"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey was again the talk of the sports world on February 28 when the UFC Women's Bantamweight champion successfully defended her championship against Cat Zingano in a historic 14 seconds. Her submission victory, using her vaunted arm bar, not only established her as the most dominant female to ever compete in mixed martial arts, it also staked her claim to the title of baddest athlete in the world, regardless of gender. At a time when World Wrestling Entertainment is under intense scrutiny by fans and critics for the treatment of its Divas, the attention paid to Rousey, Zingano, former boxer-turned-fighter Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington highlights just how behind the times Vince McMahon and company are in regard to realizing the potential of female athletes. But that was not always the case. There was a time when women's wrestling was respected, when Trish Stratus and Lita headlined the Divas division, challengers such as Molly Holly, Jazz, Victoria, Ivory and Jacqueline chomping at the bit to dethrone them as the top female stars in McMahon's promotion. For a six year period, WWE was home to some of the baddest women to ever step foot inside a squared circle. Some were psychotic, others were physically dominant. Still others were Glamazons, perfectly blending unmatched strength with beauty. But all left their mark on whomever had the misfortune of squaring off against them. Now, on the heels of Rousey's monumental declaration of both dominance and awesomeness, here is a look back at 10 of the baddest women to ever compete in WWE.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
