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It has been an incredible few years for the WWE women's division. After transitioning from being just eye-candy, the female superstars are now finally competing in high-stakes matches in the ring.
It has been dubbed the "Women's Revolution" which resulted in the first-ever women's WrestleMania main event in 2019 and better opportunities for the superstars of RAW, SmackDown and NXT.
While many female superstars are now getting their opportunities to shine as performers, some have excelled elsewhere outside of Vince McMahon's company.
Let's take a look at five female wrestlers who had more success outside of WWE.
#5. Deonna Purrazzo had more success outside of WWE
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From being destroyed by Nia Jax on Monday Night RAW to becoming one of the greatest IMPACT Knockout Champions of all-time. What a year or so it has been for Deonna Purrazzo.
Purrazzo signed for WWE in April 2018, and made a number of appearances for NXT and at NXT house shows. She dubbed herself The Virtuosa, but sadly she was given very little in terms of matches and storylines. It left herself and her fans frustrated.
The Covid-19 pandemic tragically hit the world in early 2020. WWE made many budget cuts, and Deonna was amongst those released from her contract in April that year. In hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise for the former Stardom star.
She was contacted by IMPACT's Madison Rayne who offered her an opportunity to join the promotion. Purrazzo accepted and she has never looked back. She is a two-time Knockouts Champion, and she also won awards for Knockout of the Year and Wrestler of the Year in her debut 12 months with the company. What an achievement.
IMPACT Wrestling gave Deonna the ball and allowed her to excel and be the Virtuosa she wanted to be.
What has been WWE's loss has been IMPACT Wrestling's gain. In October 2021, Deonna Purrazzo was listed in the Top 5 of the PWI Women's 150 list, earning her place after an incredible run. Who knows, at this rate, she may clinch the top spot next year.
#4. Tay Conti had more success outside of WWE
Tay Conti was another WWE superstar who at the time fell victim to budget cuts in April 2020. Initially, it seemed like Conti's career was going somewhere on NXT, as she even appeared in the WrestleMania Pre-Show Battle Royal in 2018. Slowly, her television time faded.
In the summer of 2020, Tay Conti was immediately picked up by Tony Khan to perform for AEW. Tay has been treated like a star from the get-go and has even had opportunities at the AEW and NWA Women's Title. It appears AEW has her best interests at heart and is looking to try and keep building momentum for her.
#3. Maria Kanellis had more success outside of WWE
Recently, Maria Kanellis has been a pioneer and leader for the women of the independent scene. Kanellis is firmly behind female wrestlers shining in every promotion around the world. Maria's influence has given the former 24/7 Champion a lot of success outside of WWE.
She has had a huge impact on every promotion she has worked for. She has also been managing her husband Mike Bennett and, at times, his partner Matt Taven. Maria speaks her mind, speaks the truth, and where she can see change is needed, she will make it happen.
#2. Mickie James had more success outside of WWE
Although Mickie James has held five WWE Women's Titles and one Divas Title, her success outside WWE is incomparable. Mickie has made waves for promotions such as IMPACT Wrestling and NWA.
Whilst she will fondly look back on her memories and moments with WWE, she will look proudly at all she accomplished outside of the company. Mickie, similarly to Maria Kanellis, has been pushing hard for pro-wrestling women and has pushed WWE to do another all-women pay-per-view.
The country singer got her wish when the NWA ran an all-women's event Empowerrr in August 2021, after much pushback from WWE whilst she was working there. Her influence, especially for women, has been inspiring, and will mean much more than any title victory.
#1. Gail Kim had more success outside of WWE
If you want to talk about a woman who 'made it' outside of WWE, then look no further than Gail Kim. She is the greatest IMPACT Wrestling Knockout of all-time and nobody will come close. The division belongs to her and she deserves her place in the IMPACT Hall of Fame.
The seven-time Knockouts Champion gave so much to IMPACT Wrestling that she has earned admiration all over the world. No one will soon forget the incredible game-changing feud she had with Awesome Kong in the mid-2000's, either. The Women's Revolution started in IMPACT Wrestling long before it made its way to WWE, and Gail was in the heartbeat of it.
Thank you, Gail, for everything you have done for pro-wrestling.
