RIP: The Fabulous Moolah

I was never much of a fan of women's wrestling. Even when I was a kid and lived and breathed pro wrestling, I didn't care about the women mixing it up in the ring. Of course back then we didn't have the divas or the bathing suit matches, etc. Still, the one woman wrestler that I did know was the Fabulous Moolah. It amazed me that despite the country being broken up into territories, with each having their own champion, Moolah was recognized as the Women's Champion everywhere.

Mary Lillian Ellison aka The Fabulous Moolah was born in 1923 — the youngest and only girl of 13 children. Her mother died of cancer when she was just 8. Mary attended weekly pro wrestling cards with her dad and perhaps that's where he love of the sport began.

Moolah was the Women's World Champion from from 1956 to 1984. Then from 1985 - 1987. In 1999, at age 76, she won the title for a final time.

To be honest, I really didn't like most of the angles that the WWE used with Moolah when she came back in the late 90's. Still I admired the fact that at her age she was still able to get out there and take bumps and that her name still got a rise from the fans.

So despite the fact that I wasn't a fan of women wrestlers, I felt it right to pay my respects to a performer held in such high regard in the "sport" that I loved as a kid. Rest in peace, Moolah. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and fans.