The WWE Women’s Mount Rushmore: Four Icons Who Defined an Era

The storied landscape of WWE history is filled with monumental figures—both men and women—who have captured our hearts, defined generations, and revolutionized the realm of sports entertainment. However, when it comes to the WWE Women’s Mount Rushmore, a special spotlight must be cast on the exceptional women who have broken through an industry traditionally steered by male narratives. Long gone are the days when women in WWE were mere sideshows or eye candy. Today, a constellation of groundbreaking female talents has emerged, matching, and often outperforming, their male counterparts in main-event showdowns and unforgettable storylines.

So, who among these trailblazing women has elevated their status to become eternal legends? If one were to etch a Women’s Wrestling Mount Rushmore, which awe-inspiring athletes would be deserving of their faces immortalized in stone?

The question is subjective, yet irresistible. Four names irresistibly rise to the summit of any conversation about WWE Women’s Mount Rushmore: Lita, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Trish Stratus. Each of these remarkable women has indelibly etched her influence into WWE lore, transforming not just how women’s wrestling is viewed, but also how it is executed at the apex of professional athleticism.

Honorable Mentions: Mickie James and Chyna

While our Mount Rushmore comprises four groundbreaking women, it’s impossible to overlook the contributions of Mickie James and Chyna—each leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Mickie James, a six-time WWE Women’s Champion, brought a unique blend of athleticism and character work that enriched feuds, most notably her legendary rivalry with Trish Stratus. Her tenure across multiple eras of women’s wrestling highlights her adaptability and long-lasting influence.

Chyna, “The Ninth Wonder of the World,” broke barriers in ways no one had before. As the first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble and the only woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship, she transcended gender norms and stood as an equal among her male counterparts. While her career in WWE was relatively brief, her monumental impact echoes through history, challenging preconceptions and opening doors for the women who would follow.

Both Mickie James and Chyna came extraordinarily close to making our list, and their exclusion is more a testament to the wealth of talent in women’s wrestling than any slight to their incredible careers.

WWE Women’s Mount Rushmore

Read on to delve deeper into the exceptional careers of these four wrestlers, each a pillar in the pantheon of WWE’s Women’s Division.

4. Lita

Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Lita stands as perhaps the quintessential high-flying female performer in WWE’s storied history. Renowned for her daredevil antics, Lita’s career was unfortunately marred by injuries including a fractured neck and a torn ACL, cutting short her time in the spotlight.

With four WWE Women’s Championships to her name, Lita is no stranger to gold. Her first two title reigns came in landmark main-event matches on Raw, defeating formidable opponents like Stephanie McMahon and Trish Stratus. Though a polarizing figure when aligning with Edge, her heel persona only amplified her lasting impact on the business. Not one to rest on her laurels, Lita emerged from retirement to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Becky Lynch in February 2023, further cementing her status as a wrestling legend.

3. Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch’s ascent to the apex of WWE superstardom was catalyzed by her dramatic heel turn against Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018. Adopting the moniker “The Man,” she soon became one of the WWE’s marquee talents.

While she took a hiatus for maternity leave, her 2021 return to the ring picked up right where she had left off. Boasting six WWE Women’s Championship reigns, Becky completed her Triple Crown accolades by capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. With exceptional skills both in-ring and on the mic, Lynch’s rivalry with Charlotte Flair not only entertained but also elevated the prominence of women in the industry. She’s a lock for a future Hall of Fame induction, and her career is far from over.

2. Charlotte Flair

Destined to be etched in the annals of WWE history, Charlotte Flair holds an unparalleled 14 WWE Women’s Championships, a record that she’s poised to extend. Born into wrestling royalty as the daughter of two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, Charlotte has impressively carried the weight of her family legacy.

Combining a rare mix of athleticism and charisma, she’s better suited as a heel character—evidenced by the crowd’s propensity to jeer her. Yet, her villainous persona only adds to her allure. Featuring numerous high-profile matches, she’s consistently delivered match-winning performances. Charlotte’s influence is felt beyond her own title reigns, pushing the women’s division to unprecedented heights. Charlotte Flair will probably go down in history as the greatest female wrestler in WWE history. 

1. Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus, a revered WWE Hall of Famer, was transformative for women’s wrestling. Despite initial shortcomings in her in-ring abilities, her determination led to rapid improvement, culminating in her first WWE Women’s Championship win at Survivor Series 2001.

Holding the title a record-setting seven times for over a decade, her feuds with contemporaries like Lita, Molly Holly, Mickie James, and Victoria have become iconic chapters in the Ruthless Aggression Era. Though she retired in 2006, she’s made several triumphant returns, proving her mettle in high-quality matches. Trish’s journey—from manager to one of the greatest wrestlers of all time—is a testament to her unyielding work ethic and talent. Her seven title reigns and 821 days as champion solidify her place on any Mount Rushmore of women’s wrestling—impressively achieved before retiring at the age of 31.

These four women have not only carved out their own unique places in WWE history, but they’ve also fundamentally altered the landscape for all women in the business who are redoubtable on WWE Women’s Mount Rushmore.