I'll never wish for a path different than the one I've taken. In the independent scene, the "women's revolution" has been happening for much longer. Nothing. That means that outside of the wrestling world, women are surprised and impressed that someone my size (5'3") can be doing what I do. Storm's no-nonsense attitude and gimmick led to significant championship runs in ECW, WCW and WWE. Be the first one to comment on this story.

Throughout history, there have been many Canadian women wrestlers who have made significant contribution to the field. Kinda. What do you wish you were told when you started?

A top heel and babyface over four decades, Hot Rod was truly an original within the world of pro wrestling. With everything progressing at such a hyper pace in entertainment, where do you see the role of women in wrestling going in the future? He also beat Randy Orton at WrestleMania 36. Every Monday at the office when I can barely walk and there are bruises on my face and cuts on my mouth, the makeup covering my black eyes shows others that I am strong, that women can do this job too and that we can do anything as long as there is a passion andwe pave our own way. I always offer to chop them on their bare skin, put them in my 'Malone Torture Stretch Submission'or give them a 'Suplex' on the ground. From Toronto, ON, Angelina Love has been on the wrestling scene since 2002. I was far more influenced by male athletes.

All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. People who claim wrestling is "fake" are grasping at whatever straw they can to go out of their way to be disrespectful to the athletes and fans of this sport. Upon retiring, he became a successful manager. Many won't be recognized for their hard work orbegiven a chance to work for the "moresuccessful" platforms, but it doesn't stop women from making a name for themselves on the independent scene. Employers will tell you that they get it, but in most cases they don't. Alexia Nicole is a two-time PWA Elite Women's Champion singles and tag team wrestler.

Historically, we have not seen that with the larger wrestling companies. Born in Windsor (although he was billed as being from Poland), WWE Hall of Famer Killer Kowalski was a top heel in the 1960s and 1970s in territories including the WWWF and NWA. They are my specialty because of my hardcore nature. Jewells Malone is a professional wrestler who has competed across Canada and the United States for Pure Wrestling Association, NCW Femmes Fatales and Women Superstars Uncensored.

Smith has also had success in NJPW and Major League Wrestling. But there is only one life to live.This is the one I chose and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Born in Carbon, Alberta, Archie Gouldie was best known as The Mongolian Stomper, despite not having any Mongolian heritage to speak of. I don't regret becoming a wrestler or anything like that, but once you get into the business there's no leaving. In 2012, Pro Wrestling Illustrated named her as the top female wrestler in the world. Then I pray that there will be more and more intergender wrestling matches. A trait that fits him more naturally. When I was younger, I can't imagine it was any less than a 10-1 ratio, with little to no pay. I've broken my ankle and my wrist. Rosemary is always a contender and is part of the faction Decay. ), the son of Davey Boy Smith and Diana Hart was born in Calgary and won the WWE Tag Team Championship. The barbed wire on my bat is sharp and the scars on my body are real. Born in Penticton, British Columbia, Tyler Breeze was trained for wrestling by fellow Canadian Lance Storm (who will show up later on this list). It will only be a matter of time when the first transgender wrestler debuts. The Rock match in 2003. The following 3 files are in this category, out of 3 total. What do you wish you had been told when you started? The list includes many familiar and great Canadian female wrestlers such as Natalya Neidhart, Trish Stratus, Taya Valkyrie, Maryse Ouellet, Rosa Mendes. I don't know if I can call myself a feminist. In this article, we look at 6 Canadian wrestlers from the current roster in WWE.

He worked in the WWF for various stints in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990sbefore succumbing to an alleged mafia shooting in his home in 1993. After acing the Lucha Libre AAA circuit in Mexico, she moved to Impact Wrestling. Smaller companies like Shimmer, Shine,Bellarix andRISEetc. In 2020, Edge returned to the ring after a lengthy retirement. That's how 80s women's wrestling was, with the occasional amazing match from the Jumping Bomb Angels or Wendy Richter. In 2008, she captured the WWE Divas Championship and became one of the belt's longest titleholders. A star of SmackDown Robert Roode hails from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Born in Montreal (although billed from San Francisco for most of his career), WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson was the company's first Intercontinental Champion. Then, when women's wrestling is showcased there and respected, more independent companies are likely catch on to it and feature women in big roles.

Kc Spinelli is a singles wrestler and the current SCPW Women's Champion. In the 1990s there were more women debuting in the WWE and WCW, however, women were either eye candy or there was only 1 women's wrestling match. In 2019, he debuted at AEW's Double or Nothing PPV. The four-time WWE champion, he won the 2021 Royal Rumble and went on to headline WrestleMania 37 in a triple threat match against Daniel Bryan and the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. A two-time Intercontinental Champion, three-time United States Champion, and former Universal Champion, KO, after losing to Reigns, wasn't able to create enough traction with the WWE Universe as a babyface in his storyline with Zyan. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Zyan got his revenge at Hell in a Cell with the rivalry culminating in the Last Man Standing match to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match which was won by Owens. Women were more commonly in 'Bra and Panties' matches, or some other degrading match. Canadian fitness model and former wrestler Trish Stratus is known for her stint with WWF (later renamed WWE). The larger companies pay more money, so the athletes can 100% focus on wrestling. Absolutely none. Then we considered the following criteria: How memorable were their runs in professional wrestling? What differences do you see between a platform like WWE or TNA for elevating women in wrestling vs private and independently run companies? You'll probably hear and see more of the cage match Jade and Rosemary had on TNA in 2017 than Cherry Bomb and Courtney Rush had at the Smash Wrestling CanUsa Classic independent show held in 2016. I've developed a double Scoliosis from bad bumps in the ring. I think I'm a feminist, but I can see how some people wouldn't agree. He has also competed in TNA and became ROH World Champion. Born in Edmonton, Gene Kiniski was a 40-year veteran of the squared circle, competing in regional territories following a successful football career with the Edmonton Eskimos. Now, there's more female talent showcased on major shows, all female promotions and more people taking women's wrestling more seriously instead of treating it as a bathroom break. She is best known for her appearances in WWE, where she is one of the most important members of the women's division. What differences do you see between a platform like WWE or TNA for elevating women in wrestling vs. private and independently run companies? Born in Montreal, Ron Garvin is perhaps best known for defeating Ric Flair for the NWA World Tile in 1987. The 'male dominance' changes when you change it. The only thing IwishI had known is how difficult it would be to balance the career I picked with wrestling. They also provided a more realistic image of a woman who is hard working and dedicated. Everything you do somehow gets related back to wrestling. Along the way, heheld almost two dozen titles, including the WWF/E Tag Team, Intercontinental, ECW and TNA World championships. What we do is predetermined. We've seen women in hardcore matches and cage matches. When I was younger, "Women Power" was NOT as strong as it is today. This page was last edited on 29 May 2020, at 00:59. Do you feel like wrestling has stayed pure to its initial ritualistic intent? Born in Hill Valley, Quebec, Sami Zayn first came to prominence as the masked El Generico, capturing championships throughout the U.S. and Japan. You don't get those kind of injuries by doing something that's "fake.". From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository, Kategori:Kanadal kadn profesyonel greiler (tr); Category: (ja); Catgorie:Catcheuse canadienne (fr); Kategoria:Kanadyjskie wrestlerki (pl); : (he); :- (ru); Categoria:Lutadoras de luta profissional do Canad (pt); Category:Canadian female professional wrestlers (en); : (fa); : (bg); : (ar) categora de Wikimedia (es); kategori Wikimedia (ms); Wikimedia category (en-gb); (ps); Vikimedya kategorisi (tr); (ur); kategria projektov Wikimedia (sk); (uk); (zh-cn); Wikimedia-Kategorie (gsw); (as); kategorie na projektech Wikimedia (cs); kategorija na Wikimediji (bs); : (bho); page de catgorie d'un projet Wikimedia (fr); kategorija na Wikimediji (hr); (mr); (sr); Wikimedia-Kategorie (lb); Wikimedia-kategori (nb); kategori Wikimdia (su); (ar); pajenn rummata eus Wikimedia (br); Wikimedia: (my); (yue); Wikimedia (ky); categora de Wikimedia (ast); categoria de Wikimedia (ca); (ba); tudalen categori Wikimedia (cy); kategori e Wikimedias (sq); (fa); (zh); Wikimedia-kategori (da); : (ka); (ja); categoria Wikimedia (ia); (arz); (si); categoria Vicimediorum (la); Vikipidiya:Shopni (rmy); Wikimedia-luokka (fi); Wikimedia category (en-ca); gurhi Vikimedia (tg-latn); (be-tarask); (tt-cyrl); catigura di nu pruggettu Wikimedia (scn); (th); Wikimedia:Kategorija (sh); Wikimedia-Kategorie (stq); (bpy); (bg); categorie n cadrul unui proiect Wikimedia (ro); (zh-hk); Wikimedia-kategori (sv); kawan Wikimdia (ace); (zh-hant); (ko); Wikimedia-blkur (fo); kategorio en Vikimedio (eo); kategori Wikimedia (map-bms); Wikimedia:Ronnaghys (gv); (bn); kategori Wikimedia (jv); (zh-my); kategorija w projektach Wikimedije (hsb); th loi Wikimedia (vi); Wikimedia projekta kategorija (lv); Wikimedia-kategorie (af); categoria de um projeto da Wikimedia (pt-br); Wikimedia category (sco); (mn); Wikimedia-kategori (nn); kategori Wikimedia (min); (ckb); Wikimedia category (en); Vikimdia emohenda (gn); Wikimdia-kategria (hu); (gu); Wikimediako kategoria (eu); (ru); Wikimedia-Kategorie (de); Kategoriya ning Wikimedia (pam); Wikimedia-kategorie (nds-nl); Wkmediya:Kategor (ku); (ne); Wikimedia-Kategorie (de-at); (zh-hans); (he); (tt); Wikimedia kategooria (et); (dty); Wikimedia-Kategorie (nds); Wikimedia-kategoriija (se); (tg-cyrl); Wikimedia-categorie (zea); (hi); Wikimedia-categorie (nl); categoria di un progetto Wikimedia (it); kategoria w projekcie Wikimedia (pl); kategoria ti Wikimedia (ilo); Wikimedia:Klassys (kw); (zh-mo); (hy); categura 'e nu pruggette Wikimedia (nap); Wikimedia-Kategorie (de-ch); kategorya ng Wikimedia (tl); ka Wikimedia (yo); (be); categoria de um projeto da Wikimedia (pt); (tg); (mk); tumbung Wikimedia (bjn); Wikimedia-Kategorie (bar); kategorija Wikimedije (sl); Wikimedia proyektnda trkem (tt-latn); Vicimid catagir (ga); Wikimedia-kategory (fy); kategori Wikimedia (id); jamii ya Wikimedia (sw); (ml); (zh-tw); kategori Wikimedia (bug); (zh-sg); : (sd); (ta); categora de Wikimedia (gl); Wikimedia-categorie (li); Wikimedia (el); categora de Wikimedia (an), https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Female_professional_wrestlers_from_Canada&oldid=422342452, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Born in Orangeville, Ontario, WWE Hall of Famer Edge became one of the most decorated champions in the promotion's history, capturing more than 30 belts during a 15 year period, including 11 World Championships in WWE. Born in Saint-Sulpice, Quebec, Jacques Rougeau Jr. is the brother of Raymond and son of Jacques Sr. I am absolutely a feminist. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, The Missing Link competed for many years as an amateur and professional under his real name Dewey Robertson. Natalya Neidhart is one of the most well known female wrestlers from Canada. From hunting, to the tractors, to the quiet evenings, Lesnar enjoys tranquility when he's away from the squared circle. On the current roster, superstars like Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Natalya, Robert Roode, and Edge are testament to the constant influx of Canadian talent to WWE. He also had tag team success in the WWF with partners such as Tony Garea and Tito Santana, and as Television Champion in WCW before retiring in 1998. My body is strong enough (most days) to take the toll I put on it between working, working out, and wrestling. What do you wish you knew when you started? He's sincebecomeone of the biggest heels in WWE, holding the NXT Championship, Intercontinental, United States and Universal Championships within a short period of time. Born in Hamilton, Ontario and often billed as "Canada's Greatest Athlete,"Sharpe was what today would be known as an "enhancement talent," known for his questionable wrist guardand grunting. Nothing should be handed to anyone on any grounds.

Andsome wrestlers were just plain missing - whichmay be chalked up to the fact that we were just beginning this Top 50 business and may not have researched it as thoroughly as was needed. Kidd is also a fixture on Total Divas with wife Natalya. Heck! My biggest fear in life is living with the regret of makingthe wrong choices and andnot chasing my dream to the fullest capacity. Just go after it if you fail, you still tried, which is more than what the majority of the world would do. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, Rene Dupree is the son of legendary Maritimes promoter Emile Dupree. Do you call magic fake? The best thing for female professional wrestling is the #womenserevolution and getting rid of #Diva. Vote for Your Favourite Canadian Women Wrestlers, (One of the Most Popular Female Professional Wrestlers in WWE), (Professional Wrestler Known for Her Guinness Record for Most Wins for Female WWE Wrestlers), Famous Role Models You Would Like To Meet. Does what I do empower women? With his lengthy run as a Canadian icon of sorts, Iron Mike Sharpe had to be mentioned on this list.

Born in Calgary as part ofthe Hart Family, two-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret "Hitman" Hart is a Canadian icon who was a seven-time World Champion and captured 32 championships title,including the triple crown of top titles in both in WWF and WCW. Even The Spice Girls did not come onto the scene until I was in grade four. I began watching wrestling in the early 1980s whenthere was Fabulous Moolah, Sensational Sheri, Miss Elizabeth and Wendy Richter mainly. I wish I'drealized that while my career can act as my safety net, it has also been my anchor. Despite being billed from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Storm was actually born in Sarnia, Ontario. In 2014, one of our first Top 50 lists was the one you'll see below. I'd burn a bra, if I didn't need it. In 1956, Watson ended Lou Thesz's six-year reign as NWA World Champion, as well as numerous championships within NWA affiliated territories in the U.S. and Canada. Coming down the aisle, from Victoria, BC is Chelsea Green. | SMACKDOWN LIVE/RAMPAGE Post Show | 3.11.22, The State of Black Wrestlers | Womens Wrestling Talk, Ronda & Noami Is Ready for Elimination Chamber#Smackdown/Rampage After Show 2/18/22, The Fall of 2/3 of Toxic Attraction| NXT & NXT UK AFTERSHOW | 7.7.22, NWA Womens Championship #1 Contender & Sasha Banks and Naomis Removal from WWE| WWT LIVE 7.7.22. I wish that I was told that 1) The business was as tough as it was for women, 2) that I should start when I was younger, 3) you don't need to look perfect, have plastic surgery or getextentions and 4) women would be treated as equals to men in the larger companies beginning in 2016. That started to change with women like Lita, Trish, Ivory, Molly Holly towards the end of the 90s and early 2000s. Born in Calgary and billed as "the last graduate of the Hart Dungeon", TysonKidd became unified WWE/World Tag Team Champions with David Hart Smith in 2009 and then held them Cesaro before suffering a injury and becoming a WWE producer. For beginners, it only included wrestlers from the past 30 years. These companies provide a platform that allows the best of the best female wrestlers to take the main stage without the men. If that makes me a feminist, then so be it. However, there were a ton of issues with it. Currently in a feud with Seth Rollins, the Rated R Superstar is still very much active on the SmackDown roster. Being raised by a single mother andwitnessing alack of female athletes receiving the opportunities and praise you see today, I felt motivatedto become a strong symbol for women as a professional wrestler. This category has the following 41 subcategories, out of 41 total. Born in Saskatoon, WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart was the patriarch of one of wrestling's most famous families of any era. It was very rare that they were allowed to showcase athleticism and actual wrestling skill. In fact, she has captured six World's Championships in the two promotions. You call it magic. Only in the last year has women's wrestling started to have a permanent place on WWE TV, where fans are engaged in both the competitors and storylines. Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson is the a member of the Anoa'i wrestling family and father to The Rock. Born in Florence, Ontario, Eric Young is one of the few wrestlers who was with TNA through most of its first decade. What do you say to people who claim that wrestling is "fake"? I am always told by others, "I don't know how you do that," "you're stronger than you look," or "you are crazy for taking those moves." This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Christian was one of the few holdovers from the Attitude Era until retiring from WWE in 2015. My injuries aren't fake. We're trying to be safe with each other and put on entertaining matches for the crowd. As a carpenter and a professional wrestler, being considered the weaker sex or not being valued as my [male] co workers is always something I've had to deal with. Over the years, WWE has been blessed with some of the best Canadian wrestlers; from the late wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, to Hall of Famers like Bret Hart, the late Owen Hart, Chris Benoit, and Trish Stratus, to name a few.

Having a background in other martial arts, I am aware of the difference between having to protect myself and having to protect someone else. He captured both the WCW and WWE Championship before tragically ending his and his family's lives in 2007. She is known for being part of The Beautiful People in TNA and Allure in ROH.

She also became the first female to earn the Lou Thesz Award. Male or female, when you attack that mat, the toll taken on the body is the same. The physicality makes me feel alive, but I think the drive and determination to go after what you want in life should be the more inspiring element for any man or woman debating whether or not to chase a dream.

She is married to fellow wrestler John Hennigan. Hailing from Guelph, ON, Addy Starr made her pro wrestling debut in 2006. During that time, he held most of the promotion's championship, including a run as TNA World Champion. Sports have rapidly become about monetizing the athletes. The spotlight and opportunities deserve to go to those who earn it, male or female.

As Laurel Van Ness she was the Impact Knockouts Champion. In 2016, he joined NXT as a member of Sanity. Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Kevin Owens was a Ring of Honor standout when we first wrote about him in 2014. Trained in ballet and gymnastics since childhood, Taya Valkyrie graced the covers of fitness magazines quite early in life. He arrived in the WWF in 1998, and became part of many Attitude Era storylines including a kayfabe relationship with Stephanie McMahon.

One is nationwide (even worldwide), while the other has to rely on things like the Internet to go viral. Other than that, the remaining 97% of the roster was male. Maryse Ouellet is a Canadian-American businesswoman, actress, and professional wrestler. Currently known as The Bunny in AEW, Allie hails from Toronto, ON and made her pro debut in 2005. Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada, his feud with Roman Reigns last year was a compelling one. She is the JAPW Womens Champion since 2017 and the GNW Womens Champion since 2020. In the WWE, Roode rose to fame as a former NXT Champion, and headlined the main roster as a United States Champion, Raw Tag Team Champion, 24x7 Champion and, more recently, as the SmackDown Tag Team Champion with his current partner Dolph Ziggler. In selecting the (updated)Top 50 Canadian Wrestlers, we included any professional wrestler who was born and/or raised in Canada - regardless of where they were billed from. My scars show that what I do is real. How successful were they in terms of championships and other accolades? These interviews have been edited and condensed. Hailing from Calgary, AB, Natty is a second generation superstar who is a former SmackDown Womens Champion and WWE Divas Champion. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, John Tolos was one of the most vicious heels in the 1960s and 1970s. When I've been injured, I've been fired. Born in Windsor, Ontario (though he's billed as being from Sudan), WWE Hall of Famer Abdullah The Butcher wrestled for roughly five decades as a bloodthirsty madman who was hardcore before the term was invented. She later returned to WWE as a manager for her real-life husbandThe Miz, and stars in the reality TV show Miz & Mrs. Born in Punjab but raised in the Toronto suburb of Milton, Ontario, Tiger Jeet Singh carved out a niche for himself as a hardcore villian throughout Japan. So, to say that putting myself or my body through this is a positive influence is crazy (maybe as crazy as wanting to be a professional wrestler). Tragically, his life ended in 1999 after a stunt gone horribly wrong. Born in South Dakota, Brock Lesnar lived in Minnesota before moving to Saskatchewan, a province in Western Canada. Born in Montreal, Maryse joined WWE in 2006 as part of the Diva Search competition. The physical toll wrestling takes on my body isn't going to be a positive anything down the road! I have had several concussions, which serves as a warning that what I do is dangerous and that accident happen. It wasn't until the late 1990s and 2000s whenmore and more women were debuting and being written into storylines in WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. But things happen. Then, after they whimper in pain, I tell them people who say wrestling's fake are ignorant. In addition, he formed a legendary tag team with Ray Stevens and became one of Vince McMahon's most trusted advisers over the past 30 years. Courtney Rush currently holdstitles for the Bellatrix World Championship,GCW W.I.L.D. And wrestling, I believe, is the same. Later, hechallenged Hulk Hogan during the summer of 1990 and won the WWF Tag Team Championships with Typhoon. Everything I have in my life is because I busted my butt to get an education and worked hard for everything I have. It shows that being feminine doesn't mean being weak or fragile. The difference between a TV show and an independent show, is just that. #IMPACTRecap Deonna Purrazzo and Mia Yim Main Event! Success comes from going after it. She is married to John Morrison and is a three-time AAA Reina de Reinas Champion and a former Impact Knockouts Champion. But with the recent rise of indieleagues, female wrestlers are being given more and more opportunities to make a name for themselves in the ring beyond the 'Bra and Panties' matches that flooded the WWE in the early 2000s. Born in Calgary, Owen Hart was the youngest of the Hart children and is best known for his 1994 feud with brother Bret. In addition to being raised by Montreal's famed Vachon family, she counted Andre The Giant as a godfather and Gangrel as her former husband. If you're popular and can increase ratings, you'll get pushed ahead of those who can't. Born in Calgary (and not Punjab, India as he was billed from), Jinder Mahal first competed in WWE from 2010 until 2014. While it is, of course, a much smaller platform than WWE, it is still internationally viewed and so many people had no idea who I was before I stepped out on that stage a year ago. Born in Montreal, WWE Hall of Famer Luna Vachon had a career as a manager and wrestler, including runs in the WWF, WCW and ECW. Now we have women likeNatalya, Charlotte, Sasha Banks and other stars competing in the main event of pay per views and shows. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kenny Omega has quickly gained the reputation of being a "Best Bout Machine" for his string of top-rated matches in New Japan Pro Wrestling and elsewhere. She has held multiple titles including the Impact Knockouts Championship. Joining WWE in 2013, Zayn had a run as NXT Champion before moving to WWE's main roster in 2016. We owe a lot to the women who paved the way in creating these opportunities. Kiera Hogan Talks First Moments In AEW, Her Match With Athena, And More!