Women’s wrestling is taken more seriously in WWE, as the company thankfully has given women more opportunities to improve, even if not all of them truly need it. For example, Becky Lynch was already a fine indie wrestler before she joined WWE, so she just showcased it in a bigger platform. Also, some may argue Charlotte Flair has deteriorated a bit as a wrestler despite remaining a star.
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There are several ladies who are better than when they started, such as Carmella and Roxanne Perez, who might have more time to go on. Yet it’s impressive to look at WWE history and see several female wrestlers who started out rough only to blossom into stardom later on. These have to rank tall as the ten female wrestlers who improved the best in their WWE tenures to show how a few breaks can unlock some terrific talents.
10
Sasha Banks Improved An Already Great Career
She Went From A Good Worker To A True Star
- PWI Woman of the Year 2015
- She and Bayley first Women’s match named PWI Match of the Year (Takeover: Respect)
- First woman in history to hold titles in WWE, AEW and New Japan
As a champion in the indies, Sasha Banks did have the skills to join the early NXT but was held back by a generic character. It changed when she took on her “Boss” persona and amped up her ring work with her submission move. She and Bayley had a fantastic battle for the NXT Women’s Championship and jumping to the main roster saw Banks take off with her feud with Charlotte.
She kept it up even with injuries, still turning in great matches, partnering and feuding with Bayley and one of the flashiest women in WWE. It’s a shame it ended in such an ugly fashion and while she’s in AEW now, Sasha’s improvement in WWE still remains the high point of her career.
9
Alexa Bliss Rose Higher Than Expected
Little Miss Bliss Now Stands Tall In WWE
- Second WWE Women’s Triple Crown Champion
- Won the first Women’s Elimination Chamber Match
- Competed on The Masked Singer
It’s always impressive when someone with zero wrestling experience prior to WWE ends up becoming a top name for them. Alexa Bliss is such a case, starting out with bits like part of Triple H’s WrestleMania 30 entrance and a fairy princess gimmick. She then became a classic heel manager for NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy before moving to the main roster where she suddenly became a far bigger in-ring performer.
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Her moves were good, especially her terrific high-flying but better was how Bliss took to heel promos like a duck to water. She excelled getting crowd heat with that wicked smirk and turning in some good matches too. She’s held almost every title in the company and the “Twisted Bliss” act showed her range. Some may dislike her excessive pushes yet Bliss going from nothing to a multiple champion has to be respected.
8
Melina Was A Far Better Wrestler Than Credited
Even Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart Says She Was Great
- Melina held both the Women’s & Divas Championships in WWE
- MNM became three-time WWE Tag Team Champions with Melina as their valet
- She defeated Ashley Massaro at WrestleMania 23
Bret Hart praised Melina as one of the best female workers of her time. That’s more impressive given how she’d started in WWE as the manager for MNM, and while she already had that now-iconic split-legged ring entrance, there was little to hint she’d become a good worker. That changed when she got her shot and even in a time when women’s wrestling wasn’t taken as seriously, Melina had the goods.
She held the Women’s and Divas Titles, showcasing her wonderful athleticism and charisma. True, she had her backstage heat and issues that contributed to her exit but her terrific arsenal of moves and domination proves The Hitman was right in how Melina was a stellar wrestler who should be appreciated more.
7
Naomi Has Felt The Glow Of A Champion
Her Return Highlights Her Growth
- Naomi competed in the third season of WWE NXT back in 2010
- She made her WWE main roster debut as one of Brodus Clay’s Funkadactyls (with Cameron)
- Naomi is a former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion & WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion
The Orlando native got a good start in WWE by becoming the inaugural FCW Women’s Champion, even if she was pretty raw in the ring. Her main roster run started on a bad foot by being one of the Funkadactyls and then Team BAD. A leg injury ended up helping as it gave her time to get back into shape and then hit upon the cool “glowing” entrance with fans that led to the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
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Some may mock that finisher, but Naomi has excelled in showing her fantastic athleticism, including some sensational acrobatics in ladder matches and elimination saves in the Royal Rumble. Her TNA tenure was a good way to regroup and since her return to WWE with new music and look, Naomi is ready to continue the run that really has shone in improvement.
6
Rhea Ripley Has Become Dominant
“The Nightmare” Is Arguably WWE’s Biggest Female Star Today
- Ripley held the Women’s Championship on NXT UK & NXT
- She defended the NXT Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 36
- Rhea Ripley became a bigger star as a member of The Judgment Day
She had some experience in the indies yet Rhea Ripley wasn’t seen as a long-term star when she first took part in the Mae Young classic. The fact her look then was so much different than her current one may have worked against her. Embracing the darker punk look boosted up Ripley, becoming the first NXT UK Women’s Champion and later NXT Women’s Champion.
Her main roster jump has been wonderfully handled with championship runs and making her look better. Her work in the Judgment Day is the topper, unleashing a feisty new persona and her acclaimed WrestleMania 39 win over Charlotte Flair. Now back and ready to destroy anyone in her path, Ripley has not only improved but still has so much potential left to make her a future WWE legend.
5
Mandy Rose Had A Stunning Run
She Proved Herself As A Champion
- Mandy Rose participated in the sixth season of WWE Tough Enough
- She teamed with Sonya Deville for nearly 3 years on WWE’s main roster
- Mandy unified the NXT & NXT UK Women’s Championships
It seemed easy to dismiss Mandy Rose. Starting out on Tough Enough didn’t endear her as a star and in NXT, she didn’t make that huge an impact. It was a bit surprising she’d get a main roster call up with Sonya Deville, who was clearly being pushed as a serious fighter and star. Mandy was more her backup and while good stuff like a program with Otis, she seemed a better performer than a wrestler.
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Moving back to NXT with a brand new look was the first step for Rose to change herself. She followed that up by forming Toxic Attraction and winning the NXT Women’s Championship. Rose then stunned everyone by having a long reign with that belt, turning back all comers, and each match showed great improvement. It can be argued that she could have returned to the main roster if not for her controversial exit, but Rose should be commended for how she transformed into a much better female worker than most would have expected.
4
Bayley Blossomed As A Star
The Heel Turn Changed Her Career
- Bayley has the longest reign as SmackDown Women’s Champion (380 days)
- Bayley made her official WWE main roster debut in August 2016
- She defeated Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women’s Championship in February 2017
It’s not just in wrestling skills that Bayley has so amazingly improved in WWE. She was good in the indies before joining NXT where it took a bit to break out of the shadow of the other Four Horsewomen. Her NXT Women’s Championship run was good, but she was hampered on the main roster with bad booking and often seemed held back too much as a wrestler and too “babyface” for some.
Then came the heel turn that changed it all. Few could have expected Bayley to take to the heel persona so well, and overnight, her ring work drastically improved. She became a marvel on the mic and her return from that long injury shows no signs of weakness as she still provides great matches. It’s a testament to Bayley’s skills in how she’s outdone so many former NXT female wrestlers as a top WWE star.
3
Bianca Belair Has Become The Best
From “EST” To Top Line Star
- Bianca has the longest reign as RAW Women’s Champion (420 days)
- She also has the shortest reign with the title (1 minute 30 seconds)
- Bianca has also won the SmackDown Women’s & WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
For someone who said she only tried out for WWE on a whim, Bianca Belair has succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. She had a great initial push with a long undefeated streak, impressing not just with her strength and that long ponytail but how easily she took to promo work. Moving her to the main roster was inevitable with Belair taking off there.
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Her runs as champion have given her some fantastic feuds and matches, setting a record for the longest reign as RAW Women’s Champion and one of the hottest acts in the company. Her current partnership with Jade Cargill adds to it as she’s lived up to her name as the “EST” and how what started as just a way to kill time made Bianca one of the biggest names in WWE.
2
Liv Morgan Has Risen To The Top
She Was The Real Star Of The Riott Squad
- Liv Morgan made her WWE main roster debut in November 2017 as a member of The Riott Squad
- Liv Morgan won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship twice
- She is also a two-time WWE SmackDown Women’s/Women’s World Champion
When the Riott Squad debuted, Liv Morgan could sometimes be seen as the odd woman out. Ruby Riott had a fun style, while Sarah Logan was a powerhouse. Liv seemed more like the quick striker, and it took a while to find her way in WWE. That included a poor attempt to make her over into a glamor queen and other bad character arcs.
Winning Money in the Bank and then the championship over Ronda Rousey was a huge boost for Morgan. Yet since her return from injury, she’s gotten even better not just as a champion but a performer. Her promos are great, her work with Dominick Mysterio has been a must-watch and her style fits her well. It took a bit, but Liv finally found her groove in WWE and is now one of the top wrestling ladies.
1
Trish Stratus Went From Valet To A Legend
Stratus Went From Eye Candy To A Fantastic Worker
- Trish Stratus is a former seven-time WWE Women’s Champion
- Stratus won the WWE Hardcore Championship in May 2002
- She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013
It’s still utterly astounding to look back at Trish Stratus in 2000 and see her evolution. She was pretty much like any female in wrestling at the time, a manager who used her good looks to distract guys. The first hint at her toughness was taking a Dudley Boyz powerbomb through a table. Yet few could have guessed that a little training would unlock Stratus’ amazing skills to be one of the best of her time.
Her record seven WWE Women’s Championship reigns proved it as she turned in fine wrestling in a time when women’s bouts weren’t that spotlighed. She really gave it her all and earned the respect of all her peers. Her later returns solidified Trish’s legacy as one of the best ever as well as a stunning evolution for any wrestler in WWE history.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)