Continuing our series of 20 for 2020, we have a list of women to watch in the new year. These are women who are starting to break out onto a bigger stage thanks to their hard work and talent. This list is by no means comprehensive and is not ranked in any order. It’s meant as a taste of the great women’s wrestling that is currently available to fans.
20 for 2020:
Leyla Hirsch
Legit Leyla Hirsch is a protegee of DJ Hyde and the CZW dojo. She’s been wrestling for just a few years and already has been turning heads. Leyla is comfortable in both women’s wrestling and intergender wrestling, racking up success in both avenues. 2018 was her first full year in wrestling and saw her primarily work with CZW related shows and Queens of Combat. In 2019 she would expand her resume to include Beyond Wrestling, Limitless Wrestling, and a tour abroad with wXw in Germany. Leyla began her 2020 by debuting with World Wonder Ring Stardom in Japan. Notable opponents she has beaten include Mercedes Martinez, LuFisto, Joe Gacy, John Silver, and Alex Reynolds.
Follow Leyla on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
Tasha Steelz
The Boricua Badass Tasha Steelz is five years or so into her wrestling career. She is currently the Chaotic Wrestling Women’s and Battle Club Pro ICONS Champion. Very proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, she’s also known as the Culture Queen. She’s become a regular for promotions like Battle Club Pro, Women’s Wrestling Revolution, Northeast Wrestling and Queens of Combat. Tasha has also picked up several appearances for Ring of Honor, worked for IMPACT Wrestling and WWE. She’s also joined the revitalized NWA as part of their women’s division. Tasha is also not afraid to mix it up with the men either, although she does concentrate more on women’s wrestling. Notable opponents she has beaten include Kris Statlander, Karen Q, Davienne, and Nyla Rose.
Follow Tasha on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
20 for 2020:
Miranda Alize
Miranda Alize was trained by Booker T at his Reality of Wrestling school. Booker is a name that will pop up several times, so his school is one of the good ones if you’re looking. Miranda began her career in Texas and began to branch out of ROW following her appearance in the first-ever Mae Young Classic. She appeared as Miranda Salinas and lost to Rhea Ripley in the first round. She’s added Zelo Pro, RISE Wrestling, SHIMMER, Bar Wrestling and more to her resume.
Miranda has also had the chance to work internationally; she toured with STARDOM in 2018 and Southside Wrestling Entertainment in the UK in 2019. She also has worked for various lucha libre promotions in Mexico, California, and Texas. Miranda also appeared for All Elite Wrestling on episode 12 of Dynamite, losing to Awesome Kong. Notable opponents she has beaten are Kimber Lee, Ricky Starks, Joey Ryan, and Shazza McKenzie.
Follow Miranda on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
Elayna Black
At 18 years old, one of the up and coming stars in women’s wrestling is the Sorceress of Sin, Elayna Black. The Chicago native has mostly been frequenting promotions in the Midwest area. These include Freelance Wrestling, Zelo Pro, RISE Wrestling, and SHIMMER. She’s also had the opportunity to work with IMPACT Wrestling and most recently, EVOLVE Wrestling. In RISE, she is one half of the tag team Witch, Please with fellow Midwesterner Hawlee Cromwell. They picked up a huge win over Paradise Lost even with Rosemary in their corner.
Follow Elayna on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
20 for 2020:
Ashley Vox
Ashley Vox may perhaps be best known as one half of the sister duo, The Sea Stars with Delmi Exo. However, that’s not all this versatile sea creature is capable of. In 2019 she did work with IMPACT Wrestling and joined the NWA. She can also be seen as a solo act in Limitless Wrestling, Chaotic Wrestling, New York Wrestling Connection, and SHIMMER. In Limitless, she had a fantastic trio of matches with Kris Statlander. Ashley also can mix it up with the boys, working with MJF, Brandon Kirk, and Christian Casanova. Notable opponents she’s picked up wins over are Leyla Hirsch, Kris Statlander, and Davienne.
Follow Ashley on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
Thunder Rosa
Thunder Rosa has been around the women’s wrestling scene for around five-to-six years. Initially, she was based in Southern California before relocated to Texas. While she too has dipped her toes into the tag-team competition as one-half of the Twisted Sisterz, most of her career has been as a singles star. La Mera Mera has always been brought around the country and abroad for work. She’s appeared for STARDOM, Tokyo Joshi Pro, NWA, Metroplex Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Reality of Wrestling, and many others. Thunder Rosa also portrayed the characters of Kobra Moon on Lucha Underground and Serpentine on Women of Wrestling. As part of the NWA Women’s division, she is a central figure.
Follow Thunder Rosa on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
20 for 2020:
Lady Frost
Lady Frost will mark two years in wrestling in March of 2020. Her debut match was in a squash match loss on Monday Night Raw to Asuka. She frequently tags with her real-life husband, Victor Benjamin, as Pretty Proper. Lady Frost mostly works in the outer Midwest, New England area. She’s appeared for Flying V Fights, Prime Time Pro Wrestling, CHIKARA, Beyond Wrestling and more. Lady Frost has also become a regular for ROH in their Future of Honor events. Notable opponents she has beaten so far are Lindsay Snow, Solo Darling, and Holidead.
Follow Lady Frost on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
Alex Gracia
The Pink Dream Alex Gracia is another Texas-born and trained member of the women’s wrestling scene. She went through the Texas Wrestling Academy under Rudy Boy Gonzalez. Gracia began her career working on indies in Texas with a few appearances for Shine, SHIMMER and RISE Wrestling. When she began working with the Reality of Wrestling is when her star would begin to rise. She began 2019 by touring with STARDOM and pick up several remarkable resume items throughout the year. Gracia would debut for WSU and AIW, have a reign as ROW Diamond Division Champion and return to Shine and EVOLVE. Notable opponents she has beaten include Laynie Luck, AQA, Tasha Steelz, and Aja Perera.
Follow Alex on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
Davienne
Davienne is not America’s Sweetheart and is the current WSU Spirit Champion. She’s been wrestling for almost 7 years but is still quite young. Davienne is a staple on the Northeastern women’s wrestling scene. She’s worked for Chaotic Wrestling, Limitless Wrestling, Beyond Wrestling, WSU, Battle Club Pro, Women’s Wrestling Revolution and more. Davienne also is very comfortable with intergender wrestling, even forming a new tag team with JT Dunn in Chaotic Wrestling. Notable opponents she has beaten are Kris Statlander, Leyla Hirsch, Hudson Envy, and Karen Q.
Follow Davienne on her journey: Twitter, Facebook
Danika Della Rouge
Danika Della Rouge is one of the newer faces on the women’s wrestling scene. She’s just about two years into her career and has already turned many heads. Originally from Orlando, she was trained at the Buddy Wayne Academy in the Pacific Northwest. It is here that she is based and works for the promotions in the area. These include DEFY Wrestling, the West Coast Wrestling Connection, and Reactivate Pro Wrestling. She’s also worked for Ring of Honor and been an extra for WWE several times. Danika also received a WWE tryout in the spring of 2019.
Follow Danika on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Dani Luna
Dani Luna is a fresh face on a United Kingdom wrestling scene going through a difficult period. She’s just over three years into her career and is already working for some of the usual suspects in the UK. These include ATTACK! Pro Wrestling, PROGRESS Wrestling, RevPro, and Pro Wrestling SOUL. Dani has also been part of the cult favorite Schadenfreude and Friends shows. She’s also appeared on a few episodes of WWE’s NXT UK program. Notable opponents she has bested thus far are Toni Storm, Charli Evans, Jinny, and Millie McKenzie.
Follow Dani on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
20 for 2020:
Brittany Blake
Brittany Blake is the current reigning WSU World Champion. She trained at the CZW Dojo and has been wrestling for almost 7 years now. Blake has been part of the WSU organization almost since its inception. So to come full circle in 2019 as their champion is a special accomplishment. She’s also worked for CZW, MCW, AIW, AAW, Queens of Combat, Shine, SHIMMER, and RISE Wrestling. Brittany is also part of the tag team The Sinister Sweethearts with Samantha Heights. In addition to her career as a wrestler, she is also an avid cosplayer. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Kris Statlander, Diamante, Leyla Hirsch, and Maria Manic.
Follow Brittany on her journey: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram
Faye Jackson
Faye Jackson is not your typical woman on the women’s wrestling scene. She is thick and juicy and damn proud of it. Faye is the current Brii Combination Women’s Champion and is a former Queens of Combat tag team champion. A student of the ROH Dojo, she’s competed up and down the East Coast. She’s also been across the pond to compete in Germany for wXw and made a few appearances in the UK as well. Places she can be seen stateside are Pro Wrestling Magic, Pizza Party Wrestling, Prime Time Pro Wrestling, and more. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Holidead, Scarlett Bordeaux, Joey Ryan, and Sumie Sakai.
Follow Faye on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
20 for 2020:
Aja Perera
The Brazil native Aja Perera has been wrestling for about six years and is currently based in Georgia. This is where her career began, working for promotions like Peachstate Wrestling Alliance. She quickly began to branch out into other states and countries like Mexico and Canada, where she competed for Canada’s Wrestling Elite. Currently, she is one half of the Shine Tag Team Champions with Big Swole and is a former Shine Nova Champion. Perera is a regular for Shine, WSU and Queens of Combat. She’s also competed in Japan for Marvelous as Momoe-chan. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Kimber Lee, Delmi Exo, Priscilla Kelly, and Kiera Hogan.
Free Match to Enjoy
Follow Aja on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
Willow Nightingale
Willow Nightingale is the girl with the big hair and an even bigger smile. She’s been wrestling for about five years, mostly in the New York/New England area. 2019 was derailed for Willow as an injury to her neck put her on the shelf for seven months. She bounced back with positivity in September, and in November captured the CHIKARA Campeonatos de Parejas with her partner Solo Darling. She’s a regular for the New York Wrestling Connection, Beyond Wrestling, Women’s Wrestling Revolution, Queens of Combat, SHIMMER, and more. Willow also portrays the character Eye Candy on Women of Wrestling. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Kris Statlander, Kimber Lee, Ashley Vox, Rex Lawless, and Maria Manic.
Free Match to Enjoy
Follow Willow on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
20 for 2020:
Gisele Shaw
Gisele Shaw is the Pearl of women’s wrestling. She is of Philipino descent, raised in Canada and trained under the legendary Lance Storm. Gisele began her career in Canada in 2015; her first foray out of her homeland was to Japan for REINA. 2018 would see her debut in the United States, the biggest appearances being for Women of Wrestling as the character Azteca, later known as Reyna Reyes. In 2019 she would begin to work in the UK and Ireland. She would work for ATTACK! Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling: EVE, RevPro, Kamikaze Pro, OTT, and more. Gisele would also return to Japan for Tokyo Joshi Pro and DDT, as well as appear in the US for Bar Wrestling. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Tessa Blanchard, Shanna, Mercedes Martinez, and Jinny.
Follow Gisele on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
20 for 2020:
Laynie Luck
Too Turnt Laynie Luck is THE Party Unicorn of women’s wrestling. She began her career on the Texas indies before moving onto more Midwestern territories. Currently, she holds the ZOWA Live and Zelo Pro Women’s Championships. Laynie competes regularly for ZOWA, Zelo Pro and Freelance Wrestling, as well as many others. She’s received more mainstream exposure by working with RISE Wrestling and IMPACT Wrestling. She defended her Zelo Pro title during the Bound for Glory weekend festivities. Laynie won the opportunity to challenge Big Swole for the Phoenix of RISE Championship. Even though she lost that encounter, she impressed the champion and many others. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Kylie Rae, Shotzi Blackheart, and Su Yung.
Follow Laynie on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
Priscilla Kelly
Hell’s Favorite Harlot Priscilla Kelly is a controversial figure in today’s wrestling scene. The Georgia native was trained in her home state by Murder-1 and made her debut in 2015. Early regular haunts in her career were promotions like Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment, Universal Independent Wrestling, Wild Fire Wrestling, and Shine. She would go on to become Shine Nova Champion as well. Other promotions she would eventually add to her resume are Fest Wrestling, Queens of Combat, MLW, Bar Wrestling, RISE Wrestling, and Without a Cause Wrestling.
Priscilla also appeared in the second WWE Mae Young Classic and has appeared several times for Tokyo Joshi Pro. Kelly is infamously known for the “tampon” incident; at a show, she removed a simulated tampon from her trunks and put it in the mouth of her opponent. Priscilla’s career is far more than just this one controversial incident. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Joey Ryan, Shazza McKenzie, Kimber Lee, and Santana Garrett.
Follow Priscilla on her journey: Twitter, Instagram
20 for 2020:
AQA
AQA is another trainee from the Reality of Wrestling under the tutelage of Booker T. She’s just a couple of years into her career but has already built a considerable reputation for herself. AQA is a two-time Diamond Division champion for ROW and joined both RISE Wrestling and SHIMMER in 2019. An injury would cut her hot run of 2019 short, but she is due to return in 2020 to pick up where she left off. Notable opponents she has beaten are Alex Gracia, Hyan, Kylie Rae, and Indi Hartwell.
Follow AQA on her journey: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Hyan
The Renaissance Woman, Hyan is also a product of the Reality of Wrestling team led by Booker T. She’s been around for going on six years. Hyan is a three-time and current Diamond Division champion for ROW. She is also the current Sabotage Champion, a women’s promotion based in her native Texas. In November 2019, she also became the Interim Heart of SHIMMER Champion while Samantha Heights recovers from injury. Hyan also is a regular for other women’s promotions such as SHIMMER, RISE Wrestling, and Queens of Combat. Hyan has also worked in Japan for Sendai Girls, Marvelous, and Pro Wrestling WAVE. Notable opponents she’s beaten are Kris Statlander, Rhia O’Reilly, Mercedes Martinez, and Su Yung.
Follow Hyan on her journey: Twitter
As shown here, there are plenty of talented and hungry talented women on the wrestling scene. Hopefully, 2020 will bring lots more attention to these women named here and the many others working alongside them.
