WITH WRESTLING MORE or less back to its pre-pandemic “normal”—or, perhaps, as close as it will get anytime soon—our ranking committee had even less trouble this year finding 150 competitors worthy of being included in our annual women’s wrestling list. On the contrary, our challenge was once again to make difficult decisions about the order in which these wrestlers would be ranked—and, even more challenging, which remarkable performers would not be included on this year’s edition.
As with the “500” and the “Tag Team 100” (FKA “Tag Team 50”), making those cuts is not something that brings us any pleasure. Indeed, this easily could have been a “Women’s 200” or “Women’s 250.” However, we decided that it would be better, at least for now, to continue with the number we used last year. As always, we won’t have room for everyone who could arguably be deserving of a spot. That is part of what makes these lists so special.
This year’s ranking committee included Kristen Ashly, Candace Cordelia, Pat Laprade, Karen Peterson, Warren Hayes, Patricia Rogers, and Kevin McElvaney. The bios were written by the committee, with assistance from Senior Writer Al Castle. Whether or not you agree with our rankings, we hope this list inspires you to take a closer look at the world’s various women’s divisions and competitors. There are many athletes who are more than worthy of your attention and support.
Over the next two-dozen pages, you’ll find the top 150 competitors from our evaluation period, taking into consideration our usual criteria.
RANKING CRITERIA:
• In-Ring Achievement
• Influence
• Technical Ability
• Activity (min. 10 matches or 6 months)
• Breadth/Quality of Competition
EVALUATION PERIOD:
October 1, 2021 – September 15, 2022
[Note: Above period is slightly less than 12 months to allow sufficient editorial lead time.]
Emphasis was placed on success within women’s divisions and promotions. As the PWI “500” is an extension of our weekly and monthly Heavyweight rankings, so, too, is the “Women’s 150” an extension of our overall Top 10 Women’s rankings.
#1 SYURI
PATH TO NUMBER 1
78 IN 2020
7 IN 2021
YEARS PRO: 13
2021 RANK: 7
PRO FIGHTING RECORD: 6 WINS, 3 LOSSES IN MMA; 13 WINS, 1 LOSS IN KICKBOXING
WHY SHE’S NUMBER 1:
Already regarded by many as the best wrestler of any gender in the world, Syuri achieved what she (and her fans) saw as her destiny last December when she was finally able to beat Utami Hayashishita for the World of Stardom championship … As holder of Stardom’s coveted “Red Belt,” Syuri has lived up to expectations, already defending the title eight times, including against former champions Nanae Takahashi, Momo Watanabe, Mayu Iwatani, and former Donna Del Mondo partner Giulia … The confidence she gained as champion led to Syuri leaving DDM and forming her own stable, God’s Eye, with Ami Sohrei and MIRAI … Evaluation period also included reigns with Goddesses of Stardom title and SWA Undisputed Women’s title … Intensely physical style and brutal kicks evolved from her extensive martial arts background, which includes stints in Pancrase and in UFC.
TOP FIVE MOMENTS DURING EVALUATION PERIOD:
1. After wrestling Utami Hayashishita to several draws, finally defeated her in a no-time limit bout to capture the World of Stardom title at the Stardom Dream Queendom event in Tokyo, Japan, on December 29.
2. Successfully defended her title against Momo Watanabe on July 9 in a rematch of their 2021 5STAR Grand Prix tournament final showdown (which Syuri also won).
3. Used her signature Syu-Sekai electric chair/side slam to put away Tam Nakano and retain the “Red Belt” at the Stardom Mid Summer Champions pay-per-view event in Nagoya on July 24.
4. Defeated former World of Stardom champion Mayu Iwatani by submission in another title defense on night two of the Stardom World Climax PPV on March 27.
5. Beat her former friend and tag team partner Giulia to retain the title on night one, which took place the previous evening in Tokyo.
#2 BIANCA BELAIR
PATH TO NUMBER 2
85 IN 2018
36 IN 2019
23 IN 2020
1 IN 2021
YEARS PRO: 6
2021 RANK: 1
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND: ALL-AMERICAN IN TRACK AND FIELD AT UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
WHY SHE’S NUMBER 2:
More than just a catchphrase, the “EST Of WWE” really is deserving of the superlatives she heaps upon herself … Still relatively young in the sport—and in her life—Belair can lay claim to being one of the most athletically dynamic, powerful, and naturally charismatic women ever to compete in WWE … Worked hard to recapture the momentum that she lost after dropping her Smackdown title to Becky Lynch in 26 seconds at SummerSlam 2021 … Is capable of stealing any show on which she wrestles, even WrestleMania (on back-to-back years) … Five-foot, seven-inch frame belies incredible strength, as evidenced by her ability to press slam opponents with one arm, or carry two women on her shoulders simultaneously … Paul Levesque’s shake-up of the Women’s division gives Belair plenty of fresh opponents over the coming year and a chance to, perhaps, top this list once again.
TOP FIVE MOMENTS DURING EVALUATION PERIOD:
1. Defeated Raw Women’s champion Becky Lynch on April
2 in Dallas, Texas, to win a world title at WrestleMania for the second year in a row. 2. Earned her WrestleMania title shot by winning a six-woman Elimination Chamber match on February 19, besting Doudrop, Liv Morgan, Nikki A.S.H., and Rhea Ripley.
3. Beat Becky Lynch in a championship rematch at SummerSlam on July 29, avenging her title loss to Lynch at the same event one year prior.
4. Retained her title against Lynch and Asuka in a triple-threat match at the June
5 Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, pinning Asuka. 5. Connected with her Kiss of Death finisher to beat Carmella and retain her title at Money in the Bank on July 2.
#3 THUNDER ROSA
PATH TO NUMBER 3
43 IN 2018
97 IN 2019
14 IN 2020
5 IN 2021
YEARS PRO: 8
2021 RANK: 5
EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
WHY SHE’S NUMBER 3:
After achieving a career pinnacle by winning the AEW Women’s World championship, the popular Texan inches two positions closer to the top spot, even as her momentum has been slowed by injuries in recent months … By her own admission, “La Mera Mera” was burning the candle at both ends by defending her AEW title, regularly competing on the independent scene, and also running her own wrestling promotion, Mission Pro Wrestling, in Central Texas … It was a back
