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During WWE's Ruthless Aggression era, Victoria was one of the leading players in the women's division. While WWE's Divas were treated mainly as eye candy, Victoria stepped up and showed what it meant to be a wrestler in WWE.
She will be remembered as one of the toughest and most fearless women's competitors of all time. Victoria is still highly regarded by her peers and the WWE and is looked up to by many of today's female wrestlers.
That being said, let's take a look at five of Victoria's best matches in WWE.
#5 Victoria vs. Molly Holly - Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 20
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When you talk about WrestleMania moments, Victoria got hers on the grandest stage of them all. At WrestleMania 20 in Madison Square Garden, the Women's Championship was on the line in a Hair vs. Title match. Challenger and former champion Molly Holly put her hair on the line to prove she could beat Victoria.
Surprisingly, it was Molly Holly who pitched the match as she was desperate to appear at WrestleMania. she told Ring the Belle:
"The writers told me that there was only room for one women’s match at WrestleMania. They were going to do a pillow fight or a mud match. I was really devastated and thought I gotta come up with something that makes them change their minds. So I put a bald cap on and had my photo taken. I made a booklet with a bunch of different storylines showing my head getting shaved. I presented it to Stephanie McMahon and some of the writers and said: ‘I’m willing to shave my head, can I please be on WrestleMania?’ Sure enough, they came back to me couple days later and said ‘All right, we’ll let you get your head shaved at WrestleMania," Molly Holly said. (h/t 411 Mania)
The match was placed ninth on the WrestleMania card out of twelve matches. Victoria walked in as the champion and managed to defeat Molly Holly using a backslide.
The match itself was given almost five minutes, but it delivered on all fronts. Victoria and Molly Holly showcased their talents, with the WWE Universe on the edge of their seats to see the outcome.
Of course, following the match, as per the stipulation, Molly Holly was strapped to a barbers chair, and her head was shaved bald. For Victoria to walk in as Women's Champion and retain the title and shave her opponent's head bald, it was undoubtedly a WrestleMania moment to treasure.
#4 Victoria vs. Trish Stratus - Sunday Night Heat in July 2002
Victoria made her WWE in-ring debut on Sunday Night Heat on July 7, 2002. Before her in-ring debut, she was one of The Godfather's associates.
Victoria faced Trish Stratus, who she claimed had betrayed her when they worked together as fitness models. It was the first of many Victoria-Trish matches that occurred that year.
Despite her loss, Victoria was able to show the WWE Universe her potential. She showed strength and aggression in the match, which later cemented her place as a women's wrestler on the roster.
#3 Victoria vs. Michelle McCool - SmackDown in January 2009
We've gone from the start to the end of Victoria's full-time career in WWE. In January 2009, she bid farewell to WWE after almost a decade with the company. She faced Michelle McCool on the January 16, 2009 episode of SmackDown.
The match was given just over six minutes, and Victoria reminded everyone just how good she was. She even attempted to pull out some big moves for her final one-on-one hurrah. Jim Ross explained to viewers watching that it would be her last match in WWE, which showed the company's respect for her.
Ever the professional, Victoria put Michelle McCool over on her way out. Before pinning, McCool also paid her respects and told her, "Sis, I love you so much, and I can't thank you enough."
#2 Victoria vs. Lita - Steel Cage match on RAW on November 2003
History was made on the November 24, 2003, episode of RAW when Victoria battled Lita. It was a special night as the Raw Roulette wheel was in town, and the wheel landed on a Steel Cage match stipulation for the ladies. It was the first-ever women's Steel Cage match in WWE.
It was full of brutality and high-risk moves from the top of the Cage. Victoria and Lita were the perfect superstars to compete in such a match. They gave it their all and proved that the women of WWE are no less than the men.
#1 Victoria vs. Trish Stratus - Hardcore Match for the Women's Title at Survivor Series 2002
After months of feuding, Victoria and Trish Stratus' rivalry came to a head at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in 2002. Trish was the defending champion, and a Hardcore Match heightened the stakes.
Weapons such as a broomstick, a trash can, and a Singapore cane were used. In the end, a bloodied Victoria grabbed a fire extinguisher from under the ring and sprayed it in Trish's face. This allowed her to deliver a suplex to win her first Women's Championship in WWE.
It once again showcased Victoria's toughness and legitimacy on the WWE roster and cemented her place as one of the most remarkable women's performers of all time.
What was your favorite Victoria match in WWE? Let us know in the comments below!
