Woman
Sherri Martel
Trained by The Fabulous Moolah, Sensational Sherri Martel made her wrestling
debut in 1980.
On September 28, 1985 Sherri Martel defeated Candi Devine to capture the AWA Woman's title at AWA SuperClash. She would drop the title to Candi a few weeks later only to regain it the following week.
On May 10, 1986 she helped Buddy Rose and Doug Somers win the AWA World
Tag Team Championship. Having previously vacated the AWA Women's Championship,
Martel defeated Devine on June 28, 1986 to begin her third reign as champion
Sherri vacated the AWA Woman's title when she decided to go to the WWF.
On July 24, 1987 Sherri Martel debuted in the WWF and defeated The Fabulous
Moolah for the WWF Women's Title. Renaming herself Sensational Sherri,
she reigned as WWF Women's Champion for fifteen months, until October
7, 1988 when she was defeated by Rockin' Robin. The list of accomplishments
Sherri had as a manager in the WWE are quite impressive and include managing
Ted DiBiase, Randy Savage, and Shawn Michaels.
Martel re-emerged in Smoky Mountain Wrestling late in 1983 and feuded
with Tammy Sytch. She also appeared in the independent NWA promotion at
that time. On October 22, 1993 at the NWA Weekend of Champions, Martel
accompanied Terry Funk against Kevin Sullivan (with Woman). After the
match, Martel attacked Woman and put her in a head-scissors. She then
appeared at the NWA Bensalem Bash on October 30, 1993 where Martel defeated
Jim Cornette (with Tammy Sytch in his corner) in a "loser gets spanked"
match.
In Extreme Championship Wrestling, Sherri Martel was the valet for Shane
Douglas, leading him to the ECW World Heavyweight title. Sherri was not
through wrestling yet as, on November 13, 1993, at November to Remember
Malia Hosaka defeated Sherri Martel by Disqualification. At ECW Ultraclash
'93, Martel wrestled in a battle royal against Tigra, Angel, Don E. Allen,
Jay "Six Pack" Sulli, Freddie Gilbert, and Hunter Q. Robbins,
III.
Martel appeared in World Championship Wrestling in 1994 under the name Sensuous Sherri. Sherri managed Ric Flair and Harlem Heat (amongst others). She left WCW in 1997 but would return briefly in 2000.
In 2002, she made appearances in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) feuding with Victoria and managing Rob Conway. Sherri continued to work on the independent scene, after leaving WCW. In 2004, Sherri Martel & Jenny Taylor defeated Krissy Vaine & Amber Holly at a CCW event. In 2005, Team Richter (Wendi Richter & Malia Hosaka & Bambi & "Bootilicious" Jenny Taylor) defeated Team Martel (Sherri Martel & Peggy Lee Leather & Team Blondage) at a show in PA.
In 2006, Sherri was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Ted DiBiase and stole the show with her emotional and amazing speech.
On September 4, 2006, Sherri martel appeared in a taped vignette in TNA, trying to offer her managerial services to "free agent" Bobby Roode. The piece aired on the September 21 TNA iMPACT!. In a segment only for the live crowd, she then came out and waved to the fans.
I would like to welcome Sherri Martel to the Independent Wrestling Hall of Fame, class of 2006.
