Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Alexis Smirnoff 1947
Bob Luce 1928
Happy Birthday:
Chris Walker (65)
Debrah Miceli\Madusa (63)
Shelly Martinez (46)
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.
Nils Olafsson\Swedish Angel 2-9-1974 at the age of 67
Milo Steinborn 2-9-1989 at the age of 95
Salvatore Bellomo 2-9-2019 at the age of 67
Candi Devine 2-9-2022 at the age of 63
The Life and Career of Candi Devine
She was born Candace Maria Rummel on January 1, 1958, in Nashville, Tennessee and she carved out a career by being known for athleticism and resilience and the length of her popularity spanning nearly two decades, primarily in the 1980s and 1990s. She competed under various personas, including “The Goddess” in the Ladies Professional Wrestling Association (LPWA), and left an indelible mark on promotions like the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where she held the Women’s Championship four times.
Despite facing severe injuries and personal challenges, Devine’s passion for the sport endured until her retirement in 1998, with a brief comeback in 2005. Her life story is one of determination, from humble beginnings as a fan to becoming a celebrated champion, culminating in her posthumous induction into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022. Tragically, Devine passed away on February 9, 2022, at the age of 64, after battling health complications, leaving behind a legacy as a resilient performer who helped pave the way for future generations of female wrestlers.
Her journey into wrestling began not in the ring but as an enthusiastic fan in her hometown of Nashville. In her youth, she ran a fan club for wrestler Lanny Poffo, earning the nickname “Fang Face” due to her prominent buck teeth—a moniker that reflected her deep immersion in the wrestling world. She also worked briefly as a ring girl for International Championship Wrestling (ICW) in Kentucky and published a newsletter called The Leap, which kept fans updated on wrestling news. These early experiences ignited her passion and provided a gateway into the industry.
Devine’s professional debut came in 1980 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she faced Ann Jeanette in her first match. She received training from seasoned wrestlers Don Fargo, Joey Rossi, and Owen Henley, honing her skills in an environment that demanded toughness and adaptability. Early in her career, she adopted the ring name Candi Devine (sometimes spelled Divine), a persona that allowed her to channel her charisma and athletic prowess. According to accounts, Rummel learned to navigate the cutthroat nature of the business, having been taken advantage of in her ICW days, which taught her to assert herself more effectively. She also wrestled under other aliases, such as Lady Devine, Christy Monroe, and The Goddess, showcasing her versatility.
From 1983 to 1985, Devine spent two summers wrestling in Canada, primarily feuding with Diane Von Hoffman (known as Moondog Fifi). This period helped her build international experience and refine her in-ring style, setting the stage for her breakthrough in major U.S. promotions.
Devine’s career gained significant momentum when she joined the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1985, where she remained active until 1990. The AWA was a hotbed for women’s wrestling at the time, and Devine quickly became a central figure. She participated in high-profile events such as SuperClash, WrestleRock ‘86, Battle by the Bay, and War in the Windy City, often competing in mixed tag team matches alongside male stars. Her most iconic rivalry was with Sherri Martel, with whom she traded the AWA Women’s Championship multiple times in intense, crowd-pleasing bouts that highlighted the athleticism of women’s wrestling.
In addition to her feud with Martel, Devine faced off against other top talents like Wendi Richter and Magnificent Mimi during the AWA’s Team Challenge Series in late 1989 and 1990. She also teamed with figures like Fabulous Lance (Lance Von Erich) in Wild West Wrestling against Martel and Iceman King Parsons. These matches not only showcased her technical skills but also her ability to draw audiences with her charisma and storytelling.
Beyond the AWA, Devine’s career was nomadic, reflecting the fragmented nature of wrestling territories in the era. She competed in the Ladies Professional Wrestling Association (LPWA) as “The Goddess,” Women’s Pro Wrestling in the early 1990s, the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW), and the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). Internationally, she wrestled for the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in Puerto Rico. Later stints included the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF), where she appeared at Beach Brawl in 1991 (losing to Rockin’ Robin), IWA Mid-South, Music City Wrestling, and Heartland Wrestling Association. She even had a brief appearance in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1995, losing a house show match to Alundra Blayze. Unique highlights include a six-woman mud wrestling match in Dallas in 1987, where she emerged victorious, adding a layer of spectacle to her resume.
Devine’s trophy case is a testament to her dominance in women’s wrestling. She captured the AWA Women’s Championship four times: first in 1984 by winning a battle royal for the vacated title, and later reigns in 1986 and 1989, including a victory over Judy Martin on December 6, 1989, after Wendi Richter vacated the belt. In Puerto Rico, she was a four-time WWC Women’s Champion. Other notable titles include the UWF Women’s Championship (won in 1994 by defeating Tina Moretti, lost to Miss Texas/Jacqueline Moore later that year), GLWA Women’s Championship (1 time), NIWA Women’s Championship (1 time), NWA Divas Championship (1 time), OMW Women’s Championship (1 time), PWE World Women’s Championship (3 times), WOW Women’s Championship (1 time), and WWWA Women’s Championship (1 time).
No discussion of Devine’s career is complete without addressing the major obstacles she faced, most notably a devastating injury in 1985 during a match in Memphis. While performing a monkey flip with Amy Monroe, the two collided head-to-head, resulting in a fractured jaw and cheek for Devine. The injury required extensive recovery time and plastic surgery, nearly derailing her career entirely. She contemplated quitting wrestling but ultimately persevered, returning stronger and continuing to compete at a high level. This incident highlighted the physical toll of the sport and Devine’s remarkable resilience.
As the 1990s progressed, Devine’s activity slowed, but she remained involved in various independents until her official retirement in 1998. She made a one-time return in 2005, defeating Bambi on a United States Wrestling Organization (USWO) card in her hometown, providing a fitting capstone to her in-ring days. Outside the ring, Devine settled in Nashville, where she worked as a physical trainer, leveraging her athletic background to help others. Her personal life included family ties to wrestling—her sister briefly competed as Rose Love—and a long-term relationship with fellow wrestler Tom Burton. In a notable public episode, Devine sued Burton on the television show Divorce Court in 2009 (aired March 31), accusing him of running over and killing her cat; she won $280 in damages. The couple reconciled before Burton’s death on March 29, 2010.
In her later years, Devine faced significant health challenges. In April 2021, she suffered a seizure and a collapsed lung, from which she initially recovered. However, months later, she broke her back in a fall and dealt with ongoing issues, including liver and brain complications. She entered hospice care and passed away on February 9, 2022, in Nashville at the age of 64.
60 Year Flashback
A Time Capsule Review of the Pro Wrestling Cards In the North American Wrestling Territories On This Day In Pro Wrestling History
As a regular Monday feature of The Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel’s Daily Chronicle, we crack open the Wrestling Time Capsule to do a survey of the cards, matches and performers of the decades of territory pro wrestling. This week we flashback to this Day in Pro Wrestling History, Saturday, Wednesday, February 9th, 1966.
Championship Wrestling From Florida Office in Tampa, Florida
The War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jose Lothario vs Mike Paidousis
The Medics (Dick Dunn & Billy Garrett) vs Tito Carreon & Tony Martin
Missouri Mauler & George Harris vs Klondike Bill & Jesse James
American Legion Arena in Sarasota, Florida
Cyclone Soto defeated Roger Kirby
Sputnik Monroe defeated Danny Miller by CO
The Infernos (Frankie Cain & Rocky Smith) defeated Jerry London & Tom Bradley
Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling Office in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Darling Dagmar defeated Diamond Lil
Mack York defeated Chico Cortez
Ken Lucas defeated Don Carson
Eduardo Perez defeated Paul Christy
Rocky Montero defeated Mario Galento
Georgia Championship Wrestling (ABC Booking) Office in Atlanta, Georgia
Municipal Auditorium in Columbus, Georgia
Bad Boy Hines defeated Tony Nero
Al Costello defeated Jack Vansky
The Mysterious Medics (Tony Gonzalez & Chuck Conley) defeated Eric Von Brauner & Karl Von Brauner
Jim Crockett Promotions Office in Charlotte, North Carolina
WBTV-TV Studios, TV Taping in Charlotte, North Carolina
George Becker & Johnny Weaver defeated John Gudiski & Jim Grabmire
Boris Malenko & Bob Orton, Sr. defeated Setev Blus & Alex Medina
WRAL-TV, TV Taping in Raleigh, North Carolina
Aldo Bogni & Bronko Lubich defeated Joe Carollo & Don Chuy
Tex McKenzie & Nelson Royal defeated Corsica Jean & Black Jack Daniels
City Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina
Ike Eakins defeated Omar Atlas
Hans Schmidt defeated Billy Two Rivers
Abe Jacobs & Karl Gotch defeated Brute Bernard & Skull Murphy by DQ by 2 falls to 1 fall
The Flying Scotts (George\Sandy) defeated Kurt & Henry Von Stroheim by 2 falls to 1 fall
Tri-State Booking Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sports Arena in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Bruce Kirk defeated Boris Managoff by 2 falls to 1 fall
Joe McCarthy defeated Argentina Zuma by 2 falls to 1 fall
Lorenzo Parente (ch) defeated Jerry Kozak by 2 falls to 1 fall to retain the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship
Shrine Mosque in Springfield, Missouri
Assassin #2 (Jody Hamilton) vs Ray Gordon ended as a time limit draw
Mike Clancy defeated Assassin #1 (Tom Renesto) by DQ
Tiny Smith & Big Boy Brown defeated Kurt Steiger & Chuck Karbo by 2 falls to 0
The Assassins vs Ray Gordon & Mike Clancy ended as a one hour time limit draw at one fall each
Gulas-Welch Booking Office in Nashville, Tennessee
Fairgrounds Sports Arena in Nashville, Tennessee
Ken Hollis & Jackie Fargo vs Tamayo Soto & El Medico ended as a 15 min time limit draw
Eddie Graham & Sam Steamboat defeated Hiro Matsuda & Kanji Inoki (ch) by DQ by 2 falls to 1 fall for the NWA World Tag Team Titles
TITLE CHANGE:Tojo Yamamoto & Alex Perez defeated Len Rossi & Mario Milano by 2 falls to 1 fall to win the NWA Southern Tag Team Championship
Big Time Wrestling Office in Dallas, Texas
The Wrestlethon in San Antonio, Texas
Pedro Morales defeated Swede Hanson
Joe Blanchard defeated Antone Leone
Mark Lewin vs Ramon Torres ended as a no contest
Billy Red Lyons defeated The Golden Terror (Clyde Steeves)
The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) defeated Tim Colt
The Western States Office in Amarillo, Texas
Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas
Bobby Hart vs Treach Phillips ended as a time limit draw
Wahoo McDaniel defeated Doug Gilbert (Linzy)
Dory Funk, Jr. & Ricky Romero defeated Mike DiBiase & Don Jardine in 2 out of 3 falls
Dory Funk, Sr. defeated Dutch Savage
Pacific Coast Athletic Corporation Office in San Francisco, California
The Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California
Bill Watts defeated The Spoiler (Vince Bagala)
Jim Hady defeated Terry Garvin
Rene Goulet defeated Buddy Austin
The Blond Bombers (Patterson\Stevens) (ch) defeated Luis Martinez & Luis Hernandez by DQ in 2 out of 3 falls for the AWA World Tag Team Titles
Civic Center in Honolulu, Hawaii
Nick Kozak defeated Beauregard by 2 falls to 0
Dean Higuchi defeated The Golden Terror by DQ
Neff Maivia & Gil Ane vs Ripper Collins & Tosh Togo ended as a time limit draw at 1 fall each
Johnny Barend vs Nick Bockwinkel in 2 out of 3 falls ended as a DCO at 1 fall each
Big Time Wrestling Office in Detroit, Michigan
Sports Arena in Toledo, Ohio
Chief White Owl defeated Mr. X by DQ
Bobo Brazil defeated The Student (George Steele) by 2 falls to 1 fall
Gary Hart, Boris Volkoff & Nicoli Volkoff defeated Ricky Cortez, Argentina Apollo & Lou Klein by 2 falls to 1 fall
Maple Leaf Wrestling Office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Forum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Bob Lapier vs Murray Cummings ended as a time limit draw
Doodle Yankee defeated Paul DeMarco
Professor Hiro & Tiger Jeet Singh defeated Emile Dupree & Georgios Kanelis
Johnny Powers defeated Dandy Yankee
OTD: February 1966
The “On This Date” (OTD) Cards Analysis Feature is a way for our readers to look back through the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel to see the way cards were constructed, the finishes, the amount of cards that were presented and some idea of how many wrestlers were working in the various territories North America during the time period. In next Monday’s Issue of The Daily Chronicle, we will take a look at an On This Date (OTD) Analysis for the cards in 1976.
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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