‘Sensational’ Sherri Martel: Women who paved the way

“Sensational” Sherri Martel is a true WWE Hall of Famer that helped many of the biggest names in the industry.

In the WWE the last few years of women’s wrestling has been dubbed the “Women’s Revolution.” Women headline major PPVs, compete in the Elimination Chamber or the Royal Rumble; these are all historic moments. However, there are women who didn’t get the opportunity to compete in such ways, but are still vital in women’s wrestling history. “Sensational” Sherri Martel is such a figure and her legacy is one worth recognition and praise.

With a near 30-year professional career, there’s a variety of moments that made Sherri an important figure in women’s wrestling. She step foot in major promotions and the important region scene; working with important names such as Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase and Shawn Michaels. While she may be remembered as a manager, she also proved that she can compete on her own as she won multiple titles including the WWE Women’s title in 1987 and holding it for 441 days.

But it was Sherri’s time as a manager that is the most well-known moments of her career. She was a key figure that helped Macho Man and Michaels get over with the crowd. Savage was an over-the-top wrestler and Sheri embodied that the whole time they were together. In many ways, she was the perfect foil for Miss Elizabeth as Savage and Hulk Hogan were involved in one of the most important feuds of their time. Sheri fit that dichotomy perfectly; showing her range as an in-ring character.

Shawn Michaels is one of the names that comes up when talking about the greatest WWE wrestlers of all time. However, even Michaels credits a major part of his career to Sherri’s abilities and guidance. In 1991 Michaels was split from his long-time partner, Marty Jannetty. The WWE was still unsure whether or not Michaels was prepared to become the mega-star he would eventually become, and the addition of Sherri helped him in the early days.

“She was huge. She was huge because Sherri had credibility at that time, which I didn’t have. I didn’t have an ounce, so I needed her so badly it’s not even funny,” Michaels said in an interview with Right After Wrestling (as transcribed by Diva-Dirt.com). “She had been obviously been with Randy Savage, so Sherri had a real credibility and that put me up a couple of notches right off the bat.”

Ric Flair and The Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) are just a few more names that saw success with Sherri added to their group. She had the versatility to complement any performer that she was paired with. While today’s women competitors are viewed in a different fashion; as in ring competitors rather than valets, her character can be seen in the likes of Paige, Ruby Riott and others.

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Sadly, Sherri Martel’s name is on the list of professional wrestlers that were taken too soon. When she died in June of 2007 due to a drug overdose, the wrestling community mourned all at once. She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame just a year prior. As the ladies of WWE continue to surge forward and break through new barriers, it’s important to recognize individuals such as “Sensational” Sherri Martel who helped set the stage for what we all enjoy today.