10 Defining Moments in Women’s Wrestling History
By Dorathy Gass
9. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Connection
In 1984, wrestling was brought to mainstream pop culture, thanks a little to Hulk Hogan and a lot to Cyndi Lauper. The singer exchanged some words with “Captain” Lou Albano at one point in time, and it was decided that they settle their differences in the squared circle: enter Wendi Richter and the Fabulous Moolah.
Moolah would lose her WWF Championship to Richter during The Brawl to End It All, which was aired on MTV in July 1984. The feud that involved Lauper, Richter, and Moolah would spill out to the very first Wrestlemania in 1985, but this time around, Lauper remained in Wendi’s corner, as she battled Leilani Kai, with Moolah acting in a managerial role.
8. Lighting the Match For The Monday Night Wars
There’s a very good reason as to why Madusa is a WWE Hall of Famer. Her in-ring style, presence on the mic, character confidence, and the guts to go the extra mile in matches, earned her the name as one of the most iconic female wrestlers of all time.
In 1993, she joined the WWF to help rebuild their women’s division. She’d snag the WWF Women’s Title three times during her two-year run; however, in 1995 she’d head back to the World Championship Wrestling, leaving the WWF while still being recognized as the company’s Women’s Champion.
She’d take the title to her WCW debut, the Dec. 18th edition of Nitro, introduce herself, and drop the WWF Women’s title in the trash. The move was controversial back then, and still to this day, but it was a major turning point for the WCW, and many argue it ignited the fires for the Monday Night Wars … and it was all boldly done by a female wrestler!