10 Biggest Wrestling Scandals Of The 1980s
9. The Original Screwjob
A major selling point of the first WrestleMania was Wendi Richter. With Cyndi Lauper in her corner, Richter defeated Lelani Kai to capture the Women's Championship. However, the way she lost the title was far less dignified.
Richter had reigned for about eight months before the plug was pulled. At a Madison Square Garden show in November 1985, Richter defended her belt against a masked woman called ‘The Spider’. The plan was for the champion to retain, but that’s not how things went down. Despite Richter kicking out at one, the referee counted a shoot pinfall for The Spider, leaving the crowd and the now-former champion stunned.
The story goes that Richter was refusing to sign a new contract, although she disputes this. Whatever the reason, Vince McMahon wanted the belt off her by any means necessary. The Spider - who was actually the Fabulous Moolah in disguise - was the new champion and Richter was furious. She stormed out of the arena still in her gear and wouldn’t be seen in WWE again until her Hall of Fame induction in 2010.
12 years later, the word ‘Screwjob’ would rear its head in WWE all over again.