Stephanie Vaquer has been named the best women’s wrestler of 2026 according to PWI Magazine, besting Willow Nightingale to clinch the top spot in the rankings.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated revealed their rankings on November 12, with the former WWE Women’s World Champion taking the top spot over Nightingale and Thekla. The evaluation period and rankings are determned “From October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, and the criteria include: In-Ring Achievement Influence Technical Ability Depth/Quality of Competition Activity (minimum 10 singles matches or six such matches in six months of the period).”
Vaquer began the evaluation period as champion after winning the vacant title at Wrestlepalooza. La Primera held onto her championship for 210 days before dropping the gold to Liv Morgan at WrestleMania 42. Vaquer also ended the evaluation period as champion after she won the title back from Morgan at a house show in Chile in September 2026. Vaquer also captured the Crown Jewel Championship.
Willow Nightingale won her first Women’s Championship during the evaluation period, defeating Thekla at Redemption in July. Nightingale held onto the title until All In, losing the gold to Mercedes Mone.
Current AEW Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone and STARDOM wrestler Saya Kamitani rounded out the top 5.
Stephanie Vaquer Number 1 In PWI Women’s 250
The PWI Women’s 250 rankings were published shortly after Vaquer was announced at the top spot. The top 10 are as follows:
- Stephanie Vaquer
- Willow Nightingale
- Thekla
- Mercedes Mone
- Saya Kamitani
- Liv Morgan
- Persephone
- Syuri
- Rhea Ripley
- Kris Statlander
Featured image: WWE
