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Wendi Richter: The Legacy Of The Forgotten Women's Wrestling Icon, Explained

Wendi Richter: The Legacy Of The Forgotten Women's Wrestling Icon, Explained

Posted: Sep 7th 2023 By: Lizzy Flanagan - TheSportster.com

Women's wrestling would have never had an evolution without the contributions of former WWE Women's Champion Wendi Richter.

It is an unfortunate fact of life that women, in any industry they pursue, will have to fight an uphill battle much steeper than their male peers. The pro wrestling business is no exception to this. Female pro wrestlers, even the most talented in the world, have to fight for television time, wages worth their talent, and respect from a crowd that is usually rampant with misogyny.

Wendi Richter is a pioneer in women’s wrestling who has long been overlooked. When most people think about progress in women’s wrestling, their mind inevitably goes to Evolution 2018, and WWE wrestlers like the Bella Twins, Mickie James, and Becky Lynch. However, the road they paved was cleared for them decades earlier, by the iconic Wendi Richter.

Wendi Richter's Rise To Wrestling Stardom

Wendi trained at the Lillian Ellison School of Professional Wrestling, a school owned by a woman we’ll hear much about in this story, The Fabulous Moolah. After making her debut in 1979, Wendi wrestled across the US and Canada. She made appearances in Stampede Wrestling, the Mid-South Wrestling Association, and Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association.

In 1983, Wendi signed with WWE and quickly went on her way to becoming a household name. Soon after she joined WWE, owner Vince McMahon brought in rock singer Cyndi Lauper for a feud with Lou Albano. Lauper and Albano knew each other previously because Albano played Lauper’s father in her “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” music video.

Cyndi Lauper found an ally in Wendi Richter. At MTV’s Brawl to End It All, Lauper was in Wendi’s corner as she took on Fabulous Moolah, who was seconded by Lou Albano, for the WWE Women’s Championship. Wendi won the bout, putting an end to what was (at least according to kayfabe) the longest championship reign in professional wrestling history.

It was at this time, an era referred to as the “Rock n’ Wrestling Connection,” when pro wrestling experienced a major boom in popularity. Wendi’s star power was especially elevated during this time, too; she appeared as a character in the CBS cartoon, Hulk Hogan’s Rock n’ Wrestling, and starred in Cyndi Lauper’s music video for “She Bop.”

Unfortunately, not everyone was on Wendi’s side. Her rise to fame would soon be sabotaged by the very same woman who’d trained her and the chairman of the company himself.

Wendi Richter Vs The Fabulous Moolah Was The Original Screwjob

On November 25, 1985, Wendi defended her title at Madison Square Garden. Her opponent was a mysterious masked wrestler known as The Spider. During the bout, The Spider strayed from the plan and pinned Wendi’s shoulders down. Wendi kicked out at one, yet the referee (who was in on the screwjob) counted to three anyway. Wendi unmasked her opponent and revealed that it was none other than the Fabulous Moolah. Wendi was furious at this robbery, and immediately left the stadium without even changing out of her gear.

While Vince McMahon claims that he concocted the plan because Wendi hadn’t signed a new contract with the company, Wendi says that she was still under contract. She had regular disputes with McMahon about her pay, which could point to why McMahon wanted to screw her over.

Wendi Richter's Life After Wrestling

Wendi left the WWE soon after and spent the last 18 years of her career wrestling across the US as well as in Puerto Rico and Japan. She retired in 2005 and separated herself from the wrestling world thereafter. Consequent interviews with Wendi would reveal lingering, justified resentment toward the WWE. Not only was she still hurt by McMahon and Moolah’s betrayal, but she also expressed disdain toward the WWE’s portrayal of women in general.

Nevertheless, WWE offered Wendi a spot in the Hall of Fame Class of 2010. Wendi accepted and was inducted by fellow Golden Era star, Roddy Piper.

What Can We Learn From Wendi Richter?

Professional wrestling has seen a lot of unsung heroes throughout its history. Some are just underappreciated by fans, while others find themselves buried by the selfish actions of management. For women and wrestlers of color, mistreatment by promoters is all the more common, and even harder to fight back against.

Wendi Richter is a pioneer who was far ahead of her time during her WWE career. Her name deserves to be brought up when fans talk about the progress made in women’s wrestling, as she helped pave the way toward the Women’s Revolution of the 2010s. Hopefully, the wrestling world comes around and realizes just how incredible Wendi Richter is.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

  • 09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
  • 09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
  • 09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
  • 09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
  • 09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
  • 09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
  • 09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
  • 09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
  • 09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-08
  • Great Kabuki Sep 8th Today!
  • Wendi Richter Sep 8th Today!
  • Silas Young Sep 8th Today!
  • Rebel [2nd] Sep 8th Today!
  • Vincent Cross Sep 8th Today!
  • Mike Clancy Sep 9th
  • Rancid Sep 9th
  • Owen Sep 10th
  • Vivian St. John Sep 10th
  • Les Mayne Sep 10th
  • Kool Ade Sep 10th
  • Mr. Wrestling II Sep 10th
  • Trevor Murdoch I Sep 10th
  • Summer Thunder Sep 11th
  • Vic Nichols Sep 11th
  • N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
  • Bash Sep 12th
  • Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
  • Danni Bee Sep 12th
  • Montego Seeka Sep 12th
  • Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
  • Animal Sep 12th
  • American Anarchy Sep 12th
  • Adrian Dell Sep 12th
  • K. P. Moore Sep 13th
  • Angelina Love Sep 13th
  • Poder Oriental Sep 13th
  • Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
  • Bobby Starr Sep 13th
  • Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
  • Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
  • Waddy Young Sep 14th
  • Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
  • Bernie D Sep 14th
  • Korvin Sage Sep 15th
  • Daniel King Sep 15th
  • Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
  • L. C. Green Sep 15th
  • Haru Sonada Sep 16th
  • Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
  • Jake Swayze Sep 17th
  • Rex Mori Sep 17th
  • Jim Cornette Sep 17th
  • Dick Brower Sep 17th
  • Bill Irwin Sep 17th
  • Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
  • Angel Reed Sep 18th
  • Billy Robinson Sep 18th
  • Titan Yin Sep 18th
  • Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
  • Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
  • Adam Asher Sep 19th
  • Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th
  • Boz Sep 20th
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st

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