Abandoned: The History of the WWE Women's Championship
Throughout history, professional wrestling has seen many championships. Many in the National Wrestling Alliance still exist and have been defended for decades upon decades.
In WWF/E, though, there are six major titles. Not many know that the company has had a total of at least 19 different titles, 13 of which have been abandoned for one reason or another. The other two major companies owned by WWE are WCW and ECW, which have at least 15 abandoned and forgotten titles between them.
For as long as it takes, I will be concentrating on those forgotten titles. Each slide will feature the champion, who they defeated, where and when they won it, the length of their title reign, and if there were any special circumstances that happened during their reign.
At times multiple belts will be featured into one article due to their short history. Belts with a lengthy history will get their own articles and may be broken up into two, depending on the length.
For the first edition of Abandoned, I present the WWE Women’s Championship.
WWE has us believe that the history of the title begins in 1956, with The Fabulous Moolah. They don’t recognize title changes that happened between then and 1983 because the title hadn’t become property of the WWF until then.
WWE does not recognize the titles rich history with its lineage to the NWA Women’s Championship, which in turn has lineage to the original Women’s World Championship.
If you do the research, the WWE Women’s Title technically dates back to the 1890s, and that’s where I begin.
Josie Wahlford
1 of 83Defeated: N/A
Where: N/A
When: 1890s
Title Reign: N/A
Josie Wahlford is known as the first Women’s World Champion. This is before there were any wrestling companies out there; just promoters putting on shows at carnivals and places like that.
Not much is known of the very early history of the title, though.
A wrestler by the name of Alice William also apparently held a claim to the title around the same time as Wahlford, but Josie is considered to be the very first champion.
Laura Bennett
2 of 83Defeated: N/A
Where: N/A
When: Early 1900s
Title Reign: N/A
It’s not known if Bennett defeated Josie Wahlford or if there were any other champions between them.
A wrestler named Hazel Parker apparently got a hold of the title in Chicago, IL, sometime during 1906.
Mary Harris
3 of 83Defeated: N/A
Where: N/A
When: 1907
Title Reign: N/A
It’s not known if Harris defeated Laura Bennett or Hazel Parker for the title, or if there were any other champions between them.
Laura Bennett
4 of 83Defeated: Mary Harris
Where: N/A
When: 1909
Title Reign: N/A
A wrestler by the name of Masha Poddubnaya apparently won the title a total of six times before 1910. If true, it’s not known if she and Bennett traded the title back-and-forth or if there were any other champions between them.
Cora Livingston
5 of 83Defeated: N/A
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: October 1910
Title Reign: N/A
It's no known who she defeated, but Livingston reportedly had the title right up until her retirement in 1925.
Clara Mortenson
6 of 83Defeated: Barbara Ware
Where: N/A
When: 1932
Title Reign: ~5 years
It’s not known what happened with the title between 1925 and 1932 and some historian’s dispute whether or not Mortenson actually defeated Barbara Ware or if it was another woman.
Mildred Burke
7 of 83Defeated: Clara Mortenson
Where: Chattanooga, TN
When: January 28, 1937
Title Reign: 14 days
This is the first of many times Burke will appear on this list. Burke was recognized as the very first National Wrestling Alliance Women’s Champion sometime between 1950 and 1953.
Burke was stripped of the title on August 20, 1954. Promoter Billy Wolfe had a local commission stop a match between her and June Byers and took the title off of her afterward.
There was reportedly huge heat between Burke and Wolfe and it resulted in the very respected Mildred Burke being stripped of the title.
Clara Mortenson
8 of 83Defeated: Mildred Burke
Where: Chattanooga, TN
When: February 11, 1937
Title Reign: ~48 days
Mildred Burke
9 of 83Defeated: Clara Mortenson
Where: N/A
When: April 1937
Title Reign: ~597 days
Betty Nichols
10 of 83Defeated: Mildred Burke
Where: Columbus, OH
When: November 18, 1938
Title Reign: 13 days
Mildred Burke
11 of 83Defeated: Betty Nichols
Where: Columbus, OH
When: December 1, 1938
Title Reign: ~15 years
Burke reclaimed the belt and set the record for the longest title reign from here.
June Byers
12 of 83Defeated: Awarded
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: August 20, 1954
Title Reign: ~14 years
After Mildred Burke was stripped of the title, it was awarded to her opponent June Byers, who was reportedly Billy Wolfe’s daughter-in-law.
Penny Banner
13 of 83Defeated: Recognized
Where: N/A
When: January 1964
Title Reign: N/A
Penny Banner won a battle royal to become the new American Wrestling Association Women’s Champion. She was recognized as the NWA Women’s Champion by some of the NWA promoters after June Byers retired in January 1964.
Slave Girl Moolah
14 of 83Defeated: Recognized
Where: N/A
When: January 1964
Title Reign: ~1,006 days
While Penny Banner was recognized by some promoters, the majority of them recognized Slave Girl Moolah as the champion when June Byers retired in January 1964.
Betty Boucher
15 of 83Defeated: Slave Girl Moolah
Where: Seattle, WA
When: September 17, 1966
Title Reign: Anywhere from a few days to a few months
The Fabulous Moolah
16 of 83Defeated: Betty Boucher
Where: N/A
When: 1966
Title Reign: ~2 years
Yukiko Tomoe
17 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: Osaka, Japan
When: March 10, 1968
Title Reign: 23 days
The Fabulous Moolah
18 of 83Defeated: Yukiko Tomoe
Where: Hamamatsu, Japan
When: April 2, 1968
Title Reign: ~7 years
Sue Green
19 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: Dallas, TX
When: 1975
Title Reign: ~ 1 year
The Fabulous Moolah
20 of 83Defeated: Sue Green
Where: Texas
When: 1976
Title Reign: ~2 years
Evelyn Stevens
21 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: Dallas, TX
When: October 8, 1978
Title Reign: 2 days
The Fabulous Moolah
22 of 83Defeated: Evelyn Stevens
Where: Fort Worth, TX
When: October 10, 1978
Title Reign: ~6 years
When the World Wrestling Federation broke ties with the NWA in 1983, The Fabulous Moolah sold them the rights to the NWA Women’s Title.
Moolah came along with the title and became the first WWF Women’s Champion.
Wendi Richter
23 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: New York, NY
When: July 23, 1984
Title Reign: 207 days
Lelaini Kai
24 of 83Defeated: Wendi Richter
Where: New York, NY
When: February 15, 1985
Title Reign: 41 days
Wendi Richter
25 of 83Defeated: Lelaini Kai
Where: New York, NY
When: March 31, 1985
Title Reign: 239 days
Spider Lady
26 of 83Defeated: Wendi Richter
Where: New York, NY
When: November 25, 1958
Title Reign: 220 days
The Fabulous Moolah was immediately recognized as champion when it was revealed that she was the Spider Lady.
This situation is also known as the “Original Screwjob,” taking place 12 years before the “Montreal Screwjob.” I won’t get into it here, but look it up if you get the chance.
Velvet McIntyre
27 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: Brisbane, Australia
When: July 3, 1986
Title Reign: 6 days
The Fabulous Moolah
28 of 83Defeated: Velvet McIntyre
Where: Sydney, Australia
When: July 9, 1986
Title Reign: 380 days
Sensational Sherri
29 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: Houston, TX
When: July 24, 1987
Title Reign: 441 days
Rockin’ Robin
30 of 83Defeated: Sensational Sherri
Where: Paris, France
When: October 7, 1988
Title Reign: 451 days
On February 20, 1990, the WWF started to shy away from women’s wrestling and it was announced that the title was vacant. It would be inactive for almost four years.
Alundra Blaze
31 of 83Defeated: Heidi Lee Morgan
Where: Poughkeepsie, NY
When: December 13, 1993
Title Reign: 342 days
The title would be reinstated almost four years later.
Alundra Blaze defeated Heidi Lee Morgan in a tournament final to become the new champion.
Bull Nakano
32 of 83Defeated: Alundra Blaze
Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: November 20, 1994
Title Reign: 134 days
Alundra Blaze
33 of 83Defeated: Bull Nakano
Where: Poughkeepsie, NY
When: April 3, 1995
Title Reign: 146 days
Bertha Faye
34 of 83Defeated: Alundra Blaze
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
When: August 27, 1995
Title Reign: 57 days
Alundra Blaze
35 of 83Defeated: Bertha Faye
Where: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
When: October 23, 1995
Title Reign: 51 days
On December 13, 1995, the title would be declared vacant again. This time because their champion left the company.
Five days later on World Championship Wrestling's Monday night show Nitro, Alundra Blaze showed up under the name Medusa. She proceeded to throw the title in the trash on live television.
WWF decided to put the title aside for almost three years before it resurfaced again.
Jacqueline
36 of 83Defeated: Sable
Where: Sacramento, CA
When: September 15, 1998
Title Reign: 61 days
Almost three years later, WWF reinstated the title again. This time we saw Jacqueline defeat Sable for the title.
Sable
37 of 83Defeated: Jacqueline
Where: Saint Louis, MO
When: November 15, 1998
Title Reign: 176 days
Debra
38 of 83Defeated: Sable
Where: Orlando, FL
When: May 10, 1999
Title Reign: 29 days
Ivory
39 of 83Defeated: Debra
Where: Worcester, MA
When: June 8, 1999
Title Reign: 131 days
The Fabulous Moolah
40 of 83Defeated: Ivory
Where: Cleveland, OH
When: October 17, 1999
Title Reign: 8 days
Ivory
41 of 83Defeated: The Fabulous Moolah
Where: Providence, RI
When: October 25, 1999
Title Reign: 48 days
The Kat
42 of 83Defeated: Ivory, Jacqueline, and B.B. Bush
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
When: December 12, 1999
Title Reign: 50 days
This was a fatal-four way evening gown match that took place inside of a swimming pool. This was also the moment that The Kat revealed her “kitties” to the world.
Hervina
43 of 83Defeated: The Kat
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
When: January 31, 2000
Title Reign: 1 day
Jacqueline
44 of 83Defeated: Harvey Wippleman
Where: Detroit, MI
When: February 1, 2000
Title Reign: 56 days
Hervina was Harvey Wippleman. Wippleman dressed up as a woman and defeated The Kat for the title the night before.
Stephanie McMahon
45 of 83Defeated: Jacqueline
Where: San Antonio, TX
When: March 28, 2000
Title Reign: 146 days
Lita
46 of 83Defeated: Stephanie McMahon
Where: Lafayette, LA
When: August 21, 2000
Title Reign: 71 days
Ivory
47 of 83Defeated: Lita, Jacqueline, and Trish Stratus
Where: Rochester, NY
When: October 31, 2000
Title Reign: 152 days
This was a fatal-four way match.
Chyna
48 of 83Defeated: Ivory
Where: Houston, TX
When: April 1, 2001
Title Reign: 214 days
The title was vacated again in November 2001 due to Chyna quitting the WWF due to a contract dispute. Thankfully the title wouldn’t be vacant for long.
Trish Stratus
49 of 83Defeated: Molly Holly, Ivory, Jacqueline, Jazz, and Lita
Where: Greensboro, NC
When: November 18, 2001
Title Reign: 78 days
This was a six pack challenge. The first woman to get a pinfall or submission wins.
Jazz
50 of 83Defeated: Trish Stratus
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: February 4, 2002
Title Reign: 98 days
On May 6, 2002 WWF officially made the transition to WWE due to a lost lawsuit over the “WWF” initials with the World Wildlife Fund.
Jazz was recognized as the first World Wrestling Entertainment Women’s Champion.
Trish Stratus
51 of 83Defeated: Jazz
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
When: May 13, 2002
Title Reign: 41 days
Molly Holly
52 of 83Defeated: Trish Stratus
Where: Columbus, OH
When: June 23, 2002
Title Reign: 91 days
Trish Stratus
53 of 83Defeated: Molly Holly
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: September 22, 2002
Title Reign: 56 days
Victoria
54 of 83Defeated: Trish Stratus
Where: New York, NY
When: November 17, 2002
Title Reign: 133 days
Trish Stratus
55 of 83Defeated: Victoria and Jazz
Where: Seattle, WA
When: March 30, 2003
Title Reign: 28 days
This was a triple threat match.
Jazz
56 of 83Defeated: Trish Stratus
Where: Worcester, MA
When: April 27, 2003
Title Reign: 64 days
Gail Kim
57 of 83Defeated: Jazz, Molly Holly, Ivory, Victoria, Jacqueline, and Trish Stratus
Where: Buffalo, NY
When: June 30, 2003
Title Reign: 28 days
This was a 7-woman battle royal.
Molly Holly
58 of 83Defeated: Gail Kim
Where: Colorado Springs, CO
When: June 28, 2003
Title Reign: 210 days
Victoria
59 of 83Defeated: Molly Holly, Jazz, and Lita
Where: Omaha, NE
When: February 23, 2004
Title Reign: 111 days
This was a fatal-four way elimination match.
Trish Stratus
60 of 83Defeated: Victoria, Gail Kim, and Lita
Where: Columbus, OH
When: June 13, 2004
Title Reign: 176 days
This was a fatal-four way match.
Lita
61 of 83Defeated: Trish Stratus
Where: Charlotte, NC
When: December 6, 2004
Title Reign: 34 days
Trish Stratus
62 of 83Defeated: Lita
Where: San Juan, Puerto Rico
When: January 9, 2005
Title Reign: 448 days
Mickie James
63 of 83Defeated: Trish Stratus
Where: Chicago, IL
When: April 2, 2006
Title Reign: 134 days
Lita
64 of 83Defeated: Mickie James
Where: Charlottesville, VA
When: August 14, 2006
Title Reign: 34 days
Trish Stratus
65 of 83Defeated: Lita
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
When: September 17, 2006
Title Reign: 1 day
The next night, the title was declared vacant due to Trish Stratus officially announcing her retirement.
Lita
66 of 83Defeated: Mickie James
Where: Cincinnati, OH
When: November 5, 2006
Title Reign: 21 days
Lita defeated Mickie James in a tournament final to win the title.
Mickie James
67 of 83Defeated: Lita
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: November 26, 2006
Title Reign: 85 days
Melina
68 of 83Defeated: Mickie James
Where: Bakersfield, CA
When: February 19, 2007
Title Reign: 64 days
Mickie James
69 of 83Defeated: Melina and Victoria
Where: Paris, France
When: April 24, 2007
Title Reign: A few minutes
This was a triple threat match.
Melina
70 of 83Defeated: Mickie James
Where: Paris, France
When: April 24, 2007
Title Reign: 61 days
Candice Michelle
71 of 83Defeated: Melina
Where: Houston, TX
When: June 24, 2007
Title Reign: 105 days
Beth Phoenix
72 of 83Defeated: Candice Michelle
Where: Chicago, IL
When: October 7, 2007
Title Reign: 190 days
Mickie James
73 of 83Defeated: Beth Phoenix
Where: London, England
When: April 14, 2008
Title Reign: 125 days
Beth Phoenix
74 of 83Defeated: Mickie James and Kofi Kingston
Where: Indianapolis, IN
When: August 17, 2008
Title Reign: 161 days
This was a Tag Team Match where both the WWE Women’s Championship and the WWE Intercontinental Championship were on the line.
When Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella defeated Mickie James & Kofi Kingston, Phoenix won the Women’s Championship and Marella won the Intercontinental Championship.
Melina
75 of 83Defeated: Beth Phoenix
Where: Detroit, MI
When: January 25, 2009
Title Reign: 154 days
Michelle McCool
76 of 83Defeated: Melina
Where: Sacramento, CA
When: June 28, 2009
Title Reign: 217 days
Mickie James
77 of 83Defeated: Michelle McCool
Where: Atlanta, GA
When: January 31, 2010
Title Reign: 23 days
Michelle McCool
78 of 83Defeated: Mickie James
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: February 23, 2010
Title Reign: 61 days
Beth Phoenix
79 of 83Defeated: Michelle McCool
Where: Baltimore, MD
When: April 25, 2010
Title Reign: 16 days
Layla
80 of 83Defeated: Beth Phoenix
Where: Buffalo, NY
When: May 11, 20105/11/10
Title Reign: 131 days
This was a handicap match.
Despite the team of Lay-Cool winning the match, Layla was recognized as the champion due to her getting the pinfall victory.
One week later, both Layla and Michelle McCool came out wearing a title. They announced that they were co-champions.
Even though Layla was recognized as the sole Women’s Champion by WWE, Lay-Cool were the self-professed co-champions.
The mess would continue as the title was to be put in a unification match with the WWE Divas Title on September 19, 2010. Five days earlier on SmackDown, Lay-Cool were told that only one of them could participate in the match. Their WWE NXT rookie Kaval drew a name from a hat.
When the name came up as Michelle McCool, she was recognized as the sole champion going into the match.
Michelle McCool
81 of 83Defeated: Melina
Where: Chicago, IL
When: September 19, 2010
Title Reign: 1 day
When WWE Women’s Champion Michelle McCool defeated WWE Divas Champion Melina, McCool was recognized as the WWE Unified Divas Champion.
The next night on Raw, Lay-Cool came out where matching WWE Divas Titles.
After over 100 years of history, the WWE Women’s Championship was abandoned in favor of a title that was created two years ago.
Statistics and Final Thoughts
82 of 83Most Reigns: The Fabulous Moolah (8)
Longest Single Reign: Mildred Burke (~15 years)
Longest Combined Reign: The Fabulous Moolah (~22 years)
Shortest Reign: Mickie James (a few minutes)
City with Most Title Changes: Tie – Columbus, Ohio and New York, New York (5)
State with Most Title Changes: New York (10)
Most Title Changes in a Single Year: Tie – 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2010 (5)
Most Title Changes in a Decade: 2000 (34)
The WWE Women’s Championship has a very rich history that includes some of the greatest of all time. It’s a shame that WWE doesn’t give some of these greats the recognition they deserve.
It’s a bigger shame that the company abandoned a title with over a century of history for a title that looks more like an accessory then a championship belt.
I hope that one day WWE will realize their mistake and toss the WWE Divas Title in the trash and reinstate the WWE Women’s Championship. For now, though, it remains abandoned and most likely soon to be forgotten.
Come back on Wednesday for the next edition featuring the WWE European Championship plus a bonus title!
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