10 Best WWE Women’s Champions

The WWE women’s division is currently the strongest it has ever been.

Across Raw, Smackdown, and NXT we often see match of the night contenders, high profile rivalries, and in the case of WrestleMania 35 and Hell in a Cell 2016 pay per view main event title matches featuring the crème de la crème of WWE’s fighting females.

It hasn’t always been this way though. Years of diminished booking, people in management who simply didn’t care and skewed hiring practices meant that the WWE’s women were an afterthought at best, and practically irrelevant at worst.

WWE’s women’s division dates back to 1984, when Vince McMahon was on the verge of completely rebuilding the wrestling industry in his image. Signing NWA Women’s Champion The Fabulous Moolah and renaming the title the WWF Women’s Title, the long storied road to the diva’s revolution started.

Times of highs and lows, relevancy and apathy, competition and exploitation, and several dissolutions of the division occurred from 1984 until the Divas Revolution began in 2015, but female performers have always been a vital cog in the WWE machine.

Even in times of inactivity, the WWE Women’s Title was the high watermark for women’s wrestling in America, and saw 29 different champs hold the strap between 1984 and 2010, when it was unified with the Divas Title, and the title belt was retired in favour of that God-awful butterfly belt.

But before that dark, dark day, who were the ten best WWE Women’s Champions?

10. Michelle McCool

WWE

The first woman to hold the Divas Title and the Women’s Title, Michelle McCool was also the first undisputed Women’s Champion when she unified the two titles in 2010.

The first ever Diva’s Champion went after Women’s Champion Melina in the summer of 2009, winning the gold at The Bash. As champion, McCool started an alliance with Layla, and thus LayCool was born.

LayCool soon engaged in the frankly awful Piggy James storyline where they bullied Mickie James over her weight. McCool, of course, won the first singles match between herself and Mickie, because bullies prospering was clearly the moral of the story.

Thankfully, Mickie did eventually beat McCool for the belt, but only held it for two weeks before dropping it back to McCool. Their feud continued, but when Beth Phoenix got involved, Michelle switched her attention to The Glamazon, her second reign with the title ending in an ‘extreme makeover’ match at Extreme Rules 2010 - aka; a hardcore match featuring loads of beauty equipment.

Phoenix quickly dropped the title to Layla, and because LayCool were BFFs, the two co-reigned as champion.

Despite what McCool achieved in the ring there were always accusations of nepotism due to her relationship with locker-room leader The Undertaker.

The fact McCool unified the Women’s and Diva’s titles even though she wasn’t legally the Women’s Champion lends some credence to this claim, never mind when McCool came out of retirement for a one-off appearance in the first Women’s Royal Rumble and absolutely cleaned house.

9. Ivory

WWE

Despite the Attitude Era being more famous for pushing untrained eye candy over genuine in-ring talent, Ivory was the major exception that proved the rule.

A three time Women’s Champion and WWE Hall of Famer, Ivory has a combined 331 days with the title in an era where - at best - title reigns usually lasted about half an hour.

A veteran of GLOW, Ivory started out in the WWE in 1999 and won the title from Debra after a few months with the company. Ivory beat the likes of Tori and Luna Vachon, before losing to a 76 year old Fabulous Moolah at No Mercy.

Ivory soon won the title back but lost it to Miss Kitty in an evening gown pool match. Yes, that one.

However, it was Ivory’s third title reign which was her greatest.

As part of the Right to Centre she became one of the most hated heels in the company, and had some great matches with Lita, Trish Stratus, and Molly Holly. The prudish Ivory and the rest of the RTC soon fell afoul of Chyna and, after kayfabe breaking her neck with a spike piledriver, continued their mission of morality.

But it wasn’t to last long. Soon enough a positively fuming Chyna returned, and decisively flattened Ivory for the title at Mania X7. Right To Censor soon disbanded and Ivory dipped in and out of the Women’s Title scene.

8. Mickie James

WWE

The obsessive stalker angle has been done to death in the WWE, but in the hands of Mickie James it became absolute gold.

Starting as Trish Stratus’ number one fan, Mickie James was utterly besotted with Stratus, openly copying her moves, dressing like her, and even attempting to snog her on several occasions.

When Trish rebuffed Mickie for the 4000th time, Mickie snapped, and the two had their iconic match for the Women’s Title at WrestleMania 22. Mickie won the match with some ‘suggestive’ manoeuvres.

A controversial title win yes, but it made Mickie James a star, and set her up as one of the cornerstones of WWE’s women’s division for the next five years.

Mickie would have five runs with the Women’s Title and carved out a reputation as one of the best female wrestlers in WWE. Her second title win and ongoing feud with Lita in 2006 was particularly great, with the two having many fantastic matches, culminating with Lita’s retirement at Survivor Series 2006.

Yes there were a few mis-steps along the way - the non-reign in France, and the Piggy James angle being two - but Mickie always remained popular with fans, before leaving in 2010 - another victim of WWE’s ‘new direction’ for the women’s division.

WWE eventually learned from their mistakes and invited Mickie James back to WWE in 2016, where she had a brilliant match with Asuka at NXT TakeOver: Toronto, with Mickie more than proving that she was still one of the best out there.

7. Beth Phoenix

WWE

Beth Phoenix was a one-woman wrecking crew in the women’s division.

After a few false dawns, The Glamazon properly announced her arrival in 2007 and went on a tear throughout the WWE.

Phoenix shot up the card and won her first Women’s Title after just three months on the roster - steamrolling Candice Michelle in under five minutes at No Mercy.

Holding the title for 190 days, Phoenix only managed one PPV title defence - a win over Mickie James at Armageddon 2007.

Undeterred, Phoenix was still well utilised on WWE TV, competing in the first ever Women’s “I quit” match against Melina, and kind of being positioned as the WWE’s new Chyna. In fact, when Phoenix and Santino Marella went down the Chyna and Eddie Guerrero route as the great Glamarella and Phoenix became even more dominant on TV, despite the comedic nature of the pairing.

Beth’s second title win came as part of an intergender winner takes all match at SummerSlam 2008, with Glamarella defeating Mickie James and Kofi Kingston for the Women’s and Intercontinental Titles. Phoenix was the straight muscle compared to Santino’s slapstick buffoon, and this pairing gave the two considerable screen time, and a boat load of wins.

Title defences on TV, captaining the winning Women’s Survivor Series team, even winning a prestigious Slammy; Beth’s 2008 was fantastic.

By 2012, with three Women’s Titles and a Divas title to her name, Phoenix quit the WWE, annoyed at the company’s ‘new direction’ for its women’s division. Returning to the company after five years, Phoenix was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2017 and continues to work as an NXT commentator.

6. Sensational Sherri

WWE

While best known as one of the greatest managers in wrestling history, Sensational Sherri’s in-ring accomplishments are equally as legendary.

A three-time AWA Women’s Champion, Sherri upped sticks and signed with the WWE in 1987, defeating The Fabulous Moolah for the title on her debut. As Moolah was phasing down her in-ring career, Sherri was positioned as the de facto heel in chief of the women’s division, winning matches by any means necessary and unafraid to fight referees and authority figures.

Sherri was a captain in the first ever women’s Survivor Series match in 1987, her team losing to Moolah’s. Sherri then engaged in a feud with Rockin’ Robin for the majority of 1988, with the veteran champion helping the green Robin improve by leaps and bounds.

Sherri reigned as champion and even pulled double duty under a bad blonde wig as Peggy Sue - girlfriend of Intercontinental Champion 'The Honky Tonk Man'.

After Sherri dropped the title to Rockin’ Robin in October 1988, she transitioned from in-ring competitor to full-time manager, reaching new heights as the terrifyingly bonkers Queen Sherri alongside Macho King Randy Savage.

Sherri had the odd match here or there - memorably losing to Dusty Rhodes and Sweet Sapphire at WrestleMania 6 - but she would never again be involved in the Women’s Title division.

Inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2006, Sherri will always be remembered as one of the all-time great women wrestlers.

5. Lita

WWE

In an era dominated by underwear matches and feuds over Playboy covers, Lita stuck out like a sore thumb in the best possible way.

As part of Team Extreme with The Hardys, Lita became one of the most popular stars in the entire company, her nu-metal image and predilection for moonsaults and mixing it up with the guys helping her gain legions of fans.

During this Team Extreme run, Lita soon ended up feuding with Women’s Champ Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, beating Steph for the title on an episode of Smackdown. A fighting champ, Lita truly stayed extreme, famously having a hardcore match with Jacqueline for the title but dropped the belt to Ivory after 72 days thanks to interference from Edge and Christian, the naughty little rascals.

After further work with The Hardyz, time off to rehab a broken neck and whatever the hell that Kane angle was all about, Lita was once again in the Women’s Title picture, feuding with Trish Stratus.

The two were arguably the most popular and well-rounded wrestlers in the division, and their feud was fantastic, highlighted by Lita’s historic title win in the Raw main event in December 2004 - the second time the WWE flagship show was headlined by a women’s title match.

For all her popularity though, Lita’s reigns were not particularly long, her four runs with the belt clocking in at 160 days. But Lita didn’t need a Bruno Sammartino length reign as Women’s Champion to cement her legacy, as she would have inspired an entire generation of women’s wrestlers regardless of whether she reigned for one day or 1,000.

4. Wendi Richter

WWE

A two-time WWE Women’s Champion, Wendi Richter was one of the centrepieces of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling era, battling The Fabulous Moolah with the help of 80s pop legend Cyndi Lauper.

Lauper’s tenure with the WWE turned millions of eyes onto the product, with Richter positioned as one of its biggest stars. At The Brawl to End it All, Richter defeated Moolah for the Women’s Title, the match broadcast around the World on MTV, becoming the most watched show in MTV history.

What’s even more mind-blowing is that this was the only match televised, on a card which also featured Hulk Hogan and Antonio Inoki.

Richter would lose the belt to Leilani Kai after 220 days, but would win it back at the biggest event in WWE history; WrestleMania.

It is no hyperbole to call Richter the female Hulk Hogan of this era. She was constantly pictured and positioned as the face of the company alongside The Hulkster and was a main character in the 80s Hulk Hogan Rock ’N’ Wrestling cartoon.

But politics soon got in the way. Money became an issue, and Richter felt like she was being undervalued by Vince McMahon. At an impasse, contract negotiations broke down but Richter was still champion.

Richter was scheduled to defend the title against The Spider Lady, but WWE pulled the original screwjob and Richter was cheated out of the title by the referee and The Spider Lady - Fabulous Moolah in a mask. Richter left the arena still in her gear and was never seen on WWE television again, only returning to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

3. Alundra Blayze

By 1993, WWE’s New Generation was in full swing, the company going in a completely new direction as a result of the steroid scandal. Vince McMahon decided now was the best time to re-introduce the Women’s Title to the WWE and positioned Alundra Blayze as the featured player of the division.

Debuting in late '93, Blayze soon became Women’s Champion, holding it for over 340 days before losing it to Bull Nakano. The two feuded over the title for months, battling across American and Japan for the gold.

The classic story of the all-American girl next door battling with a nigh-unstoppable foreign menace, the Blayze/Nakano rivalry is viewed by many fans as one of the defining feuds of the New Generation.

With Nakano out of the way, Blayze collided with Bertha Faye, with Faye kayfabe breaking Blayze’s nose in the process. The two traded the title in 1995, but with money troubles piling up the WWE made the decision to end the Women’s Division for a second time.

Blayze was stripped of the title, but with the physical belt in her possession jumped ship to WCW. Eric Bischoff convinced Blayze to bring the title to Nitro, where the re-christened Madusa binned the belt on her first night in the company.

This move was arguably the most public bridge burning in wrestling history and one of the parting shots of the Monday Night Wars. Vince was absolutely purple with rage and blackballed Blayze from WWE for 20 years, before welcoming her back into the fold for a Hall of Fame induction in 2015.

3. Alundra Blayze

By 1993, WWE’s New Generation was in full swing, the company going in a completely new direction as a result of the steroid scandal. Vince McMahon decided now was the best time to re-introduce the Women’s Title to the WWE and positioned Alundra Blayze as the featured player of the division.

Debuting in late '93, Blayze soon became Women’s Champion, holding it for over 340 days before losing it to Bull Nakano. The two feuded over the title for months, battling across American and Japan for the gold.

The classic story of the all-American girl next door battling with a nigh-unstoppable foreign menace, the Blayze/Nakano rivalry is viewed by many fans as one of the defining feuds of the New Generation.

With Nakano out of the way, Blayze collided with Bertha Faye, with Faye kayfabe breaking Blayze’s nose in the process. The two traded the title in 1995, but with money troubles piling up the WWE made the decision to end the Women’s Division for a second time.

Blayze was stripped of the title, but with the physical belt in her possession jumped ship to WCW. Eric Bischoff convinced Blayze to bring the title to Nitro, where the re-christened Madusa binned the belt on her first night in the company.

This move was arguably the most public bridge burning in wrestling history and one of the parting shots of the Monday Night Wars. Vince was absolutely purple with rage and blackballed Blayze from WWE for 20 years, before welcoming her back into the fold for a Hall of Fame induction in 2015.

2. The Fabulous Moolah

WWE

The Fabulous Moolah is one of the most important, and most controversial women’s wrestlers of all time. A veteran with over 50 years of in-ring experience, Moolah was one of the biggest women’s wrestling stars for decades and trained scores of future hall of famers.

Defecting from the NWA to the WWE in 1984, Moolah brought the NWA Women’s Title with her, a belt she had held for over 28 years.

Yes, 28 years. Some of you reading this haven’t been alive for as long as Moolah held that title. So synonymous was Moolah with the title that the actual belt had a picture of her face on it.

But holding a belt for that long can go to your head, and Moolah’s backstage politicking makes Hulk Hogan at his worst seem like the nicest fella on the planet. Allegations of blackmailing, extortion, embezzlement, and even sexual trafficking from other wrestlers were uncovered after Moolah’s death in 2007, but even when she was alive some of her machinations were open secrets.

The previously-mentioned Spider Lady screwjob by Moolah on Wendi Richter is indicative of Moolah’s ruthless manner, and led to Richter not speaking to her former trainer for the rest of her life, and is a black mark on the Women’s Title lineage.

But from a purely objective perspective, you can’t undermine Moolah’s importance to women’s wrestling. As said before, she had a 28 year reign as women’s champion, and was a prominent figure in the Attitude Era, defeating Ivory for the title for a final one week run at No Mercy 1999.

1. Trish Stratus

WWE

A record breaking seven time women’s champion, Trish Stratus is one of the most important women’s wrestlers in WWE history.

Stratus was a former fitness model brought into the Attitude Era as a valet. But Trish wouldn’t stay a valet for very long, and soon started feuding with Lita. The two would battle off and on for the best part of six years, their rivalry defining both their careers, highlighted by their Raw main event in 2004 and their fantastic title match at Unforgiven 2006.

Despite a lack of in-ring knowledge when she debuted, Trish worked her backside off and improved by leaps and bounds, shaking off her eye-candy tag to be regarded as one of the best of her generation.

It didn’t matter whether she worked as a face or a heel, Stratus as champion was always guaranteed to deliver. We saw hardcore matches with the likes of Jazz and Victoria, and the star making feud with Mickie James during Trish’s six years on top, as well as a quick spell as WWE Hardcore Champion.

Trish won her final Women’s Title by beating long-time rival Lita in front of a home-town Toronto crowd at Unforgiven 06, getting the win with The Sharpshooter, as is Canadian tradition. Stratus would retire as champion, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

An inspiration to countless wrestlers the world over, Trish is rightly regarded as one of the all-time greats, and is without a doubt the greatest WWE Women’s Champion ever.