Sherri was sensational

WWF Women's Champion
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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March 8 is International Women's Day. There have been a number of remarkable women in the world of professional wrestling. From the "Fabulous" Moolah to Elizabeth to Trish Stratus and current stars like Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Mickey James; the evolution of women's wrestling has been amazing.

Sherri in the AWA 

One woman who I've come to appreciate much more since her untimely death in 2007 is "Sensational" Sherri Martel. I remember when she first came onto my wrestling radar in the AWA. It was 1985 or so and women's wrestling was enjoying a bit of a resurgence thanks in part to Moolah and Wendi Richter in the WWF. One thing I learned was Sherri was not related to AWA World Champion Rick Martel. But another lesson learned was she was quite a talent in the ring.

Sherri vs. Moolah
Courtesy: WWE

Even though more women's matches were being broadcast on TV, the division was still grossly understaffed and underrated. Because of that (I'm assuming) Sherri transitioned into a manager too, leading "Playboy" Buddy Rose and "Pretty Boy" Doug Sommers to the AWA tag team championships. Meanwhile, in the WWF, the ladies were getting some more love and Sherri jumped ship, beating Moolah for the women's championship.

Sherri as Peggy Sue
Courtesy: WWE

It seemed that rebirth in the WWF was shortlived too, with Sherri once again returning to her managerial background. She donned a wig, sunglasses and a poodle skirt to be a backup for the Honky Tonk Man for a brief time. But she was most notable for managing the "Macho Man" Randy Savage, becoming "Sensational Queen" Sherri after Savage and Elizabeth split. But the kingdom crumbled and she took on Ted DiBiase as a client and later Shawn Michaels. 

Sensational Queen
Courtesy: WWE

Sherri would leave WWF and go to WCW to manage Ric Flair and Harlem Heat. Her time in the business was nothing short of impressive. Like I said, I've come to better appreciate Sherri posthumously, but I do remember when she was managing she often took bigger and better bumps than some of her male colleagues. Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Dusty Rhodes are just a few of the Superstars who felt Sherri's wrath or dealt out punishment to the former women's champion.

Sherri's HOF induction
Courtesy: WWE

In 2006 I was fortunate enough to be in the audience the night Sherri was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Sadly, a year later she was gone. But her legacy will live on not only as a professional wrestler but as one of the most beloved and talented managers of all time.

Foreign Object Friday: Sherri Martel's purse

Sherri's purse knocked out King Duggan
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@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.

Gone, But Not Forgotten: Sherri Martel

Sherri Martel as WWF Women's Champ
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Five years ago today I was on vacation in Mexico.  This was long before my smart phone, but because I knew our resort had Internet hookup, I packed our laptop to stay current on things in the news and of course wrestling.  I wasn't on Facebook or Twitter at the time, so I relied on regular ol' websites for information.

On the afternoon of June 15th, I logged in to WWE.com and read a headline that caught me off guard.  Legendary diva Sensational Sherri had died.  She was only 49 years old.

I remember very well watching Sherri Martel in the AWA.  It was the mid 80's and not only did she wrestle, she served as a valet for the tag team champions, "Pretty Boy" Doug Somers and "Playboy" Paul Rose.  This was the mid 80's, around the same time that Wendi Ritcher was lighting things up in the world of women's wrestling in the WWF.  The two never crossed paths and I think that's unfortunate.

Sherri did get to wrestle an aging Fabulous Moolah and beat her for the WWF Women's title when she arrived on the scene in 1987.  By then though women's wrestling was treated even worse than it is today, despite the fact that there were plenty of talented ladies.  Sherri dropped the women's title to Rockin' Robin in 1988 and I think that's pretty much the last we saw of the belt for a number of years.  Sherri stayed active in the WWF, most notably pairing up with the "Macho Man" Randy Savage when he and Elizabeth "broke up."

The King, the Queen, and Zeus
Photo courtesy: WWE

Sherri of course was the exact opposite of Liz.  As an active wrestler, she wasn't afraid to mix it up with the guys.  I can remember her getting involved in matches Savage had against Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Hulk Hogan, and The Ultimate Warrior.  I know on more than one occasion Hogan atomic dropped the Sensational Queen.  She wrestled a few times in that period but it was against Sweet Sapphire and no offense to her, she wasn't much competition.  In fact, I think she no showed the one singles match they were to have at SummerSlam 90, only meeting in that mixed tag match with Savage and Dusty Rhodes as their respective partners.

At Wrestlemania 7, Sherri and Savage split as the Macho Man and Liz reunited.  It didn't take long for the Sensational one to find a new mate though.  The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase hired her to replace Virgil.  The two made a good couple, but I liked her pairing with Savage the most I think, even though she got really outrageous with her makeup.  The partnership with DiBiase lasted for about a year, until a newly turned heel Shawn Michaels needed a valet.  Shawn became Sherri's "boy toy" even singing his theme song (which he still uses when he comes back to the ring)

Like all good relationships, the union with Shawn came to an end too after Sherri got hit in the head with one of the Heartbreak Kid's mirrors.  I think she briefly worked with Shawn's opponents, including Marty Jannetty and Tatanka.  She backed him at Wrestlemania 9 and brawled with Shawn's second Luna Vachon.  I know somewhere in her stint in the WWF she also played "Peggy Sue", the Honky Tonk Man's girlfriend, but she wore a wig and sunglasses so it was hard to tell it was her.

"Sister" Sherri & Harlem Heat
Photo courtesy: WWE

Eventually she left the WWF and briefly worked in ECW before heading south to WCW.  Instead of "Sensational" Sherri was "Sensuous" and aided Ric Flair in his feuds with Hogan and Sting.  Flair "retired" and Sherri moved on to Harlem Heat, even picking up the new name "Sister Sherri"  She played the part well, even dressing like Booker T and Stevie Ray.

In 2006 I was lucky enough to see Sherri get inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.  At that point, she was only the second woman to receive the honor (Moolah was the first) Unfortunately though, there were some annoying fans in the crowd who continuously did cat calls and shouted while she tried to give her induction speech.  Since then, the WWE has cracked down on fans being obnoxious during the event.  She was so excited that night and seemed so full of life.  It's hard to believe that just over a year later she would be found dead.  I don't want to dwell on how she died, but instead would rather remember how she lived and made a difference in so many lives.

Hall of Fame Happiness
Photo courtesy: WWE

No doubt Sherri Martel influenced a generation of women wrestlers.  I think it's unfortunate she was in the WWF at a time when women's wrestling just didn't seem to matter.  But when she was in that ring, she always put on a great show.  Rest in Peace Sherri.  You are missed.

Mania Memories: Reunited

Savage and Liz get back together (WWE)

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

Wrestlemania 7 came at a time when our country was engaged in a battle with Iraq in 1991.  The evil, Iraqi sympathizer and former U.S. patriot Sgt. Slaughter had won the world title and was defending it again the Real American Hulk Hogan.  Of course the Hulkster won the battle and the belt, but the big story of the night happened on the undercard.

Randy Savage and his valet Elizabeth had split as a couple on air about two years earlier.  Savage had turned on Hogan and essentially Elizabeth at the Main Event on NBC back in February 1989.  Liz made very few appearances on WWF television in the time that followed, while Savage picked up Sensational Sherri as his valet.  Soon the two would become the King and Queen of wrestling and cost the Ultimate Warrior the world title (he lost it to Sgt. Slaughter)

Liz helps her man

Then WWF President Jack Tunney signed the two rivals to a retirement match at Mania 7, with the loser being forced to give up in ring action.  The battle between the Savage and Warrior was epic, with the Warrior scoring the deciding fall in front of thousands of screaming and cheering fans.  After he left the ring, Sherri entered and kick the Macho King while he was down.  She was upset over the loss as Savage had been the only wrestler she worked with at the time.  As she continued her rage against Savage, Elizabeth, who was sitting in the crowd, hopped the rail and charged the ring.  The two women had a brief scuffle as Liz sent the Queen scurrying from the area.  What followed was the biggest reunion in the history of wrestling (at least in my opinion)  Savage and Elizabeth embraced and replicated the iconic pose with Liz sitting on Macho Man's shoulder like they'd done three years earlier.

Savage and Liz had already been married throughout the angle of them being apart.  But the reunion lead to a marriage on live TV at SummerSlam 91 and eventually Savage got back into the ring and won the world title again (more on that tomorrow).  

Other tidbits from Wrestlemania 7, the event was supposed to be held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but was moved to a smaller venue.  The company claims it was due to threats made against Slaughter and they didn't want to take any chances with it being in an outdoor stadium.  I've read rumblings that it was because of sagging ticket sales.  Personally, I think had they made a Hogan-Warrior II, they would have filled the coliseum with no problem.

Blinded!

The event also featured 14 matches, which was becoming the norm back then.  Jake "the Snake" Roberts beat "The Model" Rick Martel in what I believe was the company's first Blind Fold match.  The Hart Foundation dropped the tag team titles to the Nasty Boys, and the Big Bossman nearly won the Intercontinental title after beating Mr. Perfect by disqualification.  Andre the Giant (who was a face again) made his last Wrestlemania appearance at 7, by being in the corner of Bossman.  This Mania also marked the only one for one of my all time favorites, Kerry Von Erich.  The Texas Tornado pinned Dino Bravo.

The Streak begins

Wrestlemania 7 will also be remembered as the birth place of "the Streak."  The Undertaker made his Mania debut that night, pinning now WWE Hall of Famer "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka.  It's still hard to believe that was more than 20 years ago.  So lots of significant events came out of that event that would impact the business in the weeks, months, and in one case decades ahead.

SummerSlam Rewind: Not the Face

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger on Twitter

SummerSlam 1992 featured two big main events.  The world title match between champion Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior (two faces) and the Intercontinental title match between champ Bret Hart and his brother-in-law Davey Boy Smith (two faces)  No doubt, the IC title match was the match of the night and could be argued as one of the greatest SummerSlam matches of all time.

A forgotten contest on that card featured an up and coming Shawn Michaels vs. "The Model" Rick Martel.  Both men were heels (maybe this match was made because of the two face vs. face matches on the card too) and had a stipulation that they couldn't punch one another in the face.  That may sound a bit ridiculous, but technically that stip was in line with the rules of wrestling.  Wrestlers aren't supposed to throw punches at one another.

I just rediscovered this match on YouTube.  And while I thought the ending was lame with Sherri Martel passing out and both men fighting to a double count-out, the match itself was pretty good.  Looking back on the Model's time in the WWF, I think he was one of the most overlooked heels in the company.  He's one of those guys who today would have had a run as the world champion.  Back then, they didn't trade the title off as often.

This match was also a good one because Shawn had just turned heel and was climbing the ladder of success.  I don't know if it was already determined then or not, but just a few short months later, HBK would defeat Davey Boy for the IC title.  I remember nearly 20 years ago when this SummerSlam match was signed, I assumed that Shawn would go over, simply based on the fact that he seemed to be in line for a push.  He was the new heel on the scene.  The double count-out was a surprise.  I don't think it really helped accomplish much of getting either guy over any more.

From WWE

But the match was entertaining and it was booked with a purpose.  Each man was vain and wanted to win the affections of Sherri. While I'm not crazy about a lot of silly gimmicks, the pretty boy and the model both pulled the characters off perfectly.  They were still real guys, but with ramped up, obnoxious personalities.  I think that's something that is missing from today's product.  There are two many "real" guys on the show.  But this is a case for another time.

If you're bored like I am, and don't have the SummerSlam anthology, hit up YouTube and check out past events.  While you're there, subscribe to the My 1-2-3 Cents channel.  Also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

A Match Made in Heaven

Photo from WWE.com

By Kevin Hunsperger

When it comes to wrestling couples, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better one than "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth.  The two were married in real life when Savage introduced her as his new manager.

It was the summer of 1985.  I remember watching Wrestling Challenge and Superstars and all the managers were vying for Savage's contract.  Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Hart, Freddie Blassie, Bobby Heenan, and Johnny V all wanted to represent the Macho Man.  Then in what could be described as a surprising turn of events, Savage introduced an unknown woman as his new manager.  Here's a clip of it from YouTube, courtesy of the WWE.

Back then, having a female involved in a managerial role was pretty rare in the WWF.  World Class had been doing it, as had the NWA.  With the exception of Cyndi Lauper's brief stint with the company, Liz was the first female manager in the WWF(E).  Someone please correct me if I'm forgetting someone else.

Photo from WWE.com

The two remained married even after their TV relationship dissolved.  Savage picked up Sensational Sherri as a manager.  The two were the royal couple of the WWF.  They were together on air for about two years before Savage turned face again and was saved by Liz at Wrestlemania 7.  Sherri had been kicking Savage while he was down after losing a retirement match to the Ultimate Warrior.

Savage and Sherri worked well together, but obviously didn't have the chemistry he and Liz did.  Sherri though was able to get aggressive since she was a wrestler.  She'd take bumps for Randy, something Liz couldn't do.  She was tough.  The two even teamed up to face Dusty Rhodes and Sapphire at Wrestlemania 6.  The match was mediocre at best.  Rhodes and Savage would have had a better match on their own I think.

But as I mentioned, Savage and Liz reconciled after Wrestlemania 7 and the two had a TV wedding.  I've written briefly about that before.  Click here if you want to know more about that.

Ironically enough, the two ended up divorcing briefly after their SummerSlam wedding.  However, if my memory serves me correctly, they remained an onscreen couple, at least briefly.  The two would reunite in WCW years later.  Liz and Lex Luger would eventually hook up on screen and behind the scenes.  Sadly, she died in 2002 or 03 of an apparent drug overdose.

Besides the initial introduction of Elizabeth and their reconciliation and wedding, one of the defining moments this couple's time together was Savage's title win at Wrestlemania 4.  The two together in the middle of the ring with Liz on Savage's shoulder with the title on her own shoulder.  I would venture to say it was the highlight of both of their careers.  As a 15 year old mark, I was quick to jump on the Macho Man's band wagon.  I liked him before as a heel, but his value increased in my young eyes when he aligned himself with Hulk Hogan.

Another fond memory of this couple would be the buildup to the Savage-Ric Flair Wrestlemania 8 title match.  "Before she was your's, she was mine, wooooo!"  I loved the angle.  Of course I was fully behind Flair back then, loving the heel character more than the kinder, gentler Randy Savage.

But of course, good triumphs over bad, and the first couple of the WWF had reason to celebrate again.

No matter what new couples the WWE throws our way, I don't know that they'll ever be able to top the Macho Man and Liz.  The two have reunited again in that big ring in the sky.  Godspeed to both of them.