WWE Quiz Time: Are These Wrestling Divas In The WWE Hall of Fame?
- by Lucas Wesley
- – on
- in Sports
Notwithstanding an ongoing effort at a women’s revolution, historically speaking, the WWE Universe has never quite given female wrestlers a fair shake. That trend may be starting to change, but a quick peak at the WWE Hall of Fame is all one needs to understand how far back the problem goes. Established in 1993, 164 superstars have been inducted into the honorary establishment as of 2018. It took 3 years for a single woman to earn acknowledgement, and it was 11 years after that before another lady joined her.
Even now, when fans can assume at least one female will get inducted to the Hall of Fame per years, barely 9% of the inductees are women. Granted, there have always been more males than females in wrestling, and the ratio would inevitably be skewed as a result, but these numbers make it overwhelmingly clear the company ignored an entire gender for decades.
Of course, from a trivia perspective, there is a way to look at this as a positive, in that with so few women in the Hall of Fame, it should be easy for a wrestling buff to remember who they all are. If you don’t study the Hall of Fame inductions, the name value of these ladies alone should be enough for you to guess if they were worth of the honor. If you think you’re an expert, take our quiz on whether or not these female wrestlers are in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Is Trish Stratus in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Making her way to the ring with a deceptive giggle, Trish Stratus was secretly one of the most dominant women in WWE history. In many respects, the career of the woman who always guaranteed 100% Stratusfaction could be viewed as a metaphor’s for women’s wrestling as a genre. Though originally intended as mere eye candy, Stratus fast proved she was incredibly dedicated to sports entertainment, eventually winning a record 7 WWE Women’s Championships. After retiring at a young age to start a yoga business, did Trish become a Hall of Famer?
Has Chyna been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
When a person looks like Chyna, they tend to get whatever it is they want. This must be how she broke though constant glass ceilings throughout her immensely influential career. Instantly upon arrival, Chyna was unlike anything the WWE Universe had ever seen, showing no fear as she stood against men even bigger than she. As her popularity grew, Chyna became the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble or King of the Ring, and capped it off by being the only female WWE Intercontinental Champion in history. Is she also a Hall of Famer?
Has Debra been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
Initially, Debra McMichael seemed like little more than her real life husband “Mongo” Steve McMichael’s arm candy when the couple made their wrestling debut in WCW. However, it was shedding her martial relation and jumping ship to WWE with Jeff Jarrett that slowly started turning Debra into a true star. Wearing business suits that accentuated what Jerry Lawler called her “puppies,” Debra soon became so outrageously popular she won the Women’s Championship without ever wrestling an actual match. Did this success also bring her to the Hall of Fame?
Is Maryse a WWE Hall of Famer?
A rare WWE Diva search competitor who watched sports entertainment before she entered it, Maryse dreamed about working for Vince McMahon her entire life. Though she failed to win that contest, Maryse nonetheless got hired and soon grew into a highly decorated competitor. The peak of her in-ring career came when Maryse won two reigns as WWE Diva’s Championships, though it could easily be argued her current status as the manager of her real husband The Miz is bringing her even greater success. However it is she would have earned it, is Maryse in the Hall of Fame?
Is Joan Lunden in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Say what you will about Vince McMahon, but the man is a huge fan of charitable endeavors. In recent history, the most important stand WWE has been making is against cancer, specifically breast cancer, doing whatever they can to raise awareness for the disease. This includes doing things like having the wrestlers wear pink shirts and armbands, while also changing the color of the ring ropes on special occasions. It also means bringing in celebrity’s like Good Morning America’s Joan Lunden to help promote the cause through their stories. Did doing so lead Lunden to the Hall of Fame?
Did Brie Bella earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
16 minutes younger than twin sister Nikki, it could be said Brie Bella took the background role in family affairs. Despite this, Brie made her official debut in the ring first, albeit only by a couple weeks. Brie also beat Nikki to the WWE Diva’s Champion, although again her accomplishment wouldn’t match her sister’s, holding it a mere two months. While much of her success was rollercoaster-like, Brie’s name kept her in the spotlight her entire career, and she earned even more of it after marrying Daniel Bryan. Did these connections guide Brie’s path to the Hall of Fame?
Was Torrie Wilson honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
One of the few women hot enough for the nWo, Torrie Wilson always stood out for her striking appearance and devious smiles. The association with the New World Order didn’t last long with the group’s implosion, but Torrie stuck around for several years after that, achieving fame in both WCW and WWE. Although Wilson never won any titles in wrestling, she was nonetheless a very popular star based on her appearance alone, and multiple appearances in Playboy merely increased her name recognition. Did Wilson’s appeal also make her a Hall of Famer?
Has Beth Phoenix been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
Gorgeous and destructive at the same time, calling Beth Phoenix “The Glamazon” barely begins to explain her vast talents. In an era of divas who WWE intentionally asked to wrestle quick, meaningless matches, Phoenix refused to hide her talent, quickly earning recognition as an incredible technical wrestler. Combined with her looks, this made it easy for Phoenix to win three WWE Women’s Championships, collectively holding the gold for over a full year. Another lengthy Diva’s Championship reign would follow. Did induction to the WWE Hall of Fame come next?
Is Stacy Keibler in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Taking an unusual path from the gridiron to the squared circle, Stacy Keibler started her career as a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens. Using the skills she learned with her pom-poms, Keibler then won a contest to become the next WCW Nitro Girl, in essence predicting the future success of the WWE Diva’s Search. Due to her long legs and winning smile, Stacy didn’t need much wrestling training to become a top manager of talent like Test and The Dudley Boyz, in turn making her extremely popular. Did these pairings also make her a Hall of Famer?
Did Jacqueline earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
Tough, Texan, and proud, for many years, Jacqueline may well have had one of the strongest personalities on the WWE roster. After increasing her profile in WCW, this dominant streak led to an immediate top role working for Vince McMahon, with Jacqueline soon winning a tournament to revive the Women’s Championship. She would lose and regain that title once, followed by an even more historic reign as the only female Cruiserweight Champion in WWE. Despite the success, fans have long criticized Jacqueline’s subpar ring and microphone work. Did she get into the Hall of Fame anyway?
Was Layla El honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
Like many women joining WWE through the controversial Diva’s Search, Layla El initially had little connection to wrestling. While certainly attractive in a unique way, Layla entered the business untrained, and it took her several years to find footing as an athlete. Of course, once she discovered it as half of the bullying tag team LayCool with Michelle McCool, there was no turning back. In fact, LayCool became so dominant they collectively combined the Diva’s and Women’s Championships into one, with Layla specifically earning one official reign with each belt. Did she also earn a Hall of Fame induction?
Did Sable earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
Entering the business virtually by happenstance, all Sable wanted to do when she first signed with WWE spend time with her husband, Marc Mero. Before long, she was standing next to him onscreen, and earning twice the reaction the former Intercontinental and WCW Television Champion ever received. Never letting an opportunity escape him, Vince McMahon instantly decided to let the blonde bombshell wrestle, reviving the WWE Women’s Championship after years for dormancy just so she could win it. Did Sable also get to be in the Hall of Fame?
Was Sunny honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
Proudly proclaiming herself the “first WWE diva,” Sunny didn’t need to step in the ring to change wrestling forever. With her coquettish smiles, bustling energy, and overwhelming love of pro wrestling, Sunny was one of very few women in wrestling during her day. Although she didn’t wrestle, the mere fact a female was around and offering her opinions was a big step for WWE, and the fact she happened to be gorgeous meant the audience couldn’t get enough of her. Sunny never won the Women’s Championship, or any other belts, but did she enter the Hall of Fame?
Is Lita a WWE Hall of Famer?
When Lita first arrived in the WWE Universe, her main purpose was to pop off a moonsault that looked something like the picture perfect one performed by Essa Rios. Not only did Lita nail the backflip every time, but she became ten times the star Rios ever was in America almost overnight, soon ditching him for the much more popular Hardy Boyz. Even then, Lita was receiving louder cheers than her male acquaintances for her unique skills in the ring, leading to four reigns as WWE Women’s Champion. Did it also lead to the WWE Hall of Fame?
Was AJ Lee honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
Recognizing crazy as her superpower, the maniacal AJ Lee was one of the most unpredictable women in recent WWE history. Bouncing from boyfriend to boyfriend as her career began, AJ managed to define herself as much more than a mere valet through incredible character work, not to mention equally strong performances inside the squared circle when her affairs were over. After dumping almost every guy in the main event scene, Lee focused on her own career and won three Divas Championships, with her first reign lasting nearly 300 days. Did the gold pave AJ’s path to the Hall of Fame?
Has The Fabulous Moolah been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
If WWE lore is to be believed, The Fabulous Moolah is arguably the most important figure in all of women’s wrestling. On the other hand, a rising contingent has been drawing attention to her unscrupulous business tactics as a trainer and performer. Although it’s true Moolah held the WWE Women’s Championship for the better part of 27 years, this accomplishment is a double-edged sword in and of itself, as it means she refused to give any other women a chance during this entire time frame. Has history awarded her a Hall of Fame induction anyway?
Is Molly Holly in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Holy sidekicks becoming more popular than the original character, Hurricane! After a few forgettable months in WCW, Nora Greenwald made her debut in WWE as Molly Holly, younger cousin of Crash and Hardcore. While initially a mere comedy character, Molly proved herself as talented a performer as either of her fake relatives if not more so, especially when allowed to dip into her evil side as a vicious heel. Holly’s mean streak earned her two reigns as the WWE Women’s Champion and one quick run with the Hardcore title. Did it also make her a Hall of Famer?
Did Luna Vachon earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
Believe it or not, despite possessing a voice that sounds like sandpaper, Luna Vachon’s bite was even stronger than her bark. Not only did this metal inspired madwoman predate the women’s revolution with her tenacity, but her style and nature in many respects also predicted the rise of hardcore. Appropriately, Luna spent a few months in ECW, but her biggest fame came through multiple stints in WWE, feuding against women like Alundra Blayze, Sherri Martel, and Sable. Did these wars bring Luna to the Hall of Fame?
Is Michelle McCool a WWE Hall of Famer?
After studying the road to success as a teacher, Michelle McCool promised to take her opponents to school immediately upon her entry to the wrestling ring. It took a few years for her to find her voice, but once she stopped acting like Ms. Norbury and stepped up as one of the true Mean Girls, McCool turned into one of the company’s most vicious villains. Teaming up with Layla El, the two bullies dominated the roster and combined the Diva’s and Women’s Championships into one. Did feats like this make McCool a Hall of Famer?
Has “Sensational” Sherri Martel been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
Whether managing the biggest men in the wrestling business or getting in the ring herself, Sherri Martel was Sensuous, Sensational, and just a little bit Scary all at once. Looking like a dark witch at her worst and a glamorous Queen at her best, Martel could play just about any role to expert perfection. Rewarding these efforts, WWE once made her Women’s Champion, and the AWA did so on three separate occasions. Sherri also got to manage plenty of other title holders like “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Booker T. Did she later join them in the Hall of Fame?
Was Alundra Blayze honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
Breaking barriers immediately upon her debut, Alundra Blayze was the first female Pro Wrestling Illustrated named the Rookie of the Year. Then known as Madusa, no matter what they called her, Blayze’s trend of breaking glass ceilings would continue throughout her entire career. Despite high acclaim in her rookie year, Madusa would only get better after a tour of Japan, and she used these skills to become a three time WWE Women’s Champion. Making history once again, she also became the first female WCW Cruiserweight Champion a few years later. Is the Hall of Famer another accolade she holds?
Is Mickie James in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Simultaneously proving she was outright crazy and becoming ridiculously popular for it, Mickie James’s unforgettable first act in WWE was falling in love with Trish Stratus. Years before the women’s revolution, the ensuing feud was long considered the most in-depth and creative all-female war in WWE history, if not all of wrestling. Naturally, James was able to capitalize on the notoriety, going on to win the WWE Women’s Championship on five separate occasions, plus another three Knockouts Championships in rival company TNA. Did these titles inevitably make her a Hall of Famer?
Did Victoria earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
Suffering a nosebleed as she won her first WWE Women’s Championship and not even seeming to mind, Victoria was darker and more destructive than any other female wrestler before her. Sure, former divas could be described as villainous, but Victoria gleefully accepted her role as a Black Widow without a shred of human compassion. In addition to her bloody first victory, Victoria won the Women’s Championship a second time a few short months after losing it, then later achieved even greater fame in TNA by winning their Knockouts Championship five times. Has she since become a Hall of Famer, too?
Was Wendi Richter honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
WWE tries to whitewash this fact out of history today, but at Wendi Richter’s peak, it could be argued the only wrestler to eclipse her popularity was Hulk Hogan. Granted, a big part of this was Richter’s association with pop star Cyndi Lauper. That said, Richter did more with this rock and wrestling connection than a lesser talent could have, using it as a launching pad to two WWE Women’s Championship, the second of which she won in the penultimate match of the first WrestleMania. Did these accomplishments lead Richter to the Hall of Fame?
Has Gail Kim been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
Coming into the WWE Universe like a Matrix-inspired wrecking ball, future TNA legend Gail Kim won the WWE Women’s Championship in her very first match with the company. Unfortunately, her hot look and above average ring skills weren’t enough to keep Kim in the spotlight, losing the title to Molly Holly barely one month later. This experience quickly made Kim reconsider her future with Vince McMahon, though she later experienced incredible success as an employee of Dixie Carter, winning a record seven TNA Knockouts Championships. No matter where her success came, did WWE make her a Hall of Famer?
Is Mae Young in the WWE Hall of Fame?
By achieving her greatest fame at the ripe age of 76, Mae Young did something no other wrestler had ever done before. Of course, this was merely the final revolutionary act of a woman who wrestled a career filled with them. As if allegedly wrestling across seven decades wasn’t an accomplishment in and of itself, Young won numerous titles in this time, competing with and against fellow vanguards Mildred Burke and The Fabulous Moolah. For whatever reason, none of this earned Young as much fame as acting drunk for Vince McMahon, but did it make her a Hall of Famer?
Did Stephanie McMahon earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
As soon as Stephanie McMahon was all grown up, she demanded recognition as the most important woman in the WWE Universe. With the help of her father Vince and husband Triple H, it was remarkably easy for Stephanie to earn this through power and intimidation. Not that she’s completely without accomplishment in the ring, once reigning as the Women’s Champion for five months in the summer of 2000. Then again, Steph barely defended the title, and hasn’t got in the ring much after losing it. Has her corporate influence made her a Hall of Famer?
Is Bull Nakano a WWE Hall of Famer?
With her wild hair, veiny face, and terrifyingly vicious approach to sports entertainment, Bull Nakano occasionally looked more like a Super Saiyan than a wrestler. Opponents of the Japanese performer would have done well to treat her like one, as Nakano’s highly technical approach to the subject made her a killer in any language. After winning just about every female title in Japan and appearing in countless main events, Nakano jumped to America and quickly added the WWE Women’s Championship to her mantle by defeating Alundra Blayze. Did victories like this lead her to the Hall of Fame?
Was June Byers honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
Long before Vince McMahon had anything to do with wrestling, women like June Byers were revolutionizing things in controversial ways. For decades prior to Byers’s appearance on the scene, the top name in women’s wrestling was Mildred Burke. However, Burke achieved this status in part through a relationship with promoter Billy Wolfe, and after that coupling dissolved, so did Burke’s success. The younger, prettier, yet still powerful Byers was brought in to double-cross Burke and take her gold, later retiring as champion while still holding the belt. Did this controversy bring Byers to the Hall of Fame?
Did Judy Grable earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
Predating Rob Van Dam’s “educated feet” by decades, the “Barefoot Contessa” Judy Grable was one of the most energetic female performers of her day. A student and regular rival of The Fabulous Moolah, Grable never won the WWE Women’s Championship, but she may well have been the Spider Lady’s most regular opponent. In Grable’s day, the novelty of being a female wrestler alone could make someone a star, explaining mainstream appearances on the very popular game show What’s My Line?. Did it also make her a Hall of Famer?
Is Leilani Kai in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Glamorous as a wrestler can be, not even erasing Leilani Kai’s greatest accomplishments from history can silence her legacy. For whatever reason, WWE pretends the Women’s Tag Team Championships never existed, thus masking Kai and her partner Judy Martin’s expert work as the last wrestlers to hold them. If nothing else, Kai still has a short reign as the solo Women’s Champion to her name, which ended at the first WrestleMania against Wendi Richter. A decade later, Kai would return and challenge Alundra Blayze for the belt to no avail. Even so, did she inevitably make the Hall of Fame?
Was Mildred Burke honored with a Hall of Fame induction?
Born nearly a full century prior to the WWE women’s wrestling revolution, Mildred Burke was more than a mere innovator. In an era when females rarely even entered the ring, Burke was an undefeated champion, allegedly engaging in a winning streak that lasted over 200 matches—against men. Eventually, she found a few women tough enough to challenge her, but a falling out with promoter/ex-husband Billy Wolfe inevitably caused Burke to fall out of favor. In retrospect, though, fans have not forgotten her attempts at making women’s wrestling mainstream. Did WWE reward this with a Hall of Fame induction?
Did Miss Elizabeth earn induction to the WWE Hall of Fame?
A woman standing by her man has never looked so elegant as when Miss Elizabeth did it throughout the 1980s. No matter how crazy her real life husband “Macho Man” Randy Savage got, Elizabeth always responded with an ethereal calm and undying love. Of course, every woman has her limits, and the duo eventually split in the late ‘80s, only to reconcile soon after in wrestling’s biggest and highest watched wedding ever. Unfortunately, things fell apart again soon after, and Elizabeth’s very life wasn’t long to follow. Did WWE honor their fallen angel with a Hall of Fame induction?
Has Linda McMahon been inducted to the Hall of Fame?
According to some sources, although Vince McMahon indeed built the wrestling portion of his WWE Universe from the ground up, he never could have done it without the business acumen of his wife, Linda. Acting as the real WWE President and CEO for many years, Linda was a voice of reason and authority that never let the typical heel/face dynamic stand in her way. Unlike her husband, though, Linda very rarely stepped into the ring herself, not appearing onscreen until the ‘90s and never wrestling an actual match. Was her family name enough to make Linda a Hall of Famer?
Is Ivory a WWE Hall of Famer?
Never one to back down from a challenge, Ivory was feisty and combative inside the ring without ever losing her feminine glow. Originally coming to fame as one of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, the woman then known as Tina Ferrari stood out for her dedication to sports entertainment and top level skills on the microphone. Typically wrestling as an abrasive villain, Ivory won the WWE Women’s Championship three times, her last reign coming after having joined the Right to Censor. Did she later join the Hall of Fame, as well?