10 Best Female Wrestlers of 2018
This article is based on my personal opinion. Please keep in mind that i currently do not have the time to watch all of the wrestling there is. This list will consider all of WWE's (including NXT's), WOS' and WXW's output and everything i was able to watch from such as Progress Wrestling, Defiant, ICW, New Japan, NWA, Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling. This does not guarantee their content will be included.
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10. Ruby Riott (WWE)
In believe Ruby Riott could be on top of the MondayNight RAW division right now. But different plans prevent that from happening. Before her injury the Riott Squad was moved from SmackDown to RAW an nothign really changed for the Riott Squad. But after Riott's return from a leg injury and a botch by Brie Bella that knocked Liv Morgen out, there is some fire under Ruby, Sarah Logan and Morgan. All of them have improved extremely over the course of just a very few weeks. They driving force behind this is Ruby Riott who is the leader of the team and has the most expierence. If only Riott wouldn't be stuck in repetitive matches she would outsine everyone and would be legit opponent of the champion. I hope we get to see more of Ruby and her squad in 2019.
9. Rhea Ripley (WWE NXT, WWE NXT UK)
I really liked Ripley's performance in the 2017 edition of the Mae Young Classic and all her showings on NXT TV. WWEthought the same but someone must have thought that she needs to get more vicious. So in 2018 WWE presented us with a new Rhea Ripley complete with shorter hair and rock music. This new version of Rhea made her way to the semi finals of the MYC. After that awesome performance she was moved to the NXT UK brand and got insered into the tournament to crown the first ever WWE United Kingdom Women's Champion, a tournament she won.
I am looking forward to have Ripley on TV regulary now and after such a strong 2018 for her, thats is a sure case.
8. Mia Yim (WWE NXT)
Mia Yim was also part of the 2017 Mae Young Classic and has worked for indy-circuit for years, also having a brief stint with Impact Wresting/TNA. But Yim never shined really. But in 2018 she exploded onto the scene. With a new attitude and a better designed moveset she stole the hearts of the WWE Universe. On of the most impressive tournament performances since Cedric Alexander's Cruiserweight Classic showing. After chants surfaced that said 'Please sign Mia' Triple H went ahead and signed Yim to a full-time NXT contract. Right now shes impressing everyone more and more in her NXT matches on TV. Its only a matter of time until Yim is going to face the NXT Women's Champion.
7. Io Shirai (WWE NXT, STARDOM, SGPW)
Usually im not a fan of restlers coming in already deemed 'the greatest wrestler alive' but Io Shirai is a rare sighting of just being that every, everywhere she goes. Not only does she have the greatest entrance theme, but also the greatest moonsault of the business right now. Her in-ring style is captivating. Unlike other japanase wrestlers in NXT, she won't rely on her gimmick or one move, she goes all out every damn match. She could very well be the next NXT Women's Champion with that attitude. In 2018 all of her matches i have seen in WWE and her explosive matches with Meiko Satomura in Japan have been nothing short of awesome. Thats how you do it.
6. Tessa Blanchard (Impact Wrestling, SHIMMER)
Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard, has taken over in 2018. From a fine showing at the WWE Mae Young Classic, she went on dominanting the indy-scene working for a truck load of companys getting better and better. Her entertaining performances Impact Wrestling's Slammiversary and the ALL IN event put her on the map and eventually resulted in her winning the Impact Knockouts Championship, beating then champion Su Yung and Allie in a wonderful match at Impact's reDefined show. She has got the skills, she style, and her Hall of Fame dad behind her. She could become one of the all time greats if she keeps evolving.
5. Shayna Baszler (WWE NXT)
A horse's neighing, a badass theme song hitting. It's time for NXT Champion is here. Te former UFC fighter has taking on wrestling like very few people have in such a quick time. Despite that i personally am not a huge fan of her yet, but that is probably because of a lackluster feud against Kairi Sane, who did not deliver her end of the stick so far. Baszler however keeps getting better and has an awesome presence about her. She gives the entire match a 'real' feeling and has every right to be called the first ever 2-time NXT Women's Champion. In 2019 we will get used to seeing Shayna as part of a team with Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, im interested to see where this might go. In addition to that Baszler is reported to have an incredible wrestling knowledge, which can hold up with the likes of Triple H. I have the feeling Baszler is one incredible match away from making me a fan of hers. I can not wait to see her on the main roster.
4. Killer Kelly (WWE NXT UK, WXW)
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| Me with Killer Kelly at WXW WTTL |
If there would be a 'most improved' award, it would go to Killer Kelly. She is bar none my favourite female wrestler right now. All of her matches i have seen on NXT UK and WXW were (no pun intended) absolute KILLERS! Kelly is just badass and can turn into serious mode just like that. She came all the way from Portugal to Germany to America to compete in this year's Mae Young Classic and when i read this news, i can not tell you how happy i was. I haven't seen someone sign a WWE contract so quick so early in someone's career in a long time. Not we can see her appear regulary on NXT's UK brand and if there is someone (besides Toni Storm) to take down Rhea Ripley it's the Master of the Kick (sorry Dakota).
3. Ronda Rousey (WWE)
Although suffering from horrible storytelling at the moment, Rouseys adaption to the WWE style, coming from UFC, can't be duplicated. Her match with Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at this year's WrestleMania was the best all night - and that was her debut match. Explosiveness is a word that describes her perfectly. She is the current reinging RAW Women's Champion and probably reign for another year or so, because there is not legit competion. Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax and others all have been minor obsticals for Rousey. Not much more to say, shes staying until Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch or maybe Asuka cross her way.
2. Toni Storm (WWE NXT UK, WXW, PROGRESS Wrestling)
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| Me with Toni Storm at WXW WTTL |
1. Becky Lynch (WWE)
She is THE MAN. When it was time for Becky to get at shot a glory once again, she took it. After being dismissed by the WWE for months and months and months, she snatched the SmackDown Women's Title off of Charlotte Flair and would die before she'd give it up again. Becky Lynch is not now the hottest thing in all of professional wrestling. Nobody can hold a candle to her performances, male or female. Worldwide. Finally Becky is there, where she belonged ALL THE DAMN TIME. Every Battle Royal, every Tournament, every Multi-Person Ladder Match i hoped to see Becky come out on top, now she did and tells everyone how brilliant she is. Not heaving a stiff punch by Nia Jax was able to stop her. It seems like nothing can derail her at this point. She has turned herself in an incredible asset of the women's division- one you never want to miss again. She's No1. and she better stays there for a damn long while.
Honorable Mentions/Watch out in 2019: Bianca Bel-Air (very tough decision to not give her the No.10 spot atleast), Dakota Kai, Lacey Evans, Asuka, Millie McKenzie, Nikki Cross
