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Akira Hokuto, born Hisako Uno, had a remarkable career in All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling. From winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1985 to capturing the prestigious WWWA World Tag Team Championship, Hokuto’s determination and passion never wavered. Her captivating performances and indelible mark on women’s wrestling continue to inspire future generations of female athletes in the ring.
Princesa Sugehit, born Ernestina Sugehit Salazar Martínez, is a Mexican professional wrestler who has left a significant impact on the world of lucha libre. Starting her career as the only female student in a wrestling school, she proved her resilience and determination within the male-dominated industry. Princesa Sugehit has wrestled for prominent promotions such as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA), and her skills have been recognized internationally. She is a trailblazer in women’s wrestling, inspiring and empowering female wrestlers worldwide.
Marcela, born María Elena Santamaría Gómez, developed a passion for professional wrestling from a young age. Despite facing opposition, she pursued her dream and made her wrestling debut in 1985. Throughout her career, Marcela has become a top técnica in Mexico’s wrestling scene, winning multiple championships and triumphing in high-stakes matches. Beyond her accomplishments, Marcela serves as an inspiration to women, breaking barriers and shattering gender stereotypes in a male-dominated industry.
Carmen Rosa, a renowned wrestling cholita, has left an indelible mark on Bolivian society through her extraordinary achievements and unwavering determination. Born into a family of strong indigenous women, Carmen Rosa was instilled with a deep sense of pride in her cultural heritage from an early age. Her mother and grandmother, both Aymara women, served as powerful role models, inspiring Carmen Rosa to embrace her identity as a cholita and defy societal expectations.
La Amapola, whose real name is Guadalupe Ramona Olvera, is a Mexican professional wrestler known for her skills and charisma. She began her wrestling career in 1997 and made a name for herself in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). La Amapola’s contributions to women’s wrestling and her impact on Mexican professional wrestling have solidified her as a legendary figure in the sport.
Ayumi Kurihara, a retired joshi puroresu wrestler, began her career in 2005 and wrestled for various promotions, including Pro Wrestling Wave and NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling. Despite facing setbacks and injuries, she displayed resilience and continuously improved her craft, earning respect from her peers and fans. Her contributions to women’s wrestling will always be remembered.
Mildred Burke, an influential figure in women’s wrestling, held the NWA World Women’s Championship for nearly two decades. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, she paved the way for female athletes and left an indelible impact on women’s history. Burke’s resilience and determination earned her a well-deserved place in the WWE Hall of Fame’s Legacy Wing, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Marva Scott, one of America’s first black female wrestlers, broke barriers and confronted prejudice head-on during the racially segregated era of the 1950s to the late 1970s. Alongside her sisters, Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson, Marva used her platform to inspire young women of color and advocate for equal rights. Her legacy as a courageous and talented wrestler continues to inspire future generations.
Ethel Blanche Hairston, better known as Ethel Johnson, was a trailblazing figure in professional wrestling. She became the first African-American women’s champion and paved the way for others in the sport. Through her talent and determination, Ethel challenged societal norms and left a lasting legacy in the wrestling industry. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 83, but her impact continues to resonate.
Cora Livingston, the first women’s world champion in professional wrestling, overcame adversity from a young age and embarked on a remarkable career. Her fame grew as she toured across the United States and Canada, earning a reputation as a formidable competitor. Livingston’s legacy as a trailblazer in breaking gender norms continues to inspire generations.
Missy Hyatt, also known as Melissa Ann Hiatt, was a prominent figure in professional wrestling. She gained attention for her signature move of hitting her rivals with a “loaded” Gucci purse. Throughout her career, Hyatt worked with various wrestling promotions, showcasing her charismatic persona and exceptional microphone skills. Although she did not receive any awards, her impact on the wrestling industry as a valet and commentator was significant.
Luna Vachon, the American-Canadian professional wrestler, defied obstacles and pursued her dreams in the wrestling industry. Known for her intensity and unique appearance, Luna’s impact extends beyond her in-ring performances as she paved the way for future female wrestlers. She was posthumously inducted into both the WWE Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer in women’s wrestling.
Jazz, born Carlene Denise Moore-Begnaud, is a renowned American professional wrestler and manager. She has made significant contributions to the world of wrestling, particularly during her time at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she held the prestigious WWE Women’s Championship twice. Jazz’s powerful in-ring presence and trailblazing status have cemented her as a remarkable figure in women’s wrestling history.
Debra Ann Miceli, also known as Madusa, is an American monster truck driver and former professional wrestler who has made significant contributions to women’s wrestling. With a career spanning several decades, Madusa’s pioneering spirit and exceptional talent have solidified her place in women’s history. She was the first woman to be awarded Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Rookie of the Year in 1988 and held the WWF Women’s Championship three times. Madusa’s impact on the industry is undeniable, and she continues to inspire and entertain as a producer for the National Wrestling Alliance.
Babs Wingo, alongside her sisters Marva Scott and Ethel Johnson, was a trailblazing African-American wrestler who integrated professional wrestling in the 1950s. Their untold stories of resilience and strength helped revolutionize the sport, challenging racial and gender barriers. Babs became the first black woman to wrestle the reigning champion and emerged victorious, becoming the first interracial women’s champion. Her groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of black wrestlers and left an enduring impact on professional wrestling.
Susan Tex Green (born August 13, 1953) is an American professional wrestler. She began her wrestling career at the young age of 15 and was trained by The Fabulous Moolah, a prominent figure in female wrestling. Green’s talent and dedication to the sport quickly became evident, and she soon made a name for herself in the wrestling world.
Beverly “Hammer” Shade was a prominent figure in the women’s wrestling scene who chose to remain independent from the dominant presence of Fabulous Moolah. Throughout her career, Shade achieved various accolades and formed successful partnerships with fellow wrestlers like Natasha The Hatchet Lady and Tracy Richards. She battled significant health challenges before passing away at the age of 87, leaving a lasting legacy in women’s wrestling.
Seini Draughn, known as Lei’D Tapa, is a German-born Tongan American professional wrestler, model, mixed martial artist, and former women’s American football player. She gained fame for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Lei’D Tapa. Her dominance in various sports, including jousting and volleyball, along with her aggression in professional wrestling, challenges gender stereotypes and inspires others to pursue their passions.
Aileen LeBell Eaton, born on February 5, 1909, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was a prominent figure in the boxing and professional wrestling industry. She had a remarkable career as a promoter, spanning over five decades, and played a significant role in shaping the west coast’s boxing and wrestling scene.
Xóchitl Hamada, a Mexican semi-retired Luchadora, comes from a family of professional wrestlers. Throughout her career, she showcased immense talent and passion for the wrestling industry. Hamada achieved a significant milestone by becoming the second-ever CMLL World Women’s Champion. Her contributions to the women’s division in both CMLL and AAA have solidified her status as a trailblazer in Mexican wrestling.
Keiko Aoki, better known as Bull Nakano, was born on January 8, 1968, in Japan. She quickly made a name for herself in the professional wrestling industry, becoming one of the most dominant and charismatic wrestlers of her time. Nakano’s captivating performances and fierce determination continue to leave a lasting impact on both the wrestling and golfing worlds.
Lady Apache, born Sandra González Calderón on June 26, 1970, in Mexico City, Mexico, is a Mexican professional wrestler widely known for her contributions to the world of lucha libre. Throughout her career, she has wrestled under the ring name Lady Apache and has made significant impacts in both Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and AAA, Mexico’s two largest professional wrestling promotions. González’s journey in the wrestling industry has been marked by her remarkable athleticism, numerous championships, and her lasting influence on women’s wrestling.
Khutulun (c.?1260 c.?1306), also known as Aigiarne, Aiyurug, Khotol Tsagaan or Ay Yaruq (lit. “Moonlight”), was a Mongol-Turkic noblewoman and the most famous daughter of Kaidu, a cousin of Kublai Khan. Born around 1260, Khutulun lived during a tumultuous period in Central Asia’s history, marked by Mongol conquests and shifting political alliances. Her life and accomplishments have been chronicled by several historians, including Marco Polo and Rashid al-Din Hamadani.
Dalys la Caribeña, born in 1975 in Panama, is a renowned Panamanian luchadora. She has made a name for herself in the world of professional wrestling, particularly in Mexico’s Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Dalys comes from a wrestling family, with her father being a former wrestler turned promoter. Her exceptional skills and vibrant persona have made her a force to be reckoned with in women’s wrestling.
Rita Marie Chatterton, also known as “Rita Marie,” was a trailblazing figure in professional wrestling. Born in Orlando, Florida in 1953, she became the first female referee in the history of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in the early 1980s. Despite facing controversy and legal battles, Chatterton’s presence and dedication paved the way for women in the wrestling industry. Her impact and contributions to women’s wrestling history continue to be celebrated.