HeelByNature.com is reader-supported. When you click on links or make purchases through our site, we or our affiliated partners may earn a commission. Additionally, our site features Sponsored Content, which helps us maintain and operate the website.
Stephanie Vaquer is the number one female wrestler in the world for 2026, according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
PWI announced its annual Women’s 250 rankings on November 12. Vaquer took the top spot after ranking fifth in both 2024 and 2025.
“Congratulations to La Primera Stephanie Vaquer, the number-one wrestler on our annual Women’s 250 ranking,” PWI wrote on social media.
Vaquer finished ahead of Willow Nightingale in second and Thekla in third. Mercedes Mone, who was number one in 2025, finished fourth this year. Saya Kamitani was fifth, Liv Morgan sixth, Persephone seventh, Syuri eighth, Rhea Ripley ninth, and Kris Statlander tenth.
The rankings cover October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. PWI judges the wrestlers on in-ring achievement, influence, technical ability, competition, and activity. A wrestler must have worked at least ten singles matches in the period to qualify.
Vaquer’s year included holding and winning the WWE Women’s World Championship. She was the champion when the evaluation period started, and she won the title again at Money in the Bank during the period. She also won the WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship.
She lost the title at WrestleMania and was sidelined for four months with an injury. She still did enough in the rest of the year to take the top spot.
Vaquer is the first Chilean and first South American to win a WWE world title, and that counted toward the influence part of the ranking.
Mone’s drop to fourth is the other big move. She held the top spot last year and spent much of this year holding the AEW Women’s World Championship, which she defends against Marina Shafir at Full Gear on Saturday.
What is confirmed is Vaquer at number one and the full top ten. What is not confirmed is whether Vaquer, who is out with an injury, returns before the end of the year.
Source: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (via Fightful)
