The WWF Women’s Heavyweight Championship, later known simply as the WWF Women’s Championship, is one of the most significant titles in the history of women's professional wrestling. It was established in 1956 and remained active, with a few hiatuses, until it was deactivated in 2010. This championship was the centerpiece of the women’s division in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), and its history includes several iconic matches, memorable feuds, and legendary champions.
Origins and Early History (1956-1970s):
Creation of the Championship (1956):
The WWF Women’s Championship was established in 1956 when The Fabulous Moolah (Mary Lillian Ellison) won a tournament in Baltimore, Maryland, defeating Judy Grable in the finals. The championship initially was not recognized by the WWF, as Moolah had been billed as the NWA World Women's Champion. However, in 1983, the WWF withdrew from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), and the championship was officially recognized by the WWF as its women's title.
The Fabulous Moolah's Dominance:
The Fabulous Moolah became synonymous with the WWF Women’s Championship, holding the title for an astonishing 28 years (1956-1984), with some interruptions due to storylines. Moolah, both as a wrestler and later as a trainer and promoter, controlled much of the women’s wrestling scene in the United States during this period.
Moolah defended the title across the United States and abroad, battling other top female stars like Judy Grable, Bette Boucher, Mae Young, Toni Rose, and Joyce Grable. She was often the main attraction in women's wrestling, and her lengthy reign was unprecedented in professional wrestling history.
Women’s Wrestling Decline and Revivals (1970s-1980s):
Decline in the Women’s Division (1970s):
By the late 1970s, interest in women’s wrestling began to wane, and the women’s championship was defended less frequently on television. The WWF, like many wrestling promotions at the time, shifted its focus primarily to its men's division, resulting in fewer high-profile matches for the women’s championship.
However, Moolah remained the dominant champion throughout the 1970s, occasionally losing the title to promote other female wrestlers but quickly regaining it. During this period, Moolah's role as a promoter and trainer kept her at the forefront of women’s wrestling.
WWF’s Expansion and New Opportunities (1983-1984):
In 1983, the WWF, under the leadership of Vince McMahon Jr., withdrew from the NWA and began expanding nationally. As part of this expansion, the WWF officially recognized The Fabulous Moolah as the first-ever WWF Women’s Champion, retroactively acknowledging her title victories dating back to 1956.
The WWF began promoting women’s wrestling more prominently, including a memorable title change in 1984 when Wendi Richter, managed by Cyndi Lauper, defeated Moolah (disguised as the "Spider Lady") to end her long reign. This moment marked a significant shift in women's wrestling in the WWF, coinciding with the WWF's broader effort to capitalize on the mainstream popularity of wrestling during the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection.
Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Era and Wendi Richter’s Rise (1984-1989):
Wendi Richter and the Rise of Women’s Wrestling (1984-1985):
Wendi Richter quickly became one of the most popular female wrestlers in the WWF, thanks in part to her association with Cyndi Lauper and the Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection. Richter’s victory over Moolah for the WWF Women’s Championship brought significant attention to the women’s division, with Richter appearing on national television and in mainstream media.
Richter held the championship twice, engaging in a high-profile feud with Moolah. However, her relationship with the WWF soured, leading to the infamous “Original Screwjob” in 1985 when Moolah, under the guise of the Spider Lady, pinned Richter in a match without her knowledge, effectively ending Richter’s tenure with the WWF.
The Fabulous Moolah’s Return and New Champions:
After the “Original Screwjob,” Moolah briefly regained the title but soon passed it to new stars, such as Leilani Kai, Velvet McIntyre, and others, as the WWF sought to refresh its women's division.
The WWF Women’s Championship continued to be defended sporadically throughout the 1980s. Notably, Sensational Sherri (Sherri Martel) won the championship in 1987 and became a prominent figure in the division, holding the title until 1988 and later transitioning to a successful managerial role.
Inactivity and Revivals (1990-1998):
Decline and Deactivation (1990):
By the late 1980s, interest in the women’s division once again declined. The WWF Women’s Championship was deactivated in 1990 after Rockin' Robin, the reigning champion, left the company, and the title was vacated.
During this period, women's wrestling was virtually nonexistent on WWF programming, and the championship remained inactive for nearly three years.
Revival of the Women’s Division (1993-1998):
In 1993, the WWF revived the Women’s Championship as part of an effort to reintroduce women's wrestling to a new generation of fans. The company signed Alundra Blayze (Madusa Miceli), who won a tournament to become the new WWF Women’s Champion. Blayze’s matches against Bull Nakano, Aja Kong, and others were critically acclaimed, and she helped raise the profile of the women's division.
However, in 1995, after Blayze left the WWF and defected to WCW (World Championship Wrestling), she famously threw the WWF Women’s Championship belt into a trash can on live TV, a moment that shocked the wrestling world and symbolized the decline of the WWF women's division once again. The title was deactivated shortly afterward.
Attitude Era to Ruthless Aggression Era (1998-2006):
Second Revival and the Attitude Era (1998-2002):
The WWF Women’s Championship was reactivated in 1998 during the Attitude Era, a period of edgier, more adult-themed programming. Jacqueline won the title, becoming one of the top women’s wrestlers of the era.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a renewed focus on women’s wrestling, with prominent champions like Sable, Ivory, Jacqueline, Lita, Trish Stratus, Chyna, and Molly Holly. These wrestlers helped redefine the role of women in the WWF, blending athletic competition with entertainment.
Trish Stratus and Lita’s Era (2000-2006):
Trish Stratus and Lita became the most prominent stars of the women’s division during this period, engaging in numerous memorable matches and feuds. Their matches, particularly the main event on Raw in 2004, helped elevate the status of the Women’s Championship.
The title saw several memorable reigns, including multiple wins by Trish Stratus, who retired in 2006 as a seven-time champion.
Final Years and Deactivation (2007-2010):
Ruthless Aggression and Final Champions (2007-2010):
In the late 2000s, the Women’s Championship continued to be defended by stars like Mickie James, Beth Phoenix, Michelle McCool, Melina, and Michelle McCool. These wrestlers brought both athleticism and glamour to the division.
In 2008, the WWF (now WWE) introduced the Divas Championship as a secondary title. Over time, the Divas Championship began to overshadow the Women’s Championship in terms of promotion and storylines.
Unification and End of the Women’s Championship (2010):
On September 19, 2010, at Night of Champions, Michelle McCool (representing LayCool) defeated Melina to unify the WWE Women’s Championship and the WWE Divas Championship. The unified title retained the Divas Championship name, marking the official end of the WWF Women’s Championship lineage.
Legacy of the WWF Women’s Heavyweight Championship:
Pioneer for Women's Wrestling: The WWF Women’s Championship is remembered as the most prestigious women’s title in professional wrestling during its existence, representing a long history of women’s wrestling in the company.
Platform for Legends: The championship served as a platform for many of the greatest female wrestlers in history, including The Fabulous Moolah, Wendi Richter, Alundra Blayze, Trish Stratus, Lita, and others. Their contributions to the division helped pave the way for future generations of women in WWE.
Foundation for Modern Women's Wrestling: Despite periods of inactivity and marginalization, the championship played a vital role in the evolution of women’s wrestling. It laid the groundwork for the Women's Evolution in WWE, which began in the mid 2010's and catapulted into multiple WrestleMania's headlined by women wrestlers including 32 & 35.
Comments