Professional wrestling has long been dominated by white men, but over the past couple of decades, black women have made great strides in the world of sports entertainment.
From trailblazers like Jacqueline Moore to current champions like Bianca Belair, black female wrestlers have overcome obstacles and broken down barriers on their journey to WWE stardom.
This article will highlight ten of the most influential African American women wrestlers in WWE history.
Summary of Black female wrestlers in WWE
Wrestler’s Name | Key Facts and Accomplishments |
---|---|
Jacqueline Moore | First African American woman to hold WWE Women’s Championship; paved way for future black women wrestlers |
Alicia Fox | Longest active WWE career of any contemporary black female wrestler; first African American to win WWE Divas Championship |
Jazz | Broke ground with aggressive style and intergender matches in early 2000s; 2-time WWE Women’s Champion |
Sasha Banks | Trailblazer since 2012; “Legit Boss” persona; 4-time WWE Raw Women’s Champion |
Bianca Belair | Current Raw Women’s Champion; first woman to win Royal Rumble; main evented WrestleMania 37 |
Kristal Marshall | 2005 Diva Search co-winner; WWE Divas Champion; transitioned from modeling/acting to successful WWE career |
Kiera Hogan | Rising AEW star trained by Bianca Belair; potential future WWE signee |
Jade Cargill | Powerful rising AEW star; athleticism, charisma could make major WWE impact |
Ethel Johnson | First African American female wrestler in 1950s WWWF matches |
Kia Stevens | Competed as Awesome Kong; returned for 2023 Royal Rumble; helped advance opportunities for women |
Pioneers Like Jacqueline Moore
One of the first black women to find major success in WWE was Jacqueline Moore. Debuting in WWE (then WWF) in 1998, Moore became the first African American woman to hold the WWE Women’s Championship.
Her athletic style and daring moves made her a standout in the women’s division.
Though Moore’s WWE career was relatively short, her barrier-breaking accomplishments paved the way for future black women wrestlers.
The Undefeated Alicia Fox
Since her debut in 2008, Alicia Fox has had one of the longest WWE careers of any contemporary black female wrestler.
With her Northern Lights suplex finisher and flashy fashion style, Fox brought personality and athleticism to the women’s division. She holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to win the WWE Divas Championship.
Despite never quite reaching the top tier in WWE, Fox’s longevity and in-ring skills have made her a consistent fan favourite.
Jazz: A Force in the Women’s Division
In the early 2000s, wrestler Jazz broke new ground for black women in WWE. With an aggressive style that saw her often competing against men, Jazz engaged in memorable feuds with Trish Stratus and Lita.
She held the WWE Women’s Championship twice during her run. Though she faded from the WWE scene in the mid 2000s, her hybrid wrestling/MMA moveset and bruising offense paved the way for future hard-hitting black female wrestlers.
Sasha Banks: Legit Boss
When it comes to contemporary trailblazers in WWE, Sasha Banks stands out as one of the most influential.
Debuting on WWE’s NXT brand in 2012, Banks quickly made a name for herself with outstanding matches against the likes of Bayley and Becky Lynch. Dubbed “The Legit Boss,” Banks ultimately became a four-time WWE Raw Women’s Champion on the main roster.
Her gritty in-ring style, The Bank Statement submission finisher and flashy fashion choices have made her one of WWE’s most popular stars.
Bianca Belair: The EST
Current Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair has been a revelation since joining the main roster in 2020. With her long braid whips, jaw-dropping athleticism and inspirational EST (“StrongEST, FasteEST, GreatEST”) gimmick, Belair has become one of WWE’s brightest young stars.
She made history by winning the Women’s Royal Rumble match in 2021 and going on to defeat Sasha Banks in the main event of WrestleMania 37.
Belair represents the future of black women’s wrestling in WWE.
Kristal Marshall: Beauty, Brains and Talent
Best known as a WWE Diva Search contestant, Kristal Marshall brought beauty, brains and talent to the wrestling organization in the mid-2000s.
As the 2005 Diva Search co-winner, Marshall went on to hold the WWE Divas Championship and engaged in high-profile matches and storylines.
Her skill on the microphone and charisma helped pave the way for future black women to transition from modeling/acting to successful WWE careers.
Kiera Hogan: The First Lady of Fire
Though not currently on the WWE roster, Kiera Hogan is one of the hottest rising talents in wrestling today.
Currently competing in AEW as “The First Lady of Fire,” Hogan combines high-flying maneuvers with solid technical wrestling.
She was trained by current WWE superstar Bianca Belair, so a future WWE run seems likely. Hogan’s youth, talent and trailblazing status as an openly gay wrestler could make her a huge star in WWE’s progressive women’s division.
Jade Cargill: The Total Package
Another star waiting in the wings is Jade Cargill, currently competing in AEW. With only a couple years of in-ring experience, Cargill has wowed fans with her otherworldly athleticism and superhero good looks. Nicknamed “That B*tch Show” in AEW, Cargill combines power, agility and charisma in a package tailor-made for WWE success.
If she leaps WWE, expect Cargill to become one of the most dominating black female forces the company has ever seen.
Ethel Johnson: The First Black Woman Wrestler
No history of black women in WWE would be complete without mentioning Ethel Johnson. Back in the 1950s, Johnson became the first African American female wrestler to appear in matches booked at national arenas by WWE’s predecessor, the WWWF.
Though details about Johnson’s career are scarce, her pioneering status as the first black women’s wrestler in WWWF deserves recognition.
Kia Stevens: A Pioneer in the Modern Era
Wrestling under the name Awesome Kong, Kia Stevens recently returned to WWE as part of the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
While not the first black woman in WWE, Stevens’ earlier runs with the company were groundbreaking in their way.
Her size and power brought diversity to the women’s division, and some of her outside-the-box matches, like a 2012 bout against male wrestler Daniel Bryan, helped advance opportunities for women in WWE.
Conclusion
For decades, black women wrestlers faced obstacles on their path to WWE success. But thanks to trailblazers like Jacqueline Moore, Jazz, Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair, African American women are now an integral part of WWE’s wrestling landscape. Their athleticism, charisma and determination have opened doors for current and future black female stars. With so much yet to achieve, the journey of black women wrestlers in WWE is still being written. But their influence on sports entertainment is undeniable.