November 25th in the Time Tunnel:
Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Chief Little Wolf 1911
Bob Windham\Blackjack Mulligan 1942
Thomas Sullivan\Johnny Valiant 1946
Happy Birthday:
Roul Mendoza\Cruz de Toro (35)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Bobby Becker 11-25-1954 at the age of 36
Billy Romanoff 11-25-1976 at the age of 85
Dave Sheldon\Angel of Death 11-25-2007 at the age of 54
Larry Matysik 11-25-2018 at the age of 71
40 Year Flashback
11-25-1985: The Spider Lady (Lillian Ellison\Moolah) defeated Wendi Richter (ch) to win the WWF Women’s Title in 6:38 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York
Wendi Richter emerged as a fresh face in the WWF in the early 1980s, symbolizing a new generation of women’s wrestlers. With her rock-star persona, amplified by her association with pop icon Cyndi Lauper during the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection,” Richter brought mainstream attention to women’s wrestling. She had dethroned The Fabulous Moolah—the long-reigning queen of women’s wrestling—on July 23, 1984, at “The Brawl to End It All,” ending Moolah’s exaggerated 27-year title reign (though the actual history was more fragmented due to promotional liberties).
Richter’s victory was broadcast on MTV, boosting her popularity and helping elevate women’s matches from undercard fillers to featured attractions. By 1985, she was a two-time champion, defending her belt against various challengers and embodying the WWF’s push toward entertainment-driven storytelling.
In contrast, The Fabulous Moolah (real name Mary Lillian Ellison) was a veteran whose career spanned decades. Often credited (controversially) as the pioneer of women’s wrestling in America, Moolah had held the WWF Women’s Championship for much of her career, thanks in part to her close ties with promoters and her role in training many female wrestlers. However, by the mid-1980s, tensions arose between Richter and the WWF management. Reports suggest Richter was unhappy with her pay and refused to sign a new contract, leading to a rift with McMahon. Moolah, loyal to the company and perhaps seeing an opportunity to reclaim her spotlight, became the instrument of Richter’s downfall.
The match itself was shrouded in deception from the start. Billed as Wendi Richter defending her title against the enigmatic Spider Lady—a masked wrestler whose identity was kept secret—the bout took place in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd. What the audience didn’t know was that Spider Lady was none other than Moolah in disguise. The contest was brief and unorthodox: Richter dominated early, but chaos ensued when she attempted a pin. The referee, allegedly instructed by WWF officials, delivered a suspiciously fast count despite Richter kicking out at two. In a moment of shock, Spider Lady was declared the winner and new champion. As Richter protested, she unmasked her opponent, revealing Moolah to the stunned crowd. The betrayal was complete—Richter had been “screwed” out of her title without prior knowledge of the planned outcome.
Video: Nov 25, 1985: The Spider Lady defeats Wendi Richter for WWF Women’s Title at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
This incident, dubbed the Original Screwjob, highlighted the scripted yet unpredictable nature of professional wrestling, where real-life grievances could spill into the ring. Unlike typical wrestling storylines, this was a genuine shoot (unscripted event) orchestrated by management to resolve a contract dispute. Richter, feeling betrayed, left the WWF shortly after, marking the end of her prominent run. The event drew parallels to later controversies, most notably the 1997 Montreal Screwjob involving Bret Hart, where similar backstage tactics were used to strip a champion of their belt against their will. For Moolah, the victory reinstated her as champion, a role she held until 1987, but it also tarnished her legacy amid accusations of monopolizing women’s opportunities in wrestling.
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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