WWE Diva Michelle McCool has earned the number one position in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s third annual “PWI Female 50” chart ranking the top 50 women’s wrestlers in North America from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. She succeeds multi-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James, who charted No. 1 in last year’s list.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated attributes its decision to ranking McCool as the top women’s wrestler in North America with the following:
“FACT: In June 2009, McCool became the first woman in WWE history to have held both the Divas and Women’s championships, thanks to a win over Melina.
“FACT: Over the past 12 months, McCool has scored pinfall victories over Melina, Gail Kim, and Mickie James—three of the most decorated women wrestlers of the past decade.
“FACT: From July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010, McCool held (or co-held) the WWE Women’s championship for 325 of 365 days.”
Pro Wrestling Illustrated also noted the following regarding McCool: “Here’s another fact: Michelle McCool—a woman who has been reviled by fans and derided by peers—is the best woman wrestler in the game today. Like it or not.
The “PWI Female 50” concludes with the following:
1. Michelle McCool
2. Angelina Love
3. Mercedes Martinez
4. Cheerleader Melissa
5. Eve Torres
6. Madison Rayne
7. Beth Phoenix
8. Mickie James
9. MsChif
10. Maryse
11. Tara
12. Sara Del Rey
13. Gail Kim
14. Awesome Kong
15. Madison Eagles
16. Sarita
17. Alicia Fox
18. Taylor Wilde
19. Daffney
20. Hamada
21. Velvet Sky
22. ODB
23. Nikki Roxx
24. Jillian
25. Portia Perez
26. Kelly Kelly
27. Rain
28. Angel Orsini
29. Natalya
30. Serena Deeb
31. Nicole Matthews
32. Amber O’Neal
33. LuFisto
34. Daizee Haze
35. Allison Danger
36. Layla
37. Kellie Skater
38. Tiffany
39. Jennifer Blake
40. Jazz
41. Melissa Coates
42. Cat Power
43. Malia Hosaka
44. Cherry Bomb
45. April Hunter
46. Jessicka Havok
47. Brittany Force
48. Naomi Night
49. Cindy Rogers
50. Roxie Cotton