At WrestleMania 32 in 2016, a new era for the women’s division began. On WWE’s biggest stage, the Divas Championship was retired and replaced by the Women’s Championship in a long-overdue shift.
In the decade since, WrestleMania has become the proving ground for the very best in women’s wrestling. Careers have been defined and legacies cemented in high-stakes matches that helped reshape the division.
All this week, Diva Dirt counts down the 10 best WrestleMania matches of the women’s revolution.
10. Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch — WrestleMania 40
By WrestleMania 40, Rhea Ripley had become one of the most popular and dominant characters in all of wrestling. Standing across from her was Becky Lynch, a beloved babyface coming off a strong year, yet finding the crowd shifting away from her in favor of the reigning champion.
The build to this match lacked the intensity of some of the division’s biggest rivalries, but in hindsight, there’s something special about the simplicity of it. Two of the defining stars of their era, meeting one-on-one on the grandest stage of them all.
The opening match of WrestleMania 40 was a physical, hard-hitting battle that emphasized grit over spectacle. Ripley controlled much of the match with her strength and aggression, while Lynch leaned on her resilience and experience to stay within striking distance. Fighting through illness, Lynch delivered a gutsy performance, absorbing punishment and continuing to push forward despite the clear disadvantage. Ripley, however, never lost control, cutting off momentum and forcing the challenger to work from underneath. In the end, Ripley proved too much. She retained the Women’s World Championship, further cementing her reign and reinforcing her position at the top of the division.
It may not have had the drama of other matches on this list, but it stands as a meaningful chapter in WrestleMania history. A rare meeting of two era-defining stars, and a reminder of just how special this matchup was, even without the traditional build.
9. Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka — WrestleMania 39
Often overlooked due to a lackluster build and a show-stealing women’s match the night before, Bianca Belair vs. Asuka deserves far more recognition than it typically receives.
With Asuka returning with a renewed edge and Belair firmly established as champion, this wasn’t just a meeting of two top stars. It was a true clash of styles between two of the most complete and dangerous competitors in the division. This hard-fought, highly competitive battle was one where neither woman could gain a lasting advantage. Asuka’s striking and submission game constantly disrupted Belair’s rhythm, dragging the match into deeper waters and forcing the champion out of her comfort zone. Belair, in turn, relied on her strength and athleticism to create openings, matching Asuka’s intensity and refusing to be overwhelmed. The result was a back-and-forth struggle that felt as much about endurance as it did execution, with both women pushing each other to the limit.
Despite strong fan support for Asuka, especially so soon after her return at the Royal Rumble, it was Belair who ultimately broke through, capitalizing at the right moment to retain her championship. In doing so, she didn’t just add another defense to her reign. She proved she could win a different kind of fight, putting an exclamation point on an exceptional reign and solidifying her place at the top of the division.
Check back in tomorrow as we continue on the road to No. 1 with to Nos. 8 and 7!