The WWE’s women’s division has changed dramatically over the years. Long before the current era of highly competitive women’s wrestling, WWE’s Divas division went through several different phases, introducing dozens of memorable personalities along the way.
Some former WWE Divas became championship contenders, while others moved into modeling, acting, business, television, or completely different careers after leaving professional wrestling. Although some names may have faded from the spotlight, many of these women remain familiar to longtime WWE fans.
Here’s a nostalgic look at 15 former WWE Divas you may have forgotten about, including several popular stars who helped shape the division during the 2000s and early 2010s.
15) Maryse
Maryse Ouellet became one of the recognizable personalities of WWE’s Divas era. The Montreal native captured the WWE Divas Championship twice and developed a memorable on-screen character during her time with the company.
Maryse left WWE in 2011 after dealing with an abdominal injury and subsequently explored opportunities outside wrestling. She became involved in fashion, jewelry, real estate and entertainment.
She later married fellow WWE star Mike Mizanin, better known as The Miz, and continued appearing in television and entertainment projects. Her return to WWE programming in later years helped remind fans why she remained such a memorable figure from the Divas era.
14) Aksana
Lithuanian wrestler Aksana had an interesting journey through WWE. She first gained attention through NXT and eventually became part of the main roster, where she competed against several of the company’s established women.
Although she showed potential, her WWE run never developed into the major singles career some fans expected. Aksana was released by WWE in June 2014 and subsequently stepped away from the company.
13) Joy Giovanni
Joy Giovanni had one of the more memorable introductions among WWE’s early-2000s Divas. She appeared on SmackDown as a massage therapist before becoming involved in several storylines.
Giovanni received recognition as WWE’s Rookie Diva of the Year and became involved in a feud with fellow Diva Amy Weber. Her WWE career ended in 2005 when the company released her as part of its budget cuts.
After wrestling, Giovanni pursued a career outside sports entertainment and eventually worked in the healthcare field as a chiropractor in Los Angeles.
12) Maria Kanellis
Maria Kanellis was one of the most versatile personalities to emerge from WWE’s Divas era. She combined wrestling appearances with opportunities in modeling, television and entertainment.
Her career included appearances in Playboy and the reality television series The Celebrity Apprentice. After leaving WWE, Maria remained active in professional wrestling and worked with promotions including Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
She later became known for her work alongside her husband, professional wrestler Mike Bennett, and continued building a career both inside and outside the ring.
11) Kelly Kelly
Kelly Kelly became one of the most recognizable faces of the WWE Divas era. She entered WWE at a young age and eventually transitioned from a primarily character-based role into regular wrestling competition.
Her career included a reign as WWE Divas Champion before she departed the company in 2012. Kelly later concentrated on modeling and entertainment projects and continued making occasional appearances connected to professional wrestling.
Her distinctive look and long association with WWE made Kelly Kelly one of the names many fans still remember from that generation.
10) Victoria
Victoria, whose real name is Lisa Marie Varon, was one of the strongest in-ring performers of her generation. She was a two-time WWE Women’s Champion and developed a reputation for playing a convincing villain.
Her rivalries with wrestlers such as Trish Stratus helped make her an important part of the women’s division during the early 2000s. Victoria left WWE in 2009 and later competed for TNA Wrestling and Ring of Honor.
After her wrestling career, she moved into the restaurant business and continued making occasional appearances in the wrestling world.
9) Melina
Melina Perez was one of the most athletic and recognizable women in WWE during the 2000s. She captured the WWE Women’s Championship three times and the Divas Championship twice.
Known for her impressive entrance and distinctive personality, Melina also developed a reputation as a talented performer inside the ring. Her WWE career ended in 2011.
Following her departure, Melina competed on the independent wrestling scene and made appearances internationally. She also discussed returning to education while remaining connected to professional wrestling.
8) Rochelle Loewen
Rochelle Loewen had a relatively short WWE career, appearing during a period when the company was introducing many new personalities to its women’s division.
Although her WWE run was brief, Loewen had previous experience in modeling and entertainment. Her name occasionally resurfaced in wrestling discussions because of stories and incidents involving other WWE performers during her time with the company.
After leaving professional wrestling, Loewen returned to life away from the WWE spotlight.
7) Amy Weber
Amy Weber spent a relatively short time with WWE but became recognizable through her role as JBL’s image consultant as part of The Cabinet storyline.
Before and after wrestling, Weber was involved in modeling, acting and television. She also explored music and released material as a recording artist.
Her WWE career may have been brief, but her background in entertainment allowed her to continue pursuing opportunities away from the wrestling ring.
6) Jackie Gayda
Jackie Gayda became known to wrestling fans after winning WWE’s reality competition Tough Enough. Her victory earned her a contract with WWE and gave her an opportunity to develop a career in professional wrestling.
Gayda later appeared in several WWE storylines before leaving the company in 2005. She subsequently worked with TNA and independent wrestling promotions.
Eventually, Gayda stepped away from wrestling to focus on family life. She married fellow professional wrestler Charlie Haas and moved into a quieter life outside the wrestling spotlight.
5) Dawn Marie
Dawn Marie had already established herself in Extreme Championship Wrestling before joining WWE in 2002. Her WWE character became involved in several memorable storylines, including a long-running angle involving the McMahon family and other performers.
After several years with WWE, Dawn Marie stepped away from the company and took time off following the birth of her child. Her departure later became part of a legal dispute between the wrestler and WWE.
Although her wrestling career was relatively short, Dawn Marie remains a familiar name to fans who followed WWE and ECW during that era.
4) Eve Torres
Eve Torres became one of WWE’s most successful Divas during the late 2000s and early 2010s. She won the WWE Divas Championship three times and developed into a more accomplished in-ring performer during her career.
Torres left WWE in 2013 to concentrate on other goals, including her involvement with the Gracie Women Empowered self-defense program. Her background in martial arts made the transition a natural fit.
She has also appeared in television and film projects, building a career that extends well beyond professional wrestling.
3) Candice Michelle
Candice Michelle became one of the best-known personalities to emerge from WWE’s Diva Search era. She eventually achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Diva Search winner to capture a WWE championship.
Her career included appearances connected to Playboy and GoDaddy, helping her become a recognizable entertainment personality beyond wrestling.
After leaving WWE, Candice focused on family life and other business and entertainment opportunities. She remains a memorable part of the company’s Divas era.
2) Christy Hemme
Christy Hemme rose to prominence after winning WWE’s Diva Search in 2004. Her victory resulted in a major contract and introduced her to a worldwide wrestling audience.
Although her WWE in-ring career did not develop as originally expected, Hemme remained involved in professional wrestling after leaving the company. She eventually became an important backstage and television personality with TNA Wrestling.
Her combination of entertainment experience and wrestling knowledge helped her build a successful career after her time as a WWE Diva.
1) AJ Lee
AJ Lee stands out as one of the most influential WWE women of her generation. Her character, personality and wrestling ability helped push the Divas division toward a more competitive style.
During her WWE career, AJ captured the Divas Championship three times and became one of the division’s most popular stars. She also earned major recognition from Pro Wrestling Illustrated, including three consecutive Woman of the Year awards.
AJ announced her retirement from professional wrestling in 2015 at just 28 years old. She later turned her attention toward writing and other creative projects, including her memoir Crazy Is My Superpower.
For many fans, AJ Lee remains one of the defining performers of the final years of WWE’s original Divas era and an important figure in the transition toward the modern women’s division.
Remembering WWE's Divas Era
The women featured on this list represent very different chapters of WWE history. Some became champions, some found success in entertainment, and others simply moved on to completely different careers after leaving the wrestling world.
While WWE’s women’s division has evolved considerably since these performers were competing, their contributions helped create memorable moments for an entire generation of wrestling fans.
Which former WWE Diva do you remember the most? AJ Lee, Maryse, Kelly Kelly, Melina, Victoria or someone else? Share your favorite in the comments.