Wendi Richter

Professional wrestling career Early career (1979–1983) Wendi Richter was trained at The Fabulous Moolah's Lillian Ellison School of Professional Wrestling by Leilani Kai, Judy Martin and Joyce Grable and made her professional debut in 1979. In late 1982, they wrestled in a series of matches in Canada's Stampede Wrestling against Velvet McIntyre and Judy Martin. She continued her feud with McIntyre in Bill Watts' Mid-South Wrestling Association, where she was defeated twice. Richter and Grable continued their rivalry with McIntyre and Martin into April 1983 in Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association.

World Wrestling Federation (1983–1985) Rock 'n' Wrestling (1983–1985) Richter (left) celebrates with Cyndi Lauper after becoming WWF Women's Champion. This victory prompted Wrestling's Main Event Magazine to name her Wrestler of the Month. Richter returned stateside signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in late 1983. In April 1984, Richter teamed with Peggy Lee for a series of matches with old rivals Velvet McIntyre and Princess Victoria. Albano seconded WWF Women's Champion Fabulous Moolah, while Lauper was in the corner of Wendi Richter. Richter defeated Moolah at MTV's The Brawl to End It All for the Women's Championship on July 23, 1984, with Richter lifting her own shoulder off the canvas during a double-pinfall situation while Moolah's shoulders remained down. This match was also the beginning of the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection", an era that combined both music and professional wrestling. Richter was also animated for a CBS Saturday morning cartoon, Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling. In addition, she appeared in Lauper's music video for "She Bop".

The Original Screwjob (1985) In 1985, after losing and then regaining the title from rival Leilani Kai at the inaugural WrestleMania, Richter was scheduled to defend her title at MSG on November 25 of that same year against a mysterious masked opponent known only as The Spider. Richter, however, claims she was still under her original five-year contract, though she did regularly have disagreements with McMahon about her compensation. She also claims that when she arrived at the arena that day, she was surprised to find Moolah backstage, as she never showed up to events at which she was not scheduled to wrestle. Richter's team won the match when she pinned Miceli. In August of that same year, Richter appeared at the second WrestleReunion event, WrestleReunion 2, in a six-person tag team match. She was inducted by Roddy Piper. In contrast of her shoot interviews, her speech spoke fondly of her wrestling career and how the WWE Divas thanked her for her influence. Richter's speech ended joyfully, exclaiming "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!"

On the June 16, 2012 episode of Raw, Richter appeared in an in-ring segment along with Cyndi Lauper, Roddy Piper and then-Diva's Champion Layla as part of the "1000th episode" buildup. Piper expressed his gratitude to Richter and Lauper for their "Rock 'N Wrestling" angle and presented Lauper with a gold record, with which she eventually hit Heath Slater, who at the time had a gimmick of insulting veteran Superstars before getting his comeuppance.

On December 31, 2023, during the Worlds End 2023 post-show press conference, the AEW Women's Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm was asked if there are any free agents that she would like to see Tony Khan sign to AEW.

“Tony, I don’t care how much you’re going to yell at me for this after, but yes, there is quite the free agent out there, isn’t there?” she said. “There is money written all over it. Wendi Richter … I’m going to fuck you up!”

Personal life

Born in 1960, Richter grew up in Dallas, Texas, and before she entered the sport of professional wrestling, she worked on her family's ranch and took part in rodeo competitions. She attended Bossier High School, where she participated in volleyball, track, and cross-country. She also returned to school for 13 years, earning a degree in physical therapy and a master's degree in occupational therapy. In 2019, she was featured in the documentary Circle of Champions: The History of Women's Pro Wrestling directed by Christopher Annino.

She currently works as an occupational therapist for Rehab Partners Inc.

Championships and accomplishments

American Wrestling Association AWA Women's Championship (1 time) Other honoree (1993)

National Wrestling Alliance NWA United States Women's Championship (1 time) NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Joyce Grable

Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2024 – with Joyce Grable Class of 2025 – individually

World Wrestling Council WWC Women's Championship (4 times)

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment WWF Women's Championship (2 times) WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2010)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter Worst Match of the Year (1984) vs. The Fabulous Moolah on July 23

Footnotes