90.217.188.51 (talk) :) made bigger. debra is the best! |
90.217.188.51 (talk) No edit summary |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
|||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|||
|image=Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg |
|||
|names=Debra<br />Debra McMichael<br />Debra Williams<br />Queen Debra |
|||
|height=5 ft. 6 in. (167 cm) |
|||
|weight=120 lb. (52 kg) |
|||
|birth_date=March 2, 1960 (Age 48)<ref name=marriage/> |
|||
|death_date= |
|||
|birth_place=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|resides=[[Denver, Colorado]] |
|||
|billed= |
|||
|trainer=[[Steve McMichael]]<ref>[http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/debra.html WWE Superstars - Debra]</ref> |
|||
|debut=April 1996 |
|||
|retired=March 2003 |
|||
|}} |
|||
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an [[United States|American]] [[actress]] and former [[professional wrestling]] [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] and [[WWE Diva]]. She is best known by her [[ring name]], '''Debra'''. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for [[Miss Texas USA]] in 1984. |
|||
==Early life== |
|||
Marshall was raised in [[West Blocton, Alabama]] and was a [[Athletics (track and field)|track runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in [[New York]]. She then became a [[flight attendant]] before joining [[World Championship Wrestling]] along with her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]], in 1996. |
|||
==Professional wrestling career== |
|||
===World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)=== |
|||
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[Randy Savage]] entered the ring. Then, [[Ric Flair]] hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the [[The Great American Bash#1996|Great American Bash]] in 1996, Mongo and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against Flair and [[Arn Anderson]]. Late in the match, [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]] and [[Miss Elizabeth|Elizabeth]] chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; [[Steve McMichael]] opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.<ref>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|pages=144}}</ref> After the match, [[Chris Benoit]] came out, and the reformed [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]]; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements. |
|||
Later in the same year, [[Jeff Jarrett]] came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to [[tag team|team]] with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett [[List of professional wrestling terms#T|turned]] on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited [[Eddie Guerrero]], [[Dean Malenko]], [[Bill Goldberg]], and [[Alex Wright]] into a shortlived [[List of professional wrestling terms#S|stable]], which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and [[divorce]]d Mongo). |
|||
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment=== |
|||
====1998–1999==== |
|||
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]] and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] in November, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with "The Bizarre One", [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]]. A match was set for December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House|In Your House: Rock Bottom]]. Goldust announced that it would be a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra [[Indecent exposure|flashed]] Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her [[brassiere|bra]] and [[G-string|thong]]. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. Jarrett became a de facto [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and immortalized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]]). |
|||
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, [[Lisa Moretti|Ivory]], in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and [[D'Lo Brown]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]''. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at [[In Your House#St. Valentine's Day Massacre|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and [[Mark Henry]], who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from [[Pretty Mean Sisters|PMS]] ([[Terri Runnels]] and [[Jacqueline Moore]]). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with [[Nicole Bass]], which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. |
|||
On May 10, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship|Women's Championship]] from [[Rena Mero|Sable]] in an [[Professional wrestling match types#bra and panties match|Evening Gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114|publisher=WWE.com|title=Debra Wins The Women's Belt|accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin. |
|||
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]]. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]]. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to [[Stephanie McMahon]] and [[Andrew Martin|Test]]. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the [[professional wrestling holds#figure four leglock|figure four leglock]] on her. Finally, at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]] on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against [[Chyna]] for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on ''Raw'', Jarrett and [[Tom Prichard]] challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at [[WWE No Mercy#1999|No Mercy]]. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty. |
|||
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Terri Poch|Tori]]. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from ''[[Playboy]]'' to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html|title=Debra's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-01-11}}</ref> |
|||
====2000–2002==== |
|||
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] match between [[Edge and Christian]] against [[D-Generation X]]'s [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]] and [[Brian Gerard James|"The Road Dogg" Jesse James]] at [[WWE Backlash#2000|Backlash]].<ref name=Debra>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/april/backlash00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer|accessdate=2007-05-27}}</ref> She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,<ref name=commissioner>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerwrestling.com/reports/results/2000/november/raw11-6-00.shtml|author=PowerWrestling.com|title=Debra is made LT Commissioner|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]]. By this time, Debra had married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines. |
|||
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]. It was not until Austin joined [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling terms#A|angle]] that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with ''Stone Cold'' written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking [[cookie]]s, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on ''Raw'', Stone Cold and Debra took on [[Matt Hardy]] and [[Amy Dumas|Lita]]. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010806.html|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|title=Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt|accessdate=2007-05-02}}</ref> In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with [[Triple H]], which led into an argument between Debra and [[Stephanie McMahon]] on January 14. The argument turned into a [[catfight]] when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=32}}</ref> |
|||
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the [[World Wide Fund for Nature#Abbreviation dispute|WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment]] in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown!'' and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on ''[[Former World Wrestling Entertainment programming#Excess (2001-2002)|Excess]]'' where Debra and [[Trish Stratus]] guested. The show aired two days after her last ''Raw'' appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed. |
|||
==Other media== |
|||
[[Image:debra mcmichael movie.jpg|thumb|Debra's appearance as a policewoman in ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'']] |
|||
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' as a policewoman. |
|||
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the ''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of ''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]'' to be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==Personal life== |
|||
In 1985, Debra married [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]]. She and McMichael were [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> |
|||
On September 6, 2000, Debra married [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/> On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in [[San Antonio, Texas]]. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html|title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|accessdate=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]]. He pled [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and was given a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and ordered to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref> and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]]. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajah.com/base/2004/348|title=Rajah: Wedding Ring|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]], to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide]]. Debra stated that [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|date=2007-06-27|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told ''Fox News'' that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from [[Depression (mood)|depression]] from the whole ordeal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Fox News: Code of silence|accessdate=2008-30-11}}</ref> |
|||
==In wrestling== |
|||
*'''Signature moves''' |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snapmare|Hair-pull snapmare]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Jawbreaker|Jawbreaker]] |
|||
**[[Groin attack|Low blow]] |
|||
**[[Slap]] |
|||
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Sleeper hold|Sleeper hold]] |
|||
*'''Wrestlers managed''' |
|||
**[[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] |
|||
**[[Ric Flair]] |
|||
**[[Eddie Guerrero]] |
|||
**[[Owen Hart]] |
|||
**[[Jeff Jarrett]] |
|||
**[[Dean Malenko]] |
|||
**[[Steve McMichael]] |
|||
**[[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] |
|||
**[[Alex Wright]] |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[D'Lo Brown]] |
|||
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Manager]]s''' |
|||
**[[Chyna]] |
|||
**[[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] |
|||
==Championships and accomplishments== |
|||
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''' |
|||
**[[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
**[[PWI Woman of the Year]] (1999) |
|||
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]''' |
|||
**[[WWE Women's Championship|WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions|1 time]])<ref name=champ/> |
|||
==Filmography== |
|||
*''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation]]'' (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza" |
|||
*''[[Beyond the Mat]]'' (1999) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]" |
|||
*''[[Teen Choice Awards]]'' (1999) as "Presenter" |
|||
*''Stone Cold Steve Austin: What?'' (2002) |
|||
*''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]'' (2002) in episode 7.15 |
|||
*''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]'' (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2" |
|||
*''Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story'' (2004) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmspot.com/movie/343213/another-romantic-wrestling/cast/cast.html?tag=fs_nav;cast|author=Film-Spot|title=Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> |
|||
*''[[Inside Edition]]'' (2007) as "Herself" |
|||
*''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]'' (2009) as "Reina"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/|author=Gathering of Heroes|title=Debra plays Reina|accessdate=2008-11-30}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist|2}} |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://debra-marshall.co.uk/ Official Debra website (uk)] |
|||
* [http://www.totallydebra.com/ TotallyDebra.com] |
|||
* {{imdb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}} |
|||
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/d/debra.html Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com] |
|||
* [http://www.owow.com/RingsideWith/Debra/ Debra Marshall at OWOW.com] |
|||
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
|||
{{Persondata |
|||
|NAME= Marshall, Debra |
|||
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
|||
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
|||
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{birth date and age|year=1960|month=3|day=2}} |
|||
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
|DATE OF DEATH= |
|||
|PLACE OF DEATH= |
|||
}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} |
|||
[[Category:1960 births]] |
|||
[[Category:American film actors]] |
|||
[[Category:American television actors]] |
|||
[[Category:Beauty pageant contestants]] |
|||
[[Category:Female professional wrestlers]] |
|||
[[Category:Living people]] |
|||
[[Category:People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] |
|||
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] |
|||
[[fr:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
[[pt:Debra Marshall]] |
|||
{{Infobox Wrestler |
{{Infobox Wrestler |
||
|name=Debra Marshall |
|name=Debra Marshall |
Revision as of 19:53, 6 January 2009
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
External links
- Official Debra website (uk)
- TotallyDebra.com
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall at onlineworldofwrestling.com
- Debra Marshall at OWOW.com
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Born | March 2, 1960 (Age 48)[1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Debra Williams Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (167 cm) |
Billed weight | 120 lb (52 kg) |
Trained by | Steve McMichael[2] |
Debut | April 1996 |
Retired | March 2003 |
Debra Gale Marshall (born March 2, 1960)[1] is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. She is best known by her ring name, Debra. She is perhaps best known for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) between 1998 and 2002. Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra was a beauty pageant participant, winning the runner-up for Miss Texas USA in 1984.
Early life
Marshall was raised in West Blocton, Alabama and was a track runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York. She then became a flight attendant before joining World Championship Wrestling along with her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, in 1996.
Professional wrestling career
World Championship Wrestling (1996–1997)
Debra was originally one of many women who would stand on the entrance ramp and clap as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage entered the ring. Then, Ric Flair hit on her and she threw a drink in his face, which caused Mongo to demand a match with Flair. At the Great American Bash in 1996, Mongo and his partner Kevin Greene competed against Flair and Arn Anderson. Late in the match, Woman and Elizabeth chased Debra and Terri Greene backstage. Debra returned a few minutes later with a metal brief case and gave it to her husband; Steve McMichael opened it and found a Four Horsemen T-shirt and a sum of money. Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene due to the brief case.[3] After the match, Chris Benoit came out, and the reformed Four Horsemen attacked Randy Savage, who trained McMichael and Greene for the match. During this time, Debra bickered with Woman; Mongo and Benoit frequently had to step in and separate them from their disagreements.
Later in the same year, Jeff Jarrett came over to WCW from the WWF and expressed his desire to join the Horsemen. He immediately gained a fan in Ric Flair and Debra, much to the chagrin of the other Horsemen (including Mongo). She eventually helped Jarrett defeat Mongo to gain membership by forcing Mongo to team with him. Just as the duo had began to coexist peacefully, Debra and Jarrett turned on Mongo. Next, Debra recruited Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Bill Goldberg, and Alex Wright into a shortlived stable, which disbanded when Debra left WCW (and divorced Mongo).
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
1998–1999
In 1998, Debra rejoined Jarrett in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). At the beginning of her WWF career, Debra played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing business suits and rarely smiling. She often helped Jarrett win matches through cheating and interference. Following Survivor Series in November, Jarrett began a feud with "The Bizarre One", Goldust. A match was set for December at In Your House: Rock Bottom. Goldust announced that it would be a "Striptease match", meaning that if Jarrett won, Goldust would have to strip naked, but if Goldust won, Debra would have to strip naked. In the weeks prior to the match, Debra flashed Goldust in order to distract him and cost him matches. On December 13, Jarrett faced Goldust in the Striptease match. Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark guitar, enabling Jarrett to win, which meant that Goldust had to strip. WWF Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that, since Debra had hit Goldust with a guitar, Jarrett was disqualified, meaning that Goldust was the winner, and Debra had to strip. Debra was hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the crowd, stripping down to her bra and thong. Before Debra could unhook her bra, however, The Blue Blazer entered the ring and covered her up. From that point on, in every Jarrett match, Debra would take off her blouse and show her bra in order to distract Jarrett's opponents. The strategy was normally successful, and it helped Jarrett and partner Owen Hart defeat The Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock to become World Tag Team Champions. Jarrett became a de facto fan favorite as a result of Debra, who would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies" (a nickname originally bestowed by wrestler Road Dogg and immortalized by commentator Jerry Lawler).
It was not until February that Debra had her first feud with a female, Ivory, in the WWF. The feud began with small catfights, but it escalated to wrestling matches. The first match that Debra was involved in saw her team with Jarrett against Ivory and D'Lo Brown on Monday Night Raw. Ivory and Brown won by disqualification after Debra hit Ivory over the head with a guitar. They also fought in a tag match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre where Jarrett and Owen Hart retained their tag titles against Brown and Mark Henry, who were accompanied by Ivory. On March 1, Ivory stripped Debra during Jarrett's match. Debra then challenged Ivory to a match backstage, and Ivory accepted. On one occasion, Debra beat Ivory due to interference from PMS (Terri Runnels and Jacqueline Moore). During the month of April, Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart. Debra then became involved in an extended feud with Nicole Bass, which culminated in a mixed tag match pitting Bass and Val Venis against Jeff Jarrett and Debra at Over the Edge.
On May 10, Debra won the Women's Championship from Sable in an Evening Gown match.[4] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the winner is the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress. Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner. Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion. During her reign, she rarely defended the title, instead remaining a manager. Debra lost the Women's Title to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass. Debra was choking Ivory with a scarf when Bass entered the ring and choked Debra so Ivory got the pin.
Jarrett then began mistreating her during July and August, complaining that every match he lost was her fault. Jarrett then began another feud with D'Lo Brown. The two met at SummerSlam in 1999, with Debra in Brown's corner. Brown's former tag team partner Mark Henry turned on him, along with Debra, resulting in Jarrett winning both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship. The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, Miss Kitty. He, however, soon turned against Debra in favor of Kitty, after blaming her for a mixed tag team loss to Stephanie McMahon and Test. After losing that match, Jarrett applied the figure four leglock on her. Finally, at Unforgiven on September 26, Debra turned on Jeff Jarrett in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship. She smashed Jarrett's guitar over his head and told him she was no longer going to manage him. Chyna pinned Jarrett, but the referee overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement. The next night on Raw, Jarrett and Tom Prichard challenged Chyna and Debra to a mixed tag match. Chyna accepted but added the stipulation that if she won, she would get a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship. Just as Chyna was about to lose, Debra got into the ring and pulled Jarrett's hair. Chyna later pinned Jarrett and was rewarded a rematch at No Mercy. In the following weeks, Chyna and Debra continued to feud with Jarrett and Miss Kitty.
Debra appeared sporadically thereafter; she participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori. When Terri got into the ring to break up a pin, Debra got in and stripped Terri Runnels. At the end of 1999, Debra got an offer from Playboy to appear nude in the magazine yet she turned the offer down.[5]
2000–2002
In 2000, she acted as ring announcer for the WWF Tag Team Championship match between Edge and Christian against D-Generation X's X-Pac and "The Road Dogg" Jesse James at Backlash.[6] She disappeared in the summer of 2000, but made a full-time return in the fall of that year, playing the role of Lieutenant Commissioner,[7] the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley. By this time, Debra had married Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the marriage was incorporated into on-screen storylines.
Debra disliked her husband's becoming a villain at WrestleMania X-Seven, but still stood by him as he slowly descended into madness throughout his reign as WWF Champion. It was not until Austin joined The Alliance during the Invasion angle that Debra officially became a villain again, and she began wearing leather pants and tight black t-shirts with Stone Cold written on them. While she did not accompany Stone Cold to the ring for his matches, she did join him in backstage segments and in interviews. She also started baking cookies, which she served to the other Alliance members. The cookies supposedly tasted terrible, but no one told her, except a somewhat tactless Austin. On August 2, 2001, Debra hit Austin with a tray in the middle of the ring after he repeatedly interrupted and disrespected her. One week later on Raw, Stone Cold and Debra took on Matt Hardy and Lita. Debra and Lita fought outside the ring until Stone Cold stunned Lita and won the match.[8] In early 2002, Stone Cold entered into a feud with Triple H, which led into an argument between Debra and Stephanie McMahon on January 14. The argument turned into a catfight when Debra slapped Stephanie and pulled her down by her hair. They fought for about two minutes until WWF officials separated them.[9]
Debra retained an on-screen role with Stone Cold even after the Alliance angle ended and Stone Cold had turned face again. Her appearances became more and more infrequent, as she was not involved in any actual angles or storylines, and she just made random appearances backstage. After the WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, Debra made even more infrequent appearances. On June 3, Debra was shown with Stone Cold discussing both Raw and SmackDown! and about who Stone Cold would have to wrestle. On June 10, Debra was shown in a backstage interview about an incident between Lita and Austin. Debra's final appearance was on Excess where Debra and Trish Stratus guested. The show aired two days after her last Raw appearance. In late June 2002, Austin walked out of WWE, and Debra followed.
Other media
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Debra had a small role in the 1994 film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation as a policewoman.
In 1999, Debra presented two awards at the Teen Choice Awards. On February 16, 2002, she and Steve Austin appeared on an episode of Mad TV. On March 10, 2002, Debra appeared on an episode of The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster. She also appeared in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy as "Jenny". Debra will be in the upcoming film Gathering of Heroes to be released in 2009.[10]
Personal life
In 1985, Debra married National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael. She and McMichael were divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]
On September 6, 2000, Debra married Steve Austin and changed her name to Debra Williams.[1] On June 15, 2002, police were called to their residence in San Antonio, Texas. They found a hysterical Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[11] Austin had left the house and was asked by police not to return. On August 14, Austin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. He pled no contest on November 25 and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out eighty hours of community service.[12] In addition, he was banned from drinking alcoholic beer for a year, as alcohol was believed to be linked to his offense. Austin filed for divorce on July 22, 2002,[13] and the couple were legally divorced in 2003. Debra later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay. The money was donated by Debra to "SafePlace", a legal clinic which assists the victims of domestic abuse. The ring went for $34,000.[14]
In June and July 2007, Debra made several appearances in various newspapers and news programs, along with "Superstar" Billy Graham, to discuss the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide. Debra stated that steroids and drugs were the cause of Stone Cold hitting her in June 2002 and may be linked to the death of Chris and his family.[15] She said Benoit was a "nice person" but that drugs can change people, as they did Austin. Austin beat her three times, including holding her down on the floor and hitting her in the head and back while on drugs, which was the reason she divorced him. Debra also told Fox News that WWE had a "code of silence" where she was not allowed to reveal that Stone Cold hit her, as it would cost the company millions of dollars because Stone Cold was one of their biggest stars. Debra said she revealed the information five years later as she was suffering from depression from the whole ordeal.[16]
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- Wrestlers managed
Championships and accomplishments
Filmography
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994) as "Cop At Bud's Pizza"
- Beyond the Mat (1999) as "Herself"
- Biography (1999) in episode "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
- Teen Choice Awards (1999) as "Presenter"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin: What? (2002)
- Mad TV (2002) in episode 7.15
- Weakest Link (2002) in episode "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
- Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story (2004) as "Herself"
- Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) as "Jennie/Dancer"[17]
- Inside Edition (2007) as "Herself"
- Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009) as "Reina"[18]
References
- ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ WWE Superstars - Debra
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ a b "Debra Wins The Women's Belt". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ "Debra's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra the special Guest Ring Announcer". Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ PowerWrestling.com. "Debra is made LT Commissioner". Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Debra & Steve vs. Lita & Matt". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ Michael McAvennie (2003). "WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition". Pocket Books. p. 32.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Plea". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ "Rajah: Wedding Ring". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Fox News: Code of silence". Retrieved 2008-30-11.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Film-Spot. "Debra In Just Another Romantic Comedy Film". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
- ^ Gathering of Heroes. "Debra plays Reina". Retrieved 2008-11-30.