A more serious look at the top women wrestlers
I think I confused some people a couple of days ago when I posted my top 10 list of female wrestling personalities “who most enhance my enjoyment of sports entertainment programs.”
Several readers pointed out that some talented in-ring performers were omitted. Of course, they were right, because that wasn’t what the list was really about.
I was actually attempting to be sarcastic by not referring to the list as the “top 10 hottest women in wrestling,” when that’s exactly what it was. It appears that my tongue-in-cheek humor missed the mark to some extent.
Anyway, now that we have that cleared up, let’s make a new list – one that doesn’t take “hotness” into account. Here are my picks for the top 10 women wrestlers currently working for either WWE or TNA. The rankings are based on a combination of in-ring ability and persona.
1. Gail Kim – TNA women’s division hasn’t been the same without her
2. Awesome Kong – The female version of Vader
3. Beth Phoenix – Aptly named “Glamazon” has shown a flair for comedy
4. Mickie James – Without a doubt the most popular female wrestler in WWE
5. ODB – Has perhaps the most entertaining gimmick in women’s wrestling
6. Victoria – Impossible to overstate how underrated she is
7. Melina – Starting to get noticed for ring skills and not just ring entrance
8. Roxxi – She’s hardcore
9. Angelina Love – Cuts the best promos of anyone on the list
10. Natalya – Possesses a solid “foundation” of ring skills
Comments
Roxxi is very, very brave, but I can't see her in the top ten. Definitely not.
Posted by: Marcos Rocha | December 3, 2008 7:38 AM
Gail is the best wrestler. Every list should have her as #1. I can not wait for her return
Posted by: Shawn | December 3, 2008 9:52 AM
Thanks Kevin for your revised list, and yes Gail Kim should be number one for all that she has done and continues to do for Wrestling in general and women's wrestling in particular whatever promotion she is working for. Thanks for the new listing.
Posted by: John Pettibone | December 3, 2008 9:57 AM
Kevin,
Just wanted to say that I enjoy your post and look forward to them everytime the are posted. Any time frame for when Gail makes her WWE debut?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: It could be anytime. She has been backstage at recent tapings. Reportedly she will be on Smackdown.
Posted by: Mike | December 3, 2008 11:13 AM
Why is Kong on this list?
Does anyone actually look forward to her matches?
Her matches are all the exact same and all she does is hurt the other women she works with.
She is more of the female Goldberg then Vader.
Posted by: Elevation | December 3, 2008 11:15 AM
Traci Brooks doesn't make this list either ?
I'll start my own list :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | December 3, 2008 3:08 PM
Kong's matches with Gail Kim were awesome, and I've seen clips of her Indy work. Big wrestlers in general usually need a good technical worker to help compensate. Unfortunately, with Kim gone the best TNA technical worker Sieed/Cheerleader Melissa. Time to get some pompoms in her hand a feud with Kong.
Posted by: GMan | December 3, 2008 3:14 PM
Awesome Kong is a quality worker.
People see her destroy opponents and just assume that is all she can do, but that's underselling her.
She moves quite well for a woman of her size, she is willing to sell (and does it well) and if you've seen any of her work in Japan, she's got a very solid skillset.
Definitely in the top 5 female workers in the business.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Here is an excerpt from an interview I did with former WCW star Daffney several months ago after she worked a TNA match with Kong:
"To be honest with you, she is a complete professional. I don’t know if stiff is the right word. You don’t leave a match with her going, 'Oh my God, I can’t walk' or 'I’m hurt.' She is a very talented woman. I think that every woman that she gets in the ring with, if given the opportunity to do what she wants to do, she elevates the person."
Posted by: John | December 3, 2008 3:53 PM
Well, let's see. Kong is on this list because - it's a subjective list. And because beauty is still in the eye of the beholder. And who ever said that either Vader or Goldberg were technical standouts?
Posted by: Marko50 | December 3, 2008 4:58 PM
ODB?
Awesome Kong?
They are not hot!
I don't understand this list at all
(just kidding)
Posted by: Gaston | December 3, 2008 5:06 PM
Kevin , way , waaayyy off topic , but will you be rubbing it in again this week about being in attendance at the Ravens game ? :)
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I go to all the home games. so, yes I'll be there -- freezing my butt off.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | December 3, 2008 6:13 PM
Kevin, consider a list where you don't limit yourself to current performers. I would assume Moolah, Wendy Richter, Trish Stratus, Lita, Medusa, Woman, and Sheri Martel would all get strong consideration to replacing someone on this list.
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | December 3, 2008 10:57 PM
Melina, Mickie James, Awesome Kong, Beth Phoenix, Natalya, and Gail Kim is my list of favorite women wrestlers!
Posted by: Ryan | December 3, 2008 11:38 PM
I'm gonna make a wild guess about Hebron's list:
1: Traci Brooks - You dont have to actually do anything to top a list. Just have ENORMOUS "talent".
2-10: See # 1.
Posted by: Mr. Bronson | December 4, 2008 3:05 AM
Mr. Bronson : somethin' like that , yes .
Kev : you will be at the game freezing your butt off . Because of rising utilities , I will be will watching at "home" freezing my butt off !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | December 4, 2008 6:55 AM
I got to meet ODB and Angelina Love after a house show in Cincinatti earlier this year and must say that ODB is way hot in person when dressed "normally" and Angelina could not have been a nicer person. They each hung out after the show for an hour (along with many others like Abyss, AJ, Joe, and JB) signing autographs and taking pictures. I'm going to the house show in KY on Saturday and am looking forward to more personal interaction. This is definitely a big advantage of TNA over WWE shows. I understand WWE has a lot more spectators at their shows so the superstars can't meet with people to that extent, but having the chance to actually chat with ODB and Angelina Love gave me a whole new appreciation for them and other women wrestlers
Posted by: Derek Benschoter | December 4, 2008 8:37 AM