The rise of women’s wrestling in recent years has completely changed the wrestling industry. WWE witnessed the top female performers become the highlight of the shows. Becky Lynch has become the face of the company with a Raw Women’s Championship reign still going from WrestleMania into the end of 2019. WWE is still trying to bolster four different women’s divisions for Raw, Smackdown, NXT and NXT UK. AEW is also looking to make their women’s division relevant.
We will look at names outside of the two major promotions that could benefit both promotions. WWE is looking to make the divisions deeper and stronger with more top-level talents. AEW has struggled early in creating a popular women’s division and could benefit from major additions. Both sides will be featured with five female wrestlers that WWE should sign and five female wrestlers AEW should sign.
10 WWE: Kylie Rae
The mystery surrounding Kylie Rae’s abrupt exit from AEW shocked the wrestling world. No one has insight on her future, but Rae has returned to the ring at Impact Wrestling and other promotions. If she’s on the free-agent market, Rae is a huge asset to any company.
WWE would benefit immensely from having a talent like Kylie on Raw, Smackdown or NXT. There used to be a comparison of her character to Bayley and Dakota Kai, but both of those ladies are now heel. Rae would have the freedom to bring her cheery character to WWE.
9 AEW: Priscilla Kelly
Priscilla Kelly appeared for AEW in the casino battle royal at All Out in Chicago. The ties to the company as the wife of Darby Allin makes it likely that she will end up there at some point. Kelly clearly has a strong following as one of the most popular women on the indie circuit.
Many critics are not fond of her intergender matches or unique spots, but the talent is there. At just 22 years old, Priscilla will become a major part of any promotion that books her right. AEW is the place that needs star power, and she could help them in a big way.
8 WWE: Candy Cartwright
An underrated wrestler on the independent circuit is Evolve Wrestling’s Candy Cartwright. Given the WWE ties to Evolve, they have picked up quite a few talents from the smaller promotion. Cartwright is currently a jack of all trades for WWN.
Evolve sees her doing backstage interviews along with a past managing. The company’s sister promotion Shine Wrestling has Cartwright as a strong heel personality that is a master of getting heel heat. Cartwright has a great look, charisma, and a high ceiling for WWE to add her to the roster.
7 AEW: Jordynne Grace
The incredible strength of Jordynne Grace has earned her the nickname as “Big Mama Pump,” following some tag team matches with Scott Steiner. Grace is superb in the ring, whether she’s facing another woman or is having an intergender match.
Impact Wrestling has rightfully made Grace one of the top stars on the roster. AEW, however, has a stronger program with more opportunities. Grace impressed as the related All In show before the company formed, creating some connections that could make it happen.
6 WWE: Veda Scott
WWE has started to bring back the art of the manager. Performers like Lana, Malcolm Bivens, and Thea Trinidad are all involved in different brands solely for their managing. Veda Scott is another talented former manager that was outstanding in Ring of Honor.
The combination of both wrestling in the women’s division and managing talents that need help with their promo would make Scott a valuable addition to the WWE roster. Few performers of any gender have the charisma and promo timing of Veda in the industry.
5 AEW: Danielle Moinet
Danielle Moinet (formerly known as Summer Rae) does not take regular bookings, but she has made it clear she’s open to returning to the wrestling business. Dusty Rhodes had huge praise for Moinet in FCW and wanted her to become a major star on the main roster.
Moinet may not be one of the best in-ring performers in the world, but her charisma and promo skills are quite strong. Much like WWE, the approach of AEW is to use managers when they make sense. Moinet has the potential to become a top tier manager. She sadly missed her chance in WWE when they were adamantly against managers on the roster.
4 WWE: Allysin Kay
Allysin Kay might be the most talented female wrestler in the world, not signed to a major promotion with television. NWA does use Kay in a strong role on their YouTube series, but the potential of AK47 is way too high to not get a run in a bigger promotion.
The height and strength of Kay each give her an instant advantage over most women setting up an easy story. Kay, however, can turn it up a notch and create magic in the ring. WWE has a deep women’s roster on all four brands, but there is no one with the look, persona, and skill set of Kay.
3 AEW: Tenille Dashwood
Tenille Dashwood (formerly known as Emma) never found her groove on the WWE main roster despite outstanding runs in NXT. WWE released Dashwood shortly after a great match with Asuka leaving fans in confusion.
Dashwood is currently having a run in Impact Wrestling, but interviews revealed she didn’t sign a long-term contract. AEW badly needs someone with the right mix of star power and skills for their women’s division. Tenille could fit that spot and would instantly be the most popular woman in AEW.
2 WWE: Rosemary
The Impact Wrestling run of Rosemary made a new star in women’s wrestling. Rosemary is the perfect mix of character and performer for any wrestling company. The spooky elements of her character have allowed Impact to have storylines going into the supernatural world.
WWE would likely never go that far, but there is still so much that can be done with Rosemary. The matches usually deliver, and her character work sets her apart from everyone on the roster. WWE badly needs some performers that bring something new to the table like Rosemary’s innovative work.
1 AEW: Tessa Blanchard
The biggest female star outside of WWE and AEW is clearly Tessa Blanchard. As we end 2019, Blanchard has been the unofficial face of Impact Wrestling. The transition from the Knockouts division and a classic match with Gail Kim moved her into intergender wrestling. Blanchard is in the company’s world title picture as she’s that good.
Both AEW and WWE are reportedly counting the days until she hits the free-agent market. Blanchard has the chance to sign a massive contract. AEW needs her more and has family ties. Tessa’s father Tully Blanchard already works for the company and she would clearly become the face of the women’s division from day one. This is the closest thing to a “must sign” for AEW.