As this Decade ends and as the 35th Wrestlemania Dawns in New Jersey Next Month, This is the year History is made, and i know that has become hyperbole every March in WWE, But with a Wmomen's title match being either the main event or at the very least, one of the marquee main events, is a triumph!
However the 3 and a half decade journey from 1985 was not an easy one. From Lacklustre Matches, to Drag, to time mismanagement, to Objectification, to even a Whole Decade without a Women's Division, How did we go from having Wrestlemania's where Valet's just stood there, to a wrestlemania with 3 woman's championships?
We start our journey, Midway into the 80's.
We know now the fetid depths of professional wrestling. The Drugs, The Affairs and The Untimely Deaths of so Many.
Still, the Revelations of the life of Lilian "Fabulous Moolah" Ellison makes for horrific reading! Technically the longest women's champion ever, Ellison on the pretense of a trainer would send her students to Male Wrestlers and Promotors as sexual favours, many of the girls as young as 16 who saw wrestling as a job in a time where women had little choices!
By the 80's. Moolah now past her prime, on television at least, was passing her knowledge to Proxies and Protegees.
WRESTLMANIA 1-HISTORY MADE!
At this tenure of her career, Moolah was the manager to Hawaiian Champion, Leilani Kai. With singer Cyndi Luper in her corner, the Popular Wendi Ritcher defeated Moolah's Proxy, In a match that went on for 6 minutes, a decent time for a decent match!
However Later that Year, Wendy was pinned by a Disguised Moolah in what many call the "Original Screwjob" causing Ritcher to leave WWF, Moolah ended 1985 reholding belt that once bore her likeness, as Far as Moolah was concerned, Moolah WAS, IS AND FOREVER WILL BE! women's wrestling!
WRESTLEMANIA 2-STATUS QUO IS GOD
A Year Later, and the second-and last! Women's championship match at an 80's wrestlemania saw Moolah defending the belt against Velvet Macintyre.
2 middle aged ladies in wrinkly tights, and old style swimsuits in a short match where Velvet missed a splash and was quickly pinned. Embarrassing!
This was also the 1st wrestlemania for Miss Elizabeth, the valet and wife of "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who was the opponent of George Steele that night, who in their storyline prior to this match, had become smitten with Liz.
This is something that is so common and antiqued with female valets. It may not sit well, but Female Managers will always be fawned of even lusted over by other wrestlers. You may not like that particular storyline, but it's not going to go away anytime soon!
WRESTLEMANIA 3-WOMEN'S WRESTLING SILENCED BY "THE SLAM HEARD ALL OVER THE WORLD"
The Following Year, Moolah and Liz returned both as Valets. Overshadowed by the Iconic Hulk Hogan/ Andre the Giant match, Moolah was in the corner of "King" Harley Race as he faced Junkyard Dog in a forgettable "Loser Must Bow" Match
The Second match with a Valet was Randy Savage Vs Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat...Just so happens to be the greatest match ever committed to Film! Though on a representation standpoint, Liz was there to look Pretty and to look Concerned when she had to, If you where a casual fan, in an era where managers were charismatic and more Hands On, Liz was a footnote!
WRESTLEMANIA 4-BEHIND EVERY MACHO MAN...
1988 And Andre's Rematch with Hogan for the title ended with Controversy, As the French Giant played Bounty Hunter for Ted DiBiasie. With the title in abeyance, to be crowned to the winner of the tournament at that years Mania. In the End Randy Savage won the belt with Liz on his side!
This was also the 1st wrestlemania for the late Sherry Martel, Who despite being a great under-rated wrestler, who would rid the world of Moolah for a long time, was saddled with The Elvis gimmick, the Honky-Tonk Man. Wearing Poodle skirts and sweaters, Unlike Liz, Sherry would actively interfere in matches, making her a women's champion and the Valet to the top heels in next few years!
WRESTLEMANIA 5-LUST AND GREED
I won't mention whose casino the event was in, BUT HOO BOY! We got the angle that showed us a glimpse of the men Hogan and Savage would become! Stories of Savage being abusive to Liz has made the rounds before, and we all know Hogan would sell his Ma down the river for a title shot! As the 80's fizzled out, "THE MEGA POWERS EXPLODED!" As Savage faced Hogan as he accused Hogan of "Lusting" over Elizabeth!
Hogan would never Lust over Liz!
SHE'S NOT HIS DAUGHTER!
Next time, we head into the 90's, a lost generation without a title belt, Blonde Ambition, and a champion who would not take bumps! in part 2 of Fight Like a Girl!
However the 3 and a half decade journey from 1985 was not an easy one. From Lacklustre Matches, to Drag, to time mismanagement, to Objectification, to even a Whole Decade without a Women's Division, How did we go from having Wrestlemania's where Valet's just stood there, to a wrestlemania with 3 woman's championships?
We start our journey, Midway into the 80's.
We know now the fetid depths of professional wrestling. The Drugs, The Affairs and The Untimely Deaths of so Many.
Still, the Revelations of the life of Lilian "Fabulous Moolah" Ellison makes for horrific reading! Technically the longest women's champion ever, Ellison on the pretense of a trainer would send her students to Male Wrestlers and Promotors as sexual favours, many of the girls as young as 16 who saw wrestling as a job in a time where women had little choices!
By the 80's. Moolah now past her prime, on television at least, was passing her knowledge to Proxies and Protegees.
WRESTLMANIA 1-HISTORY MADE!
At this tenure of her career, Moolah was the manager to Hawaiian Champion, Leilani Kai. With singer Cyndi Luper in her corner, the Popular Wendi Ritcher defeated Moolah's Proxy, In a match that went on for 6 minutes, a decent time for a decent match!
However Later that Year, Wendy was pinned by a Disguised Moolah in what many call the "Original Screwjob" causing Ritcher to leave WWF, Moolah ended 1985 reholding belt that once bore her likeness, as Far as Moolah was concerned, Moolah WAS, IS AND FOREVER WILL BE! women's wrestling!
WRESTLEMANIA 2-STATUS QUO IS GOD
A Year Later, and the second-and last! Women's championship match at an 80's wrestlemania saw Moolah defending the belt against Velvet Macintyre.
2 middle aged ladies in wrinkly tights, and old style swimsuits in a short match where Velvet missed a splash and was quickly pinned. Embarrassing!
This was also the 1st wrestlemania for Miss Elizabeth, the valet and wife of "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who was the opponent of George Steele that night, who in their storyline prior to this match, had become smitten with Liz.
This is something that is so common and antiqued with female valets. It may not sit well, but Female Managers will always be fawned of even lusted over by other wrestlers. You may not like that particular storyline, but it's not going to go away anytime soon!
WRESTLEMANIA 3-WOMEN'S WRESTLING SILENCED BY "THE SLAM HEARD ALL OVER THE WORLD"
The Following Year, Moolah and Liz returned both as Valets. Overshadowed by the Iconic Hulk Hogan/ Andre the Giant match, Moolah was in the corner of "King" Harley Race as he faced Junkyard Dog in a forgettable "Loser Must Bow" Match
The Second match with a Valet was Randy Savage Vs Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat...Just so happens to be the greatest match ever committed to Film! Though on a representation standpoint, Liz was there to look Pretty and to look Concerned when she had to, If you where a casual fan, in an era where managers were charismatic and more Hands On, Liz was a footnote!
WRESTLEMANIA 4-BEHIND EVERY MACHO MAN...
1988 And Andre's Rematch with Hogan for the title ended with Controversy, As the French Giant played Bounty Hunter for Ted DiBiasie. With the title in abeyance, to be crowned to the winner of the tournament at that years Mania. In the End Randy Savage won the belt with Liz on his side!
This was also the 1st wrestlemania for the late Sherry Martel, Who despite being a great under-rated wrestler, who would rid the world of Moolah for a long time, was saddled with The Elvis gimmick, the Honky-Tonk Man. Wearing Poodle skirts and sweaters, Unlike Liz, Sherry would actively interfere in matches, making her a women's champion and the Valet to the top heels in next few years!
WRESTLEMANIA 5-LUST AND GREED
I won't mention whose casino the event was in, BUT HOO BOY! We got the angle that showed us a glimpse of the men Hogan and Savage would become! Stories of Savage being abusive to Liz has made the rounds before, and we all know Hogan would sell his Ma down the river for a title shot! As the 80's fizzled out, "THE MEGA POWERS EXPLODED!" As Savage faced Hogan as he accused Hogan of "Lusting" over Elizabeth!
Hogan would never Lust over Liz!
SHE'S NOT HIS DAUGHTER!
Next time, we head into the 90's, a lost generation without a title belt, Blonde Ambition, and a champion who would not take bumps! in part 2 of Fight Like a Girl!
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