It is no secret to anyone that women's wrestling was terrible in the 20th century, and not necessarily because there was no talent, but because no one took women seriously. Neither trainers, promoters, nor fans trusted women's in-ring skills.
Fortunately, things change and today women's wrestling can be just as enjoyable as men's wrestling. WWE, Impact Wrestling, AEW, Stardom, all of these promotions feature extremely talented women. Every company has great current women’s champions, but it was not always like that. Without further ado, let's take a look at the first female champion of every major women's Championship in wrestling.
10 WWE Raw Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair
At WrestleMania 32 Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Sasha Banks competed in a Triple Threat match for the formerly named Women's Title. They stole the show and delivered perhaps the best match of the PPV, and it was Charlotte who was crowned the first Women's Champion.
Then the title was renamed as we know it today, the RAW Women's Title, and Charlotte also held it on her shoulders at the time. The Queen has won this title six times, more than anyone else.
9 WWE SmackDown Women's Championship: Becky Lynch
At Backlash 2016, a Six Pack Challenge match was held to determine the first-ever SmackDown Women's Champion. Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Carmella, Naomi, Natalya, and Nikki Bella were the participants.
It was a very good match in which each woman had her chance to shine, they all did a good job overall, but the one who got the joy and glory was Becky Lynch. That first reign of Becky Lynch lasted 84 days, coming to an end at TLC 2016 when she dropped the title against Alexa Bliss.
8 NXT Women’s Championship: Paige
Some may not consider the NXT Women's Championship as a major championship, but this title has been held by some of the best female wrestlers in WWE history, such as Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Asuka, and Paige.
As a matter of fact, Paige was the first NXT Women's Champion. Weeks before her 21st birthday, she defeated Emma in the finals of a tournament to be crowned. Paige held the title for 10 months until she was forced to vacate the title after winning the Divas Championship.
7 WWE Women's Championship: The Fabulous Moolah
The history of this title is quite long, but we'll tell the short version. Basically, The Fabulous Moolah came to WWE as the NWA World Women's Champion, and therefore, she was introduced as the first WWE Women's Champion.
Her first televised defense in the company was against Wendi Richter on May 21, 1984. A couple of months later it was precisely Richter who dethroned Moolah.
6 WWE Divas Championship: Michelle McCool
Many fans have decided to forget the Divas Championship, and rightfully so, as it was not a good era for women's wrestling in general terms. On that note, many people forget that Michelle McCool was the first-ever Divas Champion.
She defeated Natalya at The Great American Bash 2008 to win the title. McCool held the title for five months until she dropped it to Maryse on the December 26, 2008, episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
5 AEW Women's World Championship: Riho
Three years ago, on the first episode of AEW Dynamite, Riho and Nyla Rose battled for the Women's World Title. This was a David vs. Goliath of sorts, with Rose being the intimidating heel and Riho accomplishing the seemingly impossible.
The Japanese star won the match and became the first ever AEW Women's World Champion. However, four months later Rose came back and took revenge, taking the title from Riho.
4 AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill
To crown the first TBS Champion a tournament was held, which was good overall. The final was between Jade Cargill and Ruby Soho. Back then, Cargill didn't seem as untouchable as she is now, and Soho had enough momentum to be a credible contender, so the match wasn't as predictable as it seems.
With that said, the in-ring action left much to be desired, both women showed flaws, and the match felt too long. Cargill prevailed and to this day, 10 months later, she remains the undefeated champion.
3 TNA Knockouts Championship: Gail Kim
At Bound For Glory 2007, Gail Kim prevailed in a gauntlet match against Angel Williams, Awesome Kong, Christy Hemme, Jackie Moore, Ms. Brooks, Roxxi Laveaux, ODB, Shelly Martinez, and Talia Madison to become the first ever TNA Knockouts Champion.
Kim was a good champ, although she held the title for 85 days. The Canadian won the title seven times and went down in history as arguably the most important female wrestler in TNA/Impact Wrestling history. Gail Kim is an absolute legend.
2 World Of Stardom Championship: Nanae Takahashi
If you want to watch phenomenal women's wrestling, then you should watch Stardom. The top prize in this promotion is the World of Stardom Championship, the red belt. They say only the very best wrestlers can hold that title. The first World of Stardom Champion was Nanae Takahashi, who defeated Yoko Bito on July 24, 2011, on X Stardom 2011 - Nanae Takahashi 15th Anniversary.
Since then, some fantastic performers have held the title, the likes of Io Shirai, Meiko Satomura, Mayu Iwatani, Utami Hayashishita, and the reigning Champion, Syuri.
1 Wonder Of Stardom Championship: Yuzuki Aikawa
The Wonder of Stardom Title is not as prestigious as the World of Stardom Title, but it is still a major title that has been held by very talented women, such as Io Shirai, Giulia, Tam Nakano, and Mayu Iwatani.
The first female champion was Yuzuki Aikawa, who defeated Yushiko on Stardom x Stardom. Aikawa was champion for 618 days, until she had to retire the title because she announced her retirement from wrestling.