Women's Division Archives

Sapphire Death

By Ryan on October 20, 2016 / 1990s, 1996, Heart Attack, Women / 2 Comments

Juanita “Sapphire” Wright Death – Heart Attack 1934-1996 (age 61) Best known as the valet for Dusty Rhodes, Sapphire worked WWF programming throughout the late 80s and early 90s. She was commonly referred to as “Sweet Sapphire” and wore yellow polka-dotted attire to match that of Dusty’s. Sapphire’s fun loving attitude and dance moves helped compliment Dusty’s gimmick, and helped get her over with the crowd. Despite a relatively short run with the WWF, she appeared at all of the “big 4” pay per views, including WrestleMania VI, and 1990’s SummerSlam where she sold out to the Million Dollar Man. Before becoming Dusty’s valet, Sapphire worked as a Dusty fan planted in the audience. This video is 6 years before her death. Wrestling Challenge, Nov. 19, 1989. Training According to a 2004 interview with Sherri, Vince McMahon called upon Sherri to help train Sapphire. Sherri recalled one instance in training where Sapphire accidentally

Chyna Death

By Ryan on April 21, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 11 Comments

Chyna Death – Drug Overdose 1969-2016 (age 46) Joanie Laurer aka Chyna was found dead in her home on April 21, 2016. Reported by the Redondo Beach police, Joanie’s manager, Anthony Anzaldo grew concerned after not hearing from her for a few days. He entered Laurer’s apartment to find her in bed and not responding. Police were able to determine Laurer was dead 1-2 days prior to the caller entering the Redondo Beach apartment. Chyna’s official website notes: “It is with deep sadness to inform you that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world, has passed away” TMZ first reported that “prescription bottles were found in the home, but there were no illegal drugs.” @ChynaJoanLaurer May the peace you were seeking put you at rest my friend. So sorry for not seeing the pain @Mania. We’ve shared so much — Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) April 21, 2016

Sunny Days Turn Dark: The Tammy Lynn Sytch Story

By Ryan on January 23, 2016 / Blog / 4 Comments

There was a time in the 90s when Sunny was on top of the world. Often regarded as “The First Diva” – Tammy Lynn Sytch broke into the WWF in 1994. But after the death of her partner, wrestler Chris “Skip” Candido, a downward spiral seemed to take place. Despite a triumphant return for her WWE Hall of Fame induction, Tammy Lynn Sytch has since been soliciting risqué Skype sessions with fans and is currently in discussion with adult film company Vivid Entertainment.

In May of 2015, Sytch was arrested for Driving Under the Influence in Lehighton, PA. The next day, June 1, 2015, Sytch was arrested for another DUI, followed by a third DUI arrest on June 20th – three DUIs within a three week period.

Mae Young Death

By Ryan on December 21, 2015 / 2010s, 2014, Women / 1 Comment

Mae Young Death – Natural Causes 1923-2014 (age 90) Mae Young will forever be remembered in the world of professional wrestling for being a fierce competitor and pioneer in the women’s division. Even after her death, she remains one of the most well known female wrestlers of all time. Many professional wrestlers have died before age 50, but not Mae Young. Born in 1923 as Johnnie Mae Young, she was the youngest of eight siblings. Mae lived through the great depression with a wrestling career that began in 1939. Who would’ve thought that 60 years later she would be taking bumps through tables? Never afraid to take a bump: 77 year old Mae Young takes a powerbomb off the entrance through a table, courtesy of Bubba Ray Dudley. Over the course of her career, Mae Young won the NWA United States Women’s Championship and the NWA Women’s World Tag Team Championship with Ella Waldeck. Fans who weren’t watching

Nancy Benoit Death

By Ryan on December 20, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Murder, Women / 4 Comments

Nancy Benoit Death – Murdered by husband, Chris Benoit 1964-2007 (age 43) Professional model Nancy Benoit had all eyes on her when she would appear at ECW and WCW events. During her time in the world of professional wrestling, she was most well known for her role as “Woman” in the WCW. She managed a number of notable wrestlers; however, since the shocking details of the Nancy Benoit death story were released to the public, she has become most well known for the tragic way in which she died. A Gruesome Discovery Begins the Nancy Benoit Death Story On June 25, 2007, John Laurinaitis, the then Senior Vice President of Talent Relations for the WWE contacted the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department in Fayetteville, Georgia. Laurinaitis was concerned because no one had heard from Nancy Benoit or her husband, fellow professional wrestler Chris Benoit. Law enforcement officers visited the Benoit family home.

Sherri Martel Death

By Ryan on December 8, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 5 Comments

Sherri Martel Death – Drug Overdose 1958-2007 (age 49) As a professional wrestler and manager, Sherri Martel was no stranger to controversy. Known to family and friends as Sherri Schrull, she was involved with many dramatic story lines during her time the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, and even a brief stint in ECW. Most notably, Sherri managed Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Ted DiBase, and Shawn Michaels. A Reported History of Drug Abuse Sherri Martel’s career hit a number of bumps despite the fact that she won several women’s wrestling championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Most notably, she was released from the WWF in 1993 and was fired from the WCW. There are some reports that to cope with her difficulties in life, Sherri abused drugs and that at one point she was admitted to a 21-day in-patient rehab program to overcome her addiction. Details of

Fabulous Moolah Death

By Ryan on December 6, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Unknown Causes, Women / 1 Comment

Fabulous Moolah Death – Unknown Causes 1923-2007 (age 84) Holding a championship title in professional wrestling is never easy, but one professional wrestler managed to do so for more than 30 years. Her name was Fabulous Moolah, and she had the distinction of being the longest championship title holder in the history of wrestling. Moolah also stands out as one of the wrestlers to lead a long life. The Fabulous Moolah death story didn’t reach its final chapter until 2007 when she was 84 years old. Moolah takes on a young Sherri Martel in 1982. Both women are no longer with us Stepping Back into the Ring If fate had taken a different twist, the Fabulous Moolah death story might have taken place in 1999. In 1999, Fabulous Moolah decided to try her hand at professional wrestling again and stepped back into the ring. She began to experience dizziness when she was training. She was

Bertha Faye Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2001, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Women / 3 Comments

Bertha Faye – Heart Attack 1961-2001 (age 40) Rhonda Ann Sing grew up around professional wrestling. As a child, she attended Stampede Wrestling events with her mother. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Sing would change the world of the All Japan Women wrestling circuit, competing under the name Monster Ripper. She would later become known as Bertha Faye in the ring of the World Wrestling Federation. Sadly, her career ended quickly, and fans and fellow wrestlers would receive word of the Bertha Faye death news much too soon. 6 years before death: Bertha Faye calls out WWF Women’s Champion, Alundra Blayze (1995) Disappointing Runs in the WWF and WCW Weighing 260 pounds and standing at 5 foot 8 inches tall, Bertha Faye was very different from the other women who competed in the WWF. She stood out immediately when she first appeared on the scene in 1995. Due to her

Miss Elizabeth Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 16 Comments

Miss Elizabeth Death – Drug Overdose 1960-2003 (age 42) Wrestling fans around the world were shocked on May 1, 2003. Miss Elizabeth, valet to the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage was dead at just 42 years old. The once-dubbed “First Lady of Wrestling” suffered from an apparent drug overdose. Minutes prior to her falling into unconsciousness, everything appeared normal. Well, everything except the fact that she was in Lex Luger’s home at the time. Lex and Liz, both married at the time, were involved in a secret affair. Lex frantically called 911 when he discovered Liz wasn’t breathing. Although she is gone, Miss Elizabeth’s career in wrestling is still well remembered by fans of the WWF’s golden era… and perhaps even a few who were watching Monday Nitro in the late 90s. It’s hard to believe that someone who appeared so gentle and soft spoken on screen would end up dead from

Luna Vachon Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Women / 5 Comments

Luna Vachon Death – Drug Overdose 1962-2010 (age 48) Throughout the 90s, most women in the world of professional wrestling were little more than eye candy – designed by the wrestling industry to look good while valeting their male counterpart to the ring. But Luna Vachon was different than her female contemporaries. The adopted daughter of wrestling legend Butcher Vachon, Luna could actually wrestle. Skilled in the ring, Luna was a force to be reckoned with. In 1995, she would be named among the top 500 singles wrestlers by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. And her talents didn’t end in the ring. She was a gifted entertainer on the mic and cut many memorable promos. Although Luna was always over with fans and well-respected from men and women in the wrestling industry, her life was marked by tragedy. Ultimately, the Luna Vachon death story would result in the end of her life at an early age. Luna Vachon cut some terrifying promos

Results tagged with: Women’s Division