Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, there were occasional experiments with women's wrestling, but a fully-functioning division was rare.
The history of WWE’s women’s division has been a rollercoaster ride. Over the past four decades, it has experienced starts and stops, lacking consistency until late 1998. Often treated as a sideshow, women’s wrestling was not given the same level of seriousness as men’s matches. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, there were occasional experiments with women’s wrestling, but a fully-functioning division was rare. Typically, the division revolved around the champion and her touring challenger, rather than a structured division.
Wendi Richter’s time in the WWF was marked by mixed success and subsequent controversy. Despite capturing the attention of the live crowd with her title win, Richter’s limited wrestling abilities and charisma compared to her peers hindered her long-term viability.
The women’s division, plagued by inconsistent booking, failed to provide depth beyond the world title program. Richter’s momentum waned, and she faced financial disputes with the company.
Ultimately, her career came to a shocking end when she was deceived by Fabulous Moolah, disguised as the Spider Lady, resulting in a three-count that ended Richter’s title reign and her WWF tenure.
In the world of American women’s wrestling, the spotlight had long evaded their talents, relegating them to the sidelines. However, an electric revolution ignited in Japan’s women’s wrestling scene, catching the eye of Vince McMahon during his ventures there.
As Dave Meltzer revealed, McMahon’s subsequent endeavours were not pioneering strokes of genius but rather attempts to emulate the thriving industry he had witnessed in Japan. Wendi Richter emerged as the shining star in McMahon’s first ambitious undertaking, her meteoric rise accompanied by the formidable presence of pop sensation Cyndi Lauper as her manager.
The collision between Richter and the legendary Fabulous Moolah for the WWF Women’s Championship, aptly dubbed “The Brawl to End it All,” blazed across MTV’s airwaves. Richter’s triumph marked not only the beginning of an extensive marketing campaign but also a seismic crossover phenomenon.
The live special on July 23, 1984 captivated millions, securing a staggering 9.0 Nielsen rating and cementing its place as a cable TV record, illuminating the profound impact of this pivotal moment.
Amidst the summer of 1987, a glimmer of hope shone upon the WWF women’s division. The legendary reign of Moolah neared its end, surrendering her title to Sherri Martel on July 24.
Adding to the excitement, the dynamic duo known as the Jumping Bomb Angels, Noriyo Tateno and Itzuki Yamazaki, made their grand debut on June 24. They toppled WWF Women’s Tag Team Champions Judy Martin and Leilani Kai, igniting a spark in the stagnant division. The Glamour Girls, formerly Martin and Kai, found renewed purpose with the Angels’ arrival.
However, the defining moment was yet to come. A 10-woman elimination tag match took center stage on Thanksgiving Night at the inaugural Survivor Series. Although technically Moolah, Rockin’ Robin, Velvet McIntyre, and the Angels faced off against Martel, Dawn Marie, Donna Christianello, and the Glamour Girls, it was the formidable six remaining women who truly stole the spotlight.
Their athleticism and electrifying performance captivated the crowd, signaling the audience’s desire for a women’s division centered on skill and agility. The message resonated loudly, with the Angels winning over fans solely through their remarkable wrestling abilities.
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In late 1993, the WWF (now WWE) made a significant attempt to revitalize the women’s division by signing Madusa Miceli, who was renamed Alundra Blayze. The division had been dormant since 1989, and Vince McMahon wanted someone who could change the game and elevate the division. Madusa had extensive experience with the Japanese women’s style from her time in All Japan Women before joining WCW in 1991, making her a perfect fit.
While the iteration of the women’s division during that time wasn’t flawless, Alundra Blayze’s main rival, Bull Nakano from Japan, helped elevate the division to new heights. Their matches, featuring Japanese-style wrestling, captivated fans, with their showdown at SummerSlam ’94 being particularly memorable.
One of the highlights of the match was when Nakano applied a devastating move known as the PTO, resulting in audible shock from the crowd. This moment served as a turning point for both the match and the division, signalling that this was a new era of women’s wrestling, distinct from the previous Moolah era.
Although the women’s division still had its flaws, Alundra Blayze and Bull Nakano’s contributions brought a fresh and exciting dynamic to the division. Their matches showcased the athleticism and skill of women’s wrestling, leaving a lasting impact on fans and solidifying their place in wrestling history.
Sable was at the centre of WWE’s women’s resurgence in late 1998, which featured gimmicky matches against rookie models mostly for aesthetic appeal.
However, the addition of Trish Stratus and Lita marked a gradual change starting in 2000. Stratus, a lifelong trained wrestling fan, and Lita, who has been in the business for some time, bring a new level of dedication and skill that stands in stark contrast to the models hired by magazines.
The big turning point was Lita’s victory over Stratus on the December 6, 2004 episode of Monday Night Raw. Although Rita has already defeated Stephanie McMahon to win the title in this position.
It was the first time that a “serious” play by women took the stage. In fact, it wasn’t even the first women’s match to end. The match lived up to the hype and was seen as a legitimate main event by the crowd.
As a historic “first”, this historic confrontation has become one of the most recognizable women’s matches and Raw main events in WWE history. While it will be a while before the women’s division makes headlines again, this match sets the stage for future opportunities.
The growth of women’s wrestling was fuelled by a higher level of wrestling, thanks in part to Fit Finlay’s coaches.
At WrestleMania 22, where no match stood out as the obvious best of the night, it was Mickie James’ Women’s Title victory over Trish Stratus that exceeded all expectations.
This match not only surpassed the standards of the mid-2000s WWE women’s division but also stood as one of the standout matches on the entire card. Despite its slightly shorter duration compared to other bouts, it didn’t feel abruptly cut off like the men’s match did.
The match showcased Stratus’ remarkable improvement and established James as the most polished worker in the division. The crowd went wild, even though they were cheering for Mickie, the heel, demonstrating the impact of their performance.
While Stratus retired as a full-time wrestler later that year, she and formidable opponents like Mickie provided the best evidence yet for a modernized women’s division.
Sadly, without Stratus as its anchor, the division would regress to its previous form. Nonetheless, their match at WrestleMania 22 remains a testament to the potential and talent within the women’s division.
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WWE Network launched in 2014, the modern women’s division had quietly been evolving in NXT. Fans got a taste of its potential with a standout match between Paige and Emma at NXT Arrival, the first live event on the streaming service.
However, Paige soon moved to the main roster, leaving the NXT Women’s Title vacant. This led to a tournament, culminating in the first-ever NXT TakeOver special on May 29.
The finals showcased a clash between Natalya and Charlotte Flair, both formidable competitors who had overcome tough challenges to reach this point. While the NXT women’s division had been delivering high-quality, athleticism-focused matches, this encounter marked a significant departure from what had come before. It was the first time a women’s match in NXT possessed all the elements of a WWE main event, with ample time to unfold.
Triple H played a crucial role, granting Natalya and Charlotte the freedom to craft a masterpiece without any time restrictions. This unprecedented opportunity allowed them to paint a truly remarkable picture in the ring.
The match was hailed as a potential contender for the greatest women’s match in WWE history at that time, setting a new standard for what women’s wrestling could achieve.
Little did they know that this ground-breaking encounter would soon be surpassed, as the women’s division continued to evolve and reach even greater heights. However, Natalya and Charlotte’s match at NXT TakeOver served as a pivotal moment, solidifying the significance and potential of women’s wrestling within WWE.
The rise of the “Four Horsewomen” in NXT brought the women’s division into the spotlight during the early days of the WWE Network. Following an electrifying NXT house show during WrestleMania 31 weekend, it became undeniably evident that a revolution was underway.
Dave Meltzer’s observations in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter emphasized the immense crowd reaction to the women’s title match, highlighting the need for a complete overhaul of WWE women’s wrestling.
This revelation paved the way for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, held at the Barclays Center during SummerSlam weekend. The highly anticipated women’s title match between Bayley and Sasha Banks stole the show.
Their seamless, intense, and athletically breath-taking encounter showcased Banks’ trademark style and concluded with Bayley executing a stunning avalanche poison rana and her signature Belly-to-Bayley Suplex for the victory.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s matches in WWE history at that time, it transcended gender boundaries and stood alongside the most memorable matches in WWE’s storied history. The impact of this historic bout continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of women’s wrestling in WWE.
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Becky Lynch’s rise to stardom in WWE, fuelled by her rejection of a forced heel turn, reached its peak when a facial injury elevated her status. Her WrestleMania main event against Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair showcased the newfound prominence of women in the industry.
Despite some flaws in the match and subsequent challenges faced by the women’s division, it marked a long-overdue milestone with Lynch emerging as both Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion. In just a few months, Lynch’s journey transformed her into the biggest star in WWE.
WrestleMania 37 marked a much-needed break from the lackluster pandemic wrestling era. The first night’s standout match featured Sasha Banks defending her “SmackDown” Women’s Championship against Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair.
The anticipation surrounding their clash was unmatched, and it was a ground-breaking moment as the first Black women to headline WrestleMania. The match itself exceeded expectations, delivering a captivating blend of creativity, athleticism, and drama.
Both Banks and Belair embraced the spotlight, showcasing their unique styles that complemented each other flawlessly. The physicality and difficulty of their performance set a new standard for WrestleMania main events.
his memorable encounter stood out for its genuine emotional impact, with both competitors moved to tears at the sound of the opening bell. With no outside interference, the match proved that the women’s division could shine on its own merit. It was a historic and sensational display that solidified its place among the best WrestleMania main events of all time.
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