Black Widow
10-05-2008, 11:06 PM
PRO-WRESTLING has been a man's world since its big bang at the turn of the last century.
Sexist, mysogenistic, laddish, boorish, brutish, childish, puerile - the list of adjectives is endless.
Women were seen as tits and ass, and eyecandy for the slavering, beer-swilling masses.
A few stellar women have dared to break the mould - Sensational Sherri Martel, and perhaps Trish Stratus spring to mind but on the whole, attitudes have been as likely to move on as Triple H upping sticks and taking a job in Nashville.
It's not easy to change attitudes in this business.
Vickie Guerrero is an unique and inspiring example of how to change that.
Her journey from tragedy to television triumph is remarkable, and she's an example to everyone in the industry - and not just the ladies.
Every wrestling fan remembers the tragic death of her husband Eddie in November 2005, a massive heart attack took the much beloved in-ring genius from his family, friends and fans - the very day he was due to win his second world title in Minneapolis. He was a mere 38 years old.
Vickie appeared before the world as Eddie's widow, appearing famously at the Hall Of Fame ceremony at Wrestlemania in Chicago and at the event itself to face the huge outpouring of public grief that surrounded the loss of her husband. Since that time, her story has been incredible.
WWE are a family, and offered Vickie a chance to work full time on-screen as General Manager of Smackdown, which she has taken with both hands.
Her heel pairing with Edge has been the best in the business this past year.
FT asked Vickie to describe her journey when we spoke this week in advance of the No Mercy PPV on Sunday night.
"I'm having an amazing ride," she tells me, "I wasn't involved in any way, I thought I would be showing up at the Hall of Fame and Wrestlemania and that would be it, so it's been great."
"I never thought I would be here. Vince didn't know if I could do it, and neither did I! The WWE are my second family.
"I've had some great guys here to help me, Teddy Long, Adam Copeland - Edge - and of course my nephew, Chavo, who have all been fantastic. They have carried me with the power of the love in their hearts."
No-one can deny that Mrs Guerrero (or Mrs Edge) has done a sensational job during her tenure. It seems extraordinary that she's been able to pull it off, given her total lack of experience. This lady is obviously a natural!
Vickie laughs, "I think it was twenty years of Eddie pacing round the living room cutting his promos, or waking me up at 3am to see if I liked something or not!
"I think I watched him too much! Eddie was very passionate about his work, he used to work hard in his house!"
"I feel him more in the ring than I do at home. It's funny. Chavo and I chuckle to each other when we're out there, you can picture him standing across the ring in the ropes laughing at us. I hope I'm honouring him and making him proud."
She's certainly convinced that WWE and wrestling in general are learning the lessons of Eddies' untimely death,
"I think that the Wellness Programme has helped a lot of guys stay healthy, and make better choices for their lifestyle. I think guys are eating better, and I know that I go and get physicals regularly because I can.
"I think it makes you think about yourself more, and take time out when you need to. Even though we lost Eddie, we've woken up to the issues."
There can be little doubt that the lady is living up to the fantastic and historic reputation her family possess.
dailystar.co.uk
Sexist, mysogenistic, laddish, boorish, brutish, childish, puerile - the list of adjectives is endless.
Women were seen as tits and ass, and eyecandy for the slavering, beer-swilling masses.
A few stellar women have dared to break the mould - Sensational Sherri Martel, and perhaps Trish Stratus spring to mind but on the whole, attitudes have been as likely to move on as Triple H upping sticks and taking a job in Nashville.
It's not easy to change attitudes in this business.
Vickie Guerrero is an unique and inspiring example of how to change that.
Her journey from tragedy to television triumph is remarkable, and she's an example to everyone in the industry - and not just the ladies.
Every wrestling fan remembers the tragic death of her husband Eddie in November 2005, a massive heart attack took the much beloved in-ring genius from his family, friends and fans - the very day he was due to win his second world title in Minneapolis. He was a mere 38 years old.
Vickie appeared before the world as Eddie's widow, appearing famously at the Hall Of Fame ceremony at Wrestlemania in Chicago and at the event itself to face the huge outpouring of public grief that surrounded the loss of her husband. Since that time, her story has been incredible.
WWE are a family, and offered Vickie a chance to work full time on-screen as General Manager of Smackdown, which she has taken with both hands.
Her heel pairing with Edge has been the best in the business this past year.
FT asked Vickie to describe her journey when we spoke this week in advance of the No Mercy PPV on Sunday night.
"I'm having an amazing ride," she tells me, "I wasn't involved in any way, I thought I would be showing up at the Hall of Fame and Wrestlemania and that would be it, so it's been great."
"I never thought I would be here. Vince didn't know if I could do it, and neither did I! The WWE are my second family.
"I've had some great guys here to help me, Teddy Long, Adam Copeland - Edge - and of course my nephew, Chavo, who have all been fantastic. They have carried me with the power of the love in their hearts."
No-one can deny that Mrs Guerrero (or Mrs Edge) has done a sensational job during her tenure. It seems extraordinary that she's been able to pull it off, given her total lack of experience. This lady is obviously a natural!
Vickie laughs, "I think it was twenty years of Eddie pacing round the living room cutting his promos, or waking me up at 3am to see if I liked something or not!
"I think I watched him too much! Eddie was very passionate about his work, he used to work hard in his house!"
"I feel him more in the ring than I do at home. It's funny. Chavo and I chuckle to each other when we're out there, you can picture him standing across the ring in the ropes laughing at us. I hope I'm honouring him and making him proud."
She's certainly convinced that WWE and wrestling in general are learning the lessons of Eddies' untimely death,
"I think that the Wellness Programme has helped a lot of guys stay healthy, and make better choices for their lifestyle. I think guys are eating better, and I know that I go and get physicals regularly because I can.
"I think it makes you think about yourself more, and take time out when you need to. Even though we lost Eddie, we've woken up to the issues."
There can be little doubt that the lady is living up to the fantastic and historic reputation her family possess.
dailystar.co.uk