Ladies Professional Wrestling Association
Encyclopedia
The Ladies Professional Wrestling Association (LPWA) was an all-female wrestling promotion which operated in the early 1990s (ca. 1989–1992). It was considered a successor to such women's promotions as Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
(GLOW), but it differed in that, while GLOW slanted more toward WWF
-style sports entertainment
(with wrestling playing a secondary role to music video clips and comedy skits), the LPWA treated its product seriously and put its primary emphasis on in-ring athletics. Jim Cornette
was notable for being a color commentator as he always carried his infamous tennis racket with him.
member Noriyo Tateno
that he would give her a permanent job in the new company if she retired in Japan and moved to the United States. Berg, however, later backed out on the deal, and Sherri Martel
made the incident public.
The LPWA produced two television series, The Super Ladies of Wrestling and Ladies Championship Wrestling from 1990-1992. Many of their matches were also distributed and sold on VHS
tapes. They held their first and only pay-per-view, Super Ladies Showdown, on February 23, 1992 before closing down operations shortly after.
Berg planned on promoting a second Super Ladies pay-per-view event in 2000, but the event was canceled. The pay-per-view was scheduled to feature women from around the world, including American wrestlers Debbie Malenko, Sherri Martel
, Sweet Destiny and Missy Hyatt
; Japanese wrestlers Chikako Shiratori, AKINO, Chapparita Asari and Ayako Hamada
; and Australian wrestlers Amy Action, Raya Riot, and former LPWA Champion Susan Sexton
.
pay-per-view
from the LPWA. It took place on February 23, 1992 from the Mayo Civic Center
in Rochester, Minnesota
. It was the only PPV from the LPWA, which folded shortly after the event. The main event was a match for the LPWA Singles Championship, in which Terri Powers
defeated Lady X
to win the belt. The event also featured a tournament for the LPWA Japanese Championship. Harley Saito was victorious in the tournament final and became the first holder of the title.
title
created in early-1990.
title
created in 1992. The inaugural (and only) champion was Harley Saito, who won an eight-woman tournament held during the Super Ladies Showdown pay-per-view event.
tag team
title created in early-1990.
tag team
title recognized in early-mid 1990. In 1973, Adrian Street and Miss Linda
won the World Mixed Tag Team Championship by defeating Don Kovaks and Suzie Parker in Germany. Street and Linda were still undefeated as champions when they joined the LPWA in 1990 and continued to defend the championships in the promotion.
Managers
Announcers
Interviewer
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, also known as GLOW or G.L.O.W., was a professional wrestling promotion for women, begun in 1986 and continued in various forms after it left television. Colorful characters, beautiful women, and over-the-top comedy sketches were integral to the series' success...
(GLOW), but it differed in that, while GLOW slanted more toward WWF
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
-style sports entertainment
Sports entertainment
Sports entertainment is a type of spectacle which presents an ostensibly competitive event using a high level of theatrical flourish and extravagant presentation, with the purpose of entertaining an audience...
(with wrestling playing a secondary role to music video clips and comedy skits), the LPWA treated its product seriously and put its primary emphasis on in-ring athletics. Jim Cornette
Jim Cornette
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
was notable for being a color commentator as he always carried his infamous tennis racket with him.
History
Thurston John "Tor" Berg (1938-2011) founded the company ca. 1989. An incident occurred in March 1991, where Berg promised Jumping Bomb AngelsJumping Bomb Angels
Jumping Bomb Angels were a female Japanese professional wrestling tag team. The members were Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki .-Japan:...
member Noriyo Tateno
Noriyo Tateno
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler who is best known as one half of the tag team Jumping Bomb Angels with Itsuki Yamazaki...
that he would give her a permanent job in the new company if she retired in Japan and moved to the United States. Berg, however, later backed out on the deal, and Sherri Martel
Sherri Martel
Sherri Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri....
made the incident public.
The LPWA produced two television series, The Super Ladies of Wrestling and Ladies Championship Wrestling from 1990-1992. Many of their matches were also distributed and sold on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
tapes. They held their first and only pay-per-view, Super Ladies Showdown, on February 23, 1992 before closing down operations shortly after.
Berg planned on promoting a second Super Ladies pay-per-view event in 2000, but the event was canceled. The pay-per-view was scheduled to feature women from around the world, including American wrestlers Debbie Malenko, Sherri Martel
Sherri Martel
Sherri Schrull was an American professional wrestler and manager, better known by her ring names, Sherri Martel and Sensational Sherri....
, Sweet Destiny and Missy Hyatt
Missy Hyatt
Melissa Ann Hiatt is an American professional wrestling valet, better known by her ring name, Missy Hyatt. She gained the majority of her fame while working for World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling....
; Japanese wrestlers Chikako Shiratori, AKINO, Chapparita Asari and Ayako Hamada
Ayako Hamada
is a female professional wrestler of mixed Japanese and Mexican descent, who is currently wrestling most notably for Pro Wrestling WAVE in Japan and Shimmer Women Athletes in the United States, where she is a co-holder of the Shimmer Tag Team Championship.She is best known for winning several...
; and Australian wrestlers Amy Action, Raya Riot, and former LPWA 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:...
.
Super Ladies Showdown
LPWA Super Ladies Showdown was a professional wrestlingProfessional 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...
pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
from the LPWA. It took place on February 23, 1992 from the Mayo Civic Center
Mayo Civic Center
The Mayo Civic Center - named for William Worrall Mayo - is a multi-purpose event facility in Rochester, Minnesota.It consists of: Taylor Arena used for wrestling and basketball, The Auditorium used for performing arts and an Exhibit Hall.The Center was started in 1938 and has been expanded and...
in Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
. It was the only PPV from the LPWA, which folded shortly after the event. The main event was a match for the LPWA Singles Championship, in which Terri Powers
Terri Poch
Terri Poch is an American bodybuilder and former professional wrestler, best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as Tori...
defeated Lady X
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...
to win the belt. The event also featured a tournament for the LPWA Japanese Championship. Harley Saito was victorious in the tournament final and became the first holder of the title.
Results
| # | Results | Stipulations | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denise Storm defeated Susan Green Sue Green Susan Tex Green is an American professional wrestler. She began wrestling at the age of 15 and was trained by The Fabulous Moolah. She was the frequent tag team partner of Sandy Parker, with whom she won the National Wrestling Alliance 's NWA Women's World Tag Team Championship. The title reign,... |
LPWA Japanese Championship Tournament First Round match | 06:02 |
| 2 | Reggie Bennett Reggie Bennett Reggie Bennett is an American former professional wrestler. She is best known for her work in joshi puroresu organizations such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:... defeated Yukari Osawa |
LPWA Japanese Championship Tournament First Round match | 06:19 |
| 3 | Eagle Sawai defeated Midori Saito | LPWA Japanese Championship Tournament First Round match | 05:43 |
| 4 | Harley Saito defeated Mizuki Endoh | LPWA Japanese Championship Tournament First Round match | 07:06 |
| 5 | Miki Handa and Mami Kitamura defeated Allison Royal and Lisa Starr | Tag Team match | 03:46 |
| 6 | Shinobu Kandori Shinobu Kandori is a retired Japanese wrestler and now politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet... defeated Desiree Petersen Desiree Petersen Desiree Petersen is a professional wrestler. She was born in Copenhagen, Denmark and once held the WWF Women's Tag Team Championship.-Wrestling career:... |
Singles match | 04:31 |
| 7 | Denise Storm defeated Reggie Bennett Reggie Bennett Reggie Bennett is an American former professional wrestler. She is best known for her work in joshi puroresu organizations such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling.-Professional wrestling career:... by disqualification. |
LPWA Japanese Championship Tournament Semi-Final match | 08:27 |
| 8 | Harley Saito defeated Eagle Sawai by points. | LPWA Japanese Championship Tournament Semi-Final match | 10:00 |
| 9 | Black Venus defeated Rockin' Robin Robin Smith (wrestler) Robin Denise Smith , better known by her ring name Rockin' Robin, is a retired American professional wrestler. As the daughter of Aurelian "Grizzly" Smith, she is a second generation wrestler. Her brother Sam Houston and half-brother Jake "The Snake" Roberts are also wrestlers. Smith worked for the... |
Singles match | 05:39 |
| 10 | 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... (c) defeated 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... 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... |
Tag Team match for the LPWA Tag Team Championship | 08:47 |
| 11 | Harley Saito defeated Denise Storm | Tournament Final match for the LPWA Japanese Championship | 08:07 |
| 12 | Terri Power Terri Poch Terri Poch is an American bodybuilder and former professional wrestler, best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as Tori... defeated Lady X 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... (c) |
Singles match for the LPWA Championship | 08:36 |
LPWA Championship
The LPWA Championship was a professional wrestlingProfessional 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...
title
Championship (professional wrestling)
A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...
created in early-1990.
| Wrestlers: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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:... |
1 | January 1990 | ||
| Lady X 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... |
1 | January 31, 1991 | Laughlin, NV Laughlin, Nevada Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the... |
|
| Terri Power Terri Poch Terri Poch is an American bodybuilder and former professional wrestler, best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as Tori... |
1 | February 23, 1992 | Rochester, MN Rochester, Minnesota Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the... |
|
| |
||||
LPWA Japanese Championship
The LPWA Japanese Championship was a professional wrestlingProfessional 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...
title
Championship (professional wrestling)
A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...
created in 1992. The inaugural (and only) champion was Harley Saito, who won an eight-woman tournament held during the Super Ladies Showdown pay-per-view event.
| Wrestlers: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Saito | 1 | February 23, 1992 | Rochester, MN Rochester, Minnesota Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the... |
|
| |
||||
LPWA Tag Team Championship
The LPWA Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestlingProfessional 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...
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...
title created in early-1990.
| Wrestlers: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team America |
1 | March 13, 1990 | Laughlin, NV Laughlin, Nevada Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the... |
. |
| The Glamour Girls The Glamour Girls The Glamour Girls were a female professional wrestling tag team. The members were Judy Martin and Leilani Kai-Early career and training:Leilani Kai was trained by The Fabulous Moolah in 1975 right after she finished high school at Lillian Ellison School of Professional Wrestling... |
1 | February 28, 1991 | Laughlin, NV | |
| |
||||
LPWA Mixed Tag Team Championship
The LPWA Tag Team Championship was an existing professional wrestlingProfessional 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...
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...
title recognized in early-mid 1990. In 1973, Adrian Street and Miss Linda
Adrian Street
Adrian Street is a Welsh professional wrestler known for his flamboyant, androgynous wrestling persona, brought to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. Street was often accompanied to the ring by his long-time manager Miss Linda, and the two worked primarily as villains...
won the World Mixed Tag Team Championship by defeating Don Kovaks and Suzie Parker in Germany. Street and Linda were still undefeated as champions when they joined the LPWA in 1990 and continued to defend the championships in the promotion.
| Wrestlers: | Times: | Date: | Location: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Street and Miss Linda Adrian Street Adrian Street is a Welsh professional wrestler known for his flamboyant, androgynous wrestling persona, brought to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. Street was often accompanied to the ring by his long-time manager Miss Linda, and the two worked primarily as villains... |
1 | January 1990 | ||
| |
||||
Male wrestlers
- Adrian StreetAdrian StreetAdrian Street is a Welsh professional wrestler known for his flamboyant, androgynous wrestling persona, brought to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. Street was often accompanied to the ring by his long-time manager Miss Linda, and the two worked primarily as villains...
- Barry HorowitzBarry HorowitzBarry Horowitz is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation.-Career:Horowitz, who is Jewish, attended Florida State University, where he studied sports nutrition and wrestled...
- Tim HornerTim HornerTim Horner is a professional wrestler best known for his "Lightning Express" tag team with Brad Armstrong.-Career:Tim Horner started wrestling in 1982 in the Alabama territory. He formed a tag team called the "Lightning Express" with Brad Armstrong and they had a lot of success. They won the...
Tag Teams
- Bambi and Malia Hosaka
- Bad Black and Beautiful
- The Glamour Girls (The Queen's Court)The Glamour GirlsThe Glamour Girls were a female professional wrestling tag team. The members were Judy Martin and Leilani Kai-Early career and training:Leilani Kai was trained by The Fabulous Moolah in 1975 right after she finished high school at Lillian Ellison School of Professional Wrestling...
- Locomotion
- The Mighty Mites
- The Nasty Girls
- New Team America
- Rockin' Robin and Wendi Richter
- Team America
Mixed Tag Teams
- Adnan Al-Kaissie and Sheba
- Adrian Street and Miss Linda
- Barry Horowitz and Lisa Starr
- Tim Horner and Malia Hosaka
Other on-air talent
Commissioner- Wally KarboWally KarboWalter J. Karbo was an American wrestling promoter, and co-founder of the American Wrestling Association with Verne Gagne...
Managers
- Adnan Al-KaissieAdnan Al-KaissieAdnan Bin Abdulkareem Ahmed Alkaissy El Farthie , better known professionally as Adnan Al-Kaissie, is a former iraqi professional wrestler and a manager best known as Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissy, Billy White Wolf, or General Adnan...
- Ashley Kennedy
- Boogaloo Brown
- Jonathan Blue
- NormanMike ShawMike Shaw was a professional wrestler who was best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling as Norman The Lunatic, and as Bastion Booger in the World Wrestling Federation...
- "Queen" Christopher Love
Announcers
- Jim CornetteJim CornetteJames Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker. As a manager, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling...
- Joe PedicinoJoe PedicinoJoe Pedicino is a retired American professional wrestling announcer, commentator, promoter, television and radio producer...
- Ken Resnik
- Nick BockwinkelNick BockwinkelNicholas Warren Francis "Nick" Bockwinkel is a retired American professional wrestler. He mainly competed in the American Wrestling Association in the United States...
- Sgt. SlaughterSgt. SlaughterRobert Remus , better known by his ring name Sgt. Slaughter, is an American former WWE personality and semi-retired professional wrestler. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Slaughter had success in the National Wrestling Alliance, American Wrestling Association, and World Wrestling...
Interviewer
- Boni BlackstoneBoni BlackstoneBonnie "Boni" Blackstone is a retired American professional wrestling announcer, commentator, model, television and radio producer. She was a popular on-air personality in regional territories of the Southern United States during the 1980s, as part of the announcing team in the Global Wrestling...
Further reading
- Galloway, Paul. "Sexy Sindy's Unlikely Hold on Female Wrestlingdom". Washington Post. 6 May 1990
- Rowh, Mark and William Ray Heitzmann. Careers for Sports Nuts & Other Athletic Types. Chicago: McGraw-Hill Professional, 1997. ISBN 0-8442-4325-6