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You want a piece
of me, little girl?
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00:00:07,771 --> 00:00:10,147
Well, come and get it,
because you're looking at a
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00:00:10,148 --> 00:00:12,440
woman that invented mean!
4
00:00:12,441 --> 00:00:15,026
[narrator] Sherri Martel
was a chameleon,
5
00:00:15,027 --> 00:00:17,195
a performer who broke
new ground for women
6
00:00:17,196 --> 00:00:18,571
in the wrestling
business...
7
00:00:18,572 --> 00:00:22,200
an in-ring natural that
made it all look effortless.
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00:00:22,201 --> 00:00:23,618
She was an ace.
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00:00:23,619 --> 00:00:27,455
Sensational Sherri
was a top-line ringer.
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00:00:27,456 --> 00:00:28,748
You look at the 80s,
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00:00:28,749 --> 00:00:29,916
and you look at
Sherri's role and
12
00:00:29,917 --> 00:00:32,127
some of the biggest story
lines, the biggest moments,
13
00:00:32,128 --> 00:00:33,794
the biggest
Pay Per Views...
14
00:00:33,795 --> 00:00:36,213
my god,
she was a huge star.
15
00:00:36,214 --> 00:00:38,173
Inside the ring and
outside the ring,
16
00:00:38,174 --> 00:00:40,592
and on the microphone,
and on camera,
17
00:00:40,593 --> 00:00:41,927
she was perfect.
18
00:00:41,928 --> 00:00:45,597
She was really the only
great female manager
19
00:00:45,598 --> 00:00:47,182
of modern times.
20
00:00:47,183 --> 00:00:49,101
You, Hulk Hogan,
are the one
21
00:00:49,102 --> 00:00:51,562
that has a failing career!
22
00:00:51,563 --> 00:00:53,188
Whatever the gimmick,
23
00:00:53,189 --> 00:00:55,190
she would do
whatever it needed.
24
00:00:55,191 --> 00:00:57,024
Everybody in the
business knew that.
25
00:00:57,025 --> 00:00:58,484
[Cheering]
26
00:00:58,485 --> 00:01:01,237
But few knew of the
sacrifices that Sherri's
27
00:01:01,238 --> 00:01:04,449
total commitment to
becoming a star demanded...
28
00:01:04,450 --> 00:01:06,159
Her demons took over.
29
00:01:06,160 --> 00:01:10,037
She said she didn't
want to be a caged bird.
30
00:01:10,038 --> 00:01:13,458
...And the high costs of
her trailblazing success.
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00:01:13,459 --> 00:01:16,961
She worked hard, man.
She paid a price, too.
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00:01:16,962 --> 00:01:19,129
I knew she was in pain.
But, you don't work,
33
00:01:19,130 --> 00:01:20,881
you don't get paid.
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00:01:20,882 --> 00:01:22,257
It pushed her
the wrong way.
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00:01:22,258 --> 00:01:25,260
No punches pulled!
No nothing!
36
00:01:25,261 --> 00:01:27,929
It became more obvious
that she was having issues.
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00:01:27,930 --> 00:01:29,973
If you can't get
your act together,
38
00:01:29,974 --> 00:01:32,100
you need to step off
team Harlem Heat.
39
00:01:32,101 --> 00:01:34,895
There were skeletons
throughout her whole life.
40
00:01:34,896 --> 00:01:38,106
Some people can get over it,
and some people can't.
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00:01:38,107 --> 00:01:43,028
♪
42
00:01:46,156 --> 00:01:48,532
♪
43
00:01:48,533 --> 00:01:51,452
Luna Vachon!
Picking Sherri up!
44
00:01:51,453 --> 00:01:53,913
And she planted
Sensational Sherri,
45
00:01:53,914 --> 00:01:55,484
right out here
on the outside!
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00:02:22,233 --> 00:02:23,899
Sherri was tough physically,
47
00:02:23,900 --> 00:02:26,360
but also she was tough
somewhat mentally.
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00:02:26,361 --> 00:02:28,904
She could take some of the
abuses she got from the fans
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00:02:28,905 --> 00:02:31,823
or from the other wrestlers,
and that's why the guys
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00:02:31,824 --> 00:02:35,452
liked working with her-
she was all in.
51
00:02:35,453 --> 00:02:36,829
I'm Jim Cornette.
52
00:02:36,830 --> 00:02:38,622
For almost 40 years,
I've done everything in
53
00:02:38,623 --> 00:02:40,916
pro wrestling,
especially managing.
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00:02:40,917 --> 00:02:44,211
And Sherri Martel was the
first person I ever managed.
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00:02:44,212 --> 00:02:46,546
That I have signed up, and
I would like to introduce,
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00:02:46,547 --> 00:02:48,422
Miss Sherri Martel.
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00:02:48,423 --> 00:02:50,758
I've had people ask me,
"How did you decide to take
58
00:02:50,759 --> 00:02:53,594
Sherri Martel as a client?"
Well, I didn't.
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00:02:53,595 --> 00:02:56,097
Can I make an investment,
or can I make an investment?
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00:02:56,098 --> 00:02:59,308
In 1982, both of us were
just getting started.
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00:02:59,309 --> 00:03:01,227
Sherri was just a
rookie wrestler,
62
00:03:01,228 --> 00:03:03,646
and we were kind of thrown
together just because the
63
00:03:03,647 --> 00:03:06,482
promoter knew that I needed
some kind of practice.
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00:03:06,483 --> 00:03:07,858
So, we looked at
each other and said,
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00:03:07,859 --> 00:03:10,110
"You're greener than goose
shit and I'm even worse,
66
00:03:10,111 --> 00:03:12,445
how can this
possibly go wrong?"
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00:03:12,446 --> 00:03:14,281
We bonded from
that moment.
68
00:03:14,282 --> 00:03:16,992
Money talks and you
know what walks.
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00:03:16,993 --> 00:03:20,245
She wasn't the over-the-top
personality that you would
70
00:03:20,246 --> 00:03:23,164
see from Sherri Martel 5 years
later or 10 years later,
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00:03:23,165 --> 00:03:25,458
but at that point,
nobody knew she was
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00:03:25,459 --> 00:03:27,794
gonna be not only
one of the...
73
00:03:27,795 --> 00:03:30,546
great female wrestlers
of the next generation,
74
00:03:30,547 --> 00:03:34,258
but also one of the most high
profile managers in wrestling.
75
00:03:34,259 --> 00:03:36,260
She was just a girl who
wanted to be a wrestler
76
00:03:36,261 --> 00:03:37,344
at that point.
77
00:03:37,345 --> 00:03:39,888
You didn't know how
far she was gonna go.
78
00:03:39,889 --> 00:03:45,102
I know you all want me,
but you can't have me.
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00:03:45,103 --> 00:03:49,106
Sherri was a diva before
the divas were divas.
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00:03:49,107 --> 00:03:52,734
Once she got in that ring,
different person.
81
00:03:52,735 --> 00:03:54,652
Minute she got out
of that ring...
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00:03:54,653 --> 00:03:57,864
A sweetheart.
83
00:03:57,865 --> 00:03:59,198
I'm Kathy Fitzpatrick,
84
00:03:59,199 --> 00:04:01,784
and Sherri Martel was
my best friend.
85
00:04:01,785 --> 00:04:03,786
We kind of had the
same kind of childhood.
86
00:04:03,787 --> 00:04:05,538
She didn't know her dad.
87
00:04:05,539 --> 00:04:07,624
Her mom would take her
to wrestling shows,
88
00:04:07,625 --> 00:04:08,917
and she liked it.
89
00:04:26,559 --> 00:04:31,521
I met Sherri Martel
in 1974.
90
00:04:31,522 --> 00:04:34,858
I'd say at the time
she was probably 17,
91
00:04:34,859 --> 00:04:37,151
and I was 18,
92
00:04:37,152 --> 00:04:40,154
and I was a referee for
Mid-South Wrestling.
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00:04:40,155 --> 00:04:43,324
And, she was a fan.
94
00:04:43,325 --> 00:04:45,117
I remember Sherri being
in the front row
95
00:04:45,118 --> 00:04:47,078
watching the shows.
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00:04:47,079 --> 00:04:49,830
One night in
Lafayette, Louisiana,
97
00:04:49,831 --> 00:04:52,375
we met, we talked...
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00:04:52,376 --> 00:04:55,586
and, it moved
forward very fast.
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00:04:55,587 --> 00:04:58,088
♪
100
00:04:58,089 --> 00:05:00,799
Aurelian Smith
is my legal name.
101
00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:04,052
Jake "The Snake" Roberts is
how most people might know me.
102
00:05:04,053 --> 00:05:06,638
What's going through
that evil mind?
103
00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:08,473
[Indistinct shouting]
He did it!
104
00:05:08,474 --> 00:05:11,935
Sherri and I spent
some raw time together.
105
00:05:11,936 --> 00:05:15,772
We were on-again, off-again
for about 4 or 5 years.
106
00:05:15,773 --> 00:05:18,733
Just her walking into
a room, she was a star.
107
00:05:18,734 --> 00:05:20,984
I mean, that's just how
captivating she was,
108
00:05:20,985 --> 00:05:23,904
and she was beautiful, but
she wasn't your typical,
109
00:05:23,905 --> 00:05:26,198
oh, dainty, pretty girl.
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00:05:26,199 --> 00:05:28,200
She was, "I'll kick
your --ing ass
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00:05:28,201 --> 00:05:31,286
in your face girl."
[Laughing]
112
00:05:31,287 --> 00:05:34,081
Was I in love with her?
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00:05:34,082 --> 00:05:36,458
I was in love with something.
114
00:05:36,459 --> 00:05:37,918
There was that connection.
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00:05:37,919 --> 00:05:39,461
Both of us wanting
something that seemed
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00:05:39,462 --> 00:05:42,422
so far out of reality.
117
00:05:42,423 --> 00:05:44,799
It seemed like we would
never get to the big show
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00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:49,345
or to the, to the WWE,
or even Mid-South.
119
00:05:49,346 --> 00:05:53,015
He's out for blood,
he's not out to wrestle!
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00:05:53,016 --> 00:05:56,394
Sherri Martel wanted
to be a wrestling star,
121
00:05:56,395 --> 00:05:58,646
from the get-go.
122
00:05:58,647 --> 00:06:01,149
In those days, there were
no training programs
123
00:06:01,150 --> 00:06:02,483
that were advertised.
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00:06:02,484 --> 00:06:05,777
You had to just hang around
until somebody was willing to
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00:06:05,778 --> 00:06:07,654
take a chance on you if
you wanted to be
126
00:06:07,655 --> 00:06:09,448
involved in wrestling.
127
00:06:09,449 --> 00:06:12,534
Grizzly Smith at the time
was a road agent and
128
00:06:12,535 --> 00:06:15,537
a matchmaker for
Mid-South Wrestling.
129
00:06:15,538 --> 00:06:19,166
And, if he would see
prospective talent,
130
00:06:19,167 --> 00:06:20,797
he would take an
interest in 'em.
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00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:33,721
Dreaming of being
a wrestling star,
132
00:06:33,722 --> 00:06:37,558
but with no avenue to begin
her training, by 1976,
133
00:06:37,559 --> 00:06:40,770
Sherri is living and
working in New Orleans.
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00:06:40,771 --> 00:06:42,271
She was gorgeous,
135
00:06:42,272 --> 00:06:44,815
had a good sense of
humour, and...
136
00:06:44,816 --> 00:06:48,735
Just, we got along.
137
00:06:48,736 --> 00:06:50,069
I'm Leroy Gonzales,
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00:06:50,070 --> 00:06:54,574
and I'm the ex-husband
of Sherri Martel.
139
00:06:54,575 --> 00:06:57,827
June of 1976.
140
00:06:57,828 --> 00:06:59,996
I was in training
at a restaurant,
141
00:06:59,997 --> 00:07:03,958
and she was sitting in a
booth and complained about
142
00:07:03,959 --> 00:07:07,170
a roach in the booth.
143
00:07:07,171 --> 00:07:10,048
I just looked up at her,
and said, "Wow,
144
00:07:10,049 --> 00:07:12,090
wish I'd 'a been
that roach."
145
00:07:12,091 --> 00:07:14,134
So, she says,
later on,
146
00:07:14,135 --> 00:07:16,470
she says, "Why don't you
come and meet me and
147
00:07:16,471 --> 00:07:17,805
have a drink?"
148
00:07:17,806 --> 00:07:19,973
She was working
across the street.
149
00:07:19,974 --> 00:07:22,476
I didn't know where
I was going, really,
150
00:07:22,477 --> 00:07:25,062
and so when I walked in,
I realized
151
00:07:25,063 --> 00:07:27,648
it was a... club.
152
00:07:27,649 --> 00:07:30,234
♪
153
00:07:30,235 --> 00:07:33,569
And,
she was on stage.
154
00:07:33,570 --> 00:07:35,738
After her dance was over,
she came and sat down,
155
00:07:35,739 --> 00:07:38,241
we got to talking,
and she just...
156
00:07:38,242 --> 00:07:41,828
swept me off my feet.
157
00:07:41,829 --> 00:07:44,997
She was wanting to get
out of that business.
158
00:07:44,998 --> 00:07:47,834
And, I bought a
trailer and...
159
00:07:47,835 --> 00:07:50,628
she moved in with me.
160
00:07:50,629 --> 00:07:52,547
One day I come in
from work,
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00:07:52,548 --> 00:07:55,131
got on a knee and
asked her to marry me.
162
00:07:55,132 --> 00:07:58,093
But she'd go out
with her girlfriends.
163
00:07:58,094 --> 00:08:00,637
And, party, yes.
164
00:08:00,638 --> 00:08:03,849
Just about any drug.
165
00:08:03,850 --> 00:08:07,102
Marijuana, uppers, Mollies.
166
00:08:07,103 --> 00:08:10,522
Downers, Quaaludes, cocaine.
167
00:08:10,523 --> 00:08:12,440
We got into some
168
00:08:12,441 --> 00:08:16,152
pretty heated discussions
about it, and...
169
00:08:16,153 --> 00:08:18,612
Yeah, it just never stopped.
170
00:08:18,613 --> 00:08:20,281
♪
171
00:08:20,282 --> 00:08:24,618
At that time, she wanted
to have a family.
172
00:08:24,619 --> 00:08:27,705
And, we had
Jarred in
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00:08:27,706 --> 00:08:32,042
July of 1978.
174
00:08:32,043 --> 00:08:35,129
You wanted a child,
now we have one.
175
00:08:35,130 --> 00:08:37,298
Time to put your big girl
pants on and
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00:08:37,299 --> 00:08:40,174
take care of the child.
177
00:08:40,175 --> 00:08:42,510
Couldn't take it.
178
00:08:42,511 --> 00:08:45,096
When she told me she was
going to pursue a career
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00:08:45,097 --> 00:08:47,432
in wrestling,
I laughed at her.
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00:08:47,433 --> 00:08:50,059
♪
181
00:08:50,060 --> 00:08:53,146
I had no idea.
182
00:08:53,147 --> 00:08:56,858
She left when the baby
was like 3 months old.
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00:08:56,859 --> 00:08:59,485
♪
184
00:08:59,486 --> 00:09:01,987
And I know it hurt,
it bothered her.
185
00:09:01,988 --> 00:09:06,241
But, sometimes you have
to do what you have to do.
186
00:09:06,242 --> 00:09:09,161
Sherri moves to Memphis where
she again finds work as
187
00:09:09,162 --> 00:09:11,997
an exotic dancer while
continuing her search for
188
00:09:11,998 --> 00:09:14,708
a way to break into the
wrestling business.
189
00:09:14,709 --> 00:09:17,794
In those days, there was
always some independent,
190
00:09:17,795 --> 00:09:19,588
or what we call
"outlaw wrestlers"
191
00:09:19,589 --> 00:09:21,758
around a major
wrestling city.
192
00:09:46,489 --> 00:09:48,907
There you go,
outlaw wrestler.
193
00:09:48,908 --> 00:09:51,284
Here, let me slap you and
see if you're tough-
194
00:09:51,285 --> 00:09:53,119
and what the
-- is that?
195
00:09:53,120 --> 00:09:54,788
I would've been interested to
see if she slapped him back
196
00:09:54,789 --> 00:09:56,165
if he could handle it.
197
00:10:35,953 --> 00:10:38,705
Great.
Ask my sister...
198
00:10:38,706 --> 00:10:41,040
Rockin' Robin.
199
00:10:41,041 --> 00:10:42,750
The first time I met
Sherri was,
200
00:10:42,751 --> 00:10:44,460
when she would come in town,
often she would stay
201
00:10:44,461 --> 00:10:46,629
actually at my
father's house.
202
00:10:46,630 --> 00:10:49,007
♪
203
00:10:49,008 --> 00:10:52,592
I'm Rockin' Robin, and I
defeated Sherri Martel
204
00:10:52,593 --> 00:10:55,887
from the WWF
Women's World Title.
205
00:10:55,888 --> 00:10:58,473
History made here,
new ladies' champion!
206
00:10:58,474 --> 00:11:00,559
Rockin' Robin!
207
00:11:00,560 --> 00:11:02,978
Like a lot of the other girls,
if they were in town,
208
00:11:02,979 --> 00:11:04,938
I would go and
hang out with 'em.
209
00:11:04,939 --> 00:11:07,941
I guess try to make 'em
more comfortable.
210
00:11:07,942 --> 00:11:12,195
My father, Grizz,
he had a...
211
00:11:12,196 --> 00:11:16,490
liking, you know, very much
for younger girls.
212
00:11:16,491 --> 00:11:19,869
I mean, he was a no-good
son of a bitch, man.
213
00:11:19,870 --> 00:11:21,829
♪
214
00:11:21,830 --> 00:11:26,292
Actually, she was a little
old for his wheelhouse.
215
00:11:26,293 --> 00:11:29,045
I would go to the matches
and watch her wrestle.
216
00:11:29,046 --> 00:11:31,589
Sherri could be
strictly business,
217
00:11:31,590 --> 00:11:34,716
even at that
young of an age.
218
00:11:34,717 --> 00:11:37,093
She had those rough ages,
219
00:11:37,094 --> 00:11:39,971
but that's what
made her Sherri.
220
00:11:39,972 --> 00:11:42,724
After Grizzly saw, "Well,
we've given her the basics,
221
00:11:42,725 --> 00:11:44,934
she needs to go to
work with Moolah
222
00:11:44,935 --> 00:11:46,436
to continue her career."
223
00:11:46,437 --> 00:11:49,731
The Fabulous Moolah!
224
00:11:49,732 --> 00:11:52,484
The Fabulous Moolah was
not only the world women's
225
00:11:52,485 --> 00:11:56,363
champion wrestler for 30-
something years, but also,
226
00:11:56,364 --> 00:11:59,073
she booked all the women
wrestlers to the various
227
00:11:59,074 --> 00:12:00,783
territories around
the United States,
228
00:12:00,784 --> 00:12:03,535
so if you were an
aspiring female wrestler,
229
00:12:03,536 --> 00:12:06,497
you almost had to- not only
be trained by Moolah,
230
00:12:06,498 --> 00:12:09,958
but then stick with Moolah
and work as part of her troupe.
231
00:12:09,959 --> 00:12:13,087
And, one of the most adhered
to rules was that you
232
00:12:13,088 --> 00:12:16,173
have to give Moolah her
booking kickback...
233
00:12:16,174 --> 00:12:19,008
or else wise you're
in serious trouble.
234
00:12:19,009 --> 00:12:21,761
It was almost like a
military school type of
235
00:12:21,762 --> 00:12:23,931
operation for
lady wrestlers.
236
00:12:33,524 --> 00:12:36,025
Moolah had a lot of rules-
there were curfews.
237
00:12:36,026 --> 00:12:38,194
The girls had to be in
at certain times and,
238
00:12:38,195 --> 00:12:40,779
Moolah said at the time,
"She was just into that night
239
00:12:40,780 --> 00:12:44,699
clubbing, and darlin', that
was just too much for me."
240
00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:48,829
And Moolah asked her
to depart the compound.
241
00:12:48,830 --> 00:12:50,247
[Match bell chimes]
242
00:12:50,248 --> 00:12:52,582
Once Sherri got
away from Moolah,
243
00:12:52,583 --> 00:12:55,919
she was able to create more
of her own personality and
244
00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,505
get over on her own merits
rather than somebody else
245
00:12:58,506 --> 00:13:02,134
telling the promoter
how to use her.
246
00:13:02,135 --> 00:13:04,635
In the months after Sherri
leaves her husband and
247
00:13:04,636 --> 00:13:07,263
infant son behind to
pursue wrestling,
248
00:13:07,264 --> 00:13:10,766
Leroy struggles to put
their family back together.
249
00:13:10,767 --> 00:13:13,435
I was trying to get
her to come back home.
250
00:13:13,436 --> 00:13:16,897
I hired a private
investigator to follow her,
251
00:13:16,898 --> 00:13:19,900
and I found out
where she was at, and...
252
00:13:19,901 --> 00:13:23,988
some of the things
that she was up to.
253
00:13:23,989 --> 00:13:27,407
I was making a night
deposit at the bank and,
254
00:13:27,408 --> 00:13:30,410
three big guys
walked up to me.
255
00:13:30,411 --> 00:13:34,622
And, point blank told me,
"Hey, leave Sherri alone.
256
00:13:34,623 --> 00:13:36,666
She belongs to us."
257
00:13:36,667 --> 00:13:40,295
Had no idea if they were
just friends of Sherri,
258
00:13:40,296 --> 00:13:43,715
if it had anything with the
wrestling association.
259
00:13:43,716 --> 00:13:45,758
When they said,
"She belongs to us,"
260
00:13:45,759 --> 00:13:48,010
well, I- she belongs
to wrestling.
261
00:13:48,011 --> 00:13:50,138
I left her alone after that.
262
00:13:57,812 --> 00:14:00,898
After stints in Japan
and Mid-South Wrestling,
263
00:14:00,899 --> 00:14:03,567
by the mid 1980s,
Sherri Martel is working
264
00:14:03,568 --> 00:14:06,320
as a wrestler and
manager in the AWA,
265
00:14:06,321 --> 00:14:09,447
a regional promotion
based in Minneapolis.
266
00:14:09,448 --> 00:14:10,698
No!
267
00:14:10,699 --> 00:14:13,743
Verne Gagne and the AWA,
that's one guy that had never
268
00:14:13,744 --> 00:14:17,455
had a relationship with
The Fabulous Moolah.
269
00:14:17,456 --> 00:14:19,916
That was good for Sherri
because he could book
270
00:14:19,917 --> 00:14:22,710
any girl or anybody else
he wanted to book.
271
00:14:22,711 --> 00:14:24,337
Now we know who's
a better woman!
272
00:14:24,338 --> 00:14:26,339
I told you
she was crazy!
273
00:14:26,340 --> 00:14:29,800
There were never a lot of
lady wrestlers in the AWA,
274
00:14:29,801 --> 00:14:33,136
but the ones that they
picked and that they did use
275
00:14:33,137 --> 00:14:35,055
were very accomplished.
276
00:14:35,056 --> 00:14:37,557
And Sherri was physical,
and she could dish it out.
277
00:14:37,558 --> 00:14:39,768
Beating her over the
head with that belt!
278
00:14:39,769 --> 00:14:41,478
Sherri knew the business.
279
00:14:41,479 --> 00:14:45,524
And, her psychology
was on point.
280
00:14:45,525 --> 00:14:46,733
Agh!
281
00:14:46,734 --> 00:14:49,736
Her timing was incredible.
282
00:14:49,737 --> 00:14:51,905
Hey guys,
WWE Hall of Famer,
283
00:14:51,906 --> 00:14:55,282
known as Alundra Blayze
and Madusa.
284
00:14:55,283 --> 00:14:59,787
From Robbinsdale,
Minnesota, Madusa Miceli!
285
00:14:59,788 --> 00:15:03,832
I looked up to her a lot,
and kind of trying to emulate
286
00:15:03,833 --> 00:15:06,001
what she did and
how strong she was,
287
00:15:06,002 --> 00:15:09,630
even though she was caving
inside in so many ways.
288
00:15:09,631 --> 00:15:12,424
I went over to her house,
and I remember her
289
00:15:12,425 --> 00:15:16,636
saying that her
son was away.
290
00:15:16,637 --> 00:15:18,179
Having a child in
this business was
291
00:15:18,180 --> 00:15:20,807
frowned upon
for women.
292
00:15:20,808 --> 00:15:22,850
So, her son, I felt,
293
00:15:22,851 --> 00:15:26,604
was purposely not to
the forefront...
294
00:15:26,605 --> 00:15:29,899
for she was really trying to
do something with her career.
295
00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:34,863
♪
296
00:15:38,616 --> 00:15:41,077
I'm Jarred Gonzales.
297
00:15:56,801 --> 00:15:59,052
I think he has cancer.
298
00:15:59,053 --> 00:16:01,846
Even though he's never
said it straight out to me.
299
00:16:01,847 --> 00:16:03,681
From what I understand,
he lost part of his tongue,
300
00:16:03,682 --> 00:16:05,183
due to cancer.
301
00:16:26,329 --> 00:16:30,457
Sherri had him,
but Pat raised him.
302
00:16:30,458 --> 00:16:33,043
Jarred was
3 years old when
303
00:16:33,044 --> 00:16:35,421
we told him who
his mother is.
304
00:16:44,763 --> 00:16:46,972
We started making
arrangements
305
00:16:46,973 --> 00:16:51,101
for Jarred to fly
out and meet her.
306
00:16:51,102 --> 00:16:52,603
Supposed to be
for a week,
307
00:16:52,604 --> 00:16:55,481
and he ended up
maybe two days.
308
00:16:55,482 --> 00:16:56,900
She'd send him back.
309
00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:07,408
It was very difficult
for women to even
310
00:17:07,409 --> 00:17:10,661
have a relationship,
let alone have a child.
311
00:17:10,662 --> 00:17:13,706
And, I feel that it really
took a toll on women,
312
00:17:13,707 --> 00:17:17,752
mentally, because
we were trying to...
313
00:17:17,753 --> 00:17:20,380
push the envelope
harder than we...
314
00:17:20,381 --> 00:17:24,759
needed to, to prove a point,
to take us seriously.
315
00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:26,886
Basically, it's a whole thing
in the business, you just,
316
00:17:26,887 --> 00:17:29,596
you know, do what you're
told and do your job.
317
00:17:29,597 --> 00:17:31,264
And hopefully,
maybe...
318
00:17:31,265 --> 00:17:32,933
you got escalated.
319
00:17:32,934 --> 00:17:34,851
And Sherri Martel!
320
00:17:34,852 --> 00:17:37,854
She shows me a lot
of confidence. I like that.
321
00:17:37,855 --> 00:17:40,524
Two of the biggest stars
that had worked in the AWA
322
00:17:40,525 --> 00:17:43,860
that had since gone to the
WWF working for Vince McMahon
323
00:17:43,861 --> 00:17:46,238
were Jesse Ventura
and Curt Hennig.
324
00:17:46,239 --> 00:17:48,740
That's right, McMahon,
for once in your life
325
00:17:48,741 --> 00:17:51,534
you're right, and I just
might let you keep your job.
326
00:17:51,535 --> 00:17:53,953
Their word carried a lot
of weight with Vince,
327
00:17:53,954 --> 00:17:56,914
and they both put good
words in for Sherri.
328
00:17:56,915 --> 00:17:59,917
As soon as Sherri
arrives in the WWF,
329
00:17:59,918 --> 00:18:02,378
she is pitted against
her former mentor.
330
00:18:02,379 --> 00:18:05,673
Fabulous Moolah, reigning
women's champion
331
00:18:05,674 --> 00:18:08,467
for quite some time,
I might add.
332
00:18:08,468 --> 00:18:11,970
About 1987, Moolah has had
the women's world title for
333
00:18:11,971 --> 00:18:16,099
most of 30 years, and
she's in her mid-50s.
334
00:18:16,100 --> 00:18:19,269
And at that point, a change
had to be made,
335
00:18:19,270 --> 00:18:21,396
and Vince McMahon was
the one to be able to
336
00:18:21,397 --> 00:18:24,941
pay Moolah what
she required to do that,
337
00:18:24,942 --> 00:18:27,235
and they put the belt
on Sherri Martel.
338
00:18:27,236 --> 00:18:28,987
Moolah well in
control of this one.
339
00:18:28,988 --> 00:18:30,155
Slams her back in...
340
00:18:30,156 --> 00:18:31,322
Oh, look at that!
341
00:18:31,323 --> 00:18:33,408
Sherri hooked her,
takes her over...
342
00:18:33,409 --> 00:18:35,367
-Oh, it's unreal!
-[Cheering]
343
00:18:35,368 --> 00:18:37,369
History's been made here!
344
00:18:37,370 --> 00:18:40,664
As a wrestler, that was the
peak of Sherri's career.
345
00:18:40,665 --> 00:18:42,541
I alone-
me, myself, and I-
346
00:18:42,542 --> 00:18:44,585
beat The Fabulous Moolah.
347
00:18:44,586 --> 00:18:47,337
I pinned her-
1, 2, 3. Right?
348
00:18:47,338 --> 00:18:50,299
-That says a lot, the best-
-Okay, I'm not finished yet.
349
00:18:50,300 --> 00:18:53,427
Rockin' Robin, you can rock
and rock and rock around the
350
00:18:53,428 --> 00:18:55,636
block all night long, but
there'll never come a day
351
00:18:55,637 --> 00:18:59,474
in your life to where
you can defeat me.
352
00:18:59,475 --> 00:19:02,101
They put me on a dark
match with Sherri,
353
00:19:02,102 --> 00:19:06,814
and then the next thing I know,
I'm working in the WWF.
354
00:19:06,815 --> 00:19:08,775
Oh, drove her down
into the canvas.
355
00:19:08,776 --> 00:19:10,693
What a display of
strength there.
356
00:19:10,694 --> 00:19:12,653
We were wrestling, we were
working every night.
357
00:19:12,654 --> 00:19:16,699
And, we were on the road
with Hulk Hogan and Jake.
358
00:19:16,700 --> 00:19:19,284
Randy Savage, and we were
at a different arena
359
00:19:19,285 --> 00:19:22,037
every single night, on a
plane every single day.
360
00:19:22,038 --> 00:19:25,040
In those days, we were
doing 7 days a week...
361
00:19:25,041 --> 00:19:26,458
every week.
362
00:19:26,459 --> 00:19:30,504
There were no days off.
Are you kidding me?
363
00:19:30,505 --> 00:19:33,632
The women were out there
working their tails off.
364
00:19:33,633 --> 00:19:37,719
But Sherri probably worked
harder than she needed to.
365
00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,346
She wanted to be a
part of the show.
366
00:19:40,347 --> 00:19:42,598
A big part.
367
00:19:42,599 --> 00:19:44,767
Pat and I,
which was my ex-wife,
368
00:19:44,768 --> 00:19:48,312
would turn it on
and watch wrestling.
369
00:19:48,313 --> 00:19:50,231
Jarred was jumping
up and down,
370
00:19:50,232 --> 00:19:52,441
his mom was on TV.
371
00:19:52,442 --> 00:19:55,027
I never even liked it.
372
00:19:55,028 --> 00:19:57,112
Took her away.
373
00:19:57,113 --> 00:19:58,923
But then again,
that was her choice.
374
00:20:11,460 --> 00:20:13,920
Sherri was emotionally...
375
00:20:13,921 --> 00:20:15,755
wrecked.
376
00:20:15,756 --> 00:20:18,216
There was a lot of
pain and anger there,
377
00:20:18,217 --> 00:20:20,885
probably from her leaving
the people behind.
378
00:20:20,886 --> 00:20:23,221
But she was close
-lipped about all that.
379
00:20:23,222 --> 00:20:27,683
And she knew how to keep her
nose to the ground and grind.
380
00:20:27,684 --> 00:20:31,436
In those days, the female
wrestlers were an attraction.
381
00:20:31,437 --> 00:20:34,731
They were a special thing
to put on the card so,
382
00:20:34,732 --> 00:20:38,902
if any of the female wrestlers
wanted to be taken seriously,
383
00:20:38,903 --> 00:20:41,572
they had to be accepted
in the locker room,
384
00:20:41,573 --> 00:20:45,117
and then the guys would
have greater appreciation
385
00:20:45,118 --> 00:20:47,743
for their work in the ring.
386
00:20:47,744 --> 00:20:49,287
And, all the guys
liked Sherri.
387
00:20:49,288 --> 00:20:50,621
She was one of the boys.
388
00:20:50,622 --> 00:20:53,332
And that was the ultimate
compliment in those days that
389
00:20:53,333 --> 00:20:55,793
any of the male wrestlers
could give one of the girls
390
00:20:55,794 --> 00:20:57,336
is, "You're just like us.
391
00:20:57,337 --> 00:20:59,380
You're tough,
you're a partier,
392
00:20:59,381 --> 00:21:03,801
you're stiff in the ring.
We accept you."
393
00:21:03,802 --> 00:21:07,263
I think she probably could
have drank or, you know,
394
00:21:07,264 --> 00:21:09,472
snorted them under the table.
395
00:21:09,473 --> 00:21:10,724
Absolutely.
396
00:21:10,725 --> 00:21:15,103
Whatever Sherri did,
she did to the max.
397
00:21:15,104 --> 00:21:17,897
Sherri loved her pot.
398
00:21:17,898 --> 00:21:21,818
And so, when you get the mix
of cocaine, and marijuana,
399
00:21:21,819 --> 00:21:24,654
and then drinking, I mean,
I don't know how they
400
00:21:24,655 --> 00:21:26,656
kept going for two
or three nights.
401
00:21:26,657 --> 00:21:28,491
There were nights I
wrestled Sherri and
402
00:21:28,492 --> 00:21:30,868
she was going
on 48 hours.
403
00:21:30,869 --> 00:21:33,329
She was never late
for a match though.
404
00:21:33,330 --> 00:21:35,497
She always showed up.
405
00:21:35,498 --> 00:21:38,208
I think it was like
an outdoor show.
406
00:21:38,209 --> 00:21:40,336
I keep looking at her and,
you know how when
407
00:21:40,337 --> 00:21:42,379
somebody just kind of
looks right past you?
408
00:21:42,380 --> 00:21:46,800
And, I'm like, I don't know
if she even sees me.
409
00:21:46,801 --> 00:21:49,053
I was down on all
fours on the mat.
410
00:21:49,054 --> 00:21:52,013
And, she threw a kick and
411
00:21:52,014 --> 00:21:55,808
it caught me right
on the throat.
412
00:21:55,809 --> 00:21:57,810
It was full force.
413
00:21:57,811 --> 00:21:59,771
I couldn't breathe.
414
00:21:59,772 --> 00:22:02,857
I just remember thinking,
oh, my god, this is it.
415
00:22:02,858 --> 00:22:05,234
I'm gonna die at
a state fair
416
00:22:05,235 --> 00:22:07,321
in the middle of a
wrestling ring.
417
00:22:15,536 --> 00:22:18,372
Intoxicated but still
performing in the ring,
418
00:22:18,373 --> 00:22:21,708
Sherri Martel has kicked
Rockin' Robin in the throat,
419
00:22:21,709 --> 00:22:24,419
leaving her
struggling for breath.
420
00:22:24,420 --> 00:22:27,464
Finally, I was able to
get that big breath.
421
00:22:27,465 --> 00:22:29,883
♪
422
00:22:29,884 --> 00:22:33,512
Then we got back to
the dressing room.
423
00:22:33,513 --> 00:22:37,056
And, she just grabbed me and
gave me the biggest hug,
424
00:22:37,057 --> 00:22:40,101
and she knew
that it was bad.
425
00:22:40,102 --> 00:22:42,853
She did like pot,
it was no big deal.
426
00:22:42,854 --> 00:22:46,107
But, if there was anything
else that really impaired you
427
00:22:46,108 --> 00:22:48,776
to do your job
in the ring...
428
00:22:48,777 --> 00:22:51,487
you know, that's when
it becomes a problem.
429
00:22:51,488 --> 00:22:52,905
♪
430
00:22:52,906 --> 00:22:54,990
They don't call me the
Sensational Sherri
431
00:22:54,991 --> 00:22:56,826
for nothing,
and in a moment,
432
00:22:56,827 --> 00:23:02,038
I'm gonna show you exactly
how sensational I am.
433
00:23:02,039 --> 00:23:06,084
By 1990, Sherri Martel is a
dominant force in the WWF
434
00:23:06,085 --> 00:23:08,503
as one of its premier
female wrestlers,
435
00:23:08,504 --> 00:23:11,464
but that is
about to change.
436
00:23:11,465 --> 00:23:15,802
Vince McMahon was never
fully sold on the idea of-
437
00:23:15,803 --> 00:23:18,930
back in those days- of an
entire women's division.
438
00:23:18,931 --> 00:23:21,807
I think he just
decided to wrap it up.
439
00:23:21,808 --> 00:23:24,727
He still had
Sherri Martel there and,
440
00:23:24,728 --> 00:23:28,230
Sherri was able to exhibit
the fact that she could do a
441
00:23:28,231 --> 00:23:32,609
promo and she was this wild,
over-the-top personality...
442
00:23:32,610 --> 00:23:35,612
and Vince figured, "Heck
with women's wrestling.
443
00:23:35,613 --> 00:23:38,741
I'm gonna put her in the
corner of one of my
444
00:23:38,742 --> 00:23:41,869
main event male stars,
and make her
445
00:23:41,870 --> 00:23:43,661
more money than
she's ever made."
446
00:23:43,662 --> 00:23:44,996
Because that's the thing-
you could be the
447
00:23:44,997 --> 00:23:48,750
world women's champion
wrestler and make 'enh',
448
00:23:48,751 --> 00:23:52,962
or you could be the manager
for a main event male star
449
00:23:52,963 --> 00:23:55,798
in the WWF and
make a fortune!
450
00:23:55,799 --> 00:23:57,383
I think Vince McMahon
probably saw the
451
00:23:57,384 --> 00:23:59,635
same thing everybody
else saw, which is...
452
00:23:59,636 --> 00:24:03,639
a very gifted, athletic,
physical woman that was
453
00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,016
very attractive,
the camera loved her,
454
00:24:06,017 --> 00:24:08,935
and there's not a microphone
she couldn't own.
455
00:24:08,936 --> 00:24:10,854
My name's Eric Bischoff,
former president of
456
00:24:10,855 --> 00:24:12,689
World Championship
Wrestling.
457
00:24:12,690 --> 00:24:14,232
Hello, everybody!
458
00:24:14,233 --> 00:24:16,568
Grew up as a young man,
a fan of Sherri Martel,
459
00:24:16,569 --> 00:24:19,529
and had the opportunity to
work with her in the 90s.
460
00:24:19,530 --> 00:24:20,947
He likes what he sees...
461
00:24:20,948 --> 00:24:23,533
Back when Sherri was at
her peak and managing,
462
00:24:23,534 --> 00:24:24,576
the producer would
say to you,
463
00:24:24,577 --> 00:24:26,327
"Okay, you're gonna be
doing this and this,
464
00:24:26,328 --> 00:24:27,495
you're gonna be doing
it on this night,
465
00:24:27,496 --> 00:24:29,205
you're gonna be in the ring
with these two."
466
00:24:29,206 --> 00:24:32,583
That's it! Boom.
Ready, set, go!
467
00:24:32,584 --> 00:24:34,710
I look in there,
what do I see?
468
00:24:34,711 --> 00:24:38,005
I see Hulk Hogan laying
flat on his back!
469
00:24:38,006 --> 00:24:41,759
She would figure out a way
to tweak her personality,
470
00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:43,844
and her appearance,
and the way she dressed,
471
00:24:43,845 --> 00:24:46,555
the way she acted, to kind
of more closely fit the guy
472
00:24:46,556 --> 00:24:50,975
she was with while still being,
at the root of it, herself.
473
00:24:50,976 --> 00:24:54,312
And indeed, we have a new
Macho king, Randy Savage,
474
00:24:54,313 --> 00:24:57,357
accompanied of course
by Queen Sherri!
475
00:24:57,358 --> 00:24:59,692
If you go back and you look
at the wrestling world and
476
00:24:59,693 --> 00:25:03,488
what the product was during
the peak of Sherri's career,
477
00:25:03,489 --> 00:25:06,199
I think she had a
ridiculously powerful
478
00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:07,700
impact on it.
479
00:25:07,701 --> 00:25:12,162
I had no idea that she was
really gonna do it that well.
480
00:25:12,163 --> 00:25:13,956
Oh, yeah!
481
00:25:13,957 --> 00:25:17,292
As time went on,
she just became...
482
00:25:17,293 --> 00:25:18,585
very famous.
483
00:25:18,586 --> 00:25:21,547
Please welcome
Sensational Sherri.
484
00:25:21,548 --> 00:25:25,259
♪
485
00:25:25,260 --> 00:25:28,637
Jarred would fly out and
go and meet her and...
486
00:25:28,638 --> 00:25:30,181
a bunch of the wrestlers.
487
00:25:54,412 --> 00:25:57,372
Sherri was completely
different than what
488
00:25:57,373 --> 00:26:01,585
any other female had
presented as in the WWF
489
00:26:01,586 --> 00:26:03,003
up 'til that point in time.
490
00:26:03,004 --> 00:26:05,630
Introducing first
the manager...
491
00:26:05,631 --> 00:26:07,090
Elizabeth!
492
00:26:07,091 --> 00:26:10,343
Miss Elizabeth was brought
in with Randy Savage because
493
00:26:10,344 --> 00:26:12,095
she was his real-life wife,
494
00:26:12,096 --> 00:26:14,389
and you had Sable and
you had Sunny.
495
00:26:14,390 --> 00:26:16,599
But they weren't
trained wrestlers.
496
00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:17,975
Sherri was.
497
00:26:17,976 --> 00:26:21,270
Sherri wasn't afraid to
get in there and mix it up,
498
00:26:21,271 --> 00:26:23,397
and do what needed to be
done in the finish to get the
499
00:26:23,398 --> 00:26:25,149
people on the edge
of their seat.
500
00:26:25,150 --> 00:26:27,818
She didn't care if she was
wearing a $5000 ball gown,
501
00:26:27,819 --> 00:26:29,695
she's gonna be
down on the floor,
502
00:26:29,696 --> 00:26:33,073
choking the guy that her
wrestler is opposing.
503
00:26:33,074 --> 00:26:36,452
Ultimate Warrior with
Sensational Queen Sherri!
504
00:26:36,453 --> 00:26:39,329
Down they go!
505
00:26:39,330 --> 00:26:41,664
She was always taking bumps,
crazy bumps, big bumps,
506
00:26:41,665 --> 00:26:45,001
tall bumps,
concrete bumps, right?
507
00:26:45,002 --> 00:26:49,005
In a woman's frame, there's a
little less sometimes, right?
508
00:26:49,006 --> 00:26:53,927
And, she was banged up.
509
00:26:53,928 --> 00:26:56,179
I'm sure she had injuries.
510
00:26:56,180 --> 00:26:58,015
How bad is the question.
511
00:27:00,683 --> 00:27:02,268
I'm sure she took meds.
512
00:27:40,847 --> 00:27:44,683
Somas are a
muscle relaxer...
513
00:27:44,684 --> 00:27:49,604
that many of the wrestlers
began to rely on and,
514
00:27:49,605 --> 00:27:52,899
it began to become a
problem in wrestling
515
00:27:52,900 --> 00:27:56,027
in the late 80s and
into the 90s like...
516
00:27:56,028 --> 00:27:58,238
number of other
substances did.
517
00:27:58,239 --> 00:28:01,408
It was like candy,
it was ready available,
518
00:28:01,409 --> 00:28:04,327
and they took the Somas,
they took the Vicodins,
519
00:28:04,328 --> 00:28:06,870
they took whatever the
hell else they took.
520
00:28:06,871 --> 00:28:07,955
Sometimes you
had doctors that
521
00:28:07,956 --> 00:28:09,915
wrote these
prescriptions out.
522
00:28:09,916 --> 00:28:12,376
It was crazy.
I saw it firsthand!
523
00:28:12,377 --> 00:28:14,044
But you can believe in
the WWF and the
524
00:28:14,045 --> 00:28:16,714
new testing policies
and procedures.
525
00:28:16,715 --> 00:28:19,633
When the WWE first
started drug testing,
526
00:28:19,634 --> 00:28:21,593
it was because of the
steroid scandal that
527
00:28:21,594 --> 00:28:23,762
Vince McMahon
got himself into,
528
00:28:23,763 --> 00:28:25,514
along with Hulk Hogan
and a few of the guys that
529
00:28:25,515 --> 00:28:28,559
were really over-the-top
on the steroids.
530
00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,936
But they were testing for
all kinds of street drugs and
531
00:28:31,937 --> 00:28:34,022
illegal drugs as well.
532
00:28:34,023 --> 00:28:38,694
And, Sherri failed a number
of times for marijuana.
533
00:29:02,091 --> 00:29:05,343
In any wrestling promotion
since the dawn of time,
534
00:29:05,344 --> 00:29:06,887
if you showed up high and
screwed something up
535
00:29:06,888 --> 00:29:09,598
you got fired.
Nobody got sent to rehab.
536
00:29:09,599 --> 00:29:11,601
Everybody got
sent packing.
537
00:29:18,982 --> 00:29:22,610
Fired from the
WWF in 1993,
538
00:29:22,611 --> 00:29:24,653
Sherri Martel needs
to figure out her
539
00:29:24,654 --> 00:29:26,739
next move to stay
working in the industry
540
00:29:26,740 --> 00:29:28,075
that she loves.
541
00:29:34,322 --> 00:29:38,917
Of all the things I've ever
been so excited about
542
00:29:38,918 --> 00:29:41,711
in my life, it's coming to
the parade of champions.
543
00:29:41,712 --> 00:29:44,756
It's the same year that she
had been let go from the WWF.
544
00:29:44,757 --> 00:29:46,174
I brought her down
to Knoxville for
545
00:29:46,175 --> 00:29:47,634
Smoky Mountain Wrestling.
546
00:29:47,635 --> 00:29:51,054
Sherri Martel giving it
to Tammy Fitch!
547
00:29:51,055 --> 00:29:53,807
She was the same old Sherri,
and came in and
548
00:29:53,808 --> 00:29:56,851
did a wonderful job for us.
549
00:29:56,852 --> 00:30:00,187
But there was one night
after one of the shows,
550
00:30:00,188 --> 00:30:02,689
I could tell that she was
slowing down a little bit,
551
00:30:02,690 --> 00:30:06,401
and I was like, "Sherri?"
"Oh, I'm okay." I said,
552
00:30:06,402 --> 00:30:10,781
"Ah, having a cruise on
'Lake Have-A-Soma', I see."
553
00:30:10,782 --> 00:30:13,450
If you're
heavily Soma'd,
554
00:30:13,451 --> 00:30:17,246
not only are you
zombified, mentally,
555
00:30:17,247 --> 00:30:20,414
but you're whole
body's out of control.
556
00:30:20,415 --> 00:30:22,667
She always had bad
back pain.
557
00:30:22,668 --> 00:30:26,671
And, she sometimes took
a little too much.
558
00:30:26,672 --> 00:30:28,422
And it was for the pain.
559
00:30:28,423 --> 00:30:29,507
It wasn't for
any other reason,
560
00:30:29,508 --> 00:30:31,551
it was for the pain.
561
00:30:31,552 --> 00:30:34,554
It wasn't just
to pop a pill.
562
00:30:34,555 --> 00:30:36,722
She was medicating
on her own,
563
00:30:36,723 --> 00:30:38,432
which had gotten
out of hand.
564
00:30:38,433 --> 00:30:41,060
That never works out well
in the end, does it?
565
00:30:54,657 --> 00:30:57,659
Despite her ongoing issues
with pain medication,
566
00:30:57,660 --> 00:31:00,162
Sherri returns to the
national spotlight with
567
00:31:00,163 --> 00:31:03,747
WWF rival, World
Championship Wrestling.
568
00:31:03,748 --> 00:31:07,418
I am here for a reason,
and that is to find a man
569
00:31:07,419 --> 00:31:10,337
that can fulfill
all of my needs.
570
00:31:10,338 --> 00:31:13,132
I didn't ask Sherri why she
was let go from WWE-
571
00:31:13,133 --> 00:31:15,676
if she quit,
or was fired.
572
00:31:15,677 --> 00:31:18,220
I didn't know, I didn't ask,
and I didn't care.
573
00:31:18,221 --> 00:31:19,805
I hired her back in '93
because
574
00:31:19,806 --> 00:31:21,599
she was a great talent.
575
00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:24,935
To be led to the ring
by Sister Sherri!
576
00:31:24,936 --> 00:31:26,477
Wow!
577
00:31:26,478 --> 00:31:28,813
From Harlem, New York!
578
00:31:28,814 --> 00:31:31,941
Sherri and Harlem Heat-
Booker and Stevie Ray-
579
00:31:31,942 --> 00:31:34,652
they looked great together
and, they had not had
580
00:31:34,653 --> 00:31:38,323
a major spot anywhere before
in a big time promotion or
581
00:31:38,324 --> 00:31:42,035
on a major television show
so, she kind of gave them
582
00:31:42,036 --> 00:31:44,120
credibility that they
wouldn't have had because
583
00:31:44,121 --> 00:31:45,955
everybody knew
who Sherri was.
584
00:31:45,956 --> 00:31:47,206
Sherri...
585
00:31:47,207 --> 00:31:48,790
send him headfirst!
586
00:31:48,791 --> 00:31:51,752
Sherri's passion and
dedication to her career
587
00:31:51,753 --> 00:31:54,255
having enough time
588
00:31:51,753 --> 00:31:54,254
comes at the cost of never
589
00:31:54,255 --> 00:31:56,256
for her son, Jarred.
590
00:31:56,257 --> 00:31:58,927
♪
591
00:32:18,904 --> 00:32:23,658
She seemed a little
more lost.
592
00:32:23,659 --> 00:32:27,037
And, uncertain.
593
00:32:38,172 --> 00:32:41,508
She was let go because she
was no longer good on camera.
594
00:32:41,509 --> 00:32:45,387
She would show up under
the influence of something,
595
00:32:45,388 --> 00:32:47,973
I'm guessing it was
prescription drugs.
596
00:32:47,974 --> 00:32:49,808
Didn't matter to me,
she was under something,
597
00:32:49,809 --> 00:32:52,352
and it was affecting
her ability to perform.
598
00:32:52,353 --> 00:32:55,354
You can't fire me
'cause I quit right now!
599
00:32:55,355 --> 00:32:57,439
Whoa! Wait a minute,
is that official?
600
00:32:57,440 --> 00:33:01,235
I don't know what took place
between Sherri and Eric.
601
00:33:01,236 --> 00:33:03,570
Maybe she was taking
too many Somas.
602
00:33:03,571 --> 00:33:06,156
Maybe she wasn't herself.
Maybe she wasn't...
603
00:33:06,157 --> 00:33:09,285
performing in the ring
like she was supposed to.
604
00:33:09,286 --> 00:33:14,415
However, if that was true,
and he acted and said,
605
00:33:14,416 --> 00:33:16,749
"I'm just gonna get rid of
her," then that should've
606
00:33:16,750 --> 00:33:19,794
been done two-fold on a
handful of --ing-
607
00:33:19,795 --> 00:33:22,380
excuse me-
a handful of men.
608
00:33:22,381 --> 00:33:25,591
♪
609
00:33:25,592 --> 00:33:27,802
But it wasn't.
610
00:33:27,803 --> 00:33:30,471
After WCW, there was
no place to go.
611
00:33:30,472 --> 00:33:34,017
At that point in time,
Sherri was in her 40s.
612
00:33:34,018 --> 00:33:37,477
And, younger girls
had come along,
613
00:33:37,478 --> 00:33:39,938
so I think it probably was
the worst thing to happen
614
00:33:39,939 --> 00:33:44,359
at that point in time that
she lost that spot.
615
00:33:44,360 --> 00:33:46,028
I'd heard it over the
grapevine that
616
00:33:46,029 --> 00:33:48,947
she was deep
into the oxys.
617
00:33:48,948 --> 00:33:51,366
And they were
controlling her life.
618
00:33:51,367 --> 00:33:54,036
You medicate.
619
00:33:54,037 --> 00:33:57,831
"-- it, I lost my job, I'm
just gonna get --ed up."
620
00:33:57,832 --> 00:34:00,166
It's not like there's
20 wrestling companies
621
00:34:00,167 --> 00:34:01,459
that you can go to.
622
00:34:01,460 --> 00:34:07,006
Sherri spent probably
5 years... up there.
623
00:34:07,007 --> 00:34:08,799
And that's a great
accomplishment,
624
00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:11,344
but it's never enough.
625
00:34:11,345 --> 00:34:13,388
It's never enough.
626
00:34:21,520 --> 00:34:23,605
As her wrestling
career nears its end,
627
00:34:23,606 --> 00:34:27,817
Sherri Martel marries her new
boyfriend, Robert Schrull.
628
00:34:27,818 --> 00:34:30,487
She had gotten
married in 1997,
629
00:34:30,488 --> 00:34:33,365
which was during
her WCW run.
630
00:34:33,366 --> 00:34:37,869
And, sometimes, when a
civilian marries a celebrity,
631
00:34:37,870 --> 00:34:40,080
that civilian thinks that
celebrity is always
632
00:34:40,081 --> 00:34:41,581
gonna be a celebrity.
633
00:34:41,582 --> 00:34:45,000
And, unfortunately,
after the WCW run,
634
00:34:45,001 --> 00:34:48,670
Sherri was off television,
out of the business, and...
635
00:34:48,671 --> 00:34:50,672
just a normal person.
636
00:34:50,673 --> 00:34:52,716
Sherri didn't do normal well.
637
00:34:52,717 --> 00:34:55,260
She was still in a
lot of pain.
638
00:34:55,261 --> 00:34:59,181
Sadly, I think if she had
another outlet...
639
00:34:59,182 --> 00:35:01,058
and had gotten whatever
she needed- from what I
640
00:35:01,059 --> 00:35:04,937
understand, it was a surgery,
but she couldn't afford it.
641
00:35:04,938 --> 00:35:07,939
I don't think she would've
ever gotten hooked on pills.
642
00:35:07,940 --> 00:35:11,526
At some point when
you get addicted to
643
00:35:11,527 --> 00:35:13,653
prescription pills or
anything else,
644
00:35:13,654 --> 00:35:15,029
you're taking it
because you have to,
645
00:35:15,030 --> 00:35:16,280
whether you're
injured or not,
646
00:35:16,281 --> 00:35:17,907
'cause you're addicted.
647
00:35:17,908 --> 00:35:20,159
But I don't think that her
husband was any
648
00:35:20,160 --> 00:35:22,871
benefit to her in that
particular situation.
649
00:35:53,066 --> 00:35:55,568
[Cheering & applauding]
650
00:35:55,569 --> 00:35:57,153
In 2006,
651
00:35:57,154 --> 00:35:59,864
after several years away
from the wrestling business,
652
00:35:59,865 --> 00:36:01,740
Sherri becomes the
second woman to be
653
00:36:01,741 --> 00:36:04,618
inducted into the
WWE Hall of Fame.
654
00:36:04,619 --> 00:36:07,246
[Chanting]
Sherri! Sherri!
655
00:36:07,247 --> 00:36:10,124
You know, the amazing thing
about this business is
656
00:36:10,125 --> 00:36:13,001
I had the ability to walk
beside some of the
657
00:36:13,002 --> 00:36:15,670
most wonderful people
in the world.
658
00:36:15,671 --> 00:36:17,755
This was her time to shine.
659
00:36:17,756 --> 00:36:21,009
And, she spoke
from the heart.
660
00:36:21,010 --> 00:36:23,386
And then I met a man
named Eric Bischoff.
661
00:36:23,387 --> 00:36:26,806
[Cheering & booing]
662
00:36:26,807 --> 00:36:31,186
And we all know where
he's at now, right?!
663
00:36:31,187 --> 00:36:33,854
Whoo! Outta here!
664
00:36:33,855 --> 00:36:34,897
Woo!
665
00:36:34,898 --> 00:36:38,358
Oh, no! He's here!
666
00:36:38,359 --> 00:36:40,486
Damn,
I thought you were gone.
667
00:36:40,487 --> 00:36:42,779
[Laughing]
668
00:36:42,780 --> 00:36:44,032
Ha-ha!
669
00:36:57,377 --> 00:36:59,462
My son, Jarred,
my husband, Robert.
670
00:36:59,463 --> 00:37:01,839
My best friend,
Kathy Fitzpatrick.
671
00:37:01,840 --> 00:37:06,302
I love you, baby.
Dreams do come true.
672
00:37:06,303 --> 00:37:09,263
She didn't look at it as a,
as a great occasion
673
00:37:09,264 --> 00:37:12,183
because that meant,
you know, it's all over.
674
00:37:12,184 --> 00:37:14,268
That's one of the hardest
things in the world for
675
00:37:14,269 --> 00:37:18,313
a lot of people is to find
your, your place in life,
676
00:37:18,314 --> 00:37:20,982
when all you've ever
known is wrestling and
677
00:37:20,983 --> 00:37:22,901
all that goes with it.
678
00:37:22,902 --> 00:37:25,904
That's where a big part
of the struggle can be.
679
00:37:25,905 --> 00:37:28,240
♪
680
00:37:28,241 --> 00:37:30,534
Although it seems her
career might be over,
681
00:37:30,535 --> 00:37:33,620
Sherri spends the next year
optimistic for her future
682
00:37:33,621 --> 00:37:35,497
in the business.
683
00:37:35,498 --> 00:37:37,832
I was on the
phone with her.
684
00:37:37,833 --> 00:37:41,168
She was in the
best mood ever.
685
00:37:41,169 --> 00:37:44,755
She was sitting on the
front porch with her mom,
686
00:37:44,756 --> 00:37:45,881
drinking sweet tea,
687
00:37:45,882 --> 00:37:48,384
playing with the puppy
they just got.
688
00:37:48,385 --> 00:37:49,760
And said to me,
"I have something-
689
00:37:49,761 --> 00:37:52,680
some news to tell you,
but I don't want to jinx it."
690
00:37:52,681 --> 00:37:54,014
From what I had heard,
691
00:37:54,015 --> 00:37:56,433
they were going to
bring Sherri back.
692
00:37:56,434 --> 00:37:59,562
Get her her operation,
get her back fixed,
693
00:37:59,563 --> 00:38:02,313
and they were gonna have
her train the women.
694
00:38:02,314 --> 00:38:05,066
I know she wanted to
go back to the WWE.
695
00:38:05,067 --> 00:38:08,736
Whether they were receptive
or not to giving it to her,
696
00:38:08,737 --> 00:38:11,114
I don't know, and I guess
we won't ever
697
00:38:11,115 --> 00:38:12,741
find out at this point.
698
00:38:29,799 --> 00:38:32,301
I believe her
699
00:38:32,302 --> 00:38:35,429
sister or somebody
called me.
700
00:38:35,430 --> 00:38:38,724
And that's when I got in
my vehicle and drove
701
00:38:38,725 --> 00:38:41,894
to Alabama, so I
could be there.
702
00:38:44,814 --> 00:38:49,317
[Exhaling sharply]
Empty...
703
00:38:49,318 --> 00:38:51,486
Empty.
704
00:39:04,791 --> 00:39:08,084
Sherri's sudden death at
age 49 causes local
705
00:39:08,085 --> 00:39:11,088
Alabama police to open
an investigation.
706
00:39:20,681 --> 00:39:23,475
It just seemed
so... ironic
707
00:39:23,476 --> 00:39:28,021
that she was so happy,
the night before.
708
00:39:28,022 --> 00:39:32,191
And 10 o'clock the next
morning I get this phone call.
709
00:39:32,192 --> 00:39:34,485
Following a brief
investigation,
710
00:39:34,486 --> 00:39:38,489
Sherri Martel's death is
ruled an accidental overdose.
711
00:39:38,490 --> 00:39:41,492
I knew she could
go to extremes...
712
00:39:41,493 --> 00:39:45,204
but I guess I did not know
that it was just an ongoing,
713
00:39:45,205 --> 00:39:49,583
life threatening problem.
It floored me.
714
00:39:49,584 --> 00:39:52,377
Regrettably, the addiction
struggles that plagued
715
00:39:52,378 --> 00:39:56,172
Sherri's life are also on
display at the funeral.
716
00:39:56,173 --> 00:39:59,258
I know we had a few people
there that were probably
717
00:39:59,259 --> 00:40:02,595
coked out of their mind and
drugged out and whatnot.
718
00:40:02,596 --> 00:40:06,599
I think Jake was so out
of his frickin' mind...
719
00:40:06,600 --> 00:40:08,518
Oh, my god.
720
00:40:08,519 --> 00:40:11,437
And I think he was
leaning over the casket.
721
00:40:11,438 --> 00:40:14,648
He was just out of it.
722
00:40:14,649 --> 00:40:18,402
I remember Stevie Ray
being there, Booker T.
723
00:40:18,403 --> 00:40:22,322
But other than that, I can't
remember anything about it.
724
00:40:22,323 --> 00:40:24,991
I mean, I was at my
very lowest right then.
725
00:40:24,992 --> 00:40:27,077
♪
726
00:40:27,078 --> 00:40:29,913
They asked me to have
a few words, and I did.
727
00:40:29,914 --> 00:40:31,164
And I remember
looking at her, saying,
728
00:40:31,165 --> 00:40:34,000
"How dare you
leave me behind."
729
00:40:34,001 --> 00:40:35,919
--ing right,
I was angry,
730
00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:39,422
'cause I thought we were
friends for, forever.
731
00:40:39,423 --> 00:40:42,133
Not counting dying.
732
00:40:42,134 --> 00:40:44,218
We were just like...
733
00:40:44,219 --> 00:40:46,303
we both came up hard.
734
00:40:46,304 --> 00:40:48,639
And, we both had
to fight, and scratch,
735
00:40:48,640 --> 00:40:52,518
and claw for everything.
736
00:40:52,519 --> 00:40:54,854
She was one of
my loves, man.
737
00:40:54,855 --> 00:40:57,148
You know, she was somebody
that I identified with,
738
00:40:57,149 --> 00:41:00,692
and somebody
that I cherished.
739
00:41:00,693 --> 00:41:02,986
I honoured our friendship.
740
00:41:02,987 --> 00:41:05,697
I honoured her.
741
00:41:05,698 --> 00:41:08,867
Always will.
742
00:41:08,868 --> 00:41:13,037
Sherri was my best friend.
743
00:41:13,038 --> 00:41:15,915
I don't think anybody
could ever take that
744
00:41:15,916 --> 00:41:19,210
friendship away from us.
745
00:41:19,211 --> 00:41:22,504
Even if she's gone,
I know she's with me.
746
00:41:22,505 --> 00:41:24,548
♪
747
00:41:24,549 --> 00:41:27,426
I don't think you can think
about women in wrestling and
748
00:41:27,427 --> 00:41:33,056
not put Sherri Martel at
the very top of your list.
749
00:41:33,057 --> 00:41:35,601
A lot of the fans loved
and respected her.
750
00:41:35,602 --> 00:41:39,188
Maybe some of them didn't
respect her enough because
751
00:41:39,189 --> 00:41:42,065
they didn't know the
work that it took,
752
00:41:42,066 --> 00:41:43,900
and the perseverance
and the dedication
753
00:41:43,901 --> 00:41:46,486
it took for her
to get there.
754
00:41:46,487 --> 00:41:49,739
This is a picture that Sherri
gave to me at a fan fest like
755
00:41:49,740 --> 00:41:52,241
20 years ago or whatever,
she signed to me, it says,
756
00:41:52,242 --> 00:41:56,120
"To Jimmy Cornette, Remember
always I was your first.
757
00:41:56,121 --> 00:41:58,998
Loving you forever,
Sherri Martel."
758
00:41:58,999 --> 00:42:03,252
And boy,
she looked good.
759
00:42:03,253 --> 00:42:06,046
Everybody in the business
had a high opinion of,
760
00:42:06,047 --> 00:42:07,715
of Sherri and her talent.
761
00:42:17,172 --> 00:42:22,312
Never held anything against
her except for the fact that
762
00:42:22,313 --> 00:42:24,606
she left.
763
00:42:24,607 --> 00:42:27,650
Jarred, to me,
he's special.
764
00:42:27,651 --> 00:42:30,779
And I do what I can
to keep him going.
765
00:42:52,633 --> 00:42:54,051
[Off-screen] Sure.
766
00:42:56,637 --> 00:42:58,680
That's my life.
767
00:42:58,681 --> 00:43:00,516
He's my everything.
768
00:43:13,027 --> 00:43:14,903
She used to tell me
all the time,
769
00:43:14,904 --> 00:43:18,198
"I would never find someone
as good as you
770
00:43:18,199 --> 00:43:20,284
to take care of my son."
771
00:43:20,285 --> 00:43:24,329
She was awesome,
she really was.
772
00:43:24,330 --> 00:43:26,624
She, she chose her
career, you know.
773
00:43:26,674 --> 00:43:31,224
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