No, this is not in reference to Moolah's historic 28-year run with the Women's Championship. Instead, this is in relation to her return to the squared circle in 1999 and her rivalry with Ivory over the title. Having returned to WWE programming just prior to the new Millennium, Moolah and Mae Young found themselves embroiled in a rivalry with the disrespectful loudmouth Ivory, who openly mocked the legendary competitor's age and the fact that they thought they belonged in the ring at that point in their lives. In response, Moolah and Mae would punish the Women's Champion with brutal forearms and even humiliate her by winning a two-on-one handicap Evening Gown match. The greatest blow dealt to Ivory's ego came at No Mercy that October. In a one-on-one bout, Moolah did the unthinkable, defeating her more youthful opponent and winning the championship for the first time in 14 years. It was a win few could have predicted and one that popped the fans in Cleveland. Unfortunately, as popular as the upset may have been, it severely diminished the credibility of the championship itself. Here was Ivory, a quality heel, doing her best as champion. She was running with the title, establishing herself as the centrepiece of the division. Then, for some reason, management got the idea in their head to beat her for no reason other than the novelty of an elderly (albeit double tough) woman carrying the gold. It was a stupid decision that threatened to derail the momentum Ivory had built for herself and all the work she had done to repair a damaged Divas division.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
