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Showing posts with label Elizabeth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth. Show all posts

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Seven things I love about WrestleMania VII


By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

It's hard to believe WrestleMania VII went down 27 years ago today (March 24, 1991). I was a senior in high school and it's one of the first WrestleManias I watched live. I watched the first WrestleMania on closed-circuit later that evening and WrestleMania IV the same way but from the Kiel Center in downtown St. Louis. My buddy Jim had invited me over to watch VII and I still remember being so stoked to not have to watch to get a VHS copy of the show.

So since today is the anniversary, I figured I share some things I love about WrestleMania VII. 

7.  Bret Hart's solo career launches. Hart and his tag team partner Jim Neidhart lost the WWF Tag Team Championships that night to the Nasty Boys. It was pretty much the end of the Hart Foundation as Bret would get a huge push as a solo act and won the Intercontinental Championship at the company's next pay-per-view, SummerSlam 1991. They'd tried this a few years prior, but the Hitman and Anvil ended up reuniting. This time, however, Hart went full speed ahead as Neidhart joined forces with Owen Hart for a while. 

Courtesy: WWE

6. Blindfold match. The blindfold match between Rick Martel and Jake "The Snake" Roberts gets criticism from some fans. However, I enjoyed the hell out of it and the story that led to the match. Back in the early 90s, there were no Raw or monthly pay-per-views. WWF was able to build this story and let it simmer from the fall of 1990 all the way to the culmination in March 1991. 

5. Andre's swan song. I don't think anyone knew it, but WrestleMania VII would be Andre the Giant's last Mania. He died less than two years later and even at the event in Los Angeles. He wrestled a few more times after this. You probably recall Andre didn't actually wrestle at Mania, just aided the Big Bossman in his match against Mr. Perfect.

Courtesy: WWE
4. The Streak is born. In 1991 no one had any idea that the Undertaker would still be showing up for WrestleMania in 2018. I had believed at that point that the gimmick would be around for a year or two and then fade away like so many of the other over the top cartoonish characters we'd come to see in the WWF. But much credit to Undertaker, Paul Bearer and WWE Creative for staying the course and creating one of the most iconic characters ever. The Streak was something of importance for more than two decades as well. 

3. Hulkamania ran wild again. Yes, I was a Hulkamaniac, even in high school. I couldn't stand the fact that Sgt. Slaughter was WWF Champion. It was great to see the belt back where it belonged (even though I had no problem with Warrior's run on top either).


2. Kerry Von Erich makes his WrestleMania debut. WrestleMania VII was Kerry's one and only Mania appearance. Growing up, I was a huge fan of his. When he signed with WWF in 1990 as the Texas Tornado I was excited to see him on the big stage. His run was solid despite having the personal demons he battled. His appearance at Mania was short and sweet, but he was victorious that night beating Dino Bravo.



1. "Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. The Ultimate Warrior. This remains my personal favorite when it comes to WrestleMania matches. The emotion involved in it radiated through the TV that night. The end was amazing with Warrior, war paint smeared all over his face, pinned an exhausted Macho Man with one foot on his chest. Some criticized that move, but to me it was perfect. Then with Sherri turning on Savage and Elizbeth making the save made me pop. I loved Savage and Sherri together, but we all know he and Liz were meant to be.

So what are your favorite moments from that night? Share here or on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Foreign Object Friday: Sherri Martel's purse


Sherri's purse knocked out King Duggan
Courtesy: WWE

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Earlier this month, we marked the 10 year anniversary of the death of "Sensational" Sherri Martel. The WWE Hall of Famer will be remembered as one of the most talented performers to step in the ring. She was an amazing wrestler and manager, leading the likes of Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, Ric Flair and Harlem Heat into battle. 


Sherri tumbles in with the purse
Courtesy: WWE
The memorable thing about Sherri in this role was she was never afraid to mix it up with the Superstars. She got physical during matches with the likes of Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior and Dusty Rhodes. As JR would say, Sherri was tougher than a two dollar steak. 


Hogan uses the purse
Courtesy: WWE
But sometimes Sherri relied on more than her talent and abilities in the ring or outside to help her man. A loaded purse would come into play. Who knows what was in it? Maybe a brick or some rocks... She attempted to help her team of Savage and Zeus in the main event of SummerSlam 89. But Hogan got a hold of the handbag and used it to blast Zeus and get the win. Sherri also got a taste of her own medicine and Elizabeth knocked out the Sensational One. Liz and Beefcake then cut Martel's hair.

Another time when the purse worked out for Savage was when he whacked King Hacksaw Duggan in the head with it and pinned him to win the crown. Sherri had been tussling with Duggan and Savage took advantage of the distracted Duggan. Sherri and Savage would go on to be the King and Queen of the WWF until Savage retired after WrestleMania VII, some 18 months after being royalty. 


Hall of Fame induction
Courtesy: WWE
Yes, the purse was dangerous, but Sherri's ability to manipulate and distract wrestlers was just as dangerous. A decade later, her presence is missed. I never got to see her wrestle in person, but was on hand in Chicago when she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the year before her death. Rest in peace Sherri.



Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Today's Superstars matched with 80s managers



By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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A big thing missing from wrestling today that was prevalent when I was a young fan watching is the role of a manager. It's a relationship that started crumbling many years ago. I'd love to see more managers or even valets second WWE Superstars to the ring. I get that most Superstars today don't need a mouthpiece, but I miss managers at ringside. So flashing back to Survivor Series 1987, I'm going to pair up managers from that era with Superstars of today. There were seven managers on the roster at that time so I've split them up and put them on separate rosters and paired them like this.

Bobby Heenan (Raw) 
Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Charlotte Flair, The Shooting Stars, Bo Dallas, The Brian Kendrick and Sheamus

Slick (Raw) 
Rusev, Braun Strowman, The Club, Titus O'Neal and Nia Jax

Jimmy Hart (SmackDown Live) 
AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Natalya, Curt Hawkins and Breezango

Johnny V (SmackDown Live) 
The Vaudevillians 

Mr. Fuji (SmackDown Live)
Baron Corbin and The Ascension


Oliver Humperdink (Raw) 
Golden Truth (Goldust & R-Truth)

Elizabeth (SmackDown Live) 
Dolph Ziggler

Most of the choices are based on the similarities the Superstars of today had with the men that were managed years ago. I tried to stick with the same number of Superstars that the managers had in 1987. Obviously, this time around there are more women wrestling.

Also, not everyone on today's roster is represented as I don't think everyone needs a mouthpiece. That's not to say Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho do, but I think Heenan with those two would be amazing. It was a bit more challenging keeping managers on one show instead of sharing the entire roster.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

3 times wrestling made me cry

The end of Hulkamania?
Courtesy: WWE
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Sometimes emotions get the best of us while enjoying something that brings so much joy. Here are a few times I broke down while watching wrestling.  I'm mostly secure enough to share these tales with you.

February 5, 1988: I was a freshman in high school and watching the Main Event.  Hulk Hogan had beaten all the challengers who'd come his way over the course of his four years as champion.  It seemed like the prime time WrestleMania III rematch against Andre the Giant would have a similar ending and Hogan would have a new challenger to face at the upcoming WrestleMania IV event.  That's how my 14 year old brain operated.

Andre wins
Courtesy: WWE
I was stunned when the referee made a bogus three count on Hogan and awarded Andre the belt.  The Giant quickly handed the gold over to "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.  My disbelief turned to anger and sadness.  Looking back, I'm pretty sure I was sobbing.  I was so loud my younger brother came downstairs thinking I'd endured some legitimate form of trauma.  When I bellowed "Hulk Hogan LOST!!!" in between tears, he laughed at me and told me it wasn't the end of the world.  I still can't believe I had such a strong reaction to the first of many attempts to end Hulkamania...

Stone Cold's toast to Owen Hart
May 24, 1999: We were just 24 hours removed from the tragic death of WWF Superstar Owen Hart when the company went on the air again for a tribute show on Monday Night Raw.  The men and women who worked with The King of Harts told stories and cried in between matches that night.  I held it together through most of the show, only tearing up from time to time.  But when as Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Ross wrapped up the show with their memories, I began to cry.  Then "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's music hit.  He walked to the ring, held up a beer and toasted the TitanTron that had Owen's image displayed. He set a can in the ring and then left.  I lost it and cried like a baby for a long time after the show went off the air. It was one of the saddest memories for me as a wrestling fan.

Daniel Bryan and Connor "the Crusher"
Courtesy: WWE
Summer 2014: I don't remember the exact date, but it was when WWE released the video package about eight year old Connor Michalek.  Connor the Crusher was battling cancer of the spine and brain and his prognosis was not good.  I'm actually tearing up right now thinking about it.  There was something about that little boy that captured my attention.  Maybe it's because Connor and my daughter were just a few months apart in age.  None-the-less seeing him get to interact with the men and women he idolized and knowing these were likely his final wishes broke my heart.  I'm glad WWE has shared his story and helped build a foundation to honor this little guy's legacy forever.  Learn more about Connor's Cure here.

Honorable mention: I know I said three, but I couldn't end this post on a sad note.

Randy Savage and Elizabeth reunite
Courtesy: WWE
March 24, 1991: Even though they were married in real life, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Elizabeth reconciled in the middle of the ring after Savage lost a retirement match to the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VII.  I didn't really cry when the two embraced, but I did tear up.  And for that I should probably have my man card revoked forever more...




Thursday, December 3, 2015

Ho Ho Hunsperger: LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars




Hulk vs. Andre in the official ring


By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast


Most of you know I'm obsessed with wrestling.  It's the whole reason for this website in the first place.  In 1985 the world was introduced to WWF action figures made by LJN.  They were about 8 inches tall and made of solid rubber.  That summer I got the first five in the series.  By Christmas of that year I'd added to my collection.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Junkyard Dog, Hillbilly Jim and Nikolai Volkoff joined Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, The Iron Sheik, Andre the Giant and Big John Studd that year.  Up until that point I'd just been playing with my Superstars on the couch.  But I was also gifted the official WWF wrestling ring that Christmas.  I could have legitimate matches, including over-the-top rope battle royals.

Miss Elizabeth

The following Christmas I specifically remember adding Mr. Fuji, Tito Santana and the lovely Miss Elizabeth to the collection of figures.  Yes, I was 13 years old at the time, but I still had matches nearly every day.   By then I had several other superstars in the lineup that I'd received for my birthday or saved up my allowance and bought.  With a boom box next to the ring, I would announce the Superstars as they made their way to the ring complete with music.  

Part of my collection 

I haven't outgrown those figures as you'd probably expect.  They are in my garage and I do break them out from time to time.  Sometimes I hold an impromptu match, but usually I get them out for a blog post or a YouTube video.  Even I transitioned into a few of the Hasbro, Jakks Pacific and Mattel figures, but as far as I'm concerned nothing beats those old school unposeable LJN figures with the easy to chip off paint.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

SummerSlam A to Z: Queen Sherri & Sharmell

Queen Sherri at SummerSlam 89
Courtesy: WWE
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast


We've seen plenty of kings involved in the world of wrestling, from Jerry Lawler to Harley Race to current monarch Wade Barrett.  There haven't been nearly as many queens, but two lovely royal divas made their presence known at several SummerSlam events.

Haircut time
Courtesy: WWE


Sensational Queen Sherri first appeared by the side of Zeus and "Macho King" Randy Savage at SummerSlam 89.  The duo took on and lost to Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake.  The Queen scuffled with Hogan, Beefcake and Elizabeth.  Sherri was fearless and didn't mind mixing it up with the guys or the ladies.  She even ended up with a haircut (ponytail cut) at the end of the night.   

Meow!
Courtesy: WWE
A year later the former women's champion was set to battle Dusty Rhodes' valet Sapphire, but the match never happened.  It seemed Sapphire had  a price for the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and forfeited the match.  No doubt though Sherri's wardrobe and makeup that night were more memorable than the match would have been.  Six months later Sherri and Savage split and she dropped the queen gimmick, but was involved in matches at SummerSlams that followed.

Queen Sharmell helping King Booker
Courtesy: WWE
Queen Sharmell never actually wrestled at a SummerSlam, but she was in the corner of her man, King Booker in 2006 and 07.  The royal couple's first SummerSlam saw Booker defending the World heavyweight title against Batista.  The Queen inserted herself in the match, kicking Batista and getting The King disqualified.  A year later it was "The King of Kings" Triple H beating Booker.  

Sherri and Sharmell were the only queens of wrestling to play the role at SummerSlam.  With the exception of Moolah taking on the role at Wrestlemania III with Race, they're the only two queen gimmicks in WWE (at least that I can remember).  They each had memorable moments during their tenures.  Long live the queens!

Sunday, August 9, 2015

SummerSlam A to Z: Match Made in Heaven

Match made in Heaven
Photo courtesy: WWE
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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SummerSlam 91 had a tagline of "A Match Made in Heaven, A Match Made in Hell."  The Hell part I've discussed in previous posts, as Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior battled Sgt. Slaughter, Col. Mustafa and Gen. Adnan.  The heavenly part of the night was the marriage of "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Elizabeth.

Reunited
Courtesy: WWE
The two had been estranged for two years after The Mega Powers exploded in 1989.  Liz had laid pretty low up until Wrestlemania VII (March 1991) and saved Savage from the kicks he was receiving from his then-manager Sherri Martel.  Savage had just lost a retirement match to the Ultimate Warrior, but continued to work with the company as a commentator.  He eventually popped the question to Elizabeth (even though they'd been married 
in real life for nearly a decade at that point).  So SummerSlam was spot for the nuptials.

Courtesy: WWE

The wedding went off without a hitch, unlike most weddings in the wrestling business.  Savage was dressed in a tuxedo version of his in-ring garb complete with a cowboy hat. Liz looked lovely as always and when asked if he takes Elizabeth, Macho Man responded with his classic "Oooohhhh yeahhhhh!!!"  The two kissed and promptly headed to the reception.


Couldn't find an actual pic
Wrestling 101
That's where uninvited guests The Undertaker and a newly turned heel Jake "The Snake" Roberts ruined the fun. A snake popped out of a gift box and the Undertaker hit Savage in the head with his urn.  Sid Justice sprang into action to help fend off the bad guys.  The actions lead to the feud between Savage and Roberts, which included the cobra sinking his teeth into Savage's arm and President Jack Tunney finally reinstating Savage to wrestle Jake in a great series of matches before Roberts finally left the company.

Courtesy: WWE
For years I had worked at a grocery store in the video department.  I had just left for college when SummerSlam '91 happened.  When the VHS copy arrived at the store for rental it included a picture of Savage and Liz with a suction cup.  Someone sent it to me and I promptly hung it from the window in my dorm to further geekify the room and let everyone know I'm an uber wrestling nerd.



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

SummerSlam A to Z: Andre the Giant

Ted DiBiase & Andre the Giant at SummerSlam '88
Courtesy: WWE
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Check out other SummerSlam A to Z blogs

For the next 26 days I plan to write a blog about SummerSlam to go along with a corresponding letter of the alphabet.  I'm starting the series with one of the greatest of all-time Andre the Giant.  The 8th Wonder of the World was a part of the first couple of SummerSlam events, main eventing in the inaugural show.

In 1988, Andre was well past his prime, but was arguably the company's top heel still, feuding with Hulk Hogan for more than a year.  Andre and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase made up the team of The Mega Bucks, set to take on WWF World heavyweight champion Randy "Macho Man" Savage and  Hogan.  That duo was known as The Mega Powers.


Mega Bucks vs. Mega Powers
Courtesy: WWE
The match was pretty basic.  Jesse "The Body" Ventura was the special referee.  Things come to an end when Elizabeth shows some skin (very tame by today's standards) to distract Andre and DiBiase, allowing The Mega Powers to rally and get the win.  I don't think anyone expected The Mega Bucks to win.



Andre vs. Ax SummerSlam '89
Courtesy: WWE
A year later, Andre teamed up with The Twin Towers (Big Bossman and Akeem) against Demolition and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.  Andre's team lost this one too.  And SummerSlam '91 marked the big man's last on camera appearance.  He was in the corner of the Bushwhackers as they battled the Natural Disasters.  


Andre with LOD and the Bushwhackers SummerSlam '91
Courtesy: WWE
Despite his rapidly deteriorating health, Andre didn't get pinned at either SummerSlam he wrestled.  Fans though saw the Giant was ailing as he arrived at his last event on crutches and at one point hit Earthquake with one.  Andre's legacy wasn't made or broken at SummerSlam, but he was a big part of the first one and still missed by fans today.  Rest in peace Andre.



Monday, March 23, 2015

Wrestlemania: One Hit Wonders



By Kevin Hunsperger 
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Listen to My 1-2-3 Cents the Podcast right here!

As we're gearing up for Wrestlemania this week, I'm taking a time to reflect on past events.  We have plenty of coverage of Wrestlemania 31 right here, but I wanted to go back to the start of it all and remember a few "one hit wonders".  Don't get me wrong, one hit wonders are not a bad thing with this blog.  These are just a few of the men and women of WWE history who I can remember competing in just one Wrestlemania and winning.  I did not count celebrity appearances, otherwise we'd be here all day.

Kerry Von Erich pins Dino Bravo
Photo courtesy: WWE
My first pick is one of my all-time favorites, Kerry Von Erich.  His one and only Mania came in 1991 at Wrestlemania VII.  As the Texas Tornado, Kerry did battle with Dino Bravo in the second match on the card.  It was short and sweet, but the former Intercontinental and NWA World Heavyweight champion overcame the Canadian strongman, pinning him in just over three minutes.  Sadly less than two years after this match, both men were had lost their lives. Like most fans, I often wonder what would have become of Kerry's career.  He had so much talent, and I don't think a run as WWF heavyweight champion would have been out of the question.

Sapphire, Dusty Rhodes and Elizabeth
Photo courtesy: WWE
Kerry wasn't the only former NWA  champion to wrestle at a Wrestlemania.  There are countless others, including "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.  He teamed up with Sapphire to battle "Macho King" Randy Savage and Sensational Queen Sherri at Wrestlemania VI.  With the support of Savage's former manager, Dusty and Sapphire beat the royal duo.  It was a strong showing for the Dream in this new feud with Savage, but the King would end up coming out on top when the war was over.  Sapphire too needs to be included as this match was her debut with WWE and only Wrestlemania match.

Alundra Blayze pins Leilani Kai
Photo courtesy: WWE
Alundra Blayze will be enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame this year and 21 years ago she defended the WWF Women's Championship at Wrestlemania X.  In a throwback to Wrestlemania, Blayze defeated former champion Leilani Kai.  This match was also pretty quick, ending in just over three minutes.  Blayze's time in WWE was short too, but she helped to reestablish women's wrestling within the company having some classic battles with Bull Nakano.

The Steiners and "Mean" Gene
Photo courtesy: WWE
I thought Scott Steiner had competed in singles competition at Wrestlemania after the WCW buyout, but I'm wrong.  His only match at Wrestlemania happened in Las Vegas at Wrestlemania IX.  He and brother Rick beat the Headshrinkers.  I remember this being a pretty good match as both teams had had some intense battles in their days in the NWA.  I do wish the Steiners would have fit better into the WWE lineup back then, but this was just not meant to be a long term deal.
The Funks beat Junkyard Dog & Tito Santana
Photo courtesy: WWE
When I started to write this I was going to include Dory AND Terry Funk based on their one match at Wrestlemania 2.  Then I remembered Terry reemerged in WWE in 1998 to team with Cactus Jack under the name Chainsaw Charlie.  So just Dory gets the one hit wonder status as he and Terry beat Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana in the Los Angeles portion of Wrestlemania 2.  His time in WWE was mostly forgettable, but the legendary former NWA champ has a Wrestlemania victory to his credit.

Goldberg battles Brock Lesnar
Photo courtesy: WWE
More than ten years ago Goldberg finally had his Wrestlemania moment beating Brock Lesnar in a dismal match at Wrestlemania XX.  The fans at Madison Square Garden turned on both men after reports surfaced neither would be continuing their careers with WWE.  The saving grace of this match was special guest referee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.  He delivered a pair of Stone Cold Stunners when the contest was over.

I know I'm missing some, but these are a few of my favorites and the ones who immediately came to mind.  Who are your favorite "one time wonders" of Wrestlemania?

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Ladies Night: Please Add These Women to the Hall of Fame

Three Hall of Fame worthy women
Elizabeth, Cyndi Lauper and Luna Vachon
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to My 1-2-3 Cents the Podcast!

Before I get too far into this post, I'm going to start off by saying I know that there are likely circumstances that we don't know about that are keeping some of these women out of the WWE Hall of Fame.  I'm not posting this as a criticism to the WWE, these are just a few of the names I'd like to see enshrined sooner rather than later. 


Randy Savage & Elizabeth at Wrestlemania IV
Photo courtesy: WWE
Miss Elizabeth was often referred to as "The First Lady of Wrestling."  I remember when she burst onto the scene in WWF back in 1985.  All of the managers in the company had been trying hard to sign newcomer "Macho Man" Randy Savage.  The Macho Man turned down the likes of Bobby Heenan, Jimmy Hart and Freddie Blassie.  Finally, Savage introduced his manager/valet, a beautiful brunette simply named Elizabeth.  She made history in the WWE and paved the way for the likes of Sunny, Sable and Marlena.


Liz saves the day
Photo courtesy: WWE

Savage and Liz were made a great pairing.  I'm sure it had a lot to do with the fact that they were married in real life.  The couple had its ups and downs and finally split during the Mega Powers explosion in 1989.  Liz faded out of the spotlight, showing up briefly a year later at Wrestlemania 6 to "manage" Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire against Savage and Sensational Sherri.  Then a year after that, the "first couple of wrestling" reunited when Liz jumped the barricade and charged the ring to save Savage from Sherri's beating.  I along with many others cheered in front of the TV as these two embraced and rekindled their romance.  Randy and Liz were "Ross and Rachel" long before Friends ever premiered.



Elizabeth confronts Ric Flair
Photo courtesy: WWE
Liz stuck by Macho Man after their TV wedding and the couple survived Ric Flair's allegations of a previous romance with Elizabeth.  The couple divorced behind the scenes a short time later, but Elizabeth stayed involved in the business after Savage appeared in WCW.  She played a role in several story lines there including one of the worst handcuff jobs I've ever seen.  Sadly Elizabeth died in 2003 at the age of 42.  I've read that surviving family members are the ones keeping her out of the Hall of Fame.  I remain optimistic that an agreement will eventually be reached and she'll take her rightful place in wrestling history.


Lauper with Wendi Richter
Photo courtesy: WWE
I've blogged before about Cyndi Lauper and why I think she belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame.  Simply stated: Cyndi was a major factor behind the Rock n Wrestling Connection in 1984.  She showed up on Piper's Pit after Capt. Lou Albano took credit for her success (Albano had appeared in her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun video).  Eventually Piper got involved, which brought in Hulk Hogan and Mr. T and leading to Wrestlemania.  In the meantime, Lauper managed Richter to her two WWF Women's Title reigns.  I was a huge fan of Cyndi's at the time and seeing her on WWF programming sealed the deal for me.  Her work in those early days have more than earned her the right to be the first female inductee into the Celebrity Wing of the Hall of Fame.  


Luna at Monday Night Raw
Photo courtesy: WWE
Luna Vachon is one of the first true bad ass women of wrestling. My first memories of her are from my Apter magazines, when they'd written up something about her and the tag team she managed The Blackhearts.  She looked just as scary and tough as the men she managed.  Later, she surfaced in WWF and joined the likes of Shawn Michaels and Bam Bam Bigelow.  She and Bigelow feuded with Doink and Dink the Clown at a time when women's wrestling frankly sucked in WWF.  She'd later return and join Goldust during a period when Goldie had gone rogue.  Luna feuded with Sable in the ring and in real life.  Despite her talent, Luna never won the women's title.  Even with her ups and downs behind the scenes, I think she too has earned her a chance at immortality in the Hall of Fame.  May she rest in peace as well.