The Last Match: WWF Women's World Champions of the 1980's.

In this post we take a look at the last matches of the WWF Women's World Champions from the 1980's

The Fabulous Moolah

September 21, 2004 WWE Phoenix, Arizona

teaming with "The Great" Mae Young defeated Dawn Marie & Torrie Wilson

WWE SmackDown

Born July 22, 1923 the life long South Carolina native began wrestling in 1949, winning the NWA World Women's Championship on September 18, 1956 claiming to have held it until July 23, 1984 when she was defeated by Wendi Richter.  However there several unrecognized titles changes during that 28 year run. 

Opened a training school in South Carolina where she trained many lady wrestlers over the years.  Several have made accusations against her, while several others have defended Moolah.

I was present at her final independent match on March 16, 2003 for MaineEvent Wrestling at the Portland Expo in Portland, Maine.  Teaming with Mae Young they defeated Don Montoya and "Towel Boy" Paul Adams.  Moolah only wrestled 2 other matches after this event.  

She passed away on November 2, 2007 at the age of 84.

 

Wendi Richter

August 27, 2005  King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

WrestleReunion 2

with The Patriot & George South Jr. defeated Amy Love, DC Drake, & Gary Royal

Trained by the Fabulous Moolah she debuted in 1979 as a heel wrestling around the territories including Mid South Wrestling Association, Stampede Wrestling, and the AWA.  In 1983 she returned to the then WWF now a babyface and was an integral part of the Rock N' Wrestling era with Cyndi Lauper as her manager.  In July 1984 on MTV she ended Moolah's "28 year" reign as World Women's Champion.

She left the WWF in controversial fashion the victim of the less publicized screw job at Madison Square Garden.  She would go on to win the AWA, NWF, and WWC Women's World Championships before leaving wrestling full time in 1989.  She had a few matches in the 1990's before having her final two matches in 2005.  She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010. 

Leilani Kai

December 11, 2015 Shine 31 Ybor City, Florida 

Shine 31

defeated by Lea Von Dutch

Trained by the Fabulous Moolah she debuted in 1975 and wrestled across the North America.  In 1984 she defeated Wendi Richter to win the WWF Women's World Championship losing it back to Richter at the inaugural WrestleMania.  She would then team with Judy Martin as The Glamour Girls managed by Jimmy Hart winning the WWF Women's Tag Team Championships having a memorable feud with The Jumping Bomb Angels.

In 1986 she held the All Japan Women's Wrestling All Pacific Championship for 215 days.  She would wrestled around the world for various promotions returning to the WWF to challenge then Women's Champion Alundra Blayze at WrestleMania X.  She would have matches in WCW, TNA, and the independents, also holding the NWA Women's Championship for 465 days.  

Velvet McIntyre

July 25, 1998 ICW Cloverdale, British Columbia

defeated by The Combat Girl losing the ICW Women's Championship

ICW: International Championship Wrestling

McIntyre was trained by Sandy Barr and debuted in 1980.  Through out her career she wrestled in several countries around the world and won several championships including holding both the NWA & WWF Women's Tag Team Championships.  She is probably best known during the mid 1980's WWF run where she wrestled Fabulous Moolah at WrestleMania 2.  

In July 1986 during a tour of Australia she defeated The Fabulous Moolah to capture the WWF Women's World Championship.  She lost it back to Moolah after a few days on the same tour.  She competed at the 1987 Survivor Series. 

Growing up I knew her to be one of the few wrestlers that compete barefoot, but she did wear boots for the first few years of her career.

   

"Sensational" Sherri Martel

January 29, 2005 WrestleReunion Tampa, Florida

with Amber O'Neal, Krissy Vaine, & Peggy Lee Leather was defeated by Wendi Richter, Bambi, Jenny Taylor, & Malia Hosaka

Sherri debuted in 1980 after training with The Fabulous Moolah.  Sherri is both a well known wrestler and manager having wrestled and managed in the AWA, WWF, and WCW.  Her best known managerial role was that of Queen Sherri with "Macho King" Randy Savage.

In 1985 Sherri won her first of three AWA Women's World Championship.  In 1987 she entered the WWF as Sensational Sherri and would defeated Moolah for the WWF Women's World Championship holding the title for 415 days.  Her full time in ring career ended in 1990, however she would have several matches through the 1990's including in ECW and a feud in 1997 with Debbie Combs in IWA Mid-South.

Sherri was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.  Sadly Sherri died on September 11, 2007 from an overdose at only 49 years old.   

Rockin' Robin

February 23, 1992 LPWA Rochester, Minnesota

defeated by Black Venus

Super Ladies Showdown PPV

Robin was trained by Nelson Royal and debuted in 1986.  She comes from a wrestling family including her father Grizzly Smith and brothers Sam Houston & Jake "The Snake" Roberts.  She joined the WWF in 1987 competing at the first Survivor Series.  On October 7, 1988 she defeated Sensational Sherri for the WWF World Women's Championship in Paris, France.  She defended the title against Judy Martin at the first Royal Rumble broadcast on PPV January 15, 1989.  

In June 1989 the WWF quietly phased out the women's division and Robin just disappeared.  In 1989 & 1991 she defended the WWF Women's Championship in Ohio at Great Lakes Wrestling Association.  She won the UWF Women's Championship at their Beach Brawl PPV in June 1991 the promotions final show.  

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book Limitless Wrestling: The First Five Years, or any of my other books as well.  

Until next time! 

Signed Trading Cards: The Great Kabuki, Russ Francis, & Rockin' Robin

I'm with some more through the mail additions and my first foray into a custom card.

The Great Kabuki

I mailed these cards to Kabuki at his restaurant in Japan.  I mailed them on May 11, 2020 and got them back on June 19, 2020.  I think that, that is pretty damn good turn around.

The card in the middle is from the 1997 BBM Sparking Fighters set and the cards on the outside are from the 1986 Monty Wrestling Stars set.  Now I just need to find Sunshine and ask her to sign the card as well.

I mailed Kabuki the three cards and he signed them plus sent me the two 4 x 6 photos and the sticker pack.  That was unexpected and very cool!  I also sent him $5 for return postage not knowing how much it would be.

Russ Francis

The card on the left is from the 1975 Topps NFL set and the card on the right is from the 1985 WWF O-Pee-Chee Series 2 set.  I had only mailed Mr. Francis the NFL card, he sent me the WWF card.

Russ is a second generation wrestling star.  His father Ed Francis was the promoter for 50th State Big Time Wrestling Hawaii from the 1960's thru 1979 when he sold the territory to High Chief Peter Miavia.  Russ played football in the NFL for the New England Patriots (1975 - 80 & 87 - 88) and the San Francisco 49ers (1982 - 87).  He wrestled full time in the AWA for a spell and is a former NWA Hawaii Tag Team Champion with his brother Bill Francis.  He competed in the WrestleMania 2 NFL vs. WWF battle royal.  He was one of the final 4 men in the match with Andre the Giant & The Hart Foundation.

Rockin' Robin

This is a custom card of my design that I had made by D'Elana's Cards, you can find them on instagram.  I mimicked the NWA Wonderama design and I wrote the biography that appears on the back of the card.  I sent Robin three cards asking her to sign one and to keep the others for herself.  She sent me back two signed.

Custom cards is not something that I thought I would do but Rockin' Robin is an autograph that I wanted to add to my collection and she's never had a trading card released before.  I've had a few others made up and I've mailed them off, If I get them back you know I'll share them here.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page, check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network and while your at it pick up my book over at Amazon in Kindle or Paperback.

Until next time!!

Rockin' Robin

I'm still on a big 1980's WWF kick as I've been loving the Old School section of the WWE Network.  Most recently I started watching Rockin' Robin vs. Sherri Martel.  There are four matches on the Network including Robin defeating Martel in Paris for the WWF Women's Championship.

I ventured to YouTube next to watch Robin wrestle Madusa Micelli, Debbie Combs, Sue Green, Luna Vachon, and Candi Devine in other promotions with the Vachon match being in Japan.

Robin was trained by Nelson Royal in 1986, debuting in 1987.  She is a second generation wrestler, the son of Grizzly Smith and sibling of Jake "The Snake" Robert, Sam Houston, and former sister-in-law of Baby Doll Nickla Roberts.

Robin won the WWF Women's Championship on October 7, 1988 and is recognized by the WWE as holding the Championship for 501 days until February 21, 1990 when the division was deactivated until December 1993.

Madusa with a german suplex on Robin May 4, 1991

One thing is certain is that Robin was a terrific wrestler!  Every match that I watched was a great match.  She was very aggressive, athletic and very hard hitting.  Her matches with Martel were dynamite!  I realized they wrestled each other nightly for over a year practically but they had chemistry.

I'm very curious what the next adventure from 1980's wrestling I will go on next. 

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast The Wrestling Insomniac on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Until next time!

WWF at the LA Sports Arena December 17, 1988

I had to urge to watch some 1980's WWF but didn't want to watch a PPV so I headed over to the Old School section in the Vault of the WWE Network.  I quickly found this show and noting that it was exactly 29 years ago this day it was a no brainer and I fired it up.

WWF Live at the LA Sports Arena December 17, 1988

Commentary: Rod Trongard and "Superstar" Billy Graham
Live on The Z Channel

Boris Zhukov  vs. "Leaping" Lanny Poffo

Boris opened with the Soviet National Anthem and Poffo countered with a poem:

That Great Big Ugly Russian
Thinks he's worth a million bucks
He had better stick to wrestling
Cause his singing really sucks

Zhukov jumps him before the bell by Poffo quickly gains control before Zhukov takes a powder to the floor.  They worked side headlock spot where Boris had one on Poffo and held the hair to prevent from being wiped off and then Poffo used Zhukov's beard to do the same.

Poffo worked the left leg and knee during the match using a step over toe hold and standing ankle lock to wear the big Russian down.  Zhukov got the pin in about 13 minutes with a clothesline off the second rope.

Winner: Boris Zhukov

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine vs. Tito Santana

Valentine is wearing the shinguard and Trongard referenced that it was to be called the Heart Breaker.  They spoke about it in great detail actually.  These two had some serious wars over the Intercontinental Championship just a few years before.

A really good and stiff back and forth match that went the 20 minute time limit.  I'm positive that after this match these guys felt this match.  It started slow and built and built leading to an exciting finish Tito slapping on the figure four just as time expired.

I think the WWE could benefit by returning to time limits in matches and have a draw once in a while to continue a feud.

Winner: 20 minute time limit draw

Bad News Brown vs. Jim Powers

I thought that this was going to be a squash match but surprisingly it wasn't.  Bad News tried to jump Powers at the bell but Power side stepped him.  Bad News left the ring a couple times threatening to walk to the back.  Powers managed to keep staying just ahead of News until he was bodyslammed on the floor.  News then worked him over for a few minutes punishing him with strikes and chokes until the ghetto blaster ended it at just about 11 minutes.

Winner: Bad News Brown

In Ring: While Powers was still in the ring Mr. Fuji came out annoucing that he had a new tag team The Powers of Pain.  He then kicked Powers then dropped kicked Fuji.  The Powers of Pain ran out and attacked Powers laying him out.

World Tag Team Champions: Demolition: Ax & Smash vs. The Powers of Pain: Warlord & Barbarian with Mr. Fuji

The match started after the commercial break with all four men starting until it ended with Ax and the Barbarian.  Typical big man match, except tag team edition.  Powers of Pain cheated a lot as they aer new founded bad guys, Demolition was on the unusual end having to sell as they are the baby faces.  Match was halted after six minutes when Fuji and his cane got in the ring and the referee disqualified both teams.

Winners: Double Disqualification

"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase with Virgil vs. Hercules

DiBiase jumped Hercules as he slid in the ring which didn't end up well with Herc sending DiBiase to the floor.  Hercules got quite the pop, which just goes to show how over the Million Dollar Man was as a heel.  DiBiase took over control of the match wearing the big man down but couldn't put him away.  Hercules made a comeback after DiBiase missed a series of elbow drops and then took a series of clotheslines and a powerslam.

Herc then stood over DiBiase talking trash and then paintbrushed him with several slaps to the face just like DiBiase is known for and the crowd ate it up.  Hercules locked in the full nelson, but DiBiase made it to the ropes and on the break Hercules accidentally hit the referee.  Hercules put DiBiase in the torture rack backbreaker and with the referee still down Virgil hit Hercules with his own chain in the abdomen.  DiBiase scored the pin at about nine minutes for the win.

Winner: "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase

Backstage: Rod Trongard is with Slick and the Big Boss Man for a promo about their match.

Backstage: Rod Trongard said he was with Hercules Cortez who cut a promo about Ted DiBiase and Virgil.

Akeem the African Dream with Slick vs. Koko B. Ware

This match was 11 minutes of garbage.  Just terrible.  Koko didn't have Frankie, his offense was stick and move.  Akeem's offense was lumbering wear down holds like a long bear hug and slowing plodding around the ring.  Finish came when Koko went to dive at Akeem in the corner, he moved, and Koko ate the turnbuckle landing on his back where he was crushed by the 747 splash.

Winner: Akeem the African Dream.

Women's Champion: Rockin' Robin vs. Sensational Sherri

Sherri did a lot of jaw jacking with the fans before the start of the match.  I really enjoyed this match, it wasn't a five star classic by any means but you got to see the veteran in Sherri leading the rookie Rockin' Robin who had only been wrestling about a year at this time.  One of my favorite moments was when Sherri was being pinned and instead of kicking out she pointed to her foot that was on the bottom rope.

These two girls beat the crap out of each other and Robin got the pin in just over ten minutes with a wicked vicious looking bulldog.

I was pretty excited to see this match on the card.  I haven't seen a lot of Rockin' Robin matches in the WWE as most of her them were on house shows and not television.  Typically the match of hers I've seen the most is her title win over Sherri from Paris.

Winner: Rockin' Robin

Main Event
Hulk Hogan vs. The Big Boss Man with Slick

Boss Man tried to hit Hogan with the nightstick as he was getting into the ring so Hogan pulled him to the floor and proceeded to slam him into the ring posts repeatedly and even hit him in the head with a steel chair.  He rolled Bossman back in the ring and took the night stick to him before Slick jumped on Hogans back.  Bossman then accidentally splashed Slick in the corner leading to Hogan handcuffing Slick to the bottom rope outside the ring.  I guess this is no DQ?

Back in the ring Hogan would beat up Boss Man and then go to the floor and open hand slap Slick a couple times.  The fans were going insane for Hogan through all this.  Boss Man took control and uncuffed Slick.  Boss Man nailed Hogan with a piledriver and only got a one count.

Boss Man hit his finish, but it was awkward and the commentators called it a double clothesline that Boss Man got the better of Hogan on.  Boss Man hit a splash, Hogan kicked out on two Hulking up.  The big boot sent Boss Man to the floor who then pulled Hogan out posting him and handcuffing him with a cuffs that had a two foot chain.  Hogan rolled back into the ring with his hands cuffed still, Boss Man continued the offense, which the referee allowed.  Hogan eventually broke the chair and a clothesline and leg drop later Hogan won in about 13 minutes.

The pop when he won shook the hard camera.  And of course Hogan must pose.

Winner: Hulk Hogan

Except for the Koko and Akeem match this was a very good show and a good audience that got into it.  If you haven't watched it it's worth your time.  I've always been a fan of Rod Trongard not because he's a fantastic commentator, but because his voice is amazing.  Also when I think of him it's his time in the AWA that comes to mind.

Checking with The History of WWE it appears that WWE ran five shows this day with two matinee shows including one in Oakland that featured the same exact matches as this show with one change in that Demolition won via pinfall.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast Podcast of 1,000 Holds on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Later Readers!

The Last Match: WWE Women's Champions

Women's wrestling has never been as popular as it is right now for the casual and mainstream fans.  Both on the independents and on the big stage of the WWE they have finally moved past the gimmicky bra & panties, mud bowl, evening gown, and lingerie matches for highly competitive matches that have been main eventing and at times stealing the show.

Over the years there have been some very talented women wrestlers that have given us their all in the ring.  This list is going to highlight some of the best women wrestlers that have had their last match.

Wendi Richter
August 27, 2005 Wrestle Reunion 2, King of Prussia, PA
teaming with George South Jr. & The Patriot defeated DC Drake, Gary Royal, & Amy Love

Trained by The Fabulous Moolahm, Richter debuted in 1979 eventually forming a tag team with Joyce Grable capturing the NWA Women's Tag Team Championship.  She is best known for ushering in the Rock n' Wrestling connection with Cyndi Lauper as her manager defeating the Fabulous Moolah for the WWE Women's Championship.  After leaving the WWE she would go on to win the AWA & WWC Women's Championships before quietly retiring from wrestling in mid 90's.  Richter made two appearances for Wrestle Reunion in 2005.  She was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.

Sherri Martel
January 29, 2005 Wrestle Reunion Tampa, FL
teaming with Amber O'Neal, Krissy Vaine,  & Peggy Lee Leather was defeated by Bambi, Jenny Taylor, Malia Hosaka & Wendi Richter

Sherri Martel has an illustrious in and out of the ring as a manager and wrestler.  Sherri began her training the with Fabulous Moolah in 1980 touring around the southern territories and Japan.  In 1985 she joined the AWA winning the Women's World Championship and managing "Playboy" Buddy Rose & "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers.  She arrived in the WWE in 1987 and defeated the Fabulous Moolah for the Women's Championship in her debut match holding the title for 15 months.  After the women's division was phased out Sherri managed Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, and Ted Dibiase.  She has a brief run in ECW in 1993 - 1994 before going to WCW where she managed Ric Flair before becoming Sister Sherri managing the Harlem Heat.  She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.  Sherri Martel passed away June 15, 2007.

Madusa aka Alundra Blayze
September 17, 2000 WCW Fall Brawl 2000 Buffalo, NY
teaming with Billy Kidman lost to "Franchise" Shane Douglas & Torrie Wilson in a Pittsburgh Plunge Scaffold Match.

Madusa debuted in 1984 after being trained by Eddie Sharkey.  She started with the AWA in 1986 as a manager and wrestler winning the AWA Women's Championship December 27, 1987.  In 1989 she became the first gaijin to sign a contract with All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling.  Madusa signed with WCW in 1991 in a managerial role however did have a match with Paul E. Dangerously at Clash of the Champions XXI.  Changing her name to Alundra Blayze she spent two years in the WWE becoming the face of the Women's division winning the Championship three times.  Of course everyone knows about her throwing the belt in the trash can when she returned to Nitro in December of 1995.  At this time it appeared as though WCW was going to build a women's division around her much like WWE did, however they never did.  They established a Women's Championship with Akira Hokuto winning the belt in the tournament final at Starrcade 1996 by June of 1997 the title was vacated and then later the division was dissolved.  Madusa would eventually win a title in WCW the Cruiserweight Championship from Evan Karagias at Starrcade 1999 losing it to Oklahoma 28 days later at Souled Out.  Madusa retired from wrestling in 2001.  She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.  In September 2015 she was made the comissioner of World Wonder Ring Stardom in Japan.  Since 1999 she has driven the monster truck Madusa on the USHRA circuit.

Rockin' Robin
February 23, 1992 LPWA Super Ladies Showdown Rochester, MN
lost to Black Venus

Rockin' Robin is a second generation wrestler, the daughter of Grizzly Smith and the sister of Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Sam Houston.  She was trained by Nelson Royal debuting in 1987 in the WWE she was a member of the Fabulous Moolah's team at the first Survivor Series.  On October 7, 1988 in Paris, France Robin defeated Sherri Martel for the Women's Championship.  She held the title until February 21, 1990 when it was deactivated.  The only major defense of record was at the 1989 Royal Rumble against Judy Martin. After leaving the WWE she worked the independent scene and toured All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling.  She won the UWF Women's Championship at Beach Brawl from Candi Devine on June 9, 1991.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment or like my blogs Facebook page www.facebook.com/thewrestlinginsomniac 

Later Readers!