Jacqueline Moore’s name is etched in the history books of professional wrestling—and rightfully so. In 2016, Moore became the first Black woman ever inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, breaking one of the industry’s longest-standing barriers and cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the sport.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Moore’s wrestling journey began with a childhood fascination with the iconic Von Erich family. That spark eventually led her to a television ad offering wrestling classes. She called the number, signed up, and never looked back.
“The rest? History,” she told BET in a past interview.
During a recent virtual signing with Captain’s Corner, Moore recounted the emotional moment she received the Hall of Fame call.
“I was so happy,” she said. “It made my heart happy… I was so full of joy.” The Black-owned media platform BOTWC (Because of Them We Can) first highlighted Moore’s reflections from the event.
But long before the Hall of Fame induction, Moore had made multiple history-making moves inside the squared circle. She was the first Black WWE Women’s Champion and the first woman to hold the WWE Cruiserweight Championship—an accomplishment usually reserved for male wrestlers.
“Being the first Black female in the Hall of Fame, that’s another history-making [moment],” Moore reflected. “I’m full of history now. I’m a walking history book.”
Moore’s athletic background laid the foundation for her career. A self-described tomboy, she trained in taekwondo, traditional boxing, and kickboxing, earning a third-degree black belt. Under the mentorship of the legendary Skandor Akbar, she honed her skills in a male-dominated environment and earned respect for her strength, grit, and technical mastery.
Moore wrestled across multiple promotions, including USWA, WCW, TNA, Smokey Mountain Wrestling, and World Class Championship Wrestling, capturing over a dozen championships, including:
- 14x USWA Women’s Champion
- WWC Women’s Champion
- UWF Women’s World Champion
- IAW Women’s Champion
- 2x WWE Women’s Champion
- WWE Cruiserweight Champion
- WWE Hall of Fame Inductee, Class of 2016
In addition to her in-ring success, Moore became the first woman ever ranked in the PWI Top 500 Wrestlers list in 1993, breaking yet another ceiling in a male-dominated sport.
Even in retirement, Moore continues to inspire. She received the Cauliflower Alley Club’s Women’s Wrestling Award in 2022, and she’s vocal about the progress being made in the industry today.
“I’m so happy that Black wrestlers, especially Black women wrestlers, have the opportunity to shine today,” Moore said. “Black women are getting more TV time and getting more storylines. It really makes my heart happy.”
From the ring to the Hall of Fame stage, she remains a symbol of perseverance, legacy, and progress in a sport that once had no place for women like her.
