These twelve women redefined pro wrestling, shattered stereotypes, and inspired countless fans. Yet, despite their contributions, they remain shamefully absent from the WWE Hall of Fame. Their legacies are integral to the very fabric of the sport—it’s time they receive the recognition they deserve.
1. Jazz
Jazz, a two-time WWE Women’s Champion, pictured here alongside Teddy Long, was known for her intense in-ring style and for being a dominant force in the early 2000s, helping to define the women’s division during that era. Photo Credit: WWE.
A powerhouse, Jazz established herself as a force to be reckoned with.
The dynamic Jazz was the second Black woman in history to hold the WWE Women’s Championship twice. In her ECW days, she intentionally squashed male opponents, just as Chyna had.
Jazz worked with Victoria and Molly Holly to flesh out the women’s division in the early 2000s and create compelling and memorable rivalries.
Her no-nonsense attitude and impressive repertoire of moves paved the way for future generations of female wrestlers.
Jazz’s contributions to the sport deserve recognition, solidifying her place among the greats in the WWE Hall of Fame.
2. AJ Lee
AJ Lee, shown here as WWE Divas Champion, revolutionized the Divas division with her agility, charm, and unforgettable storylines. Photo Credit: WWE.
AJ Lee was a gem in an era where women were being held back. A Latina girl next door, AJ captured the hearts of fans early on with her charisma, agility, and captivating presence.
As early as NXT, AJ took the opportunities presented to her and became one of the most influential women of her era.
Upon arriving on the main roster, she revolutionized the Divas division and proved that women could deliver compelling storylines and unforgettable matches.
AJ Lee resonates with fans worldwide, making her a worthy candidate for the WWE Hall of Fame.
3. Mickie James
Mickie James, pictured here as WWE Women’s Champion, is a versatile veteran whose in-ring skills and passion have left a lasting legacy in WWE and beyond. Photo Credit: WWE.
Virginia native Mickie James is renowned for her exceptional in-ring skills, versatility, and enduring presence in professional wrestling. Mickie began her career on the independent scene, honing her craft and developing a fierce, competitive style that would later define her WWE persona.
She made her WWE debut in 2005, quickly becoming one of the most prominent women in the company. Her intense rivalries, particularly with Lita, Trish Stratus, and Melina, showcased her ability to blend athleticism with storytelling, making her a fan favorite.
Mickie’s WWE tenure includes multiple Women’s and Divas Championship reigns, highlighted by memorable matches and moments that solidified her legacy.
Beyond WWE, Mickie has also made significant contributions to other promotions, including TNA (Impact Wrestling), where she became a multiple-time Knockouts Champion and one of the faces of the Knockouts division.
More recently, Mickie has made waves in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where she continues to compete and promote women’s wrestling. Her efforts in organizing and headlining events like NWA’s all-women’s pay-per-view, Empowerrr, further demonstrate her commitment to elevating the role of women in the industry.
The esteemed veteran is worthy of a WWE Hall of Fame nod.
4. Victoria
Victoria, a two-time Women’s Champion, is known for her fierce rivalries and for competing in WWE’s first women’s hardcore match against Trish Stratus, helped to elevate women’s wrestling in WWE. Photo Credit: WWE.
Victoria, also known as Lisa Marie Varon, was the original "crazy chick" before Mickie James’ fan persona and AJ Lee’s run.
With her fearless in-ring style and memorable rivalries with the likes of Trish Stratus and Molly Holly, she helped elevate the status of women’s wrestling in WWE and beyond.
Even when she played a mistress character or was in toxic on-screen romances, Victoria proved her dedication to her craft as a two-time Women’s Champion and participated in memorable hardcore matches.
Victoria is a deserving candidate for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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5. Chyna
Chyna, pictured here as WWE Women’s Champion, was a trailblazing powerhouse who broke barriers as the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble and hold the Intercontinental Title. Photo Credit: WWE.
Introduced as a bodyguard for the outrageous new Attitude Era group DX, Chyna quickly seized this opportunity and became a trailblazer in women’s wrestling.
Her unmatched strength and athleticism broke barriers and shattered stereotypes during her time in WWE. She redefined what it meant to be a female wrestler in a male-dominated industry.
From being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble to being the only woman to have held a "male championship" (the WWF Intercontinental Championship), Chyna has inspired generations of women to break more barriers.
Although inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of DX, she deserves her own nod.
6. Miss Elizabeth
Miss Elizabeth, alongside ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage after his WWE World Heavyweight Championship victory, played an iconic role in one of wrestling’s most memorable partnerships. Photo Credit: WWE.
As one of the most iconic managers in wrestling history, Miss Elizabeth played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of the sport’s stars. Her marriage to Randy "Macho Man" Savage and her signature white dress are iconic memories of the 1980s.
Melina, a three-time Women’s Champion, made her mark in WWE with her athleticism and memorable rivalries during the Ruthless Aggression era. Photo Credit: WWE.
Known for her signature splits and paparazzi flow, Melina is another Latina wrestler who made her mark with her dynamic in-ring performances.
Appearing in the Ruthless Aggression and PG eras, the California native captured three Women’s and two Divas Championships.
Her memorable rivalries with the likes of Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, and Alicia Fox impacted the women’s division during her tenure in WWE.
Her time managing the team of MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) adds an impressive measure to her resume. Nevertheless, her innovative maneuvers and flexibility helped her captivate audiences.
Melina’s stellar career continues to be celebrated, cementing her WWE Hall of Fame contender status.
8. Michelle McCool
Michelle McCool, a multi-time WWE Women’s Champion, was a central figure in the Divas division, known for her role in the Lay-Cool duo. Photo Credit: WWE.
Michelle McCool’s athleticism and in-ring prowess make her a standout performer in WWE. She is not only the Undertaker’s wife but also a multi-time WWE Women’s Champion and an integral member of the Divas division.
She was the main mean girl of the PG era roster in Lay-Cool alongside Layla. Although her character had bittersweet moments, she was a memorable heel and redefined women’s wrestling for a new generation of fans.
Michelle’s contributions to the industry are undeniable, warranting her consideration for induction.
9. Awesome Kong / Kharma
Although her time in WWE was brief, Awesome Kong, known as Kharma in WWE, made a lasting impact with her powerful presence and memorable moments across multiple wrestling promotions. Photo Credit: WWE.
Although her run in WWE lasted less than a year, Awesome Kong, known as Kharma in WWE, left an indelible mark on the wrestling world with her imposing presence and unmatched dominance.
Debuting in 2011, Kharma quickly established herself as a terrifying force in the PG-era Divas division, most notably through her feuds with the Bella Twins. Her arrival was a stark contrast to the typical WWE Diva at the time, and she was immediately positioned as a powerful disruptor in the division.
One of Kharma’s most memorable WWE moments came when she became only the third woman in history to enter the Royal Rumble, further cementing her status as a trailblazer.
Although her time in WWE was cut short due to personal reasons, the impact she made during her brief stint was significant.
Before and after her WWE tenure, Awesome Kong made a name for herself in TNA Wrestling, where she became a two-time Knockouts Champion. Her feuds with Gail Kim in TNA are considered some of the best women’s matches of the era, showcasing her unique blend of power, agility, and storytelling ability.
In addition to her wrestling career, Awesome Kong also gained mainstream attention through her role as Tammé "The Welfare Queen" Dawson on the Netflix series GLOW, which portrayed the lives of female wrestlers in the 1980s. Her performance brought her wrestling persona to a new audience, further cementing her legacy as a pioneer in the industry.
Her influence extends beyond her in-ring accomplishments, as she broke barriers for women of all sizes in the wrestling industry. Given her contributions to the sport, her groundbreaking presence, Awesome Kong deserves recognition in the WWE Hall of Fame.
10. Sable
Sable, a key figure during the Attitude Era, known for her popularity and her role in bringing mainstream attention to WWE’s women’s division. Photo Credit: WWE.
Although this inclusion may be contested, Sable’s role in the wrestling world transcended her in-ring accomplishments. She played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of mainstream popularity for WWE during the Attitude Era, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling at the time.
Her marriage to former UFC and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar did not put her on the map—it was her role as a valet and her Playboy persona that made her a household name. Sable’s appearances in Playboy were some of the magazine’s highest-selling issues, helping to draw mainstream attention to WWE and its women’s division. This crossover appeal significantly expanded WWE’s audience and brought new visibility to women’s wrestling.
In the ring, Sable had notable rivalries with Jazz, Debra, and her former husband and on-screen love interest, Marc Mero. Her appeal, wild segments, striking looks, and magnetic personality captivated audiences, making her one of the most popular figures of the era.
Whether she was powerbombing male opponents or engaging in provocative storylines, Sable knew how to draw attention and keep fans invested.
However, her complicated relationship with WWE in later years has led to what appears to be an intentional distancing from her legacy. This became strikingly apparent during Torrie Wilson’s 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction when Wilson attempted to acknowledge Sable’s influence. “I mentioned her name in my Hall of Fame speech, and right before, they told me, ‘Oh, by the way, you’re not allowed to mention her name,'” Wilson revealed during a virtual signing.
Despite the controversy surrounding her career, Sable’s influence on the industry is undeniable, and her impact on WWE during the Attitude Era makes her a deserving candidate for the WWE Hall of Fame.
11. Gail Kim
Gail Kim, who won the Women’s Championship in her WWE debut, later became a cornerstone of Impact Wrestling’s Knockouts division. Photo Credit: WWE.
Gail Kim’s skill and athleticism made her a standout performer in women’s wrestling, earning her recognition as one of the best in the business.
She won the Women’s Championship in a seven-woman Battle Royal in her WWE debut, setting her up as a potential megastar.
However, WWE dropped the ball with Gail and released her only a year into her run. Despite her failed potential in WWE, Gail made a memorable career in Impact Wrestling, winning the Knockouts Championship seven times and having an unforgettable feud with Awesome Kong.
Throughout her career, Gail Kim showcased her ability to deliver high-octane matches and memorable moments, earning the respect of fans and peers alike. Her contributions to pro wrestling deserve to be celebrated.
12. Beulah McGillicutty
Beulah McGillicutty, a prominent figure in ECW, known for her involvement in some of the promotion’s most intense and memorable storylines. Photo Credit: WWE.
Her real-life husband, Tommy Dreamer, subjected her to hardcore piledrivers, and she had a memorable rivalry with Luna Vachon.
The storylines she took part in helped redefine expectations associated with women in wrestling. She broke barriers and stereotypes and proved that women could thrive in the world of extreme wrestling.
Beulah’s contributions deserve recognition, making her a worthy candidate for the WWE Hall of Fame.
Each of these trailblazing women has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling through their diverse talents and historic contributions. Their achievements have elevated the sport and paved the way for future generations of female wrestlers. It’s long overdue that WWE recognizes their impact and honors them with a rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Hopefully, WWE will one day show the class to build not only a brick-and-mortar Hall of Fame but also to honor these deserving women who so rightfully deserve entry
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Nataly “Nati” Feliciano, a proud Richmond, Virginia native, is a full-time student at VCU, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Media Production. A passionate wrestling fan, Nati credits her lifelong love for the sport with sparking her interest in storytelling and world-building through larger-than-life characters. As she continues her studies, she is dedicated to exploring the intersection of media and storytelling, with wrestling serving as a central inspiration in her creative journey.
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