Over the last few weeks, I’ve been inundated with folks asking me my thoughts about Stephanie McMahon being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. My response is always the same: much like Thanos, it was inevitable. Like really, does anyone on planet earth believe that there’s going to be a WWE Hall of Fame and there’s somehow going to be a McMahon who is NOT in it? And don’t cry “Shane’s not in! Vince isn’t in! And where’s Linda?” Believe me, they will all be in there sooner or later.
As for Steph, I mean, how could she not be part of this not physically existing yet absurdly self aggrandizing facility? After all, the company line is were it not for Stephanie, women’s wrestling wouldn’t even exist! I mean, it did, of course…heck, there was even a Coliseum Video release dedicated solely to the very subject way back in 1988!
Hosted by “Mean Gene” Okerlund on the legendary Prime Time Wrestling set, we’re going to see all the greatest females in the history of the company. Of course, he can’t do that without making lewd comments, notably telling an off-screen lady “Sweetheart, do me a favor – please pull that skirt down.” Don’t blame me, I’m just reporting what the man said. Buckle up kids – this one may be a doozy.
We kick off with Wendi Richter defending her championship against The Spider. This would of course be a very infamous match in the history of the company, and in fact, the last time Wendi ever appeared in a WWF ring.
Now you may ask yourself who this here Spider was. You’d think even a blind man alive would be able to figure that out, but somehow, it’s a MYSTERY. Even though I’m pretty sure the yuppie in the sunglasses is yelling, “WE KNOW IT’S YOU MOOLAH!”
So yeah, long before the Montreal screw job, this was the most well-known match where one of the participants was told they were winning and they wound up losing. As the story goes, the company shoved a contract in Wendi’s face and told her to sign it immediately. She refused of course, and wound up in the ring with Spider who she somehow didn’t know was Moolah.
It comes to a head as Moolah Spider catches her with a cradle out of a body slam and gets the three count. This despite the fact that Wendi clearly has her shoulders, heck nearly her entire body, up as the ref was slapping the mat. It wasn’t anything resembling being a good match of course, but it was certainly historical. I wonder if they paid Wendi any royalties for this tape? (SPOILER ALERT: no.)
Back to the studio we go, as Gene tells us that it was certainly a controversial ending and he quizzes her as to why she had to wear a mask in this match. Moolah explains that she had to wear the mask as Wendi wouldn’t give her a rematch. Well, that’s a reason. I mean it’s a stupid reason that really makes no sense, but that seems par for the course here to day. Meanwhile, Gene shows some old pinup photos of Moolah, asking if these photos are from the 1930s. Even poor Moolah is like, “I ain’t that old, you a-hole!”
Despite Moolah’s claims to the contrary, we go to some footage that appears to predate the talkies. Gene is actually far kinder than I am, he notes that Moolah wrestled in front of President Roosevelt, whose term I should note was from 1933-1945. So I guess he “far kinder” is a slight exaggeration, as it was more “mildly kinder.” Regardless, Moolah balks at this while at the same time repeatedly telling us how she was champion for 28 years. It’s not like you need to be some mathemagician to determine that this woman does in fact have to be nearing social security if she’s been in the ring that long.
We then go into the magical world of color film with a match between Moolah and Debbie Combs, who literally is combing her hair during the Fink’s intro. Who knew that was actually her gimmick?
We then get another horrible Moolah match that goes forever, ending in a count out following whatever in the world that move was. Combs celebrates her win, making the belt motion, only for Finkel to explain that she doesn’t win the title on a count out. I’d call her an idiot, but every babyface from 1983 to 1989 who won a title match by count out was always baffled they didn’t get the belt. Still, I should note this is how the company decided to celebrate the very best of the THE WOMEN OF THE WWF!!
After the match, Gene and Moolah yak some more, with Okerlund accusing Moolah of playing footsie with him. That would be creepy enough, but it gets worse when Moolah doesn’t even deny it. Gross.
Then the stupid train rolls into the station, as we get a special guest in the form of “PEGGY SUE.” This would be the Honky Tonk Man’s girlfriend, played at times by either Sensational Sherri or Jimmy Hart. Three guesses as to who it is here. I suppose you wouldn’t need three guesses since there are only two choices, but work with me here. Anyway, as you might expect Moolah is none too pleased and decides to skeedaddle. If only I could do the same.
With Moolah gone, we get a women’s tag team title match featuring the champions of the day, The Glamour Girls, Leilani Kai and Judy Martin under the tutelage of Jimmy Hart. Yes kids, women’s tag team titles are nothing new despite what you may hear today. While I wouldn’t generally be looking forward to a match with these two, there’s a chance it could be really good if their opponents would happen to be…
THE JUMPING BOMB ANGELS!
Ok, I may need to totally delete this induction as these two are awesome! And they were so unlike anything else in the company at the time I’ve always been completely baffled what they were doing in this company. I mean, aside from having incredible matches that is!
And this one is indeed fantastic. You might think it would be completely due to the Angels, but Judy and Leilani did a really nice job keeping up with them. And look – they even pulled out a freaking power bomb for the win! Pretty sure that was the first time I ever saw that move, as it predated Vader or Sid by several years.
We then get a REMATCH with the these two teams, which is also quite great. This time the Angels win the titles with stereo top rope drop kicks! If you’ve never seen these matches, do yourself a favor and hunt them down.
But just as I was thinking, “Maybe this tape ain’t so bad”, we head back to the studio and Sensational Sherri joins us. That wouldn’t be bad, I’ve never had any issues with her. However, Gene goes FULL PERV and stares at her cleavage while making drooling sounds. He also is apparently ogling Peggy Sue as well. Ladies and gentlemen…this is THE WOMEN OF THE WWF!
We get the title match where Sherri wins the title, and we see the belt changing hands using the same finish that got Moolah the strap in the first place. Sherri looks absolutely thrilled as were the fans in attendance. I mean who wasn’t happy to see Moolah lose?
Following the match, Moolah shows up on the set and cuts a fiery promo, noting that Sherri “STOLED” the belt. Moolah then rips the wig and mask off Peggy Sue, revealing that it’s actually, get this, JIMMY HART! Wow, who could have seen that coming??
Following these shenanigans, we get a rematch with the commentary team nightmares are made of: Bruce Prichard, Mike McGuirk, and the Duke of Dorchester himself, Pete Doherty! Of those three the only one that’s not nails on the chalkboard would be Mike, and it’s not that she’s good (and yes, Mike is a girl), but she’s just average which puts her miles ahead of the other two.
You know what’s not average? This match, which is every manner of horrible you can imagine. God bless Sherri, but she has zero chance of carrying Moolah to anything even watchable here. And the finish is patently absurd, with Sherri literally pushing Moolah to the mat and then covering her for the win. Don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone win a match with a shove before. Probably because it’s completely idiotic.
Back in the studio, Gene continues to creepy old man all over Sherri as Jimmy sticks around, scratching his head like a chimpanzee. Join the crowd, Mouth.
We get another match, this time with Sherri defending her title against Desiree Peterson. The match isn’t particularly good, but it’s light years ahead of the matches with Moolah. I’d make fun of whatever the heck Sherri used to put Peterson down there, but her completely psychotic stare following the three count is all kinds of awesome. Scary Sherri indeed!
We wrap things up with Gene copping a feel on Jimmy Hart’s bra. Yes, this is a thing that happened, and there’s your proof. Maybe I shouldn’t have mocked Steph in the intro – things are way better for the women in wrestling these days for sure!