History Wrestling / SherriMartel

* MoreDeadlyThanTheMale: Purely through being a divorced mom who stripped to make end's meet and who climbed her way through a crazy-tough old school system, it’s safe to say that back in the day, Martel was a bad-arse who could legitimately handle herself.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher [[Characters/WWEDivas The Fabulous Moolah]]. Outside of the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which ignited her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. Their promos together were so popular (and [[LaughablyEvil deranged]]) that it led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and {{Wrestling/Tatanka}} further down the line.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher [[Characters/WWEDivas The Fabulous Moolah]]. Outside of the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. Their promos together were so popular (and [[LaughablyEvil deranged]]) that it led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and {{Wrestling/Tatanka}} further down the line.

* TheArtifact: Of the AWA and WWF's womens wrestling divisions. At the time she beat Moolah, was still the AWA Women's champion, making her the first wrestler (man or woman) to hold two main titles from two major companies simultaneously.

* AbortedArc: The first aired match between Wrestling/LunaVachon vs. Sensational Sherri ended when Luna beat her. ''[=SummerSlam=]'' was right around the corner, and a Mix Tag team match between Tatanka w/Sensational Sherri vs Wrestling/BamBamBigelow w/Luna Vachon was due for the PPV; however, with Luna's arm injury and Sherri's release from the WWF (with Luna soon to follow), the blowoff was nixed. WWF published a statement in the magazine stating that Sherri left the WWF to go back to school, but in reality she was fired for failing a drug test.

* AbortedArc: The first aired match between Wrestling/LunaVachon vs. Sensational Sherri ended when Luna beat her. ''[=SummerSlam=]'' was right around the corner, and a Mix Tag team match between Tatanka w/Sensational Sherri vs Wrestling/BamBamBigelow w/Luna Vachon was due for the PPV; however with the Luna Vachon arm injury and Sherri's release from the WWF (with Luna soon to follow), the Match was nixed. WWF published a statement in the magazine stating that Sherri left the WWF to go back to school, but in reality she was fired for failing a drug test.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher [[Characters/WWEDivas The Fabulous Moolah]]. At the time she was still the AWA Women's champion, making her the first wrestler (man or woman) to hold two main titles from two major companies simultaneously. Outside of the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. Their promos together were so popular (and [[LaughablyEvil deranged]]) that it led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and {{Wrestling/Tatanka}} further down the line.

* {{Archenemy}}: {{Wrestling/Madusa}}, Wrestling/LunaVachon, [[Wrestling/DustyRhodes Sapphire]] ("You '''''COMMON''''' woman!!") and especially Miss Elizabeth.

* TheBaroness: To [[Wrestling/JakeRoberts Jake “The Snake” Roberts]], “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Shane Douglas, Shawn Michaels, Ted Dibiase, Wrestling/TerryFunk....hang on, who ''didn't'' she manage? When not busy with her marathon posing sessions or vamping all over the place (type 1), she fit this to a tee. Michaels even said that if his opponents wouldn't sell for him, she'd '''[[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend make]]''' them sell. (type 2)

** At ''[=SummerSlam=] '89'', Sherri was atomic dropped by the Hulkster and then knocked out by her own purse by Miss Elizabeth!

'''[[WebVideo/OSWReview Jay Hunter]]''': Maybe she believes she can change him.

** Her elopement with Colonel Parker was cut short when Madusa emerged and put Sherri through a table -- which was also the one holding the hors-d'oeuvres.

* TheBaroness: To Jake “The Snake” Roberts, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Shane Douglas, Shawn Michaels, Ted Dibiase, Terry Funk....hang on, who ''didn't'' she manage? When not busy with her marathon posing sessions or vamping all over the place (type 1), she fit this to a tee. Michaels even said that if his opponents wouldn't sell for him, she'd '''[[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend make]]''' them sell. (type 2)

* {{Archenemy}}: Madusa, Luna Vachon, Sapphire ("You '''''COMMON''''' woman!!") and especially Miss Elizabeth.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher [[Characters/WWEDivas The Fabulous Moolah]]. At the time she was still the AWA Women's champion, making her the first wrestler (man or woman) to hold two major titles from two major companies at the same time. Outside of the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. Their promos together were so popular (and [[LaughablyEvil deranged]]) that it led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and {{Wrestling/Tatanka}} further down the line.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher [[Characters/WWEDivas The Fabulous Moolah]]. Outside the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. Their promos together were so popular (and [[LaughablyEvil deranged]]) that it led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and {{Wrestling/Tatanka}} further down the line.

* UnholyMatrimony: Had this effect on heels, even the moribund Paul Bearer ("That's [[HelloNurse more animated]] than I've ever seen him; he's ''almost'' alive"). One man who wasn't buying was Andre: Sherri was among the top managers who competed for his attention in a hotel bar, only to be shoved out of the way. She received a spanking from the giant, because Sherri hadn't met her [[MaleGaze upskirt quota]] for the week.

* MeanCharacterNiceActor: In a business filled with backstabbing, feuds, and innuendos, nobody has a cross word to say about the woman. As mentioned in a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4PPB1uQhak shoot]] interview, she made it a policy to phone the wives/girlfriends of men she worked with and clear her risque in-ring behavior with them.

* SlutShaming: In an era where Divas didn't show any skin, Sherri was a mom-approved heel. She was always shown to be an ashen hag, with Vince and the other face commentators acting disgusted by everything she did -- though some innuendo did [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar squeeze through the filter]]. Gorilla Monsoon inferred that Sherri had a filthy mouth in more ways than one (she passed around a lot of spit in the early nineties). By 1991, the pretense was beginning to break down somewhat: The costumes got skimpier (culminating in white, assless chaps at a London event), and the cameraman's ogling was a lot more obvious.

By this point Sherri had developed a dependence on painkillers which got her booted from the company. She spent the rest of the nineties kicking around {{Wrestling/SMW}}, {{Wrestling/WCW}}, and {{Wrestling/ECW}} (rebranded '''"Sensuous" Sherri''' and '''Sister Sherri''') as both a wrestler and manager. By 2000 she had relapsed and she was reluctantly let go from WCW.

* SlutShaming: In an era where Divas didn't show any skin, Sherri was a mom-approved heel. She was always shown to be hag, with Vince and the other face commentators acting disgusted by everything she did -- though some innuendo did [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar squeeze through the filter]]. Gorilla Monsoon inferred that Sherri had a filthy mouth in more ways than one (she passed around a lot of spit in the early nineties). By 1991, the pretense was beginning to break down somewhat: The costumes got skimpier (culminating in white, assless chaps at a London event), and the cameraman's ogling was a lot more obvious.

* YouHaveFailedMe: Something of a fair-weather manager, she was unforgiving toward Macho after his loss to Warrior. Rather than come to his aid, she kicked him repeatedly (he'd [[ItsAllAboutMe cost Sherri her "crown"]], you see.) until Elizabeth dove in and [[DynamicEntry walloped her]] out of the ring. Later in the show, [=DiBase=]'s butler Virgil finally had enough of his boss' ill-treatment. Their fight spilled out into the apron and knocked over a one-legged Piper, still recovering from a knee injury. Incensed, Piper jumped in to assist[!], but ''double swerve:'' Sherri rematerialized and grabbed Piper's crutch in mid-swing, sealing his fate. In effect, [=DiBiase=] lost a heel bodyguard and gained a new one.

* SlutShaming: In an era where Divas didn't show any skin, Sherri was a mom-approved heel. She was always treated as a harlot, while Vince and company acted disgusted with everything she did -- though some innuendo did [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar squeeze through the filter]]. Gorilla Monsoon inferred that Sherri had a filthy mouth in more ways than one (she passed around a lot of spit in the early nineties). By 1991, the pretense was beginning to break down somewhat: The costumes got skimpier (culminating in white, assless chaps at a London event), and the cameraman's ogling was a lot more obvious.

* AwesomeMomentOfCrowning: A lengthy coronation of Macho King, along with his squeeze. Also, she wore a tiara when she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.

'''''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgtOvcZ9Qo8 OHHHH! OHHHH! SHAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWN!!]]'''''

* MetalScream: The prelude to "Sexy Boy". I'll have what [[TheImmodestOrgamsm she's]] having indeed.

->''"A woman's work is never done."''

* DoItYourselfThemeTune: Helped Shawn compose his own theme, "Sexy Boy", and also sang a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgtOvcZ9Qo8 solo version]] which can peel the paint off walls.

* FacialMarkings: Sported some distinctive facial markings in her career, including her initials (SS), full cat makeup, a dollar sign (for Ted), and a heart (for AAAH OOOH SHAAAAAAAAWN).

-->'''V1:''' That's not very clever. Um... his name is the [[AC:H]]eart [[AC:B]]reak [[AC:K]]id. It's not gonna end well for ya, Sherri! At all!\\
'''[[WebVideo/OSWReview Jay Hunter]]''': Maybe she believes she can change him.

* IronButtMonkey: Getting piledrived by Shane Douglas, for a start.
** At ''[=SummerSlam=]'' '92, the Michaels-Martel card turned farcial when Sherri pretended to faint to stop the match. This had the opposite effect, as both wrestlers wanted to carry her backstage and started to bicker again. Shawn and Rick kept slugging and bowling each other over, with [[ComicallyIneptHealing no regard for Sherri's safety]] as her limp form hit the ground multiple times.

* MetalScream: '''''OHHHH! OHHHH! SHAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWN!!'''''

* MrsRobinson: By 1993, her persona was fixed: a sugar momma who scours the "world" looking for boys to groom for the title. The age gap was most apparent with Shawn Michaels and, briefly, Bobby Roode (who wasted no time asking her to dinner). She was a decade older than both.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher Moolah. Outside the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. Their promos together were so popular (and [[LaughablyEvil deranged]]) that it led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and {{Wrestling/Tatanka}} further down the line.

** TheChiefsDaughter: While managing [[AbsoluteCleavage Titanka]]--er, Tatanka.

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher Moolah. Outside the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. The popularity of their promos led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and Tatanka further down the line.

** JunglePrincess: While managing [[AbsoluteCleavage Titanka]]--er, Tatanka.

* ActionDressRip: A few of them, like "Queen" Sherri's diamond-encrusted showgirl skirt, could tear off as needed.

By this point Sherri had developed a dependence on painkillers which got her booted from the company. She spent the rest of the nineties kicking around {{Wrestling/SMW}} and {{Wrestling/ECW}} (rebranded '''"Sensuous" Sherri''' and '''Sister Sherri''') as both a wrestler and manager. By 2000 she had relapsed and she was reluctantly let go from WCW.

After returning to the independents, she did a cameo on WWE during the buildup to ''Wrestling/{{WrestleMania}} 21'', reprising her famous character alongside Wrestling/KurtAngle. Ted Dibiase inducted her into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006, the second woman to be receive the honor. She made her last television appearance later that year on ''[[{{Wrestling/TNA}} TNA Impact!]]'', working her predatory wiles on Wrestling/BobbyRoode. She died a year later of a prescription drug overdose.

'''Sherri Schrull née Russell''' (1958-2009), known to us as the '''"Sensational" Sherri Martel''', was an American [[ProfessionalWrestling professional wrestler]], valet, and manager best known for her work in {{Wrestling/WWE}} during the late-80's and early 90's. The list of Sherri Martel's clients is a veritable Who's Who of wrestling royalty, including [[Wrestling/RandySavage "Macho Man" Randy Savage]], [[Wrestling/TedDiBiase "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase]], [[Wrestling/ShawnMichaels "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels]], [[Wrestling/RicFlair "Nature Boy" Ric Flair]], and [[Wrestling/BookerT Harlem Heat]].

Beginning her career in Japan, Sherri returned to the United States and joined the [[Wrestling/AmericanWrestlingAssociation AWA]], where she gained notoriety as a conceited rule-breaker who would do anything to win a match -- the shape of things to come. As a manager, Sherri also established herself as someone was not afraid to beat seven shades of crap out of male opponents in the ring. She won the AWA World Women's Championship 3 times while with the company.

'''Sherri Schrull née Russell''' (1958-2009), known to us as the '''"Sensational" Sherri Martel''', was an American [[ProfessionalWrestling professional wrestler]] and manager best known for her work in {{Wrestling/WWE}} during the late-80's and early 90's. The list of Sherri Martel's clients is a veritable Who's Who of wrestling royalty, including [[Wrestling/RandySavage "Macho Man" Randy Savage]], [[Wrestling/TedDiBiase "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase]], [[Wrestling/ShawnMichaels "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels]], and [[Wrestling/BookerT Harlem Heat]].

In '87, Wrestling/JesseVentura referred her to WWF boss Wrestling/VinceMcMahon, and Martel wound up winning the WWF women's title from her old teacher Moolah. Outside the women's division, she played a dual role as the Wrestling/HonkyTonkMan's girlfriend '''Peggy Sue''', which kicked off her blood feud with Wrestling/MissElizabeth. This angle uncorked a hidden talent, one that would keep allow her to stay in the wrestling business long past her time: When the WWF phased out women's wrestling in '89, Sherri got promoted to Macho Man's manager during his heel run. The popularity of their promos led to other partnerships with Ted Dibiase, Shawn Michaels/Marty Jannetty, and Tatanka further down the line.