Debra Marshall

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Debra Marshall
Debra in 1999
Birth nameDebra Gale Marshall
Born (1960-03-02) March 2, 1960 (age 64)[1]
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States[2]
Alma materLee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
University of Alabama (MS)
Spouse(s)
(m. 1985; div. 1998)
Steve Austin
(m. 2000; div. 2003)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Debra
Debra McMichael
Queen Debra
Billed height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[3]
Billed fromTuscaloosa, Alabama[3]
Debut1995
Retired2002

Debra Gale Marshall (formerly McMichael and Williams; born March 2, 1960)

World Wrestling Federation
(WWF) between 1998 and 2002 as simply Debra.

Marshall began her career in professional wrestling in 1995, accompanying her husband

evening gown match. She later appeared on-screen with her second husband Stone Cold Steve Austin
until 2002, when the duo left the company.

Early life

Raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Marshall became a track-runner, cheerleader, and Homecoming Queen in high school before attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York City.[4] She then became a flight attendant. Before her involvement in wrestling, she competed and won the title of 1987 Mrs. Illinois America in Elgin, Illinois[5] and went on to compete in the Mrs. America pageant that same year in Las Vegas, Nevada. She later competed and won in the 1992 Mrs. Texas USA pageant held in Houston, Texas[6] and went on to compete in the National Mrs. USA pageant. Marshall also attended the University of Alabama.

Professional wrestling career

World Championship Wrestling (1995–1997)

Marshall first appeared in

Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage. In April 1996, she began appearing regularly as a valet for her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael as he transitioned from commentator to wrestler. Based on her real-life participation in beauty pageants,[7][8] Debra took on the role of a beauty-pageant queen character, giving herself the nickname "The Queen of WCW" and often making remarks about other wrestlers and valets in kayfabe
interviews.

At

WCW United States Heavyweight Championship match against Jeff Jarrett by handing Jarrett the steel briefcase, which he then used to knock Mongo out and thus to win the match.[12] Next, Debra briefly managed Goldberg and Alex Wright.[13] On the November 24, 1997 edition of Nitro, Wright fired Debra after she accidentally distracted him, causing a loss to Prince Iaukea. After her divorce from McMichael, Debra left WCW.[7]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998–2002)

Manager of Jeff Jarrett; WWF Women's Champion (1998–1999)

In October 1998, Marshall rejoined Jarrett in the WWF.

Road Dogg and later utilized by commentator Jerry Lawler.[16]
In

The strategy helped Jarrett and partner Hart defeat

Kemper Arena, where Debra was noticeably shaken and fighting back tears of concern for her friend and was unable to stay in her persona.[22]

WWF Women's Champion
in May 1999.

On May 2, 1999, Debra was scheduled to take on

evening gown match.[23] Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress wins.[24] Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner.[24] Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had lost her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion.[24] She held the Women's title for a month and eventually lost it to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from Nicole Bass.[25]

At

Miss Kitty.[27] Following an attack by Jarrett after losing a mixed tag match against Stephanie McMahon and Test,[21] on September 26, Debra turned on Jarrett at Unforgiven and hit him over the head with a guitar in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship.[28] Chyna pinned Jarrett, but referee Tom Prichard overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement.[28] On the following episode of RAW, Debra participated in an intergender tag match with Chyna against the team of Jarrett and Prichard, in a winning effort.[21]

Sporadic appearances (1999–2002)

In November 1999, Debra participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at Survivor Series where she teamed with The Fabulous Moolah, Mae Young, and Tori in a winning effort against Ivory, Jacqueline, Luna Vachon and Terri Runnels[29] which also served as her last appearance as an in-ring performer, despite being trained at the time to compete. Debra subsequently stayed off television while her husband Stone Cold Steve Austin recovered from neck surgery.[11] She reappeared in April 2000, acting as a guest ring announcer at Backlash for the opening match.[11][30] In the fall of that year she played the role of Lieutenant Commissioner, the assistant of Commissioner Mick Foley.[3][11]

Debra resigned as Lieutenant Commissioner on the March 5, 2001 episode of

Wrestlemania 17 match between the two, she was later pulled due to both competitors lobbying not to have her out at ringside.[32] After Wrestlemania, she returned on an episode of RAW, questioning Vince McMahon for his role in Stone Cold's villainous persona, and subsequently slapping him after he insulted her. During an episode of Smackdown, she appeared in a backstage segment and slapped The Undertaker
, who was feuding with Austin at the time. By the second half of 2001, Debra accompanied Austin, as he defected to the Alliance, with a running gag about her famous chocolate chip cookies being repulsive (although Debra herself remained oblivious to this). On an episode of RAW, Debra was subject to a bucket of milk accidentally falling on her, which was a miscommunication by Stacy Keibler and Shawn Stasiak who meant to play the prank on Kurt Angle. The following week, Debra beat up Keibler with a tray of cookies in a backstage segment.[33] In August, during an episode of Smackdown!, Debra also clocked Stone Cold in frustration with a cookie tray in the middle of the ring.[33] The next week on RAW, she accompanied her husband to the ring for a match against Matt Hardy, and was involved in a physical altercation with Lita during the match.[33]

In 2002, Debra was involved in a major backstage brawl with Stephanie McMahon after arguing over their respective husbands.[33] Debra appeared sporadically thereafter in backstage segments, notably slapping Ric Flair in a backstage segment in April on an episode of RAW. She left the company in June 2002 after her last RAW appearance with Austin, fanning the flames of their well-publicized marital fallout.[34]

Following domestic abuse charges against Austin and arrest, Austin eventually returned to WWE in 2003. Debra, however, was never invited back. References of Debra were subsequently dropped from WWE programming and media altogether, although, in 2021, she was acknowledged by WWE.com in a list of female performers who made an impact outside the ring.[35]

Other media

Before becoming involved in wrestling, Marshall studied acting in Texas.[7] Her first acting jobs involved commercials and two music videos for country musician George Strait.[11] She also had a small role in the 1995 film The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre as a police officer.[7] The producers originally offered her the lead in the film, but when the director's first choice changed her mind and accepted the role, Marshall was given the small role instead.[11]

On March 10, 2002, Marshall appeared on an episode of

The Weakest Link alongside several other members of the WWE roster.[36] In addition, she has a role in the 2010 film Gathering of Heroes.[37]

Personal life

Marshall's marriage to National Football League alumnus and professional wrestler Steve McMichael lasted thirteen years.[7] McMichael's mother, whom Marshall met on an airplane, set up their first meeting as a blind date.[11] They divorced on October 12, 1998.[1]

Debra met Steven Williams, known on-screen as

San Antonio, Texas, and found Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.[38] On August 14, the authorities arrested Austin and charged him with misdemeanor assault.[39] He pleaded no contest on November 25 and received a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and an order to carry out eighty hours of community service.[39] Austin filed for divorce from Marshall on July 22, 2002, and the divorce was finalized on February 5, 2003.[40] Marshall later auctioned her wedding ring off on eBay for $27,100 and donated a portion of the proceeds to "Safe Place", an organization which assists the victims of domestic abuse.[41]

In June and July 2007, Marshall made several appearances to discuss the Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide. She described steroids and drugs as the cause of Austin hitting her in June 2002 and suggested links between such substances and the death of Benoit and his family.[42] She also alleged that Austin beat her three times.[42][43] However, she maintains a cordial relationship with Austin following the divorce.[citation needed]

Marshall graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama with an undergraduate interdisciplinary degree in 2013. In December 2017, she was awarded a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama. While working on her master's of science degree, Marshall was awarded the University of Alabama College of Arts and Science's Mary Avis Todd Award for "outstanding work in community studies".[4][44]

Championships and accomplishments

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Cop at Bud's Pizza Cameo
1999 Beyond the Mat Herself Documentary
2012 Tengu: The Immortal Blade Captain Lang
2018 Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords Reina

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999
Biography
Herself Episode: "The Life and Death of Owen Hart"
1999 Teen Choice Awards Presenter
2002
Mad TV
Herself Episode 7.15
2002
Weakest Link
Herself Episode: "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
2007 Inside Edition Herself

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate". The Smoking Gun. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  2. ^ a b c Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Stone Cold Truth (p.185–186)
  3. ^ .
  4. ^ a b c Tuscaloosa Magazine. August 2013
  5. ^ Verdi, Bob (26 July 1987). "MRS. ILLINOIS BEARS DOWN FOR HER 'NFC PLAYOFFS'". chicagotribune.com.
  6. ^ Conklin, Mike (25 March 1992). "- Stating her case: Mike Ditka told..." chicagotribune.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Powell, John (April 23, 1999). "Debra McMichael Standing Proud". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  8. ^ Dumas, Amy. Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D., p.75.
  9. ^ Great American Bash '94 (VHS). Turner Home Entertainment. 1996.
  10. ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Chamberlin, Thomas (December 2001). "Getting a leg up". Wrestling Digest. Archived from the original on 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  12. ^ Powell, John (July 14, 1997). "Rodman, Hogan Bashed At Beach". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ Powell, John (October 27, 1997). "Hogan pays the Piper". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ .
  15. ^ a b c d Powell, John (December 14, 1998). "Foley screwed again". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^ Lawler, Jerry. It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes, p. 261.
  17. World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original
    on 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  18. ^ WWE's Youtube Channel (February 13, 2018). "Ivory & D'Lo Brown vs. Jeff Jarrett & Debra: Raw, Feb. 15, 1999". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17.
  19. ^ Powell, John (February 15, 1999). "McMahon makes a Giant mistake". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  20. World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original
    on 2005-11-06. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  21. ^ a b c d "Debra: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com.
  22. ^ Powell, John (May 24, 1999). "Hart tragedy overshadows Taker win". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original
    on 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  24. ^ a b c Mr. X (May 15, 1999). "WWF body slams NBA game". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2010-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original
    on 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
  26. ^ a b Powell, John (August 23, 1999). "Foley new champ at SummerSlam". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^ Lawler, Jerry. It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes, p. 337.
  28. ^ a b Yang, Rich (September 17, 1999). "HHH regains title at Unforgiven". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ Powell, John (November 15, 1999). "Booking blows Survivor Series". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  30. ^ Powell, John (May 1, 2000). "Rock victorious at Backlash, Game Over for Triple H". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  31. ^ "Raw Replays". WWE Network.
  32. ^ Surrao, Lennard (March 25, 2021). "The Rock and Steve Austin were 'uncomfortable' with WWE's plan to involve a top female star in their feud". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  33. ^ a b c d "Debra". Online World of Wrestling.
  34. ^ Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Stone Cold Truth (p.259)
  35. ^ Gupta, Rohit (April 2, 2021). "WWE Top 50 Female Superstars: WWE releases the list of all time top 50 Greatest female superstars". Insider Sport. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  36. The Weakest Link
    . March 10, 2002.
  37. ^ "The Cast". Archived from the original on 2010-04-29. Retrieved 2008-11-30. Debra Marshall as Reina
  38. ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". The Smoking Gun. 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  39. ^ a b "Stone Cold Plea". The Smoking Gun. Archived from the original on 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  40. ^ TheSmokingGun. "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  41. ^ Baines, Tim (March 14, 2004). "Benoit's night ... unless Triple H has his way". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2010-01-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ^ a b "Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'". Fox News. 2007-06-27. Archived from the original on 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  43. ^ "Debra Marshall, Ex-wife of Stone Cold Steve Austin Tells What Really Goes on in Pro-Wrestling World". Fox News. June 29, 2007. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  44. ^ Miller, David (December 13, 2017). "Former wrestling champ set to earn master's degree from UA". University of Alabama. Retrieved December 3, 2021.

Further reading

External links