Former WWE Women's Champion Victoria confirms retirement from wrestling

Former WWE Women's Champion Victoria confirms retirement from wrestling

Lisa Marie Varon, the veteran performer known as Victoria in WWE and Tara in TNA, has confirmed her retirement from in-ring competition. Addressing speculation about a potential return during a recent WhatNot livestream, Varon stated that her time in the ring has come to an end.

"No, no. I retired. I retired," Varon said. "My body hurts, you guys. I still do appearances, and WhatNot is my new favorite thing."

Lisa Marie Varon, wrestler, via WhatNot

Varon's announcement follows a broader trend of wrestling icons stepping away from the ring over the last year, including AJ Styles, John Cena, and Goldberg. The Great Khali also announced his retirement from in-ring competition earlier this week.

The former two-time WWE Women's Champion last competed on January 26, 2023, during an episode of Impact Wrestling. In that final match, Varon teamed with Gisele Shaw in an unsuccessful attempt to win the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship from Taya Valkyrie and Jessicka.

This is not Varon's first departure from the sport. She originally retired in 2019, though she later returned for a surprise appearance in the 2021 Women's Royal Rumble. Entering the match at number 10, she lasted 7:15 before Shayna Baszler eliminated her, marking her final WWE in-ring outing.

A Career Across Promotions

Before her professional wrestling career, Varon earned awards in fitness, bodybuilding, and cheerleading. Her training began in 2000 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling, followed by stints in Heartland Championship Wrestling, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and Memphis. She made her WWE debut on Sunday Night Heat in 2002.

Varon's WWE tenure included high-profile appearances at two WrestleMania events. At WrestleMania XIX, she competed in a three-way match with Jazz against Trish Stratus. At WrestleMania XX, she defeated Molly Holly in a match where the title was contested against her hair.

After leaving WWE in 2009, she joined TNA Wrestling as "Tara." Between 2009 and 2013, she became a dominant force in the Knockouts division, claiming the TNA Knockouts World Championship five times and the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship once with Brooke Tessmacher. Following her TNA run, she worked the independent circuit until 2019, while making sporadic appearances for both major companies.

Legacy and Honors

Varon is regarded as a pioneer of the women's wrestling division, contributing to the growth of the division alongside figures such as Gail Kim, Mickie James, Lita, Molly Holly, and Trish Stratus. Her accolades include the 2015 Cauliflower Alley Club Women's Wrestling Award and a 2024 induction into the Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame.

The career statistics for Varon across the major promotions are as follows:

While she has ceased wrestling, Varon maintains active ties to the industry. She currently works for WWE under a legends deal and is featured on the roster for the WWE 2K26 video game. Recent appearances include attending Survivor Series 2025 and appearing at TNA Bound For Glory 2025, where she inducted Mickie James into the TNA Hall of Fame.

Given her history and current legends contract, industry observers suggest an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame may follow.