WWE Divas: The 15 Most Underrated Women in WWE History

When asked, wrestling fans can always name plenty of male performers that they feel were under-utilised and underrated in WWE. Indeed, in the last year alone we've seen many guys be the subject of shoddy treatment from the writers (Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett, etc.), and watched as their careers, and the stagnant on-screen product, suffer greatly because of it.

It's not just the guys either, folks. 

Alas, WWE's booking team have dropped the ball on many talented women over the last few years. While a select few divas like Trish Stratus and Lita were used to their full potential, most were not. WWE's habit of treated most of their female wrestlers as disposable and small supporting characters on Raw and SmackDown has led to some genuine talent being wasted. This is regrettable not only for the women, but the fans too, who are really missing out on what some of these girls have to offer. 

So with this in mind, there is a list of the fifteen most underrated women in WWE history...  

Kristal Marshall

Former Barker's Beauty Kristal Marshall was signed straight out of the second Diva Search contest in 2005, and shortly after was sent down to developmental to train as a wrestler.

While Kristal never did become a competent wrestler, she did evolve as a personality over the course of her time in WWE. A natural on the mic, Kristal could cut clear, coherent promos and her bubbly charisma helped get over her (rather ridiculous) romance angle with Smackdown GM Teddy Long in 2007. We also saw some of her skills as a valet and talker when she managed her real-life husband Bobby Lashley in the couple's short stint TNA last year, showing considerably more charisma, poise and charm than the rest of the struggling Knockouts.

Sadly, Kristal never fulfilled her potential in WWE due to various political issues (WWE brass were not pleased when she turned down a raunchy storyline with Smackdown main eventer Edge) and was fired shortly after her botched on-screen wedding to lover Teddy Long. 

So will we ever see Kristal (now working in the hair and cosmetics industry and taking care of the the two children she has with Lashley) in wrestling again? Who knows? If Lashley decides MMA isn't for him (and judging by his very patchy record, it may not be) and decides to return to WWE, maybe his talented spouse can negotiate a return too.

Molly Holly

With her good ground skills and ability to execute safe, great-looking high spots, former gymnast Nora "Molly Holly" Greenwald remains one of the most talented female wrestlers the company has ever had. She was also an attractive girl who could cut decent promos and project a personality. Nor when she anything remotely resembling a problem backstage. On paper, she had it all.

But, regrettably, she was never used to her full potential. While Greenwald did have some success in 2002-2003, winning the Women's Championship several times and working programs with stars Lita and Trish Stratus, by the time the Diva Search rolled around in 2004 WWE brass had lost interest in pushing proper women's wrestling. Faced with a division fast becoming infused with former models and actresses who know little about wrestling or taking bumps, Molly parted ways with the company soon after. 

Katie Lea

English professional wrestler Katie Lea had an unremarkable stint in WWE after she got called up to the developmental roster in 2008 as Paul Burchill's sister. While she had the wrestling skills and personality, it seemed WWE brass were reluctant to get behind her or use her in any meaningful way.

Many speculated it was due to her lack of silicone implants and management not feeling she was marketable enough in the looks department. Or possibly her attachment to jobber Paul Burchill stopped the booking team from taking her seriously.

Regardless, after her release from WWE in 2010 Lea went to TNA under the new gimmick of the villainous Winter, a character which allowed the talented women's wrestlers to showcase her ability in a way she never quite managed in WWE. 

Indeed, despite the sheer absurdity of the confusing Winter character (she has been presented as a invisible ghost, implied she's a time traveller and has superpowers, drugged Angelina for many months and has even said she likes to drink human blood), Lea manages to play it with a delightful campy quality, that manages to sell the sheer ridiculousness of it all. 

Going by her performances in TNA, we think WWE seriously missed the boat with this girl. 

Maria

With her looks, charisma and ability to throw herself enthusiastically into any storyline, former model Maria Kanellis could have been used a lot better by WWE than she was.

 Indeed, before being released by the company in 2010, she was generally treated as a comedy sidekick (with Santino and Dolph Ziggler) and interchangeable eye candy. Considering she managed to snag herself a Playboy shoot in 2008, appeared on his NBC show Celebrity Apprentice and won a Slammy for Diva of The Year in 2009, you have to wonder what the talented and popular star could have done with a more supportive booking team behind her. With her exposure and popularity, she may even have become one of the few WWE stars to break through to the mainstream.

Interestingly, Maria has since spoken out about her multitide of frustrations during her time in WWE, and her feelings that she, and many other women, were woefully misused by the company and often positioned to fail by an indifferent and unhelpful booking team.

Stacy Keibler

Despite being one of the most photogenic women in wrestling history, WWE management failed to come up with a proper way to market the former Nitro Girl. Indeed, throughout most of her WWE stint Stacy was often treated as an after thought.

Indeed, few where surprised when the she parted ways with WWE in 2005 following her amazing success on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. After all, it wasn't like WWE were doing much with her prior to her entering the successful reality show, so what reason did she have to go back? That the newly famous Stacy now had a myriad of options in television and entertainment due to her mainstream exposure must have swung the deal.

And what's Stacy up to now? Eh,nothing much. She's apparently dating some guy called George Clooney...  

Jazz

One of the greatest women's wrestlers the company has ever had, former ECW star Jazz managed to carry the likes of Trish Stratus and Lita to some fantastic little matches during 2002 and 2003 and was a great heel diva. Sadly, she never got her full due in the company, nor did the fans seemed to appreciate her efforts, either.  

Candice Michelle

When people think of models in WWE that made huge strides and became great female wrestlers, they usually think of Trish Stratus (a fitness model who went on to become one of the biggest female stars WWE has ever had). 

However, Candice Michelle, who joined the company after the first Diva Search contest in 2004, also made tremendous improvement as a wrestler in 2006 and 2007. Indeed, her feud with Beth Phoenix in 2007 was one of the best women's grudge feuds the company has ever had and managed to churn out very good matches

Sadly, due to injuries, Candice Michelle never managed to become as big as Stratus, but should still be commended for her hard work and strong effort to improve.

Ariel

Debuting on WWE's ill-fated ECW brand in 2006, Ariel (aka Shelley Martinez) was used mainly as a valet to Kevin Thorn. Despite having a very unique look (in a company full of tanned generic blondes, the dark-haired, gothic-looking star stood out), she was never allowed to emerge fully as a performer and was released from the company in 2007. Considering her talents, one wonders what could have happened if she had stuck around a little longer.

Brooke Adams

Model and Hooters' girl Brooke Adams had a largely unmemorable stint in WWE, being used as one third of ECW dance trope Extreme Expose (along with Layal El and Kelly). before she was released from the company in 2007 for reasons that have never been specified.

While Adams may not have shown us much during her WWE run (she wasn't even that great a dancer to be honest), during her time in TNA as Brooke Tessmacher she has shown charisma, personality and an strong eagerness to learn how to become a skilled and competent wrestler. Going by what we have seen in WWE, it seems clear she had potential that WWE never managed to tap into.

Serena Deeb

As CM Punk's fanatical follower in the Straight Edge Society heel group, former Shimmer star Serena Deeb showed heaps of potential as a manager and personality during her short WWE stint. Alas, Deeb's real-life problems cost her her job in the company shortly after her debut.  Maybe now that she has apparently cleaned up, the company would be willing to give her another shot? 

Gail Kim

Despite her looks and athletic ability, WWE have never quite known how to treat Gail Kim. Indeed, both her stints in the company (from 2002-2006. then from 2008 to 2011) have been marred by apathetic booking, terrible storylines and woefully short matches. After her second failed stint, Gail decided she had it with America's No. 1 wrestling promotion. and is happier in TNA, where she has always been treated as more of a priority. We can't say we blame her.

Eve Torres

You would think that with her looks, personality and athletic background (she's a former gymnast and NBA dancer), Eve Torres would be a far bigger star in WWE than she is.

Indeed, a smooth and polished performer, she is arguably one of the best female wrestlers in the company right now. Regrettably, she's been relegated to playing second fiddle to Kelly Kelly in her feud with Beth Phoenix and Natalya in recent times. What a waste of her talent.

Torrie Wilson

While she wasn't exactly Manami Toyota in the ring, former fitness model and WCW star Torrie Wilson was still a gorgeous girl who boasted oodles of personality and charisma. Certainly WWE's booking team could have come up with better ideas for her than her risible stalker angle with Sable or the Dawn Marie/Al Wilson nonsense (yes, that was her real dad). 

Melina

Believe it or not, before she became known for her inane Twitter ramblings, personal problems and unrivalled ability to be a massive heat-magnet backstage, former Tough Enough contestant Melina Perez used to be known as a talented female wrestler. Really.

Jillian Hall

With her decent wrestling ability and pitch-perfect comedy skills, former OVW wrestler Jillian Hall could have certainly achieved a lot more in WWE than she did before she was released from the company last year.

Regardless of the storyline, she always threw herself into it eagerly. She even approached the rather disgusting mole gimmick on Smackdown in 2005 with a professionalism that was admirable (the Boogeyman eventually bit it off her face, ending the angle thankfully).

Later on, Jillian's intentionally awful singer character was a hoot, and always managed to garner good heat from fans in arena everywhere who despised her nails-on-chalkboard voice.

Ultimately, Hall was a diva who wasn't afraid to make herself look silly, refreshing for a business in which so many women are fiercely protective of their image and determined to look cool and gorgeous for the fans at all times.