For decades, women in WWE were often relegated to secondary roles, primarily serving as eye candy, managers, or the occasional “diva” match that lasted only a few minutes. But over the past two decades, WWE has undergone a transformation that has fundamentally reshaped the role of women in the company.
This shift has turned the women’s division from an afterthought into one of the most compelling and important aspects of the company’s programming. From the “Diva Era” to the rise of the “Four Horsewomen,” and now to main eventing WrestleMania, the rise of women in WWE represents a larger cultural shift toward equality, empowerment, and athletic excellence.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw WWE (formerly the WWF) adopt a model where women were predominantly used for their looks rather than their wrestling ability. The “Diva Era,” a term WWE itself coined, defined much of the company’s programming during this period.
Women like Trish Stratus, Lita, Chyna and Jacqueline proved they could wrestle, but for the most part, the focus was on their physical appeal. Matches were short and often gimmicky, and many women were given roles outside of wrestling, such as valet or manager, rather than being booked as wrestlers.
While the women in the Diva Era were talented and charismatic in their own right, they were often caught in a system that didn’t fully allow them to showcase their wrestling skills. That all changed in the mid-2010s with a series of shifts both within WWE and society.
The real turning point came in 2015, with WWE’s “Divas Revolution.” WWE began to realize that their audience, particularly younger fans, was increasingly clamoring for more substantial and competitive female matches.
Women like Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Bayley — collectively known as the “Four Horsewomen” — became the centerpiece of this change. These women were not only talented wrestlers but also fierce competitors who demanded respect for their athleticism.
This period was marked by longer matches, more complex storylines, and a broader focus on wrestling ability. In 2016, WWE announced that the term “Divas” would be retired in favor of the more empowering title “Superstars” for both men and women. This symbolic change represented WWE’s shift away from objectifying women and toward recognizing them as equals in the ring.
The first-ever Women’s Hell in a Cell match between Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks in 2016 proved that women were capable of delivering the same hard-hitting, emotionally charged matches as their male counterparts. This match was a significant milestone in WWE’s commitment to women’s wrestling.
One of the most influential moments in the history of women’s wrestling came at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. For the first time ever, women headlined the biggest event in professional wrestling. The main event saw Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch compete in a historic Triple Threat match for the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships.
This match wasn’t just about the belts— it was a symbol of how far the women of WWE had come in terms of athleticism, storytelling, and public recognition.
This was more than just a match. It represented a significant cultural shift, both within WWE and in the larger sports entertainment world. It wasn’t simply about breaking barriers for the sake of publicity; these women had earned their spot in the main event. Their storylines had been built over months of excellent storytelling, and fans were invested in the outcome. The cheers and excitement from the crowd were a clear sign that WWE had created something special, not just for women’s wrestling, but for wrestling as a whole.
The Four Horsewomen — Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and Bayley — were the vanguard of this new era. Their rivalries and matches helped redefine what it meant to be a female wrestler in WWE. Each woman brought something unique to the table: Flair with her legacy and athleticism, Lynch with her charisma and underdog story, Banks with her technical prowess, and Bayley with her storytelling and emotional depth.
These women have since gone on to become WWE’s most recognizable and marketable talents, carrying the torch for future generations of female wrestlers. Their success has paved the way for newer stars like Bianca Belair, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Rhea Ripley, and Liv Morgan.
WWE’s efforts to elevate women’s wrestling have had a ripple effect across the entire industry. Promotions like AEW (All Elite Wrestling) have also recognized the need for strong, competitive women’s divisions, and organizations such as Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor have showcased talented female wrestlers for years. Women’s wrestling is no longer an afterthought in most promotions; it’s an integral part of the show.
Additionally, the rise of female wrestlers in WWE has been part of a broader cultural shift toward empowering women in sports, entertainment, and beyond. Wrestlers like Rousey, Shayna Baszler, and NXT’s Tegan Nox have become role models for young women aspiring to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated spaces.
The future of women in WWE looks incredibly bright. With talents like Rhea Ripley, Io Shirai, and Raquel González emerging as new faces of the women’s division, WWE’s women’s roster continues to evolve. The company has shown that it is committed to giving women more time, better storytelling, and the opportunity to be main-event players in the company’s most high-profile matches.
The rise of women in WWE is not just a passing trend; it represents a lasting change in the way women are viewed in professional wrestling. As WWE continues to make strides in terms of equality, athleticism, and representation, the next generation of female wrestlers will undoubtedly benefit from the groundwork laid by pioneers like Stratus, Lita, Banks, Flair, and Lynch.
In the end, the true legacy of the women of WWE won’t just be the records they break or the championships they win. It will be the doors they’ve opened for future generations of women who will come to see WWE not just as a place where men wrestle, but as a place where anyone, regardless of gender, can achieve greatness.
The legacy they’re building today will continue to inspire future generations of athletes, proving that talent, determination, and passion have no gender. The rise of women in WWE is far from over— it’s just getting started.
