Joyce Grable
Encyclopedia
Betty Wade-Murphy is a American former professional wrestler
better known by her ring name Joyce Grable. She was the long-term tag team
partner of Wendi Richter
. She held the NWA United States Women's Championship
once and the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
four times—twice with Richter and twice with her other tag team partner Vicki Williams
.
"Joyce Grable". Fowler was active from 1963–1974 and then retired from professional wrestling to focus on her family. In the early 1970s, Betty Wade-Murphy was trained by professional wrestler Judy Grable
(who was her childhood idol) to become a female wrestler. Upon her professional debut, she was given the ring name "Joyce Grable" both as a tribute to her idol and trainer, Judy Grable, and because Fabulous Moolah felt she bared a strong physical resemblance to the original Joyce Grable (portrayed by Fowler).
won the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
from Donna Christanello
and Toni Rose
on October 15, 1973 in New York
. It was not until October 1975 that Rose and Christanello regained the title from Grable and Williams.
In 1978 at Superbowl of Wrestling II, she defeated seven other wrestlers in an eight-woman battle royal
. Later that year, she defeated Ann Casey
to win the NWA United States Women's Championship
. In 1979, she helped train Judy Martin
. In August 1979, the team of Grable and Williams defeated The Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai
and Martin) to begin their second reign as NWA Women's Tag Champions. During the time period from 1973–1983, Grable frequently competed in the World Wrestling Federation, often in singles matches against WWF Women's Champion
Fabulous Moolah and in tag team matches with Williams.
In 1982, Wendi Richter
became her tag team
partner after Grable trained her for six months in Atlanta, Georgia
. She wrestled in a series of matches in Stampede Wrestling
with partner Richter against Velvet McIntyre and Judy Martin. The teams continued their rivalry into April 1983 in Verne Gagne
's American Wrestling Alliance. In May 1983, she returned to Stampede Wrestling, where she once again teamed with Richter against McIntyre and Penny Mitchell.
In 1986, Grable participated in a 10-woman battle royal at the American Wrestling Association
's WrestleRock 86
event, losing to Sherri Martel
. She continued to appear sporadically on the independent circuit and competed in the Delta Tiger Lilies promotion in 1988.
managing Sherri Martel, Peggy Lee Leather
, Krissy Vaine, and Amber O'Neal
in an eight-woman tag team match against Wendi Richter, Bambi
, Malia Hosaka
, and Jenny Taylor. Grable continues to make appearances at wrestling reunions and conventions, as well as occasional independent shows. Grable appeared at a Magnificent Ladies Wrestling event on April 30, 2011, where she managed Melanie Cruise in a match against "Pryme Tyme" Amy Lee, and also managed Million Dollar Baby in a street fight against Robbie Rage. On May 20, 2011, she (along with several other retired professional wrestlers) was a guest at a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
live event in Amsterdam, New York.
. Grable had one biological son, Derek Murphy and a step daughter, Melissa Wade and stepson, Richard Wade from her second husband, Richard Wade's, first marriage. She worked as a trainer at the women's wrestling training facility ran by Fabulous Moolah and was responsible for training several notable female wrestlers, including Wendi Richter and Sherri Martel. After retiring from wrestling, Grable worked as a receptionist at a center for mentally and physically handicapped persons.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
better known by her ring name Joyce Grable. She was the long-term tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
partner of Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter is a retired American professional wrestler. She began her professional wrestling career in companies such as the National Wrestling Alliance, where she teamed with Joyce Grable, with whom she held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice. In the 1980s, she joined the World...
. She held the 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:...
once and the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
The NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship was a women's professional wrestling tag team title sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance from the early 1950s through 1983...
four times—twice with Richter and twice with her other tag team partner Vicki Williams
Vicki Williams
Vicki Williams is a retired female professional wrestler. She held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice with Joyce Grable.-Professional wrestling career:...
.
Training
Joyce Fowler (who also competed as Joyce Becker) was the first female wrestler to use the ring nameRing name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
"Joyce Grable". Fowler was active from 1963–1974 and then retired from professional wrestling to focus on her family. In the early 1970s, Betty Wade-Murphy was trained by professional wrestler Judy Grable
Judy Grable
Nellya Baughman was an American professional wrestler who was best known by her ring name Judy Grable. She was an active wrestler during the 1950s and 1960s...
(who was her childhood idol) to become a female wrestler. Upon her professional debut, she was given the ring name "Joyce Grable" both as a tribute to her idol and trainer, Judy Grable, and because Fabulous Moolah felt she bared a strong physical resemblance to the original Joyce Grable (portrayed by Fowler).
National Wrestling Alliance
The team of Grable and Vicki WilliamsVicki Williams
Vicki Williams is a retired female professional wrestler. She held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice with Joyce Grable.-Professional wrestling career:...
won the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship
The NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship was a women's professional wrestling tag team title sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance from the early 1950s through 1983...
from Donna Christanello
Donna Christanello
Mary Alfonsi , better known by her ring name Donna Christanello , was a professional wrestler trained by The Fabulous Moolah...
and Toni Rose
Toni Rose
-Professional wrestling career:Rose grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She decided to become a professional wrestler at the age of seven, but first attended high school and college. She trained under The Fabulous Moolah in 1965...
on October 15, 1973 in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It was not until October 1975 that Rose and Christanello regained the title from Grable and Williams.
In 1978 at Superbowl of Wrestling II, she defeated seven other wrestlers in an eight-woman battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
. Later that year, she defeated Ann Casey
Ann Casey
Lucille Ann Casey , better known by her ring name Ann Casey, is a retired American professional wrestler.-Professional wrestling career:...
to win the 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:...
. In 1979, she helped train 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...
. In August 1979, the team of Grable and Williams defeated The Glamour Girls (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 Martin) to begin their second reign as NWA Women's Tag Champions. During the time period from 1973–1983, Grable frequently competed in the World Wrestling Federation, often in singles matches against WWF Women's Champion
WWE Women's Championship
The WWE Women's Championship was a professional wrestling championship in the World Wrestling Entertainment promotion. Created in 1956, it was the oldest active professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment history until its retirement in 2010 as a result from a unification...
Fabulous Moolah and in tag team matches with Williams.
In 1982, Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter is a retired American professional wrestler. She began her professional wrestling career in companies such as the National Wrestling Alliance, where she teamed with Joyce Grable, with whom she held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice. In the 1980s, she joined the World...
became her tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
partner after Grable trained her for six months in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. She wrestled in a series of matches in Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
with partner Richter against Velvet McIntyre and Judy Martin. The teams continued their rivalry into April 1983 in Verne Gagne
Verne Gagne
Laverne Clarence "Verne" Gagne , is a retired American professional wrestler, football player, and professional wrestling trainer and promoter. He was the former owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association , based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was the predominant promotion throughout...
's American Wrestling Alliance. In May 1983, she returned to Stampede Wrestling, where she once again teamed with Richter against McIntyre and Penny Mitchell.
In 1986, Grable participated in a 10-woman battle royal at the American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
's WrestleRock 86
WrestleRock 86
-WrestleRock:The event was held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 20, 1986. The card was heavily promoted for months during weekly television programming...
event, losing to Sherri Martel
Sherri Martel
Sherri Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri....
. She continued to appear sporadically on the independent circuit and competed in the Delta Tiger Lilies promotion in 1988.
Retirement
She retired in 1991 and had back surgery. On January 29, 2005, Grable appeared at WrestleReunionWrestleReunion
WrestleReunion is the premier professional wrestling and fan convention, founded by Sal Corrente in 2005.-WrestleReunion 1:...
managing Sherri Martel, 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...
, Krissy Vaine, and Amber O'Neal
Amber O'Neal
Kimberly Dawn Davis is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Amber O'Neal.-Early career :...
in an eight-woman tag team match against Wendi Richter, 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...
, 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...
, and Jenny Taylor. Grable continues to make appearances at wrestling reunions and conventions, as well as occasional independent shows. Grable appeared at a Magnificent Ladies Wrestling event on April 30, 2011, where she managed Melanie Cruise in a match against "Pryme Tyme" Amy Lee, and also managed Million Dollar Baby in a street fight against Robbie Rage. On May 20, 2011, she (along with several other retired professional wrestlers) was a guest at a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
live event in Amsterdam, New York.
Personal life
Grable was originally from Columbus, GeorgiaColumbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
. Grable had one biological son, Derek Murphy and a step daughter, Melissa Wade and stepson, Richard Wade from her second husband, Richard Wade's, first marriage. She worked as a trainer at the women's wrestling training facility ran by Fabulous Moolah and was responsible for training several notable female wrestlers, including Wendi Richter and Sherri Martel. After retiring from wrestling, Grable worked as a receptionist at a center for mentally and physically handicapped persons.
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley ClubCauliflower Alley ClubThe Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
- Women's Wrestling Award (2010)
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe 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...
- NWA United States Women's ChampionshipNWA United States Women's ChampionshipThe NWA United States Women's Championship was a sporadically used title in the National Wrestling Alliance from 1968 until 1987.-Title history:...
(1 time) - NWA Women's World Tag Team ChampionshipNWA Women's World Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship was a women's professional wrestling tag team title sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance from the early 1950s through 1983...
(4 times) - with Vicki WilliamsVicki WilliamsVicki Williams is a retired female professional wrestler. She held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice with Joyce Grable.-Professional wrestling career:...
(2) and Wendi RichterWendi RichterWendi Richter is a retired American professional wrestler. She began her professional wrestling career in companies such as the National Wrestling Alliance, where she teamed with Joyce Grable, with whom she held the NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship twice. In the 1980s, she joined the World...
(2)
- NWA United States Women's Championship
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI Girl Wrestler of the Year (1973)
External links
- Joyce Grable at Online World of Wrestling