While plus-size women were often seen as a “fad” in athletics for many years, today, bigger bodies are finally being normalized, allowing plus-size athletes to be seen as the strong and inspiring people they are. Female wrestlers specifically play a major role in how bigger bodies have been normalized in the wrestling world.
Queen Kong/Maltida
At 6’3” and 315lbs, this impressive queen of G.L.O.W. was one of the industry’s biggest trailblazers for plus-size women wrestlers. She first came on the scene in the 80s, and her moves earned her a crown for being the OG curvy girl of wrestling.
Nia Jax
At 6’0” and 272lbs, Nia Jax is related to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and is one of the most famous plus-size female wrestlers in the WWE. She has been working in the industry since 2014 and is a superstar with power moves that annihilate her opponents. She’s also an advocate for self-love and acceptance, using her platform for good by promoting body positivity and encouraging others to embrace their unique shapes and sizes.
Mary-Kate Duignan
At 5’10” and 315lbs, Mary-Kate Duignan performed under the stage name Rosie Lottalove. She wrestled under TNA from 2009 to 2010, and her persona was larger-than-life, paired with a red-feathered cloak and thigh highs. She did injure her opponent accidentally, and as a result wasn’t signed by TNA after this but still worked in Japan and smaller circuits in the USA.