In 2021 fans of women’s wrestling were treated to an array of new talent who lit up our TV screens across multiple promotions.
AEW’s Dark and Dark Elevation shows provided a plethora of wrestlers the chance to perform on a big stage while NWA, IMPACT! Wrestling and ROH all put a heavy focus on their women’s divisions.
The independent scene made a huge comeback after the forced hiatus in 2020. Promotions like Warrior Wrestling, Beyond, MLW and GCW all thrived last year and therefore provided talents with a lot more exposure and opportunities.
Superstars such as Cora Jade, Zoey Stark, Lady Frost, and Trish Adora, who all appeared on last year’s list, have all achieved great success and look to continue their upward trajectory in 2022.
Here is our list of 10 women’s wrestlers you should definitely look out for in 2022.
10. Tootie Lynn
The St Louis native made a fantastic impression when she debuted for NWA’s first-ever all-women’s PPV Empowerrr in 2021 but the Little Blue Dragon was already making a name for herself on the scene way before that.
Lynn’s wrestling training began in 2017 and made her debut the same year. She went on to perform for promotions Glory Pro Wrestling, Cape Championship Wrestling, and IWA Mid-South. Her big break came with NWA and her star continued to shine with appearances for MPW, and AEW.
She possesses an exciting style and great look and a certain spark, which is sure to make 2022 a great year for Seishin.
9. Lizzy Evo
Liverpool badass Lizzy Evo has been making a name for herself on the UK independent scene for the past few years and at the age of just 23-years-old, she made a big impact so far.
Evo is a natural performer with a bold charisma who has grown tremendously throughout her 8-year career. She has held titles wherever she wrestles and this year alone appeared for PROGRESS, Rev Pro and more recently NXT UK.
Big things seem to be on the horizon for “The Princess Of Wrestling” in 2022 and we can’t wait to see what.
8. Kayla Rossi
Rossi boasts one hell of an intimidating presence due to her impressive physique but when she backs it up with an array of power moves and amazing aerial offence it is clear she is a star in the making.
Bodybuilding since 2015, Rossi is rather new to the wrestling game and has been training for less than a year but her appearances of AEW Dark at the side of Joey Janela throughout 2021 made her a standup and take notice performer.
Rossi trains under the expertise of the Nightmare Family and along with her previous Muay Thai and MMA training it won’t be long before we see her dominating in the ring in 2022.
7. Janai Kai
With a unique look combined with some of the fastest and most sublime kicks seen in a wrestling ring, this young star has the world at her well-educated feet.
Kai began her wrestling journey in 2018 and quickly made a name for herself as one to watch due to her high-octane martial arts-inspired style. The Kick Demon’s emphatic and explosive use of Muay Thai and Kickboxing within the ring saw her climb the ranks and shine.
In 2021 alone she wrestled in promotions ROH, GCW and AEW against the likes of Thunder Rosa, Chelsea Green, and Trish Adora. As the new year is already underway she will undoubtedly want to carry her momentum into 2022, which we can’t wait to witness.
6. Reka Tehaka
Reka Tehaka is a great wrestler with a fantastic look and a ferocious presence, which saw her perform on AEW Dark several times throughout the year. During her appearances for AEW, her star quality has shone through and allowed her to gain vital experience on a large scale that is invaluable to a wrestler in her position.
Tehaka only stepped into a wrestling ring two years ago and despite her young tenure, she has shown skill and presence way beyond her years. Embracing her Samoan heritage in everything she does from her ring gear, style and move set. She uses all of her brute force and power to intimidate and overthrow.
Despite her wrestling career in its infancy she boasts a tonne of promise and potential that will be awesome to see come into fruition in 2022.
5. Alex Windsor
Windsor has been wrestling since 2009 and is a regular on the British wrestling scene. Over the years she has established herself as one of the best emerging talents with her performances for promotions like Rev Pro, PROGRESS and EVE.
She returned to the industry after stepping away due to several injuries in 2018. After three years away she returned with a newfound purpose and vigour. Windsor wasted little time in picking up where she left off by defeating Jordynne Grace, challenging Hyan for the Heart of SHIMMER Championship and beating Giselle Shaw to become the current RevPro Undisputed British Women’s title.
Only a few months into her comeback she has shown she is better than ever and on verge of a brilliant 2022.
4. Thekla
The Toxic Spider is one hell of a talent. Her agility is exceptional making her matches an awesome spectacle. Beginning her in-ring career in 2018 in Germany she soon established herself on Japanese soil for Ice ribbon as an energetic and dynamic performer.
During her time with Ice Ribbon, Thekla had a near 100-day reign as the Triangle Ribbon Champion while also plying her trade in SEAdLINNNG, Diana and GLEAT.
She recently debuted in STARDOM and joined the hugely popular and dominant faction, Donna del Mondo, alongside Giulia, Syuri, Maika, Himeka and Natsupoi. Her emergence in the promotion as part of such as successful group could spell big things for her in 2022 and it will be a joy to watch it take place.
3. Willow Nightingale
Willow Nightingale is a name that you all should be aware of due to her incredible run in 2021 that saw her perform in MLW, AEW, and Ring of Honor. But she has long been impressing audiences with her fun charisma and infectious personality.
Since debuting in 2015 Nightingale has been a regular on the indie circuit hitting all of the top promotions such as SHINE, SHIMMER and WOW. Over the years she has collected many titles holding the NYWC Starlet Championship at a whopping 728 days and the Queens of Combat Tag Team Championship with Faye Jackson for 365 days.
Nightingale had a brilliant and breakout year in 2021 and it will be fantastic to see her continue to grow and find even more success in 2022.
2. Megan Bayne
Megan Bayne or Megasus, which she is also known, has superstar written all over her. Boasting an impressive physique while her ancient Greek Goddess aesthetic makes her an instant and highly entertaining standout as does her powerhouse style and move set.
She began training in 2017 at OVW where she rose through the ranks to win the OVW Women’s Championship two years later. At only 23 years old she already has an impressive wrestling resumé performing for the likes of SHINE, IMPACT! Wrestling, Beyond and AEW.
Megasus took Beyond by storm throughout 2021 going an excellent win streak defeating, Delmi Exo, Willow Nightingale, Masha Slammovich and Trish Adora.
2022 promises to be a huge year for wrestling but an even bigger one for Megasus.
1. Queen Aminata
Queen Aminata is a strong, powerful and athletic rising star in the world of professional wrestling who has more than made a name for herself in the indies over the last few years. Last year she appeared several times for AEW, which allowed her to showcase her talents to a wider audience.
Beginning her in-ring career in 2017 she wrestled for SHIMMER, RISE, and WWE before heading over to Japan to train under the legendary Chigusa Nagayo in Marvellous and Sendai Girls wrestling the likes of DASH Chisako, Chihiro Hashimoto and Sareee.
This time overseas paid dividends as she returned with a new set of skills that saw her challenge Trish Adora for the Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Championship and win the GCW Women’s Champion, which she has held for over 300+ days.
Everything about Queen Aminata shouts star and she has already proven her quality in 2021 but this year not only continue her amazing upward trajectory but take her career into wrestling superstardom.
What do you make of the list and who else will you be looking out for this year? Let us know in the comments below.
