One of the original diva gimmicks bestowed upon a female athlete was that of 'Sensational' Sherri Martel. Martel made her WWE debut in 1987, defeating 'The Fabulous' Moolah for the WWE Women's Championship. However when the WWE decided to phase out its women's division in 1990, Martel was to be given numerous gimmicks to aid her transition from competitor to managing male wrestlers. The most bizarre of the 'Sensational' Sherri gimmicks was to be revealed to the WWE fans during her management of Shawn Michaels. Martel, who was often known for being the tempestuous and hot headed 'Crazy Sherri', would develop a love struck persona infatuated with her 'Boy Toy' none other than her client, the 'Heartbreak Kid' himself. As part of the gimmick, Martel would carry a mirror to the ring for Michaels to check his own appearance during matches, she sang his entrance theme 'Sexy Boy' and allowed herself to be pushed onto the ring mat whilst looking up lustfully at a posing Michaels. The gimmick certainly did little to break down gender stereotypes and was memorable for the bizarre decision on the part of Pat Patterson to have Martel portray the gimmick by eradicating all trace of her own character as 'Sensational' Sherri. From wearing HBK themed garments to painting HBK logos onto her face, the HBK obsessed Martel was crude, cringe worthy and bizarre. Yet perhaps what was most bizarre about this gimmick was the decision on the part of the WWE to ever give it the green light in the first place!
