WWE: Ranking The Top 10 Female Superstars of 2017

10. Natalya

Natalya won the SmackDown Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, defeating Naomi for her first women’s championship. It was one of the year’s feel-good moments, and there’s no doubt that the victory was well-deserved. “Nattie” has been a bedrock in the women’s division for years as an exceptional technical wrestler who can work with anyone, and she most certainly paid her dues as a performer who was saddled with dreadful gimmicks in the past.

As a champion, Natalya put together her best work, finally solidifying a heel turn that some fans had a difficult time buying into. Natalya came across as a paranoid champion who would do anything to retain her title, particularly when matched up against the dominant Charlotte Flair.

She would finally drop the title to Charlotte on an episode of SmackDown Live before Survivor Series, and she played a key role in helping the fans buy into Charlotte as a babyface.

Prior to her run as as champion, Natalya had one of the best matches of the year against Nikki Bella in a “Falls Count Anywhere” match, which set up a feud involving John Cena, Nikki Bella, Maryse, and The Miz at WrestleMania 33. In fact, Natalya’s whole feud with Nikki was exceptionally entertaining, and it was a reminder that Natalya is more than just a “sound wrestler”.