Sensational Sherri: The Trailblazing Career of Sherri Martel

A Wrestling Icon of the 80s and 90s

Sherri Martel, better known by her ring names Sensational Sherri and Queen Sherri, is an American professional wrestler and manager renowned for her pioneering career in the wrestling industry. As a three-time AWA World Women's Champion and one-time WWF Women's Champion, Martel's accomplishments in the ring are matched only by her impact as a manager to some of the biggest names in wrestling history.

Early Life and Introduction to Wrestling

Born Sherry Lynn Russell on February 8, 1958, in Birmingham, Alabama, Martel's interest in wrestling was sparked at a young age. Her mother would often take her and her sister to wrestling shows in Mississippi, where they would watch in awe as the larger-than-life characters clashed in the ring. This early exposure would eventually lead Martel to seek out the guidance of Grizzly Smith, a veteran wrestler who would later help her get her start in the industry.

Professional Career

Mid-South and AWA (1980-1985)

Martel began her professional wrestling career in the Mid-South region, where she honed her skills and developed her in-ring persona. She eventually made her way to the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where she would win her first AWA World Women's Championship in 1985.

WWF (Late 1980s)

In the late 1980s, Martel joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where she would become a household name as the valet to Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase, and Shawn Michaels. Her charisma and sassiness outside the ring were matched only by her athleticism and toughness inside it, earning her a reputation as one of the most formidable female wrestlers of her era.

ECW and WCW (1990s)

In the 1990s, Martel made appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where she continued to manage and wrestle alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. Her time in WCW saw her team up with the Harlem Heat tag team, further cementing her status as a respected veteran in the world of professional wrestling.

Legacy and Impact

Sherri Martel's influence on modern professional wrestling cannot be overstated. As a trailblazing female wrestler and manager, she paved the way for future generations of women to follow in her footsteps. Her combination of athleticism, charisma, and sassiness raised the bar for female performers in the industry, and her contributions to the sport have been recognized by wrestling fans and historians alike.

Personal Life and Later Years

Martel's personal life was marked by turmoil, including a divorce and the loss of her son, Jared, in 2004. She made a few sporadic appearances in the wrestling world in the 2000s, including a stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2006. Tragically, Martel passed away on June 15, 2007, at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of professional wrestling.

Quotes and Memorable Sayings

• "If you want to make a good first impression, start with a good last impression." - Sherri Martel

Awards and Honors

• 3-time AWA World Women's Champion
• 1-time WWF Women's Champion

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Martel's ring name, Sensational Sherri, was used as the episode title in the fifth season of Viceland's docuseries, Dark Side of the Ring, in 2024.