Queens of the New Age: The New Four Horsewomen of NXT
Looking at the women who will carry WWE into their next era.
WWE has almost always been behind when it came to presenting women on the same level as their male counterparts. Used mostly as either managers or eye candy to be lusted and fought over, it was hard to take these hardworking performers seriously when it came to in ring action.
There were a few sparks here and there (most notably in the forms of Madusa, Trish Stratus, Jazz, Gail Kim, Victoria, Lita, Beth Phoenix, Natalya, and others) but unfortunately not even those bright spots were enough to elevate women beyond the “piss break” segment. WWE, for better or worse, is seen by millions around the world as the apex of sports entertainment/professional wrestling when it comes to exposure, yet the women were always treated as second class.
Meanwhile, outside of the WWE bubble, women’s wrestling was being showcased for the spectacle it was. TNA’s (currently Impact Wrestling) Knockouts were routinely the highest rated segments lead by the Beautiful People, Gail Kim, and Awesome Kong. The Joshi wrestling scene in Japan was seeing a resurgence in the form of STARDOM, TJPW, and Sendai Girls. Domestic all-women’s promotions such as SHIMMER were also beginning to gain traction among fans who wanted to see female athletes presented with respect and reverance.
Amidst this groundswell of support for women’s wrestling, WWE finally started listening…sort of. While the women on the Main Roster were still struggling to be taken seriously, a quiet rumbling began in a small studio inside Full Sail University.
Starting out as a sort of game/reality show in order to find the “Next WWE Superstar”, NXT was folded into WWE’s developmental territory FCW (Florida Championship Wrestling) in the Summer of 2012, creating a new brand where the future stars of WWE could cut their teeth. It was here that the lauded “Women’s Revolution” began to take shape.
Guided by the experienced hand of Triple H: Becky Lynch, Bayley, Charlotte Flair, and Mercedes Mone (FKA Sasha Banks), known collectively as the Four Horsewomen, helped usher in a golden era for women’s professional wrestling in WWE, along with other notable standouts such as Saraya (FKA Paige) and Tenille Dashwood (FKA Emma).
Becky’s scrappy determination, Bayley’s ring awareness and passion, Charlotte’s natural athletic ability and championship pedigree, and Mercedes’ charisma and adaptability helped propel these women to heights never before in women’s wrestling in North America, surpassing those that came before them. Each one leaving their mark on the industry and being involved in moments and matches that will forever stand the test of time.
Yet, there is always another side to the coin. When achieving the highest of highs, there must also come crushing lows, and NXT was no different in that regard.
While NXT was certainly not without its share of stars after the departure of the 4HW (Asuka, Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Athena [FKA Ember Moon], and Rhea Ripley to name a few) no four women had quite captured that same unique chemistry the original 4HW did during their time on the brand. In recent times however that perception has started to change.
Over the past year or so, NXT has regained its footing after the awkward phase known as “2.0”. With a clear vision set by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, a new spirit has reinvigorated the brand. A unique mix of Black and Gold’s in ring versatility and 2.0’s more entertaining character work.
This has given rise to a new group of women who have ostensibly taken the reigns of the New 4 Horsewomen of NXT. Each one looking to make their own marks in the business like their predecessors.
Tiffany Stratton - The Brutal Bombshell
Trained by Pro Wrestling Legend Greg Gagne, Tiffany Stratton is perhaps the most naturally gifted athlete out of the New 4HW (and the entire female NXT roster in general). A former body builder and gymnast, it’s fitting that Stratton is most similar in appearance and style to Charlotte Flair, as she cites the 15-time women’s champion as her main inspiration for becoming a professional wrestler.
Stratton boasts a hybrid style, with her athletic background allowing her to hit hard and fly just as high. Her finisher the PME (Prettiest Moonsault Ever), harkens back to wrestling legend Christopher Daniels with the level of grace and ease she exhibits when crushing her opponents into the mat with perfect precision.
Despite only having wrestled for roughly two years, Stratton has already cemented herself as a top name in NXT thanks to her charisma and steadily improving match quality. She’s already a former NXT Women’s Champion, and will no doubt earn even more titles and accolades the longer her career goes.
It is shaping up to be “Tiffy Time” for a long time to come.
Recommended Match: vs. Becky Lynch for the NXT Women’s Championship - NXT TV: September 12, 2023
Lyra Valkyria - The Ascendant Champion
The current NXT Women’s Champion. Lyra is the most experienced of the new Horsewomen, having started her career in her native Ireland in 2015 at the age of 19.
Following in the footsteps of fellow countryman Becky Lynch, Valkyria made a name for herself travelling across Europe and wrestling for promotions such as Celtic Championship Wrestling, Over The Top Wrestling, Westside eXtreme Wrestling in Germany, Pro Wrestling: EVE in Britain, and many others.
Valkyria would make her WWE debut in 2020 for the criminally underrated NXT UK brand, going on an undefeated streak that lasted for several months. It was here where she would dazzle both her opponents and fans alike with her high flying offense and lethal strikes, that is until her momentum was finally halted by “The Final Boss” Meiko Satomura, a Japanese wrestling icon. Despite this setback, Valkyria would continue to impress until the brand’s untimely demise in 2022. She would make her debut stateside later that year.
Make scattered appearances here and there, Valkyria’s time to shine came when she made it to the finals of the NXT Women’s Title Tournament at NXT: Battleground earlier this year. Though she fell short to fellow Horsewoman Tiffany Stratton, this showing helped propel Valkyria further into the spotlight, culminating in her crowning moment where she defeated her idol Becky Lynch at Halloween Havoc to become NXT Women’s Champion.
Having finally reached the mountaintop, it will be interesting to see just how Valkyria’s first reign as champion will color her career going forward and just how high she will soar.
Recommended Match: vs. Meiko Satomura - NXT UK: April 29th, 2021
Roxanne Perez - The Prodigy
The youngest of the group at only 22, Roxanne Perez has accomplished things in her career that others twice her age could only dream of.
A student of the game in every way, Roxanne started her training at just 13 years old in her native Texas. Not long after she would be taken under the wing of WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, becoming a mainstay in his Reality of Wrestling Promotion in Houston. From there she would branch out across the state, wrestling in promotions such as New Texas Pro Wrestling, Mission Pro Wrestling, and various others.
Her big break would come when she signed with Ring of Honor in 2021 (before its purchase by AEW President Tony Khan), winning a tournament to be crowned the promotion’s inaugural Women’s World Champion when the belt was rebooted that same year, becoming the promotion’s youngest ever champion at just 19 years old. A year later she would make her NXT debut.
A technical marvel, Roxanne’s tenacious attitude, fluid movement, and infectious smile earned her massive support from the fans, which would propel her to winning the first ever NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament (defeating fellow Horsewoman Tiffany Stratton in the finals).
From there she would win the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles with former best friend turned rival Cora Jade, become the first-ever Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge winner, and finally capture the NXT Women’s Championship against the dominant Mandy Rose. Her accolades don’t stop there, as she was also an entrant in this year’s Royal Rumble, as well as having appearances on Main Event and Friday Night Smackdown (the latter of which she would lose a tag team match against OG Horsewoman Bayley, whom she cites as one of her inspirations). It’s safe to say that if there is something to be done by the women in NXT, Roxanne has already done it.
Having nowhere near reached her prime, it’s safe to say that Roxanne’s star will continue to rise for years to come and her title as the Prodigy will remain well earned.
Recommended Match: Vs. Meiko Satomura for the NXT Women’s Championship - NXT Roadblock: March 7th, 2023
Kiana James - The Usurper
Honestly, Kiana wasn’t supposed to be here. When I first thought of this concept a few months ago, this spot initially belonged to Cora Jade, but over the past year Kiana has made a strong case to be put in the New Four Horsewomen conversation.
The second least experienced in the group (having debuted only two months before Tiffany Stratton) Kiana has slowly but surely become a force to be reckoned with in the women’s division. Her beauty and poise hiding a vicious and powerful competitor that will do whatever it takes to secure a win. Kiana James simply will not be denied and that tenacity is showcased perfectly in her matches.
A former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion (along with Fallon Henley), James is possibly the most cunning of her contemporaries; using whatever means within her disposal to come out on top, whether it be a loaded purse or outside interference. Her ability to wait and pick her moments is very reminiscent of a young Mercedes Mone.
James has a tremendous upside, and though she may be the least sought after of the four, she is no less fun to watch develop.
Recommended Match: vs. Blair Davenport vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Roxanne Perez - NXT TV: August 29th, 2023
The wrestling business is ever-changing. What is popular now, will be seen as dated just a few years down the line. Two grow and evolve, one must be open to new ideas, new patterns, and new blood.
Time will tell what the new generation will show the world. Will they surpass their idols? Or fall just short of the mark? The answer for now isn’t important, all we have to do is enjoy the ride.
Long Live the Queens.