That Wrestling Wench artwork

That Wrestling Wench

45 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratings

That Wrestling Wench is a wrestling podcast that tells the stories of women wrestlers- their lives, careers, triumphs, and personhood. Many producers of mainstream wrestling media usually focus on the men that have dominated the industry. There are so many other people to highlight, at times celebrate, sometimes mourn, and ultimately try to understand. Wrestling's history is complex and vast, and there are so many people and stories to focus on. Come along.

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Episodes

Re-release: Luna Vachon Part 2

November 09, 2023 08:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

Re-released episode from about a year ago. This episode is the second and final episode on Luna Vachon. Discussed are some pivotal career moments, romantic partners, tragedies she endured, the pieces that make a performance, mental illness, and much more. Luna passed away in 2010, but has remained in the minds and hearts of fans for decades, and it is unlikely to change.

Re-release: Luna Vachon Part 1

September 21, 2023 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MB

This week's episode is a continuation from last week, another re-release from a little over a year ago! All about the early life of Luna Vachon, part two will be released next week!

Rerelease: Sex, Gender, and Pro Wrestling

August 24, 2023 07:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

This is a rerelease of an episode from a year ago, all about sex in wrestling. Sexuality is an interesting sociological tool that reveals not only what we desire but what we are disgusted by. Take a dive with me into the muddy waters of sexuality in professional wrestling.

Gaea Girls (2000)

July 21, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MB

Today, we embark on the wrestling documentary Gaea Girls. Released in 2000 by British filmmakers Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams, the doc follows a wrestling training center and promotion called Gaea Japan. Through the lens, the audience is shown the brutality inflicted upon its students and asks the question if realizing one's dreams is worth being put through Hell. The doc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QgwFXZdYPY&t=1s

The Montreal Screwjob: 1 (900)-WRESTLE

July 07, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MB

Today, in a continuation of the series on kayfabe, we have a special guest! Kreider Dane is a music producer based out of the greater Los Angeles area and is an avid wrestling fan. We talk all about the Montreal screw job, Vince McMahon's monopoly, Bret Hart's loogie, and much more!   Sources: Dark Side of the Ring episode on the Montreal Screwjob https://www.amazon.com/Ringmaster-Vince-McMahon-Unmaking-America/dp/1982169443/ref=asc_df_1982169443/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598275...

The Richter Screwjob: "Take A Bite and Growl"

June 23, 2023 07:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

Today's episode continues our series on kayfabe, and discusses one of the biggest kayfabe-breaking moments in wrestling history; the original screwjob. Sources: https://www.amazon.com/Ringmaster-Vince-McMahon-Unmaking-America/dp/1982169443/ref=asc_df_1982169443/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598275089707&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2787888112789702699&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1014369&hvtargid=pla-1677848432876&psc=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW0FgLGKa4...

Breaking Kayfabe

June 15, 2023 07:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MB

In this second part of this series on kayfabe, we go over what it means to watch fantasy dissipate around you. Through a few stories, we question what it means to take part in a world, and how kayfabe's change into the modern day allows us to believe even harder. Sources: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/986789-wwe-a-look-back-at-the-infamous-curtain-call-the-msg-incident https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI4839sOVsw https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/kayfabe-professional...

Kayfabe: Constructing Reality

June 02, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MB

In this series on kayfabe, we are going over what it means to build up a reality, and then watch it crash down around you. Professional wrestling blurs the lines between reality and fiction and therefore has the ability to show us what we want to be real. When we take part in the stories professional wrestling tells, we begin to be able to play with our imaginations of who we are, ourselves.

Drag and Professional Wrestling: Powder and Paint

May 18, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MB

From an article Alexa wrote at the Last Word On Sports. This episode points out the through line between pro wrestling and drag performance.   The article: https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2023/05/16/drag-and-wrestling-powder-and-paint/

Charmion: The Collective Gasp

May 05, 2023 07:00 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MB

Today's episode covers a strongwoman of the early 1900s, Charmion. Through her gender subversion, acrobatic stunts, and strip tease, this woman made people clutch their pearls. Pieces of her career and the way her narrative was shifted by those around her inspired a further discussion of the parallels to another strongwoman...Chyna.   Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charmion https://archive.ph/20061111131335/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/issues/2006/march/presence.php?page=2 http...

Jaguar Yokota

April 20, 2023 07:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MB

Today's mini-ish-sode is a breakdown of the article I wrote all about Jaguar Yokota for Last Word On Sports. From her inspirations to her extending her hand to those behind her, we're talking about one of the best wrestlers in history. My article on Mt. Rushmore of Women's Wrestling:  https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2023/04/07/womens-wrestling-mount-rushmore-a-lifelong-debate/ Jaguar Yokota's walk out music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oODnKkzLhw

Bull Nakano

March 24, 2023 07:00 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

Today's episode is all about the legendary Bull Nakano's wrestling career. Sources: Sisterhood the Squared Circle An Encyclopedia of women’s wrestling https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2021/02/03/aja-kong-racism/ https://prowrestlingpost.com/aja-kong-japans-female-vader/ https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1225206/bull-nakano-doesnt-like-to-compare-the-past-and-present-of-joshi-wrestling/ https://fivestarnetwork.co/bull-nakano-interview-wrestling-chigusa-nagayo-wwe-and-more/ https:/...

Changing the Name: That Wrestling Wench

March 09, 2023 08:00 - 2 minutes - 2.47 MB

Hello everyone! The podcasts name will be changing from (the f.k.a) Queen of the Ring to That Wrestling Wench.

Minisode: Mercedes Mone Honors Hana Kimura

February 23, 2023 08:00 - 8 minutes - 7.57 MB

Today's episode is a mini one, Alexa talks about how, in her New Japan Pro Wrestling debut match, Mercedes Mone paid homage to the late Hana Kimura. Alexa touches on fashion as identity within professional wrestling. Sources: https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1204408/mercedes-mone-pays-homage-to-hana-kimura-at-njpw-battle-in-the-valley/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2s2z2aGO_k

Minisode: Royal Rumble 2023

February 02, 2023 08:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MB

This mini episode is all about the 2023 women's Royal Rumble match. Discussed are some highs and some lows, and the lead up to this event with Raw 30. I hope you enjoy.

Mae Young Part 2

January 26, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MB

This is the conclusion to our two part series on Mae Young! Today's episode goes through meeting The Fabulous Moolah, wrestling schools, bringing women's wrestling to Japan, a return to Evangelicalism, and a power bomb through a table. I hope you'll join. Sources: Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee 06 Jul 1947, Sun  •  Page 38   The Wilmington Morning Star Wilmington, North Carolina Mon, Nov 01, 1943   Star Tribune Minneapolis, Minnesota Sun, Jan 24, 1943 · Page 26 C...

Mae Young Part 1

December 29, 2022 22:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MB

The first part of this series on Mae Young talks about her early life and career. We discuss Ed "The Strangler" Lewis, Evangelical religion, arrests, and what makes a villain in wrestling. The second part will be out in the coming weeks. Sources: Chattanooga Daily Times Chattanooga, Tennessee 06 Jul 1947, Sun  •  Page 38 The Wilmington Morning Star Wilmington, North Carolina Mon, Nov 01, 1943 Star Tribune Minneapolis, Minnesota Sun, Jan 24, 1943 · Page 26 Chattanooga Daily Times ...

Minisode: AEW Full Gear 2022

November 23, 2022 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MB

Today's minisode is all about the pay-per-view Full Gear from All Elite Wrestling. The pieces of the show I am focusing on throughout this episode are the return of Saraya to the wrestling ring and the match between Toni Storm and Jamie Hayter.

Kia Stevens AKA Awesome Kong

November 11, 2022 22:00 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MB

Todays episode is all about Kia Stevens also known as Awesome Kong. Listen along to hear about her trying out for cheer, Tough Enough, the ethics behind her ring name, her relationship with Aja Kong, GLOW, and much more!   Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdiThYyboAs https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9DaQDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA25&dq=awesome+kong&ots=R7gAQhE_m7&sig=LNvrdAz_gWgI0ZV9qWFk6nB-cZE#v=onepage&q=awesome%20kong&f=false https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awesome_Kong h...

Labor Rights in Wrestling

October 22, 2022 00:00 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MB

Today's episode is all about labor rights in professional wrestling. Since this topic is so vast, I hope to continue it on as a series. From how shitty Hulk Hogan is to circus inspiration, listen along.   Sources: https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/wrestling-union/ Wrestling Union – Failed Attempts and a History of Blackballing by WWE Javier Ojst Steve Austin Show https://grantland.com/features/wwe-hell-cell-john-cena-history-wrestling-real-scripted-labor-movement/ ...

The Booking of a Lifetime: "Crazy is My Superpower" - AJ Mendez Part 3

October 06, 2022 07:00 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MB

On this final episode of our series on AJ Mendez's autobiography, "Crazy Is My Superpower" AJ begins her journey through the WWE, finds a different formula for success, and stays herself the whole way through. Topics include: The WWE as Satanic Cult, body politics, the chihuahua Nacho Cheese, and more.

The Booking of a Lifetime: "Crazy is My Superpower" - AJ Mendez Part 2

September 24, 2022 07:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MB

The second part of this series on AJ Mendez's book, "Crazy is My Superpower" covers her beginning college, being confronted and confronting mental illness, and the twists and turns she took to get her in a wrestling ring for the first time.

The Booking of a Lifetime: "Crazy is My Superpower" by AJ Mendez Part 1

September 09, 2022 07:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MB

Today's episode is the beginning of a new series, The Booking of a Lifetime, where I will be discussing memoirs, autobiographies and more written by and with women wrestlers. To kick this off, we're starting with "Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules" by the one and only AJ Mendez. In this first part, we'll be discussing AJ's childhood, relationship with her family, and the pieces that created her as we know her today.

Sex, Gender, and Professional Wrestling

August 11, 2022 07:00 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

On today's episode, let's talk about sex baby. This episode is a small look into a huge topic. Sex and gender span a myriad of discussions, but today we're talking about how sex serves as a storytelling device in wrestling. From Playboy's longtime relationship with WWE to professional wrestling as a tool for queer sexual awakening, this is the first part of a (possible) multipart series. Sources: https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/evolution-progress-report-women-wrestlers-effects-...

Luna Vachon Part 2

July 29, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MB

This episode is the second and final episode on Luna Vachon. Discussed are some pivotal career moments, romantic partners, tragedies she endured, the pieces that make a performance, mental illness, and much more. Luna passed away in 2010, but has remained in the minds and hearts of fans for decades, and it is unlikely to change. Instagram: @queenoftheringpod Sources https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/luna-vachon/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU6iHxdwDUs https://thesmar...

Luna Vachon Part 1

July 07, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MB

On todays episode, Alexa is discussing wrestling royalty, Luna Vachon. This first part of the series peers into Luna's early years, inspirations, triumphs, some traumas and the Vachon's noble place in wrestling. The series will conclude in a few weeks, with the second part. Sources https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/luna-vachon/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU6iHxdwDUs https://thesmartmarks.com/article_1248.shtml https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/video/the-many-faces-of-luna...

When the WWE Girls Went Wild

May 26, 2022 07:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MB

Today on Queen of the Ring, we're discussing the cataclysmic event that was the collaboration of WWE and Girls Gone Wild. In March of 2003, their love child took form in a pay-per-view show. Though promised naked WWE Divas, the audience was really subjected to an hour of absolute unorganized debauchery. Through discussing how this came to be, the PPV itself, and the aftermath, we can have a look into not only how WWE valued their women wrestlers, but what they thought fans valued too. Source...

Lourdes Grobet: The First Lady of Lucha Libre Photography

April 28, 2022 07:00 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MB

Lourdes Grobet is an artist, who established her career within photography in the 1960s. Being from Mexico, her love for lucha libre began at an early age, like so many others. She quickly brought her artistic medium into the squared circle, and began documenting luchador's and luchadora's live's inside and outside the ring. Grobet's photography offers an insight into their day-to-day lives while still expressing an air of romance and awe. Quick note from Alexa* When referring to El Santo a...

Sandy Parker

April 14, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Today on Queen of the Ring, Alexa is going over the life and career of Sandy Parker. From the 60's into the '80s, Sandy set precedent's never seen before. She was the first openly gay woman to be a singles world champion, and the first Black woman to to become a world champion with the WWWA championship. Topics include: Heel work, queer villainy, the Fabulous Moolah needing an HR department and more. Sources: https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2008/04/07/sandy-parker-addicted-to-wrestling/...

Interview with Phil Schneider, author of "Way of the Blade: 100 of the Greatest Bloody Matches In Wrestling History"

March 24, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 73.7 MB

As a follow-up to the previous episode titled 'The Crimson Mask,' Alexa chats with Phil Schneider, wrestling critic, and author of book "Way of the Blade: 100 of the Greatest Bloody Matches In Wrestling History." Alexa asks him how he got interested in wrestling, what drew him to bloody matches, and his favorite bloody women's match. Digressions include: a Saudi Prince, AEW Revolution, World War Z, video stores, Trump/McMahon parallels and more. If you want to hear more from Phil Schneider:...

The Crimson Mask

March 17, 2022 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MB

In today's episode, Alexa takes us through what is known as the crimson mask in professional wrestling. Through doing so, she discusses some history of bloody wrestling matches, important moments in wrestling history, and just how career shifting one bloody match can be. She also talks about the women who subvert expectations by shedding their own blood...on purpose or on accident. Sources: Becky Lynch 24 on WWE https://ddtdigest.com/features/blading/ https://wrestlepundit.com/wwe-news/blad...

Aja Kong

March 03, 2022 08:00 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

Aja Kong is a Japanese wrestler who's career spans almost four decades. Alexa discusses her childhood and family, and how wrestling became important to her at such an early age. To look at the career of Aja Kong is to look at the evolution of women's wrestling. She along with some of her comrades, changed wrestling for the better. Still wrestling today, she continues to stir people out of their seats, and make them scream her name. Sources: An Encyclopedia of Women’s Wrestling by LaToya Fer...

Ashley Massaro

February 17, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MB

Today, Alexa talks about the life of Ashley Massaro. A once model made wrestler, Ashley was a ray of light that exuded every time she was on the stage. Through her employment with the WWE, Ashley ran in to systemic and situational issues that held her back, resulting in her having a short lived career. This did not mean the fans forgot her though, no, she spent the rest of her life still in the eyes of fans. She unfortunately passed away in 2018, leaving the world a little bit darker. Sourc...

The Legalization of Women's Wrestling

February 10, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MB

Today, Alexa discusses the history of the legalization of women's wrestling, and the role wrestler Titi Paris had in lifting the ban. Mentioned are the people who attempted before her, the folks who held them back, and those who supported them. Placing a ban on women's wrestling made it so combat fighters by trade could not have experience, opportunity, or employment. Note from Alexa Although gender is truly nothing if it is not fluid, I refer to it primarily in the binary sense throughout ...

Nyla Rose

February 03, 2022 08:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MB

Nyla Rose is a star with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Loving wrestling since childhood, Nyla watched with her grandmother, hoping to do it herself one day. Throughout her career, she has competed within independent circuits in the United States, and Japan. Being the first Native American and first transgender woman to be a champion at a major promotion exclusively, Nyla Rose is changing the scenery of what wrestling is for those coming in after her. Sources: AEW Unrestricted Podcast Fightful...

Pretty Mean Sisters (PMS)

January 27, 2022 08:00 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MB

In this episode, Alexa breaks down the tag-team known as the Pretty Mean Sisters (PMS) within the World Wrestling Federation. The team was made up of Terri Runnels and previous Queen of Our Ring, Jacqueline Moore. Topics include salacious storylines they were privy to being involved in, the other wrestlers they worked with, and the inspiration for the groups creator. Additionally, Alexa dives in to some more recent news, discussing the Vice TV show Dark Side of the Ring, and Runnels' questio...

Megumi Kudo

October 30, 2021 07:00 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MB

For this extra-special Halloween episode, Alexa is discussing the life of the Extreme Queen, Megumi Kudo. She set the standard for the caliber that wrestling exists at today. Kudo brought women into the emerging hardcore, death match wrestling scene. Suffering burns, lacerations, chains, barbed wire and explosions, she set the boundaries for where wrestling could go and was ahead of her time. Sources: "Megumi Kudo – She Was Hardcore Before It Was Cool" by Alex Podgorski on Pro Wrestling Pos...

History of Bra and Panty Matches

October 21, 2021 07:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

On this season finale, come along while Alexa discusses the history of bra and panty matches within professional wrestling. From the days of apartment wrestling in the late 1970's, to the Attitude Era in the WWE, feminine sexuality is consistently an important ingredient for wrestling's overall commercial success.  Sources: "Apartment Wrestling: Battling Girls" issue #4 Apartment House Wrestling (ahwgallery.com).  “Encyclopedia of Women’s Wrestling” by LaToya Ferguson.   History of Bra ...

A Brief History of Bra and Panty Matches

October 21, 2021 07:00 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MB

On this season finale, come along while Alexa discusses the history of bra and panty matches within professional wrestling. From the days of apartment wrestling in the late 1970's, to the Attitude Era in the WWE, feminine sexuality is consistently an important ingredient for wrestling's overall commercial success.  Sources: "Apartment Wrestling: Battling Girls" issue #4 Apartment House Wrestling (ahwgallery.com).  “Encyclopedia of Women’s Wrestling” by LaToya Ferguson.   History of Bra ...

Jacqueline

October 14, 2021 07:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MB

This week, Alexa talks about Jacqueline Moore, a retired professional wrestler with a vast history of working within different promotions over more than two decades. Jacqueline's story overlaps with so many of the greatest wrestlers of all time. She is one of the most decorated women wrestlers in history who came up through the independent scene, and became one of the biggest names in the business. Through her career, Jacqueline inspired so many women wrestlers behind her and paved a way for...

Sonny Kiss

October 07, 2021 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

This week, Alexa is talking about Sonny Kiss, a professional wrestler with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Sonny Kiss is defining what it means to be a wrestler in this generation through her in ring style, skill, and gender expression as a non binary, gender-fluid, feminine person. Through opening this door, she is allowing those who see themselves in her to follow in her footsteps. Sonny Kiss is creating a new space for queer wrestlers to be themselves just as she has. Sources: AEW Podcast. ...

Kagetsu

September 30, 2021 07:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

Kagetsu is a retired Japanese women's wrestler, who's legendary status should be known the world over, but her fame lies mostly in Japan. As a rookie, she was once sidelined and held back by those who trained her, then took that experience and went into her veteran years helping train those underneath her to excel beyond her. To her, bringing up those around her was as important as becoming one of the best wrestlers in the world. SOURCES:  The podcast, "Big Egg Joshi" episode on Kagetsu T...

Lita

September 23, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33 MB

In this season premiere, Alexa dives into the life of Amy Dumas, also known as Lita in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). From her early life, to her love of punk, beginning wrestling, and being the subject of a scandal in and outside the ring. From a lifelong wrestling fan, the life story of Lita.   Note from Alexa: **In this episode, I briefly mention the relationship of Terry Funk to hardcore, death match wrestling. I say something along the lines of him being the creator of it, but...

Queen of the Ring Back Story

September 16, 2021 22:24 - 3 minutes - 3.6 MB

I didn't get to mention who I would be covering this first season, so I will include a list here: #1: Lita #2: Kagetsu #3: Sonny Kiss #4: Jacqueline  #5: The History of Bra and Panties Matches Thank you! If you would like to suggest a person to cover please email: [email protected]

Trailer

September 16, 2021 22:24 - 3 minutes - 3.6 MB

I didn't get to mention who I would be covering this first season, so I will include a list here: #1: Lita #2: Kagetsu #3: Sonny Kiss #4: Jacqueline  #5: The History of Bra and Panties Matches Thank you! If you would like to suggest a person to cover please email: [email protected]