalie Katherine Neidhart-Wilson
  • Date of birth: May 27, 1982
  • Nationality: Canadian

Natalya is a member of the Hart Wrestling family (Hart Dynasty), thanks to her mother. Her professional debut was in 2000. Natalya has one Divas Championship (2010) win and one Smackdown Women's Championship (2017). Besides professional wrestling, the Canadian athlete is an amateur and Mixed Martial Artist.

16. Mickie James

female wrestler list
Mickie James is a wrestler and country music singer. Photo: Frazer Harrison (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mickie Laree James-Aldis
  • Date of birth: August 31, 1979
  • Nationality: American

Mickie is an American wrestler and country music singer. The 44-year-old started her career in 1999 when she joined the Valet circuit. James was ranked number 1 by the PWI (Professional Wrestling Illustrated) Female 50 in 2009 and is also a 5-time WWE Women's Championship winner.

15. Alexa Bliss

most famous female wrestler list
Alexa Bliss joined the WWE in 2013. Photo: Jeff Kravitz (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Alexis Cabrera nee Kaufman
  • Date of birth: August 9, 1991
  • Nationality: American

Alexa Bliss became the first woman to hold the SmackDown Women's Championship twice. She started fighting professionally in 2013 when she joined the WWE. She makes it to the most famous female wrestler list thanks to her achievements. In 2018, Sports Illustrated ranked her sixth among the top 10 women wrestlers.

14. Paige

WWE female wrestler list
Saraya Jade Bevis, also known as Paige, started fighting professionally at 13 years old. Photo: Eugene Gologursky (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Saraya Jade Bevis
  • Date of birth: August 17, 1992
  • Nationality: English

Paige, known fully as Saraya Jade Bevis, is in the top female wrestler list in the UK. The athlete is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AWE), where she is the reigning champion. Paige is the only woman to have won championships in the AEW and WWE. She started fighting professionally in 2005 at 13 years old. She comes from a family of wrestlers, and her family runs the World Association of Wrestling promotion.

13. Asuka

European female wrestler list
Asuka worked as a designer before going pro as a wrestler in 2003. Photo: @wwe_asuka (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Kanako Urai
  • Date of birth: September 26, 1981
  • Nationality: Japanese

Kanako Urai, also known as Asuka, is signed with the WWE and performs under the SmackDown brand. She previously worked as a graphic designer before her wrestling professional debut in 2003. The 41-year-old has been featured in several video games, including WWE 2k23 and Brawlhalla. Asuka is a one-time Smash Diva Champion and a one-time NXT Women's Champion.

12. Nikki Bella

 list of famous female wrestlers in USA
Nikkie Bella (pictured) and her sister Brie formed the Bella Twins, a professional wrestling tag team. Photo: Jason Mendez (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace
  • Date of birth: November 21, 1983
  • Nationality: American

Another athlete in the WWE female wrestler list is Nikki Bella, who was active between 2007 and 2023. Together with her twin sister, Brie, they formed the Bella Twins, a professional wrestling tag team. She joined SmackDown in 2008 and is a two-time WWE Divas Champion, which saw her listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the longest reign (301 days).

11. Charlotte Flair

 list of famous female wrestlers in USA
Charlotte Flair is a 14-time World Women's champion. Photo: Courtney Culbreath (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ashley Elizabeth Fliehr
  • Date of birth: April 5, 1986
  • Nationality: American

Charlotte is the daughter of renowned professional wrestler Ric Flair and is on the list of famous female wrestlers in the USA. She first appeared in professional wrestling alongside her father at the 1993 World Championship Wrestling. Charlotte Flair's professional debut came in 2000, and she is a 14-time World Women's Championships winner.

10. Bianca Belair

most famous female wrestler list
Bianca Belair started her professional wrestling career in 2016. Photo: Jeff Kravitz (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Bianca Crawford
  • Date of birth: April 9, 1989
  • Nationality: American

WWE's Bianca Belair started her professional career in 2016. She is currently under the Smackdown brand, which she joined in 2020. The 34-year-old has won the Women's Championship thrice and the Rumble Championship thrice. Bianca is also a fitness and figure competitor.

9. Rhea Ripley

female wrestler list UK
Australian wrestler Rhea Ripley is signed with WWE's Raw. Photo: Stephen Olker (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Demi Bennett
  • Date of birth: October 11, 1996
  • Nationality: Australian

Rhea, whose real name is Demi Bennett, is an Australian wrestler who started her career in 2013. She is part of the WWE Raw brand and a member of the Judgement Day crew alongside Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio. Rhea has one NXT Women's Championships title and one WWE Raw Women's Championship.

8. Carmella

European female wrestler list
Carmella is the daughter of Paul Van Dale, formerly of the WWF. Photo: Brent N. Clarke (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Leah Van Dale
  • Date of birth: October 23, 1987
  • Nationality: American

Carmella is a professional wrestler, dancer, and model whose father is Paul Van Dale, formerly of the WWF. The 35-year-old started pro wrestling in 2013 and is a WWE member. Leah Van Dale is a WWE SmackDown Women's Champion, WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, and WWE 24/7 Champion. Additionally, she has appeared in some movies, including The Beach Bum (2019) and Corey & Camela (2022).

7. Naomi

European female wrestler list
Trinity is a two-time winner of the SmackDown Women's Championship. Photo: @trinity_fatu (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Trinity Fatu ne McCray
  • Date of birth: November 30, 1987
  • Nationality: American

Naomi was part of the WWE from 2009 to 2022. She was the first FCW (Florida Championship Wrestling) champion in 2010. The athlete also won the SmackDown Women's Championship twice. Trinity joined Impact Wrestling in 2023 and won the Impact Knockout World Championships in her debut year.

6. Liv Morgan

 list of famous female wrestlers in USA
Liv Morgan was part of the Riott Squad stable which disbanded in 2019. Photo: Rodin Eckenroth (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Gionna Daddio
  • Date of birth: June 8, 1994
  • Nationality: American

Gionna, a professional wrestler and model, is a WWE's Raw brand member, performing under the alias Liv Morgan. Together with Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan, they formed the Riott Squad stable, which disbanded in 2019. The New York Post listed Liv Morgan as the Female Breakout Wrestler of the Year in 2022. She is a one-time SmackDown Women's Championship winner and a two-time Women's Tag Team Women's Championship winner.

5. Roxanne Perez

European female wrestler list
Carla Gonzalez was the inaugural Ring of Honour (ROH) winner in 2021. Photo: @roxanne_wwe (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Carla Gonzalez
  • Date of birth: November 5, 2001
  • Nationality: American

Since her professional debut in 2018, Roxanne Perez, fully known as Carla Gonzalez, has risen to be among the best female wrestlers. She performs under WWE's NXT franchise and was the inaugural ROH (Ring of Honour) Women's Champion in 2021. In 2022, she won the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament and is a one-time NXT Women's Championships winner.

4. Tegan Nox

European female wrestler list
Steffanie Newell went pro as a wrestler in 2013. Photo: @nixonnewell (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Steffanie Newell
  • Date of birth: November 15, 1994
  • Nationality: Welsh

The European female wrestler list is incomplete without Tegan Nox, known fully as Steffanie Newell. The 28-year-old went pro in 2013 with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and is a one-time British Empire Women's champion. She played soccer as a teenager until she turned 16 and started wrestling soon after.

3. Toni Storm

  • Full name: Toni Rossall
  • Date of birth: October 19, 1995
  • Nationality: New Zealand

Toni is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AWE), where she holds two women's championships. The New Zealand-Australian national is a former NXT UK Women's champion and was the first woman to have a championship in the AWE and WWE. The fighter also holds a singular British Empire Wrestling (BEW) Women's title.

2. Candice LeRae

female wrestler list UK
American pro wrestler Candice LeRae is one of the top wrestlers in the world today. Photo: @candicelerae (Modified by author)
Source: Instagram
  • Full name: Candice LeRae Gargano
  • Date of birth: September 29, 1985
  • Nationality: American

Candice is a WWE Raw franchise member who went pro in 2002. She is a member and co-leader of The Way, an American and Australian wrestling stable alongside Johnny Gargano (the leader), Dexter Lumis, and Indi Hartwell. Candice began her professional career in 2002 and is a one-time NXT Women's Tag Team Championship. LeRae also has one Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) championship.

1. Trish Stratus

female wrestler list
Trish Stratus was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013. Photo: George Napolitano (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Patricia Anne Stratigeas
  • Date of birth: December 18, 1975
  • Nationality: Canadian

Trish Stratus is a professional wrestler (debuted in 2000), yoga instructor, and actress. According to watchmojo.com, she is the greatest female wrestler of all time. Additionally, WWE named her the greatest superstar of all time. She boasts impressive achievements, including seven WWE Women's Championships, which saw her enter the Guinness Book of Records for the most wins. She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.

This female wrestlers list comprises athletes who have set the standard for women's wrestling, inspiring future generations and proving that they are equally up to the task. Wrestling fans can be sure of continued thrill and entertainment as they watch these athletes battle it out and win various championships.

READ ALSO: Who are the 10 tallest wrestlers in WWE history?

Sports Brief published a list of the 10 tallest wrestlers in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment. Several fighters boast tall figures and muscular bodies that fit their sport of choice. Who are some of these individuals?

The late Jorge Gonzalez, popularly known as Giant Gonzalez, is the tallest fighter in WWE history. He stood at 8 feet tall. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2010. Others are Andre the Giant (deceased), 7 feet and 4 inches tall, and Nigerian fighter Omos, the only African on the list. He is 7 feet, 3 inches. Click on the link above for the complete list of the tallest wrestlers.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.