1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:07,591 You want a piece of me, little girl? 2 00:00:07,591 --> 00:00:09,968 Well, come and get it, because you're looking at a 3 00:00:09,968 --> 00:00:12,262 woman that invented mean! 4 00:00:12,262 --> 00:00:14,848 [narrator] Sherri Martel was a chameleon, 5 00:00:14,848 --> 00:00:17,017 a performer who broke new ground for women 6 00:00:17,017 --> 00:00:18,393 in the wrestling business... 7 00:00:18,393 --> 00:00:22,022 an in-ring natural that made it all look effortless. 8 00:00:22,022 --> 00:00:23,440 She was an ace. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:27,277 Sensational Sherri was a top-line ringer. 10 00:00:27,277 --> 00:00:28,570 You look at the 80s, 11 00:00:28,570 --> 00:00:29,738 and you look at Sherri's role and 12 00:00:29,738 --> 00:00:31,949 some of the biggest story lines, the biggest moments, 13 00:00:31,949 --> 00:00:33,617 the biggest Pay Per Views... 14 00:00:33,617 --> 00:00:36,036 my god, she was a huge star. 15 00:00:36,036 --> 00:00:37,996 Inside the ring and outside the ring, 16 00:00:37,996 --> 00:00:40,415 and on the microphone, and on camera, 17 00:00:40,415 --> 00:00:41,750 she was perfect. 18 00:00:41,750 --> 00:00:45,420 She was really the only great female manager 19 00:00:45,420 --> 00:00:47,005 of modern times. 20 00:00:47,005 --> 00:00:48,924 You, Hulk Hogan, are the one 21 00:00:48,924 --> 00:00:51,385 that has a failing career! 22 00:00:51,385 --> 00:00:53,011 Whatever the gimmick, 23 00:00:53,011 --> 00:00:55,013 she would do whatever it needed. 24 00:00:55,013 --> 00:00:56,848 Everybody in the business knew that. 25 00:00:56,848 --> 00:00:58,308 [Cheering] 26 00:00:58,308 --> 00:01:01,061 But few knew of the sacrifices that Sherri's 27 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:04,273 total commitment to becoming a star demanded... 28 00:01:04,273 --> 00:01:05,983 Her demons took over. 29 00:01:05,983 --> 00:01:09,861 She said she didn't want to be a caged bird. 30 00:01:09,861 --> 00:01:13,282 ...And the high costs of her trailblazing success. 31 00:01:13,282 --> 00:01:16,785 She worked hard, man. She paid a price, too. 32 00:01:16,785 --> 00:01:18,954 I knew she was in pain. But, you don't work, 33 00:01:18,954 --> 00:01:20,706 you don't get paid. 34 00:01:20,706 --> 00:01:22,082 It pushed her the wrong way. 35 00:01:22,082 --> 00:01:25,085 No punches pulled! No nothing! 36 00:01:25,085 --> 00:01:27,754 It became more obvious that she was having issues. 37 00:01:27,754 --> 00:01:29,798 If you can't get your act together, 38 00:01:29,798 --> 00:01:31,925 you need to step off team Harlem Heat. 39 00:01:31,925 --> 00:01:34,720 There were skeletons throughout her whole life. 40 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,931 Some people can get over it, and some people can't. 41 00:01:37,931 --> 00:01:42,853 ♪ 42 00:01:45,981 --> 00:01:48,358 ♪ 43 00:01:48,358 --> 00:01:51,278 Luna Vachon! Picking Sherri up! 44 00:01:51,278 --> 00:01:53,739 And she planted Sensational Sherri, 45 00:01:53,739 --> 00:01:55,157 right out here on the outside! 46 00:02:22,059 --> 00:02:23,727 Sherri was tough physically, 47 00:02:23,727 --> 00:02:26,188 but also she was tough somewhat mentally. 48 00:02:26,188 --> 00:02:28,732 She could take some of the abuses she got from the fans 49 00:02:28,732 --> 00:02:31,651 or from the other wrestlers, and that's why the guys 50 00:02:31,651 --> 00:02:35,280 liked working with her- she was all in. 51 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:36,657 I'm Jim Cornette. 52 00:02:36,657 --> 00:02:38,450 For almost 40 years, I've done everything in 53 00:02:38,450 --> 00:02:40,744 pro wrestling, especially managing. 54 00:02:40,744 --> 00:02:44,039 And Sherri Martel was the first person I ever managed. 55 00:02:44,039 --> 00:02:46,375 That I have signed up, and I would like to introduce, 56 00:02:46,375 --> 00:02:48,251 Miss Sherri Martel. 57 00:02:48,251 --> 00:02:50,587 I've had people ask me, "How did you decide to take 58 00:02:50,587 --> 00:02:53,423 Sherri Martel as a client?" Well, I didn't. 59 00:02:53,423 --> 00:02:55,926 Can I make an investment, or can I make an investment? 60 00:02:55,926 --> 00:02:59,137 In 1982, both of us were just getting started. 61 00:02:59,137 --> 00:03:01,056 Sherri was just a rookie wrestler, 62 00:03:01,056 --> 00:03:03,475 and we were kind of thrown together just because the 63 00:03:03,475 --> 00:03:06,311 promoter knew that I needed some kind of practice. 64 00:03:06,311 --> 00:03:07,688 So, we looked at each other and said, 65 00:03:07,688 --> 00:03:09,940 "You're greener than goose shit and I'm even worse, 66 00:03:09,940 --> 00:03:12,275 how can this possibly go wrong?" 67 00:03:12,275 --> 00:03:14,111 We bonded from that moment. 68 00:03:14,111 --> 00:03:16,822 Money talks and you know what walks. 69 00:03:16,822 --> 00:03:20,075 She wasn't the over-the-top personality that you would 70 00:03:20,075 --> 00:03:22,994 see from Sherri Martel 5 years later or 10 years later, 71 00:03:22,994 --> 00:03:25,288 but at that point, nobody knew she was 72 00:03:25,288 --> 00:03:27,624 gonna be not only one of the... 73 00:03:27,624 --> 00:03:30,377 great female wrestlers of the next generation, 74 00:03:30,377 --> 00:03:34,089 but also one of the most high profile managers in wrestling. 75 00:03:34,089 --> 00:03:36,091 She was just a girl who wanted to be a wrestler 76 00:03:36,091 --> 00:03:37,175 at that point. 77 00:03:37,175 --> 00:03:39,719 You didn't know how far she was gonna go. 78 00:03:39,719 --> 00:03:44,933 I know you all want me, but you can't have me. 79 00:03:44,933 --> 00:03:48,937 Sherri was a diva before the divas were divas. 80 00:03:48,937 --> 00:03:52,566 Once she got in that ring, different person. 81 00:03:52,566 --> 00:03:54,484 Minute she got out of that ring... 82 00:03:54,484 --> 00:03:57,696 A sweetheart. 83 00:03:57,696 --> 00:03:59,030 I'm Kathy Fitzpatrick, 84 00:03:59,030 --> 00:04:01,616 and Sherri Martel was my best friend. 85 00:04:01,616 --> 00:04:03,618 We kind of had the same kind of childhood. 86 00:04:03,618 --> 00:04:05,370 She didn't know her dad. 87 00:04:05,370 --> 00:04:07,456 Her mom would take her to wrestling shows, 88 00:04:07,456 --> 00:04:08,748 and she liked it. 89 00:04:26,391 --> 00:04:31,354 I met Sherri Martel in 1974. 90 00:04:31,354 --> 00:04:34,691 I'd say at the time she was probably 17, 91 00:04:34,691 --> 00:04:36,985 and I was 18, 92 00:04:36,985 --> 00:04:39,988 and I was a referee for Mid-South Wrestling. 93 00:04:39,988 --> 00:04:43,158 And, she was a fan. 94 00:04:43,158 --> 00:04:44,951 I remember Sherri being in the front row 95 00:04:44,951 --> 00:04:46,912 watching the shows. 96 00:04:46,912 --> 00:04:49,664 One night in Lafayette, Louisiana, 97 00:04:49,664 --> 00:04:52,209 we met, we talked... 98 00:04:52,209 --> 00:04:55,420 and, it moved forward very fast. 99 00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:57,923 ♪ 100 00:04:57,923 --> 00:05:00,634 Aurelian Smith is my legal name. 101 00:05:00,634 --> 00:05:03,887 Jake "The Snake" Roberts is how most people might know me. 102 00:05:03,887 --> 00:05:06,473 What's going through that evil mind? 103 00:05:06,473 --> 00:05:08,308 [Indistinct shouting] He did it! 104 00:05:08,308 --> 00:05:11,770 Sherri and I spent some raw time together. 105 00:05:11,770 --> 00:05:15,607 We were on-again, off-again for about 4 or 5 years. 106 00:05:15,607 --> 00:05:18,568 Just her walking into a room, she was a star. 107 00:05:18,568 --> 00:05:20,820 I mean, that's just how captivating she was, 108 00:05:20,820 --> 00:05:23,740 and she was beautiful, but she wasn't your typical, 109 00:05:23,740 --> 00:05:26,034 oh, dainty, pretty girl. 110 00:05:26,034 --> 00:05:28,036 She was, "I'll kick your ----ing ass 111 00:05:28,036 --> 00:05:31,122 in your face girl." [Laughing] 112 00:05:31,122 --> 00:05:33,917 Was I in love with her? 113 00:05:33,917 --> 00:05:36,294 I was in love with something. 114 00:05:36,294 --> 00:05:37,754 There was that connection. 115 00:05:37,754 --> 00:05:39,297 Both of us wanting something that seemed 116 00:05:39,297 --> 00:05:42,259 so far out of reality. 117 00:05:42,259 --> 00:05:44,636 It seemed like we would never get to the big show 118 00:05:44,636 --> 00:05:49,182 or to the, to the WWE, or even Mid-South. 119 00:05:49,182 --> 00:05:52,852 He's out for blood, he's not out to wrestle! 120 00:05:52,852 --> 00:05:56,231 Sherri Martel wanted to be a wrestling star, 121 00:05:56,231 --> 00:05:58,483 from the get-go. 122 00:05:58,483 --> 00:06:00,986 In those days, there were no training programs 123 00:06:00,986 --> 00:06:02,320 that were advertised. 124 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:05,615 You had to just hang around until somebody was willing to 125 00:06:05,615 --> 00:06:07,492 take a chance on you if you wanted to be 126 00:06:07,492 --> 00:06:09,286 involved in wrestling. 127 00:06:09,286 --> 00:06:12,372 Grizzly Smith at the time was a road agent and 128 00:06:12,372 --> 00:06:15,375 a matchmaker for Mid-South Wrestling. 129 00:06:15,375 --> 00:06:19,004 And, if he would see prospective talent, 130 00:06:19,004 --> 00:06:20,589 he would take an interest in 'em. 131 00:06:31,558 --> 00:06:33,560 Dreaming of being a wrestling star, 132 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:37,397 but with no avenue to begin her training, by 1976, 133 00:06:37,397 --> 00:06:40,609 Sherri is living and working in New Orleans. 134 00:06:40,609 --> 00:06:42,110 She was gorgeous, 135 00:06:42,110 --> 00:06:44,654 had a good sense of humour, and... 136 00:06:44,654 --> 00:06:48,575 Just, we got along. 137 00:06:48,575 --> 00:06:49,909 I'm Leroy Gonzales, 138 00:06:49,909 --> 00:06:54,414 and I'm the ex-husband of Sherri Martel. 139 00:06:54,414 --> 00:06:57,667 June of 1976. 140 00:06:57,667 --> 00:06:59,836 I was in training at a restaurant, 141 00:06:59,836 --> 00:07:03,798 and she was sitting in a booth and complained about 142 00:07:03,798 --> 00:07:07,010 a roach in the booth. 143 00:07:07,010 --> 00:07:09,888 I just looked up at her, and said, "Wow, 144 00:07:09,888 --> 00:07:11,931 wish I'd 'a been that roach." 145 00:07:11,931 --> 00:07:13,975 So, she says, later on, 146 00:07:13,975 --> 00:07:16,311 she says, "Why don't you come and meet me and 147 00:07:16,311 --> 00:07:17,646 have a drink?" 148 00:07:17,646 --> 00:07:19,814 She was working across the street. 149 00:07:19,814 --> 00:07:22,317 I didn't know where I was going, really, 150 00:07:22,317 --> 00:07:24,903 and so when I walked in, I realized 151 00:07:24,903 --> 00:07:27,489 it was a... club. 152 00:07:27,489 --> 00:07:30,075 ♪ 153 00:07:30,075 --> 00:07:33,411 And, she was on stage. 154 00:07:33,411 --> 00:07:35,580 After her dance was over, she came and sat down, 155 00:07:35,580 --> 00:07:38,083 we got to talking, and she just... 156 00:07:38,083 --> 00:07:41,670 swept me off my feet. 157 00:07:41,670 --> 00:07:44,839 She was wanting to get out of that business. 158 00:07:44,839 --> 00:07:47,676 And, I bought a trailer and... 159 00:07:47,676 --> 00:07:50,470 she moved in with me. 160 00:07:50,470 --> 00:07:52,389 One day I come in from work, 161 00:07:52,389 --> 00:07:54,974 got on a knee and asked her to marry me. 162 00:07:54,974 --> 00:07:57,936 But she'd go out with her girlfriends. 163 00:07:57,936 --> 00:08:00,480 And, party, yes. 164 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:03,692 Just about any drug. 165 00:08:03,692 --> 00:08:06,945 Marijuana, uppers, Mollies. 166 00:08:06,945 --> 00:08:10,365 Downers, Quaaludes, cocaine. 167 00:08:10,365 --> 00:08:12,283 We got into some 168 00:08:12,283 --> 00:08:15,995 pretty heated discussions about it, and... 169 00:08:15,995 --> 00:08:18,456 Yeah, it just never stopped. 170 00:08:18,456 --> 00:08:20,125 ♪ 171 00:08:20,125 --> 00:08:24,462 At that time, she wanted to have a family. 172 00:08:24,462 --> 00:08:27,549 And, we had Jarred in 173 00:08:27,549 --> 00:08:31,886 July of 1978. 174 00:08:31,886 --> 00:08:34,973 You wanted a child, now we have one. 175 00:08:34,973 --> 00:08:37,142 Time to put your big girl pants on and 176 00:08:37,142 --> 00:08:40,019 take care of the child. 177 00:08:40,019 --> 00:08:42,355 Couldn't take it. 178 00:08:42,355 --> 00:08:44,941 When she told me she was going to pursue a career 179 00:08:44,941 --> 00:08:47,277 in wrestling, I laughed at her. 180 00:08:47,277 --> 00:08:49,904 ♪ 181 00:08:49,904 --> 00:08:52,991 I had no idea. 182 00:08:52,991 --> 00:08:56,703 She left when the baby was like 3 months old. 183 00:08:56,703 --> 00:08:59,330 ♪ 184 00:08:59,330 --> 00:09:01,833 And I know it hurt, it bothered her. 185 00:09:01,833 --> 00:09:06,087 But, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. 186 00:09:06,087 --> 00:09:09,007 Sherri moves to Memphis where she again finds work as 187 00:09:09,007 --> 00:09:11,843 an exotic dancer while continuing her search for 188 00:09:11,843 --> 00:09:14,554 a way to break into the wrestling business. 189 00:09:14,554 --> 00:09:17,640 In those days, there was always some independent, 190 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:19,434 or what we call "outlaw wrestlers" 191 00:09:19,434 --> 00:09:21,603 around a major wrestling city. 192 00:09:46,336 --> 00:09:48,755 There you go, outlaw wrestler. 193 00:09:48,755 --> 00:09:51,132 Here, let me slap you and see if you're tough- 194 00:09:51,132 --> 00:09:52,967 and what the ---- is that? 195 00:09:52,967 --> 00:09:54,636 I would've been interested to see if she slapped him back 196 00:09:54,636 --> 00:09:56,012 if he could handle it. 197 00:10:35,802 --> 00:10:38,555 Great. Ask my sister... 198 00:10:38,555 --> 00:10:40,890 Rockin' Robin. 199 00:10:40,890 --> 00:10:42,600 The first time I met Sherri was, 200 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:44,310 when she would come in town, often she would stay 201 00:10:44,310 --> 00:10:46,479 actually at my father's house. 202 00:10:46,479 --> 00:10:48,857 ♪ 203 00:10:48,857 --> 00:10:52,443 I'm Rockin' Robin, and I defeated Sherri Martel 204 00:10:52,443 --> 00:10:55,738 from the WWF Women's World Title. 205 00:10:55,738 --> 00:10:58,324 History made here, new ladies' champion! 206 00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:00,410 Rockin' Robin! 207 00:11:00,410 --> 00:11:02,829 Like a lot of the other girls, if they were in town, 208 00:11:02,829 --> 00:11:04,789 I would go and hang out with 'em. 209 00:11:04,789 --> 00:11:07,792 I guess try to make 'em more comfortable. 210 00:11:07,792 --> 00:11:12,046 My father, Grizz, he had a... 211 00:11:12,046 --> 00:11:16,342 liking, you know, very much for younger girls. 212 00:11:16,342 --> 00:11:19,721 I mean, he was a no-good son of a bitch, man. 213 00:11:19,721 --> 00:11:21,681 ♪ 214 00:11:21,681 --> 00:11:26,144 Actually, she was a little old for his wheelhouse. 215 00:11:26,144 --> 00:11:28,897 I would go to the matches and watch her wrestle. 216 00:11:28,897 --> 00:11:31,441 Sherri could be strictly business, 217 00:11:31,441 --> 00:11:34,569 even at that young of an age. 218 00:11:34,569 --> 00:11:36,946 She had those rough ages, 219 00:11:36,946 --> 00:11:39,824 but that's what made her Sherri. 220 00:11:39,824 --> 00:11:42,577 After Grizzly saw, "Well, we've given her the basics, 221 00:11:42,577 --> 00:11:44,787 she needs to go to work with Moolah 222 00:11:44,787 --> 00:11:46,289 to continue her career." 223 00:11:46,289 --> 00:11:49,584 The Fabulous Moolah! 224 00:11:49,584 --> 00:11:52,337 The Fabulous Moolah was not only the world women's 225 00:11:52,337 --> 00:11:56,216 champion wrestler for 30- something years, but also, 226 00:11:56,216 --> 00:11:58,927 she booked all the women wrestlers to the various 227 00:11:58,927 --> 00:12:00,637 territories around the United States, 228 00:12:00,637 --> 00:12:03,389 so if you were an aspiring female wrestler, 229 00:12:03,389 --> 00:12:06,351 you almost had to- not only be trained by Moolah, 230 00:12:06,351 --> 00:12:09,812 but then stick with Moolah and work as part of her troupe. 231 00:12:09,812 --> 00:12:12,941 And, one of the most adhered to rules was that you 232 00:12:12,941 --> 00:12:16,027 have to give Moolah her booking kickback... 233 00:12:16,027 --> 00:12:18,863 or else wise you're in serious trouble. 234 00:12:18,863 --> 00:12:21,616 It was almost like a military school type of 235 00:12:21,616 --> 00:12:23,785 operation for lady wrestlers. 236 00:12:33,378 --> 00:12:35,880 Moolah had a lot of rules- there were curfews. 237 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,049 The girls had to be in at certain times and, 238 00:12:38,049 --> 00:12:40,635 Moolah said at the time, "She was just into that night 239 00:12:40,635 --> 00:12:44,555 clubbing, and darlin', that was just too much for me." 240 00:12:44,555 --> 00:12:48,685 And Moolah asked her to depart the compound. 241 00:12:48,685 --> 00:12:50,103 [Match bell chimes] 242 00:12:50,103 --> 00:12:52,438 Once Sherri got away from Moolah, 243 00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:55,775 she was able to create more of her own personality and 244 00:12:55,775 --> 00:12:58,361 get over on her own merits rather than somebody else 245 00:12:58,361 --> 00:13:01,990 telling the promoter how to use her. 246 00:13:01,990 --> 00:13:04,492 In the months after Sherri leaves her husband and 247 00:13:04,492 --> 00:13:07,120 infant son behind to pursue wrestling, 248 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,623 Leroy struggles to put their family back together. 249 00:13:10,623 --> 00:13:13,292 I was trying to get her to come back home. 250 00:13:13,292 --> 00:13:16,754 I hired a private investigator to follow her, 251 00:13:16,754 --> 00:13:19,757 and I found out where she was at, and... 252 00:13:19,757 --> 00:13:23,845 some of the things that she was up to. 253 00:13:23,845 --> 00:13:27,265 I was making a night deposit at the bank and, 254 00:13:27,265 --> 00:13:30,268 three big guys walked up to me. 255 00:13:30,268 --> 00:13:34,480 And, point blank told me, "Hey, leave Sherri alone. 256 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:36,524 She belongs to us." 257 00:13:36,524 --> 00:13:40,153 Had no idea if they were just friends of Sherri, 258 00:13:40,153 --> 00:13:43,573 if it had anything with the wrestling association. 259 00:13:43,573 --> 00:13:45,616 When they said, "She belongs to us," 260 00:13:45,616 --> 00:13:47,869 well, I- she belongs to wrestling. 261 00:13:47,869 --> 00:13:49,996 I left her alone after that. 262 00:13:57,670 --> 00:14:00,757 After stints in Japan and Mid-South Wrestling, 263 00:14:00,757 --> 00:14:03,426 by the mid 1980s, Sherri Martel is working 264 00:14:03,426 --> 00:14:06,179 as a wrestler and manager in the AWA, 265 00:14:06,179 --> 00:14:09,307 a regional promotion based in Minneapolis. 266 00:14:09,307 --> 00:14:10,558 No! 267 00:14:10,558 --> 00:14:13,603 Verne Gagne and the AWA, that's one guy that had never 268 00:14:13,603 --> 00:14:17,315 had a relationship with The Fabulous Moolah. 269 00:14:17,315 --> 00:14:19,776 That was good for Sherri because he could book 270 00:14:19,776 --> 00:14:22,570 any girl or anybody else he wanted to book. 271 00:14:22,570 --> 00:14:24,197 Now we know who's a better woman! 272 00:14:24,197 --> 00:14:26,199 I told you she was crazy! 273 00:14:26,199 --> 00:14:29,660 There were never a lot of lady wrestlers in the AWA, 274 00:14:29,660 --> 00:14:32,997 but the ones that they picked and that they did use 275 00:14:32,997 --> 00:14:34,916 were very accomplished. 276 00:14:34,916 --> 00:14:37,418 And Sherri was physical, and she could dish it out. 277 00:14:37,418 --> 00:14:39,629 Beating her over the head with that belt! 278 00:14:39,629 --> 00:14:41,339 Sherri knew the business. 279 00:14:41,339 --> 00:14:45,385 And, her psychology was on point. 280 00:14:45,385 --> 00:14:46,594 Agh! 281 00:14:46,594 --> 00:14:49,597 Her timing was incredible. 282 00:14:49,597 --> 00:14:51,766 Hey guys, WWE Hall of Famer, 283 00:14:51,766 --> 00:14:55,144 known as Alundra Blayze and Madusa. 284 00:14:55,144 --> 00:14:59,649 From Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Madusa Miceli! 285 00:14:59,649 --> 00:15:03,694 I looked up to her a lot, and kind of trying to emulate 286 00:15:03,694 --> 00:15:05,863 what she did and how strong she was, 287 00:15:05,863 --> 00:15:09,492 even though she was caving inside in so many ways. 288 00:15:09,492 --> 00:15:12,286 I went over to her house, and I remember her 289 00:15:12,286 --> 00:15:16,499 saying that her son was away. 290 00:15:16,499 --> 00:15:18,042 Having a child in this business was 291 00:15:18,042 --> 00:15:20,670 frowned upon for women. 292 00:15:20,670 --> 00:15:22,713 So, her son, I felt, 293 00:15:22,713 --> 00:15:26,467 was purposely not to the forefront... 294 00:15:26,467 --> 00:15:29,762 for she was really trying to do something with her career. 295 00:15:29,762 --> 00:15:34,725 ♪ 296 00:15:38,479 --> 00:15:40,940 I'm Jarred Gonzales. 297 00:15:56,664 --> 00:15:58,916 I think he has cancer. 298 00:15:58,916 --> 00:16:01,711 Even though he's never said it straight out to me. 299 00:16:01,711 --> 00:16:03,546 From what I understand, he lost part of his tongue, 300 00:16:03,546 --> 00:16:05,047 due to cancer. 301 00:16:26,194 --> 00:16:30,323 Sherri had him, but Pat raised him. 302 00:16:30,323 --> 00:16:32,909 Jarred was 3 years old when 303 00:16:32,909 --> 00:16:35,286 we told him who his mother is. 304 00:16:44,629 --> 00:16:46,839 We started making arrangements 305 00:16:46,839 --> 00:16:50,968 for Jarred to fly out and meet her. 306 00:16:50,968 --> 00:16:52,470 Supposed to be for a week, 307 00:16:52,470 --> 00:16:55,348 and he ended up maybe two days. 308 00:16:55,348 --> 00:16:56,766 She'd send him back. 309 00:17:05,316 --> 00:17:07,276 It was very difficult for women to even 310 00:17:07,276 --> 00:17:10,529 have a relationship, let alone have a child. 311 00:17:10,529 --> 00:17:13,574 And, I feel that it really took a toll on women, 312 00:17:13,574 --> 00:17:17,620 mentally, because we were trying to... 313 00:17:17,620 --> 00:17:20,248 push the envelope harder than we... 314 00:17:20,248 --> 00:17:24,627 needed to, to prove a point, to take us seriously. 315 00:17:24,627 --> 00:17:26,754 Basically, it's a whole thing in the business, you just, 316 00:17:26,754 --> 00:17:29,465 you know, do what you're told and do your job. 317 00:17:29,465 --> 00:17:31,133 And hopefully, maybe... 318 00:17:31,133 --> 00:17:32,802 you got escalated. 319 00:17:32,802 --> 00:17:34,720 And Sherri Martel! 320 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:37,723 She shows me a lot of confidence. I like that. 321 00:17:37,723 --> 00:17:40,393 Two of the biggest stars that had worked in the AWA 322 00:17:40,393 --> 00:17:43,729 that had since gone to the WWF working for Vince McMahon 323 00:17:43,729 --> 00:17:46,107 were Jesse Ventura and Curt Hennig. 324 00:17:46,107 --> 00:17:48,609 That's right, McMahon, for once in your life 325 00:17:48,609 --> 00:17:51,404 you're right, and I just might let you keep your job. 326 00:17:51,404 --> 00:17:53,823 Their word carried a lot of weight with Vince, 327 00:17:53,823 --> 00:17:56,784 and they both put good words in for Sherri. 328 00:17:56,784 --> 00:17:59,787 As soon as Sherri arrives in the WWF, 329 00:17:59,787 --> 00:18:02,248 she is pitted against her former mentor. 330 00:18:02,248 --> 00:18:05,543 Fabulous Moolah, reigning women's champion 331 00:18:05,543 --> 00:18:08,337 for quite some time, I might add. 332 00:18:08,337 --> 00:18:11,841 About 1987, Moolah has had the women's world title for 333 00:18:11,841 --> 00:18:15,970 most of 30 years, and she's in her mid-50s. 334 00:18:15,970 --> 00:18:19,140 And at that point, a change had to be made, 335 00:18:19,140 --> 00:18:21,267 and Vince McMahon was the one to be able to 336 00:18:21,267 --> 00:18:24,812 pay Moolah what she required to do that, 337 00:18:24,812 --> 00:18:27,106 and they put the belt on Sherri Martel. 338 00:18:27,106 --> 00:18:28,858 Moolah well in control of this one. 339 00:18:28,858 --> 00:18:30,026 Slams her back in... 340 00:18:30,026 --> 00:18:31,193 Oh, look at that! 341 00:18:31,193 --> 00:18:33,279 Sherri hooked her, takes her over... 342 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:35,239 -Oh, it's unreal! -[Cheering] 343 00:18:35,239 --> 00:18:37,241 History's been made here! 344 00:18:37,241 --> 00:18:40,536 As a wrestler, that was the peak of Sherri's career. 345 00:18:40,536 --> 00:18:42,413 I alone- me, myself, and I- 346 00:18:42,413 --> 00:18:44,457 beat The Fabulous Moolah. 347 00:18:44,457 --> 00:18:47,209 I pinned her- 1, 2, 3. Right? 348 00:18:47,209 --> 00:18:50,171 -That says a lot, the best- -Okay, I'm not finished yet. 349 00:18:50,171 --> 00:18:53,299 Rockin' Robin, you can rock and rock and rock around the 350 00:18:53,299 --> 00:18:55,509 block all night long, but there'll never come a day 351 00:18:55,509 --> 00:18:59,347 in your life to where you can defeat me. 352 00:18:59,347 --> 00:19:01,974 They put me on a dark match with Sherri, 353 00:19:01,974 --> 00:19:06,687 and then the next thing I know, I'm working in the WWF. 354 00:19:06,687 --> 00:19:08,648 Oh, drove her down into the canvas. 355 00:19:08,648 --> 00:19:10,566 What a display of strength there. 356 00:19:10,566 --> 00:19:12,526 We were wrestling, we were working every night. 357 00:19:12,526 --> 00:19:16,572 And, we were on the road with Hulk Hogan and Jake. 358 00:19:16,572 --> 00:19:19,158 Randy Savage, and we were at a different arena 359 00:19:19,158 --> 00:19:21,911 every single night, on a plane every single day. 360 00:19:21,911 --> 00:19:24,914 In those days, we were doing 7 days a week... 361 00:19:24,914 --> 00:19:26,332 every week. 362 00:19:26,332 --> 00:19:30,378 There were no days off. Are you kidding me? 363 00:19:30,378 --> 00:19:33,506 The women were out there working their tails off. 364 00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:37,593 But Sherri probably worked harder than she needed to. 365 00:19:37,593 --> 00:19:40,221 She wanted to be a part of the show. 366 00:19:40,221 --> 00:19:42,473 A big part. 367 00:19:42,473 --> 00:19:44,642 Pat and I, which was my ex-wife, 368 00:19:44,642 --> 00:19:48,187 would turn it on and watch wrestling. 369 00:19:48,187 --> 00:19:50,106 Jarred was jumping up and down, 370 00:19:50,106 --> 00:19:52,316 his mom was on TV. 371 00:19:52,316 --> 00:19:54,902 I never even liked it. 372 00:19:54,902 --> 00:19:56,987 Took her away. 373 00:19:56,987 --> 00:19:58,531 But then again, that was her choice. 374 00:20:11,335 --> 00:20:13,796 Sherri was emotionally... 375 00:20:13,796 --> 00:20:15,631 wrecked. 376 00:20:15,631 --> 00:20:18,092 There was a lot of pain and anger there, 377 00:20:18,092 --> 00:20:20,761 probably from her leaving the people behind. 378 00:20:20,761 --> 00:20:23,097 But she was close -lipped about all that. 379 00:20:23,097 --> 00:20:27,560 And she knew how to keep her nose to the ground and grind. 380 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:31,313 In those days, the female wrestlers were an attraction. 381 00:20:31,313 --> 00:20:34,608 They were a special thing to put on the card so, 382 00:20:34,608 --> 00:20:38,779 if any of the female wrestlers wanted to be taken seriously, 383 00:20:38,779 --> 00:20:41,449 they had to be accepted in the locker room, 384 00:20:41,449 --> 00:20:44,994 and then the guys would have greater appreciation 385 00:20:44,994 --> 00:20:47,621 for their work in the ring. 386 00:20:47,621 --> 00:20:49,165 And, all the guys liked Sherri. 387 00:20:49,165 --> 00:20:50,499 She was one of the boys. 388 00:20:50,499 --> 00:20:53,210 And that was the ultimate compliment in those days that 389 00:20:53,210 --> 00:20:55,671 any of the male wrestlers could give one of the girls 390 00:20:55,671 --> 00:20:57,214 is, "You're just like us. 391 00:20:57,214 --> 00:20:59,258 You're tough, you're a partier, 392 00:20:59,258 --> 00:21:03,679 you're stiff in the ring. We accept you." 393 00:21:03,679 --> 00:21:07,141 I think she probably could have drank or, you know, 394 00:21:07,141 --> 00:21:09,351 snorted them under the table. 395 00:21:09,351 --> 00:21:10,603 Absolutely. 396 00:21:10,603 --> 00:21:14,982 Whatever Sherri did, she did to the max. 397 00:21:14,982 --> 00:21:17,776 Sherri loved her pot. 398 00:21:17,776 --> 00:21:21,697 And so, when you get the mix of cocaine, and marijuana, 399 00:21:21,697 --> 00:21:24,533 and then drinking, I mean, I don't know how they 400 00:21:24,533 --> 00:21:26,535 kept going for two or three nights. 401 00:21:26,535 --> 00:21:28,370 There were nights I wrestled Sherri and 402 00:21:28,370 --> 00:21:30,748 she was going on 48 hours. 403 00:21:30,748 --> 00:21:33,209 She was never late for a match though. 404 00:21:33,209 --> 00:21:35,377 She always showed up. 405 00:21:35,377 --> 00:21:38,088 I think it was like an outdoor show. 406 00:21:38,088 --> 00:21:40,216 I keep looking at her and, you know how when 407 00:21:40,216 --> 00:21:42,259 somebody just kind of looks right past you? 408 00:21:42,259 --> 00:21:46,680 And, I'm like, I don't know if she even sees me. 409 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:48,933 I was down on all fours on the mat. 410 00:21:48,933 --> 00:21:51,894 And, she threw a kick and 411 00:21:51,894 --> 00:21:55,689 it caught me right on the throat. 412 00:21:55,689 --> 00:21:57,691 It was full force. 413 00:21:57,691 --> 00:21:59,652 I couldn't breathe. 414 00:21:59,652 --> 00:22:02,738 I just remember thinking, oh, my god, this is it. 415 00:22:02,738 --> 00:22:05,115 I'm gonna die at a state fair 416 00:22:05,115 --> 00:22:07,201 in the middle of a wrestling ring. 417 00:22:15,417 --> 00:22:18,254 Intoxicated but still performing in the ring, 418 00:22:18,254 --> 00:22:21,590 Sherri Martel has kicked Rockin' Robin in the throat, 419 00:22:21,590 --> 00:22:24,301 leaving her struggling for breath. 420 00:22:24,301 --> 00:22:27,346 Finally, I was able to get that big breath. 421 00:22:27,346 --> 00:22:29,765 ♪ 422 00:22:29,765 --> 00:22:33,394 Then we got back to the dressing room. 423 00:22:33,394 --> 00:22:36,939 And, she just grabbed me and gave me the biggest hug, 424 00:22:36,939 --> 00:22:39,984 and she knew that it was bad. 425 00:22:39,984 --> 00:22:42,736 She did like pot, it was no big deal. 426 00:22:42,736 --> 00:22:45,990 But, if there was anything else that really impaired you 427 00:22:45,990 --> 00:22:48,659 to do your job in the ring... 428 00:22:48,659 --> 00:22:51,370 you know, that's when it becomes a problem. 429 00:22:51,370 --> 00:22:52,788 ♪ 430 00:22:52,788 --> 00:22:54,873 They don't call me the Sensational Sherri 431 00:22:54,873 --> 00:22:56,709 for nothing, and in a moment, 432 00:22:56,709 --> 00:23:01,922 I'm gonna show you exactly how sensational I am. 433 00:23:01,922 --> 00:23:05,968 By 1990, Sherri Martel is a dominant force in the WWF 434 00:23:05,968 --> 00:23:08,387 as one of its premier female wrestlers, 435 00:23:08,387 --> 00:23:11,348 but that is about to change. 436 00:23:11,348 --> 00:23:15,686 Vince McMahon was never fully sold on the idea of- 437 00:23:15,686 --> 00:23:18,814 back in those days- of an entire women's division. 438 00:23:18,814 --> 00:23:21,692 I think he just decided to wrap it up. 439 00:23:21,692 --> 00:23:24,612 He still had Sherri Martel there and, 440 00:23:24,612 --> 00:23:28,115 Sherri was able to exhibit the fact that she could do a 441 00:23:28,115 --> 00:23:32,494 promo and she was this wild, over-the-top personality... 442 00:23:32,494 --> 00:23:35,497 and Vince figured, "Heck with women's wrestling. 443 00:23:35,497 --> 00:23:38,626 I'm gonna put her in the corner of one of my 444 00:23:38,626 --> 00:23:41,754 main event male stars, and make her 445 00:23:41,754 --> 00:23:43,547 more money than she's ever made." 446 00:23:43,547 --> 00:23:44,882 Because that's the thing- you could be the 447 00:23:44,882 --> 00:23:48,636 world women's champion wrestler and make 'enh', 448 00:23:48,636 --> 00:23:52,848 or you could be the manager for a main event male star 449 00:23:52,848 --> 00:23:55,684 in the WWF and make a fortune! 450 00:23:55,684 --> 00:23:57,269 I think Vince McMahon probably saw the 451 00:23:57,269 --> 00:23:59,521 same thing everybody else saw, which is... 452 00:23:59,521 --> 00:24:03,525 a very gifted, athletic, physical woman that was 453 00:24:03,525 --> 00:24:05,903 very attractive, the camera loved her, 454 00:24:05,903 --> 00:24:08,822 and there's not a microphone she couldn't own. 455 00:24:08,822 --> 00:24:10,741 My name's Eric Bischoff, former president of 456 00:24:10,741 --> 00:24:12,576 World Championship Wrestling. 457 00:24:12,576 --> 00:24:14,119 Hello, everybody! 458 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:16,455 Grew up as a young man, a fan of Sherri Martel, 459 00:24:16,455 --> 00:24:19,416 and had the opportunity to work with her in the 90s. 460 00:24:19,416 --> 00:24:20,834 He likes what he sees... 461 00:24:20,834 --> 00:24:23,420 Back when Sherri was at her peak and managing, 462 00:24:23,420 --> 00:24:24,463 the producer would say to you, 463 00:24:24,463 --> 00:24:26,215 "Okay, you're gonna be doing this and this, 464 00:24:26,215 --> 00:24:27,383 you're gonna be doing it on this night, 465 00:24:27,383 --> 00:24:29,093 you're gonna be in the ring with these two." 466 00:24:29,093 --> 00:24:32,471 That's it! Boom. Ready, set, go! 467 00:24:32,471 --> 00:24:34,598 I look in there, what do I see? 468 00:24:34,598 --> 00:24:37,893 I see Hulk Hogan laying flat on his back! 469 00:24:37,893 --> 00:24:41,647 She would figure out a way to tweak her personality, 470 00:24:41,647 --> 00:24:43,732 and her appearance, and the way she dressed, 471 00:24:43,732 --> 00:24:46,443 the way she acted, to kind of more closely fit the guy 472 00:24:46,443 --> 00:24:50,864 she was with while still being, at the root of it, herself. 473 00:24:50,864 --> 00:24:54,201 And indeed, we have a new Macho king, Randy Savage, 474 00:24:54,201 --> 00:24:57,246 accompanied of course by Queen Sherri! 475 00:24:57,246 --> 00:24:59,581 If you go back and you look at the wrestling world and 476 00:24:59,581 --> 00:25:03,377 what the product was during the peak of Sherri's career, 477 00:25:03,377 --> 00:25:06,088 I think she had a ridiculously powerful 478 00:25:06,088 --> 00:25:07,589 impact on it. 479 00:25:07,589 --> 00:25:12,052 I had no idea that she was really gonna do it that well. 480 00:25:12,052 --> 00:25:13,846 Oh, yeah! 481 00:25:13,846 --> 00:25:17,182 As time went on, she just became... 482 00:25:17,182 --> 00:25:18,475 very famous. 483 00:25:18,475 --> 00:25:21,437 Please welcome Sensational Sherri. 484 00:25:21,437 --> 00:25:25,149 ♪ 485 00:25:25,149 --> 00:25:28,527 Jarred would fly out and go and meet her and... 486 00:25:28,527 --> 00:25:30,070 a bunch of the wrestlers. 487 00:25:54,303 --> 00:25:57,264 Sherri was completely different than what 488 00:25:57,264 --> 00:26:01,477 any other female had presented as in the WWF 489 00:26:01,477 --> 00:26:02,895 up 'til that point in time. 490 00:26:02,895 --> 00:26:05,522 Introducing first the manager... 491 00:26:05,522 --> 00:26:06,982 Elizabeth! 492 00:26:06,982 --> 00:26:10,235 Miss Elizabeth was brought in with Randy Savage because 493 00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:11,987 she was his real-life wife, 494 00:26:11,987 --> 00:26:14,281 and you had Sable and you had Sunny. 495 00:26:14,281 --> 00:26:16,492 But they weren't trained wrestlers. 496 00:26:16,492 --> 00:26:17,868 Sherri was. 497 00:26:17,868 --> 00:26:21,163 Sherri wasn't afraid to get in there and mix it up, 498 00:26:21,163 --> 00:26:23,290 and do what needed to be done in the finish to get the 499 00:26:23,290 --> 00:26:25,042 people on the edge of their seat. 500 00:26:25,042 --> 00:26:27,711 She didn't care if she was wearing a $5000 ball gown, 501 00:26:27,711 --> 00:26:29,588 she's gonna be down on the floor, 502 00:26:29,588 --> 00:26:32,966 choking the guy that her wrestler is opposing. 503 00:26:32,966 --> 00:26:36,345 Ultimate Warrior with Sensational Queen Sherri! 504 00:26:36,345 --> 00:26:39,223 Down they go! 505 00:26:39,223 --> 00:26:41,558 She was always taking bumps, crazy bumps, big bumps, 506 00:26:41,558 --> 00:26:44,895 tall bumps, concrete bumps, right? 507 00:26:44,895 --> 00:26:48,899 In a woman's frame, there's a little less sometimes, right? 508 00:26:48,899 --> 00:26:53,821 And, she was banged up. 509 00:26:53,821 --> 00:26:56,073 I'm sure she had injuries. 510 00:26:56,073 --> 00:26:57,908 How bad is the question. 511 00:27:00,577 --> 00:27:02,162 I'm sure she took meds. 512 00:27:40,742 --> 00:27:44,580 Somas are a muscle relaxer... 513 00:27:44,580 --> 00:27:49,501 that many of the wrestlers began to rely on and, 514 00:27:49,501 --> 00:27:52,796 it began to become a problem in wrestling 515 00:27:52,796 --> 00:27:55,924 in the late 80s and into the 90s like... 516 00:27:55,924 --> 00:27:58,135 number of other substances did. 517 00:27:58,135 --> 00:28:01,305 It was like candy, it was ready available, 518 00:28:01,305 --> 00:28:04,224 and they took the Somas, they took the Vicodins, 519 00:28:04,224 --> 00:28:06,768 they took whatever the hell else they took. 520 00:28:06,768 --> 00:28:07,853 Sometimes you had doctors that 521 00:28:07,853 --> 00:28:09,813 wrote these prescriptions out. 522 00:28:09,813 --> 00:28:12,274 It was crazy. I saw it firsthand! 523 00:28:12,274 --> 00:28:13,942 But you can believe in the WWF and the 524 00:28:13,942 --> 00:28:16,612 new testing policies and procedures. 525 00:28:16,612 --> 00:28:19,531 When the WWE first started drug testing, 526 00:28:19,531 --> 00:28:21,491 it was because of the steroid scandal that 527 00:28:21,491 --> 00:28:23,660 Vince McMahon got himself into, 528 00:28:23,660 --> 00:28:25,412 along with Hulk Hogan and a few of the guys that 529 00:28:25,412 --> 00:28:28,457 were really over-the-top on the steroids. 530 00:28:28,457 --> 00:28:31,835 But they were testing for all kinds of street drugs and 531 00:28:31,835 --> 00:28:33,921 illegal drugs as well. 532 00:28:33,921 --> 00:28:38,592 And, Sherri failed a number of times for marijuana. 533 00:29:01,990 --> 00:29:05,243 In any wrestling promotion since the dawn of time, 534 00:29:05,243 --> 00:29:06,787 if you showed up high and screwed something up 535 00:29:06,787 --> 00:29:09,498 you got fired. Nobody got sent to rehab. 536 00:29:09,498 --> 00:29:11,500 Everybody got sent packing. 537 00:29:18,882 --> 00:29:22,511 Fired from the WWF in 1993, 538 00:29:22,511 --> 00:29:24,554 Sherri Martel needs to figure out her 539 00:29:24,554 --> 00:29:26,640 next move to stay working in the industry 540 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:27,975 that she loves. 541 00:29:36,692 --> 00:29:38,819 Of all the things I've ever been so excited about 542 00:29:38,819 --> 00:29:41,613 in my life, it's coming to the parade of champions. 543 00:29:41,613 --> 00:29:44,658 It's the same year that she had been let go from the WWF. 544 00:29:44,658 --> 00:29:46,076 I brought her down to Knoxville for 545 00:29:46,076 --> 00:29:47,536 Smoky Mountain Wrestling. 546 00:29:47,536 --> 00:29:50,956 Sherri Martel giving it to Tammy Fitch! 547 00:29:50,956 --> 00:29:53,709 She was the same old Sherri, and came in and 548 00:29:53,709 --> 00:29:56,753 did a wonderful job for us. 549 00:29:56,753 --> 00:30:00,090 But there was one night after one of the shows, 550 00:30:00,090 --> 00:30:02,592 I could tell that she was slowing down a little bit, 551 00:30:02,592 --> 00:30:06,304 and I was like, "Sherri?" "Oh, I'm okay." I said, 552 00:30:06,304 --> 00:30:10,684 "Ah, having a cruise on 'Lake Have-A-Soma', I see." 553 00:30:10,684 --> 00:30:13,353 If you're heavily Soma'd, 554 00:30:13,353 --> 00:30:17,149 not only are you zombified, mentally, 555 00:30:17,149 --> 00:30:20,318 but you're whole body's out of control. 556 00:30:20,318 --> 00:30:22,571 She always had bad back pain. 557 00:30:22,571 --> 00:30:26,575 And, she sometimes took a little too much. 558 00:30:26,575 --> 00:30:28,326 And it was for the pain. 559 00:30:28,326 --> 00:30:29,411 It wasn't for any other reason, 560 00:30:29,411 --> 00:30:31,455 it was for the pain. 561 00:30:31,455 --> 00:30:34,458 It wasn't just to pop a pill. 562 00:30:34,458 --> 00:30:36,626 She was medicating on her own, 563 00:30:36,626 --> 00:30:38,336 which had gotten out of hand. 564 00:30:38,336 --> 00:30:40,964 That never works out well in the end, does it? 565 00:30:54,561 --> 00:30:57,564 Despite her ongoing issues with pain medication, 566 00:30:57,564 --> 00:31:00,067 Sherri returns to the national spotlight with 567 00:31:00,067 --> 00:31:03,653 WWF rival, World Championship Wrestling. 568 00:31:03,653 --> 00:31:07,324 I am here for a reason, and that is to find a man 569 00:31:07,324 --> 00:31:10,243 that can fulfill all of my needs. 570 00:31:10,243 --> 00:31:13,038 I didn't ask Sherri why she was let go from WWE- 571 00:31:13,038 --> 00:31:15,582 if she quit, or was fired. 572 00:31:15,582 --> 00:31:18,126 I didn't know, I didn't ask, and I didn't care. 573 00:31:18,126 --> 00:31:19,711 I hired her back in '93 because 574 00:31:19,711 --> 00:31:21,505 she was a great talent. 575 00:31:21,505 --> 00:31:24,841 To be led to the ring by Sister Sherri! 576 00:31:24,841 --> 00:31:26,384 Wow! 577 00:31:26,384 --> 00:31:28,720 From Harlem, New York! 578 00:31:28,720 --> 00:31:31,848 Sherri and Harlem Heat- Booker and Stevie Ray- 579 00:31:31,848 --> 00:31:34,559 they looked great together and, they had not had 580 00:31:34,559 --> 00:31:38,230 a major spot anywhere before in a big time promotion or 581 00:31:38,230 --> 00:31:41,942 on a major television show so, she kind of gave them 582 00:31:41,942 --> 00:31:44,027 credibility that they wouldn't have had because 583 00:31:44,027 --> 00:31:45,862 everybody knew who Sherri was. 584 00:31:45,862 --> 00:31:47,114 Sherri... 585 00:31:47,114 --> 00:31:48,698 send him headfirst! 586 00:31:48,698 --> 00:31:51,660 Sherri's passion and dedication to her career 587 00:31:51,660 --> 00:31:54,162 comes at the cost of never 588 00:31:51,660 --> 00:31:54,162 having enough time 589 00:31:54,162 --> 00:31:56,164 for her son, Jarred. 590 00:31:56,164 --> 00:31:58,834 ♪ 591 00:32:18,812 --> 00:32:23,567 She seemed a little more lost. 592 00:32:23,567 --> 00:32:26,945 And, uncertain. 593 00:32:38,081 --> 00:32:41,418 She was let go because she was no longer good on camera. 594 00:32:41,418 --> 00:32:45,297 She would show up under the influence of something, 595 00:32:45,297 --> 00:32:47,883 I'm guessing it was prescription drugs. 596 00:32:47,883 --> 00:32:49,718 Didn't matter to me, she was under something, 597 00:32:49,718 --> 00:32:52,262 and it was affecting her ability to perform. 598 00:32:52,262 --> 00:32:55,265 You can't fire me 'cause I quit right now! 599 00:32:55,265 --> 00:32:57,350 Whoa! Wait a minute, is that official? 600 00:32:57,350 --> 00:33:01,146 I don't know what took place between Sherri and Eric. 601 00:33:01,146 --> 00:33:03,481 Maybe she was taking too many Somas. 602 00:33:03,481 --> 00:33:06,067 Maybe she wasn't herself. Maybe she wasn't... 603 00:33:06,067 --> 00:33:09,196 performing in the ring like she was supposed to. 604 00:33:09,196 --> 00:33:14,326 However, if that was true, and he acted and said, 605 00:33:14,326 --> 00:33:16,661 "I'm just gonna get rid of her," then that should've 606 00:33:16,661 --> 00:33:19,706 been done two-fold on a handful of ----ing- 607 00:33:19,706 --> 00:33:22,292 excuse me- a handful of men. 608 00:33:22,292 --> 00:33:25,503 ♪ 609 00:33:25,503 --> 00:33:27,714 But it wasn't. 610 00:33:27,714 --> 00:33:30,383 After WCW, there was no place to go. 611 00:33:30,383 --> 00:33:33,929 At that point in time, Sherri was in her 40s. 612 00:33:33,929 --> 00:33:37,390 And, younger girls had come along, 613 00:33:37,390 --> 00:33:39,851 so I think it probably was the worst thing to happen 614 00:33:39,851 --> 00:33:44,272 at that point in time that she lost that spot. 615 00:33:44,272 --> 00:33:45,941 I'd heard it over the grapevine that 616 00:33:45,941 --> 00:33:48,860 she was deep into the oxys. 617 00:33:48,860 --> 00:33:51,279 And they were controlling her life. 618 00:33:51,279 --> 00:33:53,949 You medicate. 619 00:33:53,949 --> 00:33:57,744 "---- it, I lost my job, I'm just gonna get ----ed up." 620 00:33:57,744 --> 00:34:00,080 It's not like there's 20 wrestling companies 621 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:01,373 that you can go to. 622 00:34:01,373 --> 00:34:06,920 Sherri spent probably 5 years... up there. 623 00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:08,713 And that's a great accomplishment, 624 00:34:08,713 --> 00:34:11,258 but it's never enough. 625 00:34:11,258 --> 00:34:13,301 It's never enough. 626 00:34:21,434 --> 00:34:23,520 As her wrestling career nears its end, 627 00:34:23,520 --> 00:34:27,732 Sherri Martel marries her new boyfriend, Robert Schrull. 628 00:34:27,732 --> 00:34:30,402 She had gotten married in 1997, 629 00:34:30,402 --> 00:34:33,280 which was during her WCW run. 630 00:34:33,280 --> 00:34:37,784 And, sometimes, when a civilian marries a celebrity, 631 00:34:37,784 --> 00:34:39,995 that civilian thinks that celebrity is always 632 00:34:39,995 --> 00:34:41,496 gonna be a celebrity. 633 00:34:41,496 --> 00:34:44,916 And, unfortunately, after the WCW run, 634 00:34:44,916 --> 00:34:48,586 Sherri was off television, out of the business, and... 635 00:34:48,586 --> 00:34:50,588 just a normal person. 636 00:34:50,588 --> 00:34:52,632 Sherri didn't do normal well. 637 00:34:52,632 --> 00:34:55,176 She was still in a lot of pain. 638 00:34:55,176 --> 00:34:59,097 Sadly, I think if she had another outlet... 639 00:34:59,097 --> 00:35:00,974 and had gotten whatever she needed- from what I 640 00:35:00,974 --> 00:35:04,853 understand, it was a surgery, but she couldn't afford it. 641 00:35:04,853 --> 00:35:07,856 I don't think she would've ever gotten hooked on pills. 642 00:35:07,856 --> 00:35:11,443 At some point when you get addicted to 643 00:35:11,443 --> 00:35:13,570 prescription pills or anything else, 644 00:35:13,570 --> 00:35:14,946 you're taking it because you have to, 645 00:35:14,946 --> 00:35:16,197 whether you're injured or not, 646 00:35:16,197 --> 00:35:17,824 'cause you're addicted. 647 00:35:17,824 --> 00:35:20,076 But I don't think that her husband was any 648 00:35:20,076 --> 00:35:22,787 benefit to her in that particular situation. 649 00:35:52,984 --> 00:35:55,487 [Cheering & applauding] 650 00:35:55,487 --> 00:35:57,072 In 2006, 651 00:35:57,072 --> 00:35:59,783 after several years away from the wrestling business, 652 00:35:59,783 --> 00:36:01,659 Sherri becomes the second woman to be 653 00:36:01,659 --> 00:36:04,537 inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 654 00:36:04,537 --> 00:36:07,165 [Chanting] Sherri! Sherri! 655 00:36:07,165 --> 00:36:10,043 You know, the amazing thing about this business is 656 00:36:10,043 --> 00:36:12,921 I had the ability to walk beside some of the 657 00:36:12,921 --> 00:36:15,590 most wonderful people in the world. 658 00:36:15,590 --> 00:36:17,675 This was her time to shine. 659 00:36:17,675 --> 00:36:20,929 And, she spoke from the heart. 660 00:36:20,929 --> 00:36:23,306 And then I met a man named Eric Bischoff. 661 00:36:23,306 --> 00:36:26,726 [Cheering & booing] 662 00:36:26,726 --> 00:36:31,106 And we all know where he's at now, right?! 663 00:36:31,106 --> 00:36:33,775 Whoo! Outta here! 664 00:36:33,775 --> 00:36:34,818 Woo! 665 00:36:34,818 --> 00:36:38,279 Oh, no! He's here! 666 00:36:38,279 --> 00:36:40,407 Damn, I thought you were gone. 667 00:36:40,407 --> 00:36:42,700 [Laughing] 668 00:36:42,700 --> 00:36:43,952 Ha-ha! 669 00:36:57,298 --> 00:36:59,384 My son, Jarred, my husband, Robert. 670 00:36:59,384 --> 00:37:01,761 My best friend, Kathy Fitzpatrick. 671 00:37:01,761 --> 00:37:06,224 I love you, baby. Dreams do come true. 672 00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:09,185 She didn't look at it as a, as a great occasion 673 00:37:09,185 --> 00:37:12,105 because that meant, you know, it's all over. 674 00:37:12,105 --> 00:37:14,190 That's one of the hardest things in the world for 675 00:37:14,190 --> 00:37:18,236 a lot of people is to find your, your place in life, 676 00:37:18,236 --> 00:37:20,905 when all you've ever known is wrestling and 677 00:37:20,905 --> 00:37:22,824 all that goes with it. 678 00:37:22,824 --> 00:37:25,827 That's where a big part of the struggle can be. 679 00:37:25,827 --> 00:37:28,163 ♪ 680 00:37:28,163 --> 00:37:30,457 Although it seems her career might be over, 681 00:37:30,457 --> 00:37:33,543 Sherri spends the next year optimistic for her future 682 00:37:33,543 --> 00:37:35,420 in the business. 683 00:37:35,420 --> 00:37:37,755 I was on the phone with her. 684 00:37:37,755 --> 00:37:41,092 She was in the best mood ever. 685 00:37:41,092 --> 00:37:44,679 She was sitting on the front porch with her mom, 686 00:37:44,679 --> 00:37:45,805 drinking sweet tea, 687 00:37:45,805 --> 00:37:48,308 playing with the puppy they just got. 688 00:37:48,308 --> 00:37:49,684 And said to me, "I have something- 689 00:37:49,684 --> 00:37:52,604 some news to tell you, but I don't want to jinx it." 690 00:37:52,604 --> 00:37:53,938 From what I had heard, 691 00:37:53,938 --> 00:37:56,357 they were going to bring Sherri back. 692 00:37:56,357 --> 00:37:59,486 Get her her operation, get her back fixed, 693 00:37:59,486 --> 00:38:02,238 and they were gonna have her train the women. 694 00:38:02,238 --> 00:38:04,991 I know she wanted to go back to the WWE. 695 00:38:04,991 --> 00:38:08,661 Whether they were receptive or not to giving it to her, 696 00:38:08,661 --> 00:38:11,039 I don't know, and I guess we won't ever 697 00:38:11,039 --> 00:38:12,665 find out at this point. 698 00:38:29,724 --> 00:38:32,227 I believe her 699 00:38:32,227 --> 00:38:35,355 sister or somebody called me. 700 00:38:35,355 --> 00:38:38,650 And that's when I got in my vehicle and drove 701 00:38:38,650 --> 00:38:41,819 to Alabama, so I could be there. 702 00:38:44,739 --> 00:38:49,244 [Exhaling sharply] Empty... 703 00:38:49,244 --> 00:38:51,412 Empty. 704 00:39:04,717 --> 00:39:08,012 Sherri's sudden death at age 49 causes local 705 00:39:08,012 --> 00:39:11,015 Alabama police to open an investigation. 706 00:39:20,608 --> 00:39:23,403 It just seemed so... ironic 707 00:39:23,403 --> 00:39:27,949 that she was so happy, the night before. 708 00:39:27,949 --> 00:39:32,120 And 10 o'clock the next morning I get this phone call. 709 00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:34,414 Following a brief investigation, 710 00:39:34,414 --> 00:39:38,418 Sherri Martel's death is ruled an accidental overdose. 711 00:39:38,418 --> 00:39:41,421 I knew she could go to extremes... 712 00:39:41,421 --> 00:39:45,133 but I guess I did not know that it was just an ongoing, 713 00:39:45,133 --> 00:39:49,512 life threatening problem. It floored me. 714 00:39:49,512 --> 00:39:52,307 Regrettably, the addiction struggles that plagued 715 00:39:52,307 --> 00:39:56,102 Sherri's life are also on display at the funeral. 716 00:39:56,102 --> 00:39:59,188 I know we had a few people there that were probably 717 00:39:59,188 --> 00:40:02,525 coked out of their mind and drugged out and whatnot. 718 00:40:02,525 --> 00:40:06,529 I think Jake was so out of his frickin' mind... 719 00:40:06,529 --> 00:40:08,448 Oh, my god. 720 00:40:08,448 --> 00:40:11,367 And I think he was leaning over the casket. 721 00:40:11,367 --> 00:40:14,579 He was just out of it. 722 00:40:14,579 --> 00:40:18,333 I remember Stevie Ray being there, Booker T. 723 00:40:18,333 --> 00:40:22,253 But other than that, I can't remember anything about it. 724 00:40:22,253 --> 00:40:24,922 I mean, I was at my very lowest right then. 725 00:40:24,922 --> 00:40:27,008 ♪ 726 00:40:27,008 --> 00:40:29,844 They asked me to have a few words, and I did. 727 00:40:29,844 --> 00:40:31,095 And I remember looking at her, saying, 728 00:40:31,095 --> 00:40:33,931 "How dare you leave me behind." 729 00:40:33,931 --> 00:40:35,850 ----ing right, I was angry, 730 00:40:35,850 --> 00:40:39,354 'cause I thought we were friends for, forever. 731 00:40:39,354 --> 00:40:42,065 Not counting dying. 732 00:40:42,065 --> 00:40:44,150 We were just like... 733 00:40:44,150 --> 00:40:46,235 we both came up hard. 734 00:40:46,235 --> 00:40:48,571 And, we both had to fight, and scratch, 735 00:40:48,571 --> 00:40:52,450 and claw for everything. 736 00:40:52,450 --> 00:40:54,786 She was one of my loves, man. 737 00:40:54,786 --> 00:40:57,080 You know, she was somebody that I identified with, 738 00:40:57,080 --> 00:41:00,625 and somebody that I cherished. 739 00:41:00,625 --> 00:41:02,919 I honoured our friendship. 740 00:41:02,919 --> 00:41:05,630 I honoured her. 741 00:41:05,630 --> 00:41:08,800 Always will. 742 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:12,970 Sherri was my best friend. 743 00:41:12,970 --> 00:41:15,848 I don't think anybody could ever take that 744 00:41:15,848 --> 00:41:19,143 friendship away from us. 745 00:41:19,143 --> 00:41:22,438 Even if she's gone, I know she's with me. 746 00:41:22,438 --> 00:41:24,482 ♪ 747 00:41:24,482 --> 00:41:27,360 I don't think you can think about women in wrestling and 748 00:41:27,360 --> 00:41:32,990 not put Sherri Martel at the very top of your list. 749 00:41:32,990 --> 00:41:35,535 A lot of the fans loved and respected her. 750 00:41:35,535 --> 00:41:39,122 Maybe some of them didn't respect her enough because 751 00:41:39,122 --> 00:41:41,999 they didn't know the work that it took, 752 00:41:41,999 --> 00:41:43,835 and the perseverance and the dedication 753 00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:46,421 it took for her to get there. 754 00:41:46,421 --> 00:41:49,674 This is a picture that Sherri gave to me at a fan fest like 755 00:41:49,674 --> 00:41:52,176 20 years ago or whatever, she signed to me, it says, 756 00:41:52,176 --> 00:41:56,055 "To Jimmy Cornette, Remember always I was your first. 757 00:41:56,055 --> 00:41:58,933 Loving you forever, Sherri Martel." 758 00:41:58,933 --> 00:42:03,187 And boy, she looked good. 759 00:42:03,187 --> 00:42:05,982 Everybody in the business had a high opinion of, 760 00:42:05,982 --> 00:42:07,650 of Sherri and her talent. 761 00:42:19,996 --> 00:42:22,248 Never held anything against her except for the fact that 762 00:42:22,248 --> 00:42:24,542 she left. 763 00:42:24,542 --> 00:42:27,587 Jarred, to me, he's special. 764 00:42:27,587 --> 00:42:30,715 And I do what I can to keep him going. 765 00:42:52,570 --> 00:42:53,988 [Off-screen] Sure. 766 00:42:56,574 --> 00:42:58,618 That's my life. 767 00:42:58,618 --> 00:43:00,453 He's my everything. 768 00:43:12,965 --> 00:43:14,842 She used to tell me all the time, 769 00:43:14,842 --> 00:43:18,137 "I would never find someone as good as you 770 00:43:18,137 --> 00:43:20,223 to take care of my son." 771 00:43:20,223 --> 00:43:24,268 She was awesome, she really was. 772 00:43:24,268 --> 00:43:26,562 She, she chose her career, you know.