Beverly Wenhold (March 21, 1936 – June 2, 2023), known by the ring name Beverly Shade, was an American professional wrestler. Her career spanned from the 1950s to the 1980s, a fixture in the women’s wrestling scene for decades. During her career, she held the NWA Women's Tag Team Championship.[3]
| Beverly Shade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 21, 1936 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 2, 2023 (aged 87) Southaven, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) |
Billy Blue River (m. 1969) |
| Children | 2 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
|
| Billed height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)[1] |
| Billed weight | 145 lb (66 kg)[1] |
| Trained by | Ella Waldek[2] |
| Debut | 1958 |
| Retired | 1989 |
Professional wrestling career
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2023) |
Shade began her training in 1957 under Ella Waldek, and would later adapt the nickname "The Hammer".[2] Shade's first match occurred in Lakeland, Florida, where she participated in a battle royal.[4] In August 1978, Shade alongside her trainee Natasha the Hatchet Lady won the NWA Women's Tag Team Championship.[2][5] Later, she teamed with another trainee, Tracy Richards as The Arm & Hammer Connection.
Over the course of her wrestling career, Shade held titles such as the All-Star Wrestling Women's Championship twice.
Personal life and death
editShade was married to fellow wrestler Billy Blue River.[2][6] They would team together in mixed matches as ‘Beverly Two River’. Billy also launched his outlaw group in Florida with Shade by his side. The couple have two sons.[2]
Shade died from complications of lung cancer on June 2, 2023, at the age of 87.[2]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- All-Star Wrestling (Florida)
- Florida Women's Championship (2 times)[7]
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- International Wrestling Alliance (Florida)
- IWA World Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tracy Richards[7]
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Natasha the Hatchet Lady[5]
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2019[9]
- Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame
References
edit- ^ a b "Beverly Shade". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Casciaro, Joseph (June 2, 2023). "Women's Wrestling Great Beverly Shade Dies". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ "Women's wrestling great Beverly Shade dies - Slam Wrestling". June 3, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ Pollock, John (June 5, 2023). "Beverly Shade dies at 87 following health issues". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ a b Schadler, Kyle (January 1, 2012). "Abandoned: The History of the WWF Women's Tag Team Championship". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ a b Oliver, Greg (April 25, 2023). "A 'heartbreaking and beautiful' tribute to Beverly Shade". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "Beverly Shade". Online World of Wrestling. August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "Honorees". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (November 30, 2018). "Class of 2019 announced by Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (November 14, 2022). "First inductees announced for Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame". PWInsider.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
External links
edit- Beverly Shade's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com
