Debra Marshall
Debra Marshall | |
---|---|
Birth name | Debra Gale Marshall |
Born | [1] Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States[2] | March 2, 1960
Alma mater | Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute University of Alabama (MS) |
Spouse(s) | |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Debra Debra McMichael Queen Debra |
Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[3] |
Billed from | Tuscaloosa, Alabama[3] |
Debut | 1995 |
Retired | 2002 |
Debra Gale Marshall (formerly McMichael and Williams; born March 2, 1960)
Marshall began her career in professional wrestling in 1995, accompanying her husband
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
At
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.
The strategy helped Jarrett and partner Hart defeat
On May 2, 1999, Debra was scheduled to take on
At
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
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
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
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
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Manager of the Year(1999)
- World Wrestling Federation
- WWF Women's Championship (1 time)
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Stone Cold Truth (p.185–186)
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
- ^ a b c Tuscaloosa Magazine. August 2013
- ^ Verdi, Bob (26 July 1987). "MRS. ILLINOIS BEARS DOWN FOR HER 'NFC PLAYOFFS'". chicagotribune.com.
- ^ Conklin, Mike (25 March 1992). "- Stating her case: Mike Ditka told..." chicagotribune.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Dumas, Amy. Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D., p.75.
- ^ Great American Bash '94 (VHS). Turner Home Entertainment. 1996.
- ^ "2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts". Wrestling’s historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 144.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ ISBN 0-9736719-8-X.
- ^ 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) - ^ Lawler, Jerry. It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes, p. 261.
- World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the originalon 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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) - World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the originalon 2005-11-06. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
- ^ a b c d "Debra: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com.
- ^ 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) - World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the originalon 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
- ^ 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) - World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the originalon 2010-02-09. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ 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) - ^ Lawler, Jerry. It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes, p. 337.
- ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ 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) - ^ "Raw Replays". WWE Network.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d "Debra". Online World of Wrestling.
- ^ Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Stone Cold Truth (p.259)
- ^ 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.
- The Weakest Link. March 10, 2002.
- ^ "The Cast". Archived from the original on 2010-04-29. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
Debra Marshall as Reina
- ^ "Stone Cold surrenders to authorities". The Smoking Gun. 2002-08-14. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ a b "Stone Cold Plea". The Smoking Gun. Archived from the original on 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ TheSmokingGun. "Stone Cold Divorce Papers". Retrieved 2007-04-08.
- ^ 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) - ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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
- Dumas, Amy (2004). Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D.--The Reality of Amy Dumas. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0-7434-7399-X.
- Lawler, Jerry (2002). It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes. WWE Books. ISBN 978-0-7434-5768-2.
- Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jim Ross (2003). The Stone Cold Truth. Pocket Books. ISBN 0-7434-7720-0.
External links
- Debra Marshall on Twitter
- Debra Marshall at IMDb
- Debra Marshall's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database