Wendi Richter in 1984 at the age of 23 joined the World Wrestling Federation after wrestling stints in the south and Japan as "Cowgirl" Wendi Richter and often as the tag team partner of Joyce Grable. Once in the World Wrestling Federation over the next two years Wendi Richter went from a heel wrestler to become one of the promotions biggest baby face draw cards and a main event wrestler at Madison square garden. Wendi gave women's wrestling a huge boost as the athletic commission had actually enforced a ban on women's matches in New York for a number of years in the 1960's and 1970's. Vince however in the 1980's used popstar "Cyndi Lauper" as Wendi Richter's wrestling manager to push the women's division to the front of the storyline. The feud also involved women's wrestling legend and veteran "The Fabulous Moolah." Wendi Richter ended Moolah's reign as the champion on July 23, 1984. The title match was live on MTV which cemented the "Rock N Wrestling" catch-phrase.

Above Photos: Cowgirls Joyce Grable and Wendi Richter

For the better part of that year and the next, Richter feuded with Moolah and her wrestling protégé, Lelani Kai who was billed as being from Hawaii. Leilani Kai won the title in February of 1985 when Moolah hit Wendi from outside and Leilani pinned her. Wendi was to win the title back at Wrestlemania. Moolah won back the belt at the end of 1985 when Wendi's contract was up for renewal. It is reported that Wendi and wrestling promoter Vince McMahon had not come to an agreement as Vince was looking to make some changes to the contract that Wendi thought were not good for her whilst Wendi was also one of the promotions top draw cards and felt that her contract should reflect that in the form of a pay rise. On November 11 1985 at Madison Square garden in a title defense against Moolah under the masked gimmick of "Spider lady" which was usually played by Penny Mitchell. Some claim Wendi was set up in a screw job finish similar to that of Bret Hart's where the referee did a fast three count to a stunned Wendi, the other story claims Wendi was hit with a new contract as she was basically going to the ring and when she refused to sign it on the spot was told to loose the match at the last minute and that a new ending was worked out in the ring whilst the match was on. Whatever the real version is Wendi Richter lost the match at Madison Square Garden when small packaged by Moolah as Spiderlady and then never wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation again.

Above Photos: Wendi Richter

Whilst Wendi still had her fans post WWF she was never to gain the popularity again that she enjoyed in the WWF. Her manager Cyndi Lauper was at ringside for four televised WWF matches and was not around during the Spiderlady incident.

Some argue that without Cyndi, Wendi had already lost a great deal of popularity that she enjoyed during Wrestlemania. The first match that involved Cyndi Lauper was "The Brawl to Settle it All,"  on Mtv in June of 1984. In this particular segment Cyndi was invited onto the wrestling program, "The Piper's Pit" where "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was to interview her. When "Rowdy" Roddy interviewed her, Captain Lou Albano came out and they both began insulting her and women's lib in general. Lou Albano then claimed that he made Cyndi famous. Cyndi retorted by challenging him to find a female wrestler to wrestle a woman she would manage. Albano went to the WWF women's champion, The Fabulous Moolah, and Cyndi found a wrestler, Wendi Richter. Wendi wrestled Moolah and won the championship belt. Cyndi managed to even help out as she  jumped in and hit Moolah at one point in the match.

Above Photos: Wendi Richter

Further storylines in the women's division focused on Cyndi's fame again where at "War to Settle the Score" in February 1985 the Fabulous Moolah,  trained a new lady wrestler, Leilani Kai to wrestle Wendi the night of the big match between Hogan and Piper in Cyndi's honor. Cyndi escorted Richter to ringside as well as Moolah did with Kai.  When Wendi was looked like achieving the victory Moolah began attacking and choking Cyndi. The distraction for Wendi was enough for Leilani Kai to roll her up with a schoolboy for the three count. During Wrestlemania, Wendi Richter won her title back with Cyndi at ringside to once again do battle with Moolah. Cyndi then escorted Wendi once more to ringside but had to then watch from the back as Moolah had her banned from ringside. That was the last time Cyndi Lauper managed Wendi at ringside.

Above Photos: Wendi Richter, Cyndi and Wendi

After Wendi Richter left the WWF she went onto wrestle for the AWA, WWC, and the LPWA. Wendi also worked in Puerto Rico and was married for a period of time to Hugo Savinovich who worked for the WWE as a spanish commentator. When Wendi worked for LPWA she wrestled as a tag team wrestler partnering up with former WWF champion Rockin’ Robin in order to reignite the old WWF feud between Wendi and Leilani Kai as the pair challenged the WWF former tag team champions and current LPWA champions “The Glamour Girls” consisting of Judy Martin and Leilani Kai. Wendi only westled for a short period in the LPWA before leaving to become trained as a physical therapist.

Above Photo: Leilani puts the pressure on Wendi Richter

In 2005 Wendi Richter featured at "Wrestle Reunion" in an 8-woman tag team match that combined some of the 1980’s great women’s wrestlers and modern era indie girl wrestlers. The teams were Wendi Richter, Bambi, Malia Hosaka and Jenny Taylor versus Sensational Sherri Martel, Peggy Lee Leather, Kristy Vaine and Amber O’Neal.

LEILANI KAI

Information on Leilani Kai can be found in the Tag section under The Glamour Girls.

Above Photos: Leilani Kai

THE FABULOUS MOOLAH

Please refer to the Moolah Tribute page.

JUDY MARTIN

Information on Judy Martin can be found in the Tag section under The Glamour Girls.

Above Photos: Judy Martin

SENSATIONAL SHERRI / SHERRI MARTEL

Information on the above wrestler will be coming soon.

Please check back for future updates on female wrestlers in all the Hall of Fame Categories. If you would like to submit photos or information on this wrestler please contact Amy at amyaction@hotmail.com

Above Photo: Sherri Martel

ROCKIN' ROBIN

Information on the above wrestler will be coming soon.

Please check back for future updates on female wrestlers in all the Hall of Fame Categories. If you would like to submit photos or information on this wrestler please contact Amy at amyaction@hotmail.com

Above Photo: Rockin' Robin

DEBBIE COMBS

Information on the above wrestler will be coming soon.

Please check back for future updates on female wrestlers in all the Hall of Fame Categories. If you would like to submit photos or information on this wrestler please contact Amy at amyaction@hotmail.com

MISTY BLUE SIMMES

Information on the above wrestler will be coming soon.

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CANDI DIVINE

Information on the above wrestler will be coming soon.

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PEGGY LEE LEATHER / THUG

Information on the above wrestler will be coming soon. In the mentime you can find info on her in the WOW Promotion under the name Thug.

Please check back for future updates on female wrestlers in all the Hall of Fame Categories. If you would like to submit photos or information on this wrestler please contact Amy at amyaction@hotmail.com

For more information on Peggy Lee Leather refer to WOW promotion "Thug" found on this website.