Hall of Fame Hopefuls
Part Four: Divas & Lady Wrestlers
Written by Mark Adam Haggerty
Welcome to the fourth edition of "Hall of Fame Hopefuls." In the previous weeks we've covered some outstanding tag teams, managers, broadcasters, and even celebrities who deserve a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame. For this second to last look at potential Hall of Famers, we're setting our sights on the women who've helped shape the wrestling industry. My name is Mark Adam Haggerty and this is "Hall of Fame Hopefuls Part Four: Divas and Lady Wrestlers."
Rockin' Robin
Robin Denise Smith was born on October 9, 1964 to famed superheavyweight Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith. Growing up in a wrestling family that also included Sam Houston and Jake "The Snake" Roberts, it was only a matter of time before Robin laced up her boots and stepped inside the squared-circle. She made her professional debut in 1987 when the World Wrestling Federation decided to reboot its women's division. She was featured at the very first Survivor Series in 1987 and in 1989 was chosen to sing "America the Beautiful" at Wrestlemania V in Atlantic City. But Robin's greatest success would come during the autumn of 1988 when the WWE was touring Europe. On October 7, 1988 Rockin' Robin wrestled the WWE Women's Champion Sherri Martel in Paris, and effectively conquered the Hall of Famer to become the final women's champion before the belt was retired in 1990. Since leaving the WWE and ultimately exiting the business in 1992, Robin has lived in Louisiana where she's been heavily involved in real estate, as well as restoration efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. With only one title reign that lasted more than 500 days, Rockin' Robin is most certainly deserving of a seat on the stage during the next WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
Mike McGuirk
While the name might leave you scratching your head, imagine a beautiful blonde ring announcer wearing a sequenced tuxedo—that's Mike McGuirk. Mike was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the popular promotor Leroy McGuirk, and by the 1980s was overseeing much of her father's territory. When the WWE expanded westward, Vince McMahon and Mike McGuirk entered into a symbiotic business relationship where Mike would provide the WWE with rings and other necessary equipment so as to cut �Federation travel costs. Mike was hired by the WWE in 1987 and began as a ring announcer for less-visible B-shows and internationally syndicated programs. But Mike McGuirk's profile grew, thanks by in large, to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's kindhearted jabs at Mike on commentary. She would soon become a play-by-play announcer for various WWE television programs such as "All-American Wrestling" and VHS releases like "Best of the WWE." Mike McGuirk left the WWE in 1994 after refusing to move her family to Connecticut when she became weary of the company's hectic travel schedule. Mike lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she works in real estate and has been seen on the independent circuit as recently as 2010.
Bull Nakano
When women's wrestling returned to the WWE in 1993, several world-renowned female competitors emerged, including this year's Hall of Fame inductee Alundra Blayze. One of the most dominant women in the history of pro wrestling—or puroresu for that matter—is Bull Nakano. "Bull" was born Keiko Nakano in Kawaguchi, Japan on January 8, 1968 and began her career in 1983 at 15-years old. She quickly developed a definitive style and won her first championship by the age of sixteen. After enjoying success with All Japan as both a singles and tag team competitor, Bull Nakano traveled to North America where she would continue what was an already impactful career as CMLL women's champion. After dropping the belt in March of '93, Bull traveled to the United States where she signed with Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation. Bull had been featured by the �Federation in 1987 alongside her mentor Dump Matsumoto, but was now afforded the chance to compete for the prestigious women's championship. She lost her first championship opportunity at Summerslam '94 against Alundra Blayze, but would later defeat Blayze for the belt at a cross-promotional event in Tokyo on November 20, 1994. Bull Nakano left the WWE in 1995 and quickly appeared on WCW television with Sonny Ono as her manager. Bull never experienced the same level of success while working with World Championship Wrestling, but did take part in the history-making 150,000-person gate when WCW and NJPW presented "Collision in Korea." Bull Nakano
officially
retired from the ring in 2012, after shifting her athletic focus to a professional golf career with the LPGA.
Victoria
Lisa Marie Varon was a personal trainer and bodybuilder who entered the wrestling business after establishing friendships with both Torrie Wilson and Joanie "Chyna" Laurer. The woman known world-wide as Victoria was born on February 10, 1971 in San Bernardino, California. She began training thanks to encouraging words from both Wilson and Laurer, and by 2000 was given a tryout with the WWE. Victoria started on television as one of the Godfather's "Ho's," and would soon be featured as the breakout member of the group who Charles Wright powerbombed upon becoming the "Goodfather." The WWE Universe came to know the former "Ho" as Victoria, and were privy to her exceptional athleticism between the ropes. Victoria was a two-time WWE Women's champion and defended her title in a critically acclaimed triple threat at Wrestlemania XIX against Trish Stratus and Jazz. The following year Victoria engaged Molly Holly in a "Hair vs. Hair" match at Wrestlemania XX, where the vicious Victoria came out on top and Molly's head was shaved. Victoria has had a stellar career spanning a variety of independent and nationally-recognized promotions, but has made her greatest mark as a WWE Diva. Today Lisa Marie Varon is still a part of the community, and owns a pro wrestling themed restaurant in Chicago called "The Squared Circle."
Jacqueline
Jacqueline Moore was born in Dallas, Texas on January 6, 1964 and made her professional wrestling debut in 1989. She began working for the USWA, a fledgling promotion owned by Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler, which became an unofficial development territory for the World Wrestling Federation in the early-to-mid �90s. Plans were set to bring Jacqueline to the main roster as early as 1993 to manager "Double J" Jeff Jarrett, but were nixed when Moore suffered an injury just before her first appearance. Jacqueline debuted for WCW in 1997 with Kevin Sullivan, where she acted as his manager and evened the odds against Chris Benoit and Woman. She was first introduced to WWE audiences as Marc Mero's new manager, after Mero turned heel on his wife Sable. Jacqueline was named the first WWE women's champion when the belt was brought back in 1998, also making Moore the first-ever African American women's champion in WWE history. Jacqueline remained signed to the WWE for six years, and experienced unprecedented success including a short-run as Cruiserweight Champion, as well as a role on WWE's Tough Enough. She left the company in 2004, but remains active within the industry to this day. A true pioneer for women of color in professional wrestling, Jacqueline Moore is among the most deserving Divas not already in the WWE Hall of Fame.
The Glamour Girls
The Glamour Girls were a tag team comprised of former-training partners Leilani Kai and Judy Martin. Kai and Martin both trained under the Fabulous Moolah, and were entrusted by the WWE Hall of Famer to train other talents such as Wendy Richter and Sherri Martel. Although Kai and Martin made their debuts in 1975 and '78 respectively, it wasn't until 1985, that the Glamour Girls first appeared on WWE television. They had early success as tag team champions, but soon disappeared, only to re-emerge with bleached blonde hair and Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart in their corner. They were part of the famous 10-woman tag match that took place at the first Survivor Series in 1987 and in 1988 won the WWE women's tag titles for a second time. During their run, the Glamour Girls were used by Vince McMahon to gauge the potential of inexperienced workers during try-out matches. In addition to their combined accolades, Leilani Kai is a former WWE women's champion and both Kai and Martin hold the honor of being the final team to ever carry the WWE women's tag team titles. In 1991 Leilani Kai and Judy Martin went to World Championship Wrestling when the WWE's women's division was dissolved. They remained there for just a short period—unable to wrestle a single match—until WCW dissolved its women's division as well.
Luna Vachon
Luna Vachon was born Gertrude Elizabeth on January 12, 1962 in Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother married Paul "The Butcher" Vachon, who adopted Luna and raised her as his daughter, even after separating from her mother. Luna was raised around the wrestling business with her father and uncle achieving world-wide success, and her Aunt Vivien acting as a particular inspiration to the aspiring women's wrestler. Luna debuted in 1985 and began working for the remaining North American territories. Luna was featured on the AWA's only pay-per-view event in 1988, Clash of the Champions, and even worked as a manager for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling. Luna signed with the WWE in 1992 and made her very first appearance in Shawn Michaels' corner at Wrestlemania IX in Las Vegas. Luna then aligned herself with Bam Bam Bigelow and the two wrestled Doink the Clown and his mini partner Dink the following year at Madison Square Garden. Luna disappeared for some time but returned to the WWE during the Attitude Era to manage the "Artist Formerly Known as Goldust" as well as the Oddities. After retiring from the ring in 2007, Luna worked as a tow-truck driver in Florida until her tragic passing on August 27, 2010.
Missy Hyatt
Missy Hyatt was one of the first women to take up managing, when the majority of ladies in the business were wrestling inside the ring. Missy was born Melissa Ann Hiatt on October 16, 1963 and started her wrestling career with World Class Championship Wrestling in 1985. She was paired with "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, and made a name for herself as a detestable heel while still learning the business. Both Hyatt and Gilbert moved on to WCW when the UWF—WCCW's successor—was sold to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1987. While working for World Championship Wrestling, Hyatt transitioned into a color-commentator role alongside the likes of Eric Bischoff, Tony Schiavone, and most notably Paul Heyman. Hyatt returned to the managerial ranks in 1993 representing the Nasty Boys and the Barbarian. She left the WCW after a difference of opinion with management, and by 1996 Missy Hyatt could be seen on Extreme Championship Wrestling. Her time with ECW was short-lived and included a run managing the former ECW champion, the Sandman. Following her departure from ECW, Missy Hyatt left the world of mainstream wrestling, instead deciding to dedicate herself to the independents. She can still be seen today in a plethora of capacities, most notably hosting "Missy's Manor" for Women Superstars Uncensored in New Jersey.
Sable
Sable made her WWE debut at Wrestlemania XII when she accompanied Hunter Hearst Helmsley to the ring in his match against the returning Ultimate Warrior. She was soon introduced on television as Sable, wife and manager to the "Wildman" Marc Mero—formerly known as Johnny B. Badd. Mero and Sable enjoyed resounding success as a team, competing in a variety of mixed-gender feuds, culminating with Mero winning the intercontinental championship. As Sable's profile started to skyrocket, Mero became irate with jealously and the two started a heated rivalry of their own. Sable eventually distanced herself from Mero and became the second woman to hold the WWE Women's championship once it was re-introduced in 1998. Sable would make history by appearing in a number of high profile storylines and matches, wrestling both men and women and generally achieving success. She left the WWE in 1999 as a genuine fan favorite, but returned in 2003 as a calculated heel. Sable has the distinction of appearing in Playboy Magazine 3-times—more than any other WWE Diva—and even did a shoot for the magazine with fellow Diva Torrie Wilson. On May 6, 2006 Rena "Sable" Mero married current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. When stars such as Sunny were just prancing around ringside,
SUPER
stars like Sable were battling it out between the bell. Sable's in-ring acumen might have been less-than-desirable, but helped lay the foundation for what would ultimately become the Diva's division.
Miss Elizabeth
When Randy Savage announced he was looking for a manager, every WWE personality came crawling out of the woodwork including venerable voices like Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan, and Freddie Blassie. But the person Savage introduced wasn't an established wrestling manager at all, but instead a beautiful young woman known simply as "Miss Elizabeth." Elizabeth Hulette was born on November 19, 1960 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Elizabeth debuted alongside her then-husband Randy Savage in 1985, and was instrumental in helping the sinister Savage become a beloved babyface. In 1989 as Savage and Hogan feuded over the WWE Championship, Miss Elizabeth was caught in the crossfire—both literally and figuratively. As the "Macho Man" slowly turned to the conniving "King," Elizabeth was replaced with the villainous valet, Sensational Sherri. When Savage failed to beat the Ultimate Warrior in a "Career Match" at Wrestlemania VII, Sherri berated the fallen "King," striking with unmerciful aggression. Suddenly Miss Elizabeth returned, reuniting with her husband and leading to the "Match Made in Heaven" at Summerslam. Elizabeth joined WCW in 1996 and reprised her role as manager to the "Macho Man," despite the couple divorcing some years earlier. When the NWO storyline came to an end in 2000, Elizabeth found herself managing the duo of Ric Flair and Lex Luger. Miss Elizabeth was released from WCW in 2000 during a string of cost-cutting that was aimed toward saving the company. On May 1, 2003 Elizabeth was found dead in her home by longtime boyfriend Lex Luger. Miss Elizabeth is regarded as the "First Diva" in WWE history, which seems like a fair-enough reason to honor someone in the Hall of Fame.
Thank you for joining me on this fourth and penultimate edition of "Hall of Fame Hopefuls." As Wrestlemania edges even closer to California, we will wind down this 5-part series with next week's finale showcasing ten professional wrestlers with the potential to be "Head of the Class." Until then, this has been Mark Adam Haggerty reminding you to keep checking out Cheap-Heat and to follow me on Facebook by LIKING "Mark Haggerty's Pro Wrestling."
