One of the most celebrated and respected women of the golden age of women's wrestling in WWE, Victoria's toughness comes not from the fact that she battled Trish Stratus in some legitimately great hardcore matches and street fights, but that she wrestled the majority of her career on a torn ACL, protected only by a brace, never undergoing surgery and missing ring time because of the injury. A torn ACL is the type of injury that sidelines pro athletes for weeks, months even. To think that Victoria competed in both WWE and TNA Wrestling for as long as she did not only earns her respect but, perhaps, the award for toughest woman in sports-entertainment. Her wrestling career is full of moments and matches that demonstrate her considerable badness, including the aforementioned series of matches she worked against Stratus, her willingness to step inside the squared circle with the cocky and arrogant Carlito and the hard-hitting wars she waged with Jazz and Mickie James. Most of all was her willingness to do what was asked of her, even when her talent suggested that she should be involved in much more suitable angles than she often was. It is that selflessness and sacrifice, not to mention a slightly psychotic on-air personality that got great joy out of inflicting pain, that makes her one of the baddest, most wicked women in WWE history.
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.
