WCW Women's Championship
Encyclopedia
The World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Women's Championship was a short-lived title for the women's division in World Championship Wrestling
. It lasted from 1996 until 1997, when it was abandoned. It is not to be confused with prior women's titles recognized by the promotion.
(which eventually became World Championship Wrestling
) was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance
and recognized the NWA World Women's Championship
, which was held by Debbie Combs. The Kansas City promotion that recognized Combs as the champion withdrew from NWA in 1987 and closed in 1988. During this time, the NWA vacated Combs' title and awarded Misty Blue Simmes
the reactivated NWA United States Women's Championship
(a replacement of the prior NWA World Women's Championship held by Combs). Simmes defended the title from 1987–1989, when the title was no longer recognized by Jim Crockett Promotions.
In 1990, the organization recognized Ladies Professional Wrestling Association
Champion Susan Sexton
as the World Women's Champion. Sexton defended the title against Bambi
at Clash of the Champions XII "Fall Brawl: Mountain Madness".
WCW attempted to create a new women's division in 1991. At Wrestle War, a women's match was featured pitting Itsuki Yamazaki and Mami Kitimura against Miki Handa and Miss A
. Later in the year, former United States Women's Champion Misty Blue Simmes returned to the organization and competed in matches against Linda Dallas and Kat LeRoux. During this time, the organization also featured televised matches involving Madusa
, Bambi, Leilani Kai
, and Judy Martin
. By the end of the year, all of the women wrestlers were gone from the organization except Madusa (who was retained as a valet).
, who spent the first half of the year feuding with Sherri Martel
and Bull Nakano
. This led to the creation of the WCW Women's Championship. The first official WCW Women's Champion was crowned in an 8-woman tournament that was begun on an episode of Monday Night Nitro on November 4, 1996 and concluded at Starrcade
on December 29, 1996. The tournament used only seven wrestlers; five of these wrestlers were Japanese women from the GAEA Japan
promotion (Akira Hokuto, Chigusa Nagayo
, KAORU, Meiko Satomura
, and Sonoko Kato). The other competitors were Madusa and Malia Hosaka
. Akira Hokuto actually competed twice in the first round of the tournament, losing to Madusa wrestling under her masked Reina Jabuki gimmick and defeating Satomura competing as Hokuto.
The two primary competitors over the history of this title were Akira Hokuto and Madusa, as they met in the tournament finals and at subsequent PPV events. Other women that competed in the division included Malia Hosaka, Leilani Kai
, Peggy Lee Leather
, Debbie Combs, and Luna Vachon. The last defense of the title occurred at The Great American Bash
on June 15, 1997 when Hokuto defeated Madusa in a title vs. career match. Madusa retired and Hokuto went back to Japan
and the title was apparently vacated. On September 20, 1997 in Japan, Devil Masami
won the vacated title; however, it was abandoned shortly thereafter. In the United States, WCW continued to feature women's wrestling throughout 1998. During the match between Malia Hosaka and Starla Saxton
that aired on December 26, 1998, Mike Tenay
acknowledged Akira Hokuto as the reigning WCW Women's Champion, even though she had not appeared in WCW since June 1997 and the title had been won by Devil Masami in Japan.
In late 1999 and early 2000, WCW rebuilt the women's division by hiring several women wrestlers, as well as training the Nitro Girls
how to wrestle. An onscreen angle featured Madusa attempting to revive the WCW Women's Championship, but she was consistently halted in her efforts by the chauvinistic Oklahoma
(who had been feuding with her over the WCW Cruiserweight Championship). During this time, the women's division included Madusa, Mona
, Sherri Martel, Rhonda Sing, Patty Stonegrinder
, Brandi Alexander, Little Jeanne, Dee Dee Venturi, Fantasy, Lexie Fyfe
, Asya
, Midnight
, Daffney, Major Gunns
, Miss Hancock, Torrie Wilson
, Kimberly Page
, Spice
, Paisley, and Tygress. Although women's matches were featured regularly, the WCW Women's Championship was not reinstated.
In addition to the WCW Women's Championship, the organization also recognized the WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship
in 1997.
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
. It lasted from 1996 until 1997, when it was abandoned. It is not to be confused with prior women's titles recognized by the promotion.
Prior women's titles recognized by World Championship Wrestling
In the mid-1980s, Jim Crockett PromotionsJim Crockett Promotions
Jim Crockett Promotions was a professional wrestling promotion owned by Jim Crockett, Jr. until the late 1980s. It was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance and was the forerunner to World Championship Wrestling .-Early history:...
(which eventually became World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
) was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
and recognized the NWA World Women's Championship
NWA World Women's Championship
The NWA World Women's Championship is the National Wrestling Alliance's women's singles professional wrestling title. It is descended from the original Women's World Championship won by Mildred Burke in 1935 from Clara Mortensen. June Byers was then recognized as the succeeding champion after her...
, which was held by Debbie Combs. The Kansas City promotion that recognized Combs as the champion withdrew from NWA in 1987 and closed in 1988. During this time, the NWA vacated Combs' title and awarded Misty Blue Simmes
Misty Blue Simmes
Diane Syms , better known by her ring name Misty Blue Simmes, is an American former professional wrestler.-Beginning:Simmes got into wrestling after learning to box and being part of a all-female boxing show...
the reactivated NWA United States Women's Championship
NWA United States Women's Championship
The NWA United States Women's Championship was a sporadically used title in the National Wrestling Alliance from 1968 until 1987.-Title history:...
(a replacement of the prior NWA World Women's Championship held by Combs). Simmes defended the title from 1987–1989, when the title was no longer recognized by Jim Crockett Promotions.
In 1990, the organization recognized Ladies Professional Wrestling Association
Ladies Professional Wrestling Association
The Ladies Professional Wrestling Association was an all-female wrestling promotion which operated in the early 1990s . It was considered a successor to such women's promotions as Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling , but it differed in that, while GLOW slanted more toward WWF-style sports entertainment...
Champion Susan Sexton
Susan Sexton
Shanon Sexton, better known by her stage name Susan Sexton, is a former professional wrestler. She was born in Perth, Australia on 2 February.She was trained by Ali Musa the Turk.-Wrestling career:...
as the World Women's Champion. Sexton defended the title against Bambi
Selina Majors
Selina Majors , better known by her stage name Bambi, is an American professional wrestler.-Early career:Majors debuted as a professional wrestler in 1986 working for David McLane. She competed in his nationally televised professional women's wrestling league, Powerful Women of Wrestling as Bambi...
at Clash of the Champions XII "Fall Brawl: Mountain Madness".
WCW attempted to create a new women's division in 1991. At Wrestle War, a women's match was featured pitting Itsuki Yamazaki and Mami Kitimura against Miki Handa and Miss A
Dynamite Kansai
Dynamite Kansai is a Japanese female professional wrestler.-Career:Chieko Suzuki was born on December 4, 1969, and was raised in Kyoto, Japan. In 1986 she auditioned for All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling , but was unsuccessful, and instead joined the first rookie class of Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling...
. Later in the year, former United States Women's Champion Misty Blue Simmes returned to the organization and competed in matches against Linda Dallas and Kat LeRoux. During this time, the organization also featured televised matches involving Madusa
Debra Miceli
Debrah Ann Miceli is a Monster truck driver and former professional wrestler. She is best known under her ring names Madusa or Alundra Blayze. Her early career was spent in the American Wrestling Association, where she held the AWA World Women's Championship one time...
, Bambi, Leilani Kai
Leilani Kai
Patricia Schroeder , better known by her stage name Leilani Kai, is a semi-retired professional wrestler. She began training with The Fabulous Moolah right after finishing high school...
, and Judy Martin
Judy Martin (wrestler)
Judy Hardee is a former female professional wrestler known as Judy Martin. Martin is a former WWF Women's Tag Team Champion. She held the title with partner Leilani Kai as The Glamour Girls...
. By the end of the year, all of the women wrestlers were gone from the organization except Madusa (who was retained as a valet).
WCW Women's Championship
The women's division in WCW was slowly revived in 1996 following the return of MadusaDebra Miceli
Debrah Ann Miceli is a Monster truck driver and former professional wrestler. She is best known under her ring names Madusa or Alundra Blayze. Her early career was spent in the American Wrestling Association, where she held the AWA World Women's Championship one time...
, who spent the first half of the year feuding with Sherri Martel
Sherri Martel
Sherri Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri....
and Bull Nakano
Bull Nakano
Keiko Nakano , better known as Bull Nakano, is a professional golfer and former professional wrestler. She began competing in All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling as a teenager under the ring name Bull Nakano. As a wrestler she was a villain, who often teamed with her mentor Dump Matsumoto...
. This led to the creation of the WCW Women's Championship. The first official WCW Women's Champion was crowned in an 8-woman tournament that was begun on an episode of Monday Night Nitro on November 4, 1996 and concluded at Starrcade
Starrcade
Starrcade was an annual professional wrestling event held from 1983 to 2000 by the National Wrestling Alliance and later World Championship Wrestling as their flagship event equal to WWE's WrestleMania , and featured the largest feuds of the promotion...
on December 29, 1996. The tournament used only seven wrestlers; five of these wrestlers were Japanese women from the GAEA Japan
GAEA Japan
Gaea Japan was a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. Gaea Japan (trademarked as GAEA Japan) was a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. Gaea Japan (trademarked as GAEA Japan) was a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. (Japanese female professional...
promotion (Akira Hokuto, Chigusa Nagayo
Chigusa Nagayo
is a retired Japanese female professional wrestler best known for her mainstream popularity in the 1980s as a member of the tag team The Crush Gals with long-time partner Lioness Asuka. She was the founder of the GAEA Women's Professional Wrestling organization . She briefly competed as alter-ego...
, KAORU, Meiko Satomura
Meiko Satomura
Meiko Satomura is a Japanese professional wrestler. She co-founded Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling-Media:Satomura appeared in the 2000 documentary made for the BBC by Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams.-In wrestling:*Finishing moves...
, and Sonoko Kato). The other competitors were Madusa and Malia Hosaka
Malia Hosaka
Malia Hosaka is an American professional wrestler. She is a former NWA World Women's Champion.-Career:Malia Hosaka was trained by Killer Kowalski at the wrestling training camp run by Misty Blue Simmes...
. Akira Hokuto actually competed twice in the first round of the tournament, losing to Madusa wrestling under her masked Reina Jabuki gimmick and defeating Satomura competing as Hokuto.
The two primary competitors over the history of this title were Akira Hokuto and Madusa, as they met in the tournament finals and at subsequent PPV events. Other women that competed in the division included Malia Hosaka, Leilani Kai
Leilani Kai
Patricia Schroeder , better known by her stage name Leilani Kai, is a semi-retired professional wrestler. She began training with The Fabulous Moolah right after finishing high school...
, Peggy Lee Leather
Peggy Lee Leather
Peggy Lee , also known by her stage names Peggy Lee Leather, Lady X, and Thug, is an American professional wrestler.-World Wrestling Federation:Peggy Lee competed in the World Wrestling Federation in the mid-1980s...
, Debbie Combs, and Luna Vachon. The last defense of the title occurred at The Great American Bash
The Great American Bash
The Great American Bash was an annual summer professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the National Wrestling Alliance's Jim Crockett Promotions and then by World Championship Wrestling. It is now produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
on June 15, 1997 when Hokuto defeated Madusa in a title vs. career match. Madusa retired and Hokuto went back to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and the title was apparently vacated. On September 20, 1997 in Japan, Devil Masami
Devil Masami
Masami Yoshida is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for her appearances in All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling, GAEA Japan and Japanese Women Pro-Wrestling Project under the name Devil Masami...
won the vacated title; however, it was abandoned shortly thereafter. In the United States, WCW continued to feature women's wrestling throughout 1998. During the match between Malia Hosaka and Starla Saxton
Nora Greenwald
Nora Kristina Greenwald , better known by her ring name Molly Holly, is an inactive American professional wrestler. Greenwald is best known for her appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment .Greenwald began her professional wrestling career in WCW, where she...
that aired on December 26, 1998, Mike Tenay
Mike Tenay
Michael William "Mike" Tenay is a professional wrestling play-by-play announcer currently employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . Prior to signing with TNA in 2002, he had a notable tenure with World Championship Wrestling from 1994-2001...
acknowledged Akira Hokuto as the reigning WCW Women's Champion, even though she had not appeared in WCW since June 1997 and the title had been won by Devil Masami in Japan.
In late 1999 and early 2000, WCW rebuilt the women's division by hiring several women wrestlers, as well as training the Nitro Girls
Nitro Girls
The Nitro Girls were a dance team in World Championship Wrestling. Similar to the Fly Girls from In Living Color, their initial function was to dance and entertain the live crowds during commercial breaks.-History:...
how to wrestle. An onscreen angle featured Madusa attempting to revive the WCW Women's Championship, but she was consistently halted in her efforts by the chauvinistic Oklahoma
Ed Ferrera
Edward Ferrara is a professional wrestling storyline writer, most notably for the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling, often alongside Vince Russo. Ed Ferrara began his work in television production and writing, contributing to shows such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV...
(who had been feuding with her over the WCW Cruiserweight Championship). During this time, the women's division included Madusa, Mona
Nora Greenwald
Nora Kristina Greenwald , better known by her ring name Molly Holly, is an inactive American professional wrestler. Greenwald is best known for her appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment .Greenwald began her professional wrestling career in WCW, where she...
, Sherri Martel, Rhonda Sing, Patty Stonegrinder
Leilani Kai
Patricia Schroeder , better known by her stage name Leilani Kai, is a semi-retired professional wrestler. She began training with The Fabulous Moolah right after finishing high school...
, Brandi Alexander, Little Jeanne, Dee Dee Venturi, Fantasy, Lexie Fyfe
Lexie Fyfe
Mary Beth Bentley , is an American professional wrestler. She has wrestled in various independent wrestling promotions, most notably for Shimmer Women Athletes and has had tryouts for both WWE and WCW.-Early life:...
, Asya
Christie Wolf
-Debut:In March 1999, Wolf began appearing as a head nurse to tend to Ric Flair when he was, in storyline, put into a mental instituition. She would then appear in several vignettes with him before becoming his valet upon his return to WCW...
, Midnight
Ann Marie Crooks
Ann Marie Crooks is a Jamaican-born American former female bodybuilder and professional wrestler. She was previously working for World Championship Wrestling in 1999 as Midnight.-Early life:...
, Daffney, Major Gunns
Tylene Buck
Tylene Buck is an American Pornographic actress & model and a former wrestler and valet under the name of Major Gunns.-Professional Wrestler:...
, Miss Hancock, Torrie Wilson
Torrie Wilson
Torrie Anne Wilson is a retired American professional wrestler, fitness competitor and model. She is best known for her tenures in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment , where she worked on both their SmackDown and Raw brands throughout her eight-year run.As a fitness...
, Kimberly Page
Kimberly Page
Kimberly Lynn Bacon is an American former actress and valet for ex-husband Diamond Dallas Page, during which she was known by the ring name Kimberly Page...
, Spice
Melissa Bellin
Melissa Anne Grill Petersen , also known by her ring name Spice, is a former member of World Championship Wrestling's Nitro Girls dance team. She also worked for WCW as a valet and wrestler.-Early career:...
, Paisley, and Tygress. Although women's matches were featured regularly, the WCW Women's Championship was not reinstated.
In addition to the WCW Women's Championship, the organization also recognized the WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship
WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Women's Cruiserweight Championship was a short-lived singles championship in World Championship Wrestling for the smaller women. It was created as a joint venture between WCW and GAEA Japan. The weight limit for the women's cruiserweight division was 130 lb...
in 1997.
Title history
| Wrestler: | Reigns: | Date: | Place: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akira Hokuto | 1 | December 29, 1996 | Nashville, TN | Defeats Madusa Debra Miceli Debrah Ann Miceli is a Monster truck driver and former professional wrestler. She is best known under her ring names Madusa or Alundra Blayze. Her early career was spent in the American Wrestling Association, where she held the AWA World Women's Championship one time... . |
| Vacated | June 15, 1997 | Hokuto leaves country: title vacated by WCW. | ||
| Devil Masami Devil Masami Masami Yoshida is a Japanese professional wrestler best known for her appearances in All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling, GAEA Japan and Japanese Women Pro-Wrestling Project under the name Devil Masami... |
1 | September 20, 1997 | Kawasaki, Japan | Defeats Zero Chigusa Nagayo is a retired Japanese female professional wrestler best known for her mainstream popularity in the 1980s as a member of the tag team The Crush Gals with long-time partner Lioness Asuka. She was the founder of the GAEA Women's Professional Wrestling organization . She briefly competed as alter-ego... for vacant title |
| Retired | Title was abandoned after GAEA and WCW ceased their relationship. |