The Inspiring Women Who Shaped Indie Wrestling - Women’s History Month

With Women’s History Month coming to a close we’re making sure we take the time to shine a light on even more of the incredible women on the independent wrestling scene.

We’ve already taken a look at the rising stars of the industry - check that our here - and now we’re going to praise the indie wrestlers who have been instrumental in shaping the scene we have today.

Now, before we get into it, it’s crucial to mention that just because Women’s History Month is coming to a close, doesn’t mean we’ll be halting our praise of the incredible women we have on the scene. The end of the month shouldn’t stop anyone from continuing to shine a light on those who deserve it. We urge everyone else to do the same.

I’ll also mention that I know there are hundreds of women who have had a huge impact on the indie wrestling scene, so for this list we’ll be focussing only on those who are still on the indie scene - in keeping with our indie focussed mantra - and not those who have been signed to major promotions.

With that said, let’s get into our list;

Jetta

Credit: @jetta_wrestle/@theheaddrop

It’s fair to say that a lot of wrestlers on the British scene wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for Jetta. The Princess Diana of Pro Wrestling has been busting her butt on the indies since the early 2000s.

She’s taken plenty of wrestlers under her wing and continues to have incredible matches for the likes of EVE, PWE and Wrestle Carnival. We’re truly blessed to have her here.

Lu Fisto

Credit: @woundedowllufisto

A true pioneer of the North American scene, Lu Fisto is one of the people responsible for promoting intergender wrestling across the pond and is well known for her hardcore fighting style.

Since 1997 she’s been having outstanding matches, made a name for herself across the world and is an honoured member of the Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Manami Toyota

There’s a reason Toyota is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time! A stand out star in All Japan, Manami truly flipped the script on what was possible for female wrestlers in Japan.

Her long-running feud with Aja Kong is still heralded to this day as one of the best rivalries in pro wrestling history. Manami set the stage for the incredible Japanese talent we have on the scene today.

Madison Eagles

Credit: @seriouslyeagles/@dalebrodiecreative

Out in Australia there’s an abundance of talent to highlight, and someone who had a huge role in training and inspiring that talent is Madison Eagles.

I over 20 years in the industry she’s done almost all there is to do - and yet it still seems like she’s one of the most underrated talents to ever come out of Australia.

Rhia O’Reilly

Credit: @rhiaoreilly

The hard hitting lass from out of Northern Ireland has spent nearly 15 years helping to shape the British wrestling scene. She’s been one of the fiercest competitors we’ve ever had on these shores and has lifted others up with her.

Promotions like EVE would be a very different place if it weren’t for the influence of Rhia.

Dark Sheik

Credit: @darksheikftf/@soona_price_photography

For nearly two decades Dark Sheik has served as an inspiration to the wrestling community. The American star has made a name for herself Stateside and has spent her career working her way up the indie wrestling ladder.

The Persian, trans wrestlebuddy is a credit to the scene and has done amazing work in shining a light on not just the LGBTQ+ community but in indie wrestling as a whole.

Check out Church of Wrestling for all the evidence you need of that.

Alpha Female

Credit: @jazzygabert/@weloveartbuying

Jazzy Gabert has done it all in wrestling, and she’s done it all while continuously helping the European wrestling scene thrive. She’s responsible for training some of the best wrestlers on the continent and now runs her own promotion too.

European wrestling would not be where it is today if Jazzy Gabert hadn’t been such a superstar for the scene.