Long before the infamous Montreal Screwjob, Vince McMahon orchestrated another controversial betrayal in professional wrestling. In 1985, an incident unfolded between then-WWF Women’s Champion Wendi Richter and a mysterious opponent known as The Spider, later revealed as The Fabulous Moolah. This encounter, often dubbed The Original Screwjob, stands as one of the most notorious betrayals in wrestling history, setting a lasting precedent for future manipulations in WWE.
The original, calculated betrayal by Vince McMahon: How he and The Fabulous Moolah conspired to double-cross Wendi Richter in 1985. Photo Credit: WWE. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
The Original Screwjob: How Vince McMahon and Fabulous Moolah Betrayed Wendi Richter
Wendi Richter, at the height of her WWF career, was poised for greatness—until November 1985. Photo Credit: WWE.
In 1985, Wendi Richter was at the pinnacle of her career. She had become the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) women’s division and was riding high on her popularity from the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection,” a collaboration between the WWF and MTV that helped bring wrestling into mainstream pop culture.
Richter’s journey to wrestling stardom began in the early 1980s. After training under The Fabulous Moolah, she quickly made a name for herself in various territories. Her big break came in 1984 when she joined the WWF.
The pinnacle of her early career took place at “The Brawl to End It All” on July 23rd, 1984. In a match broadcast live on MTV, Richter, accompanied by pop star Cyndi Lauper, defeated The Fabulous Moolah for the WWF Women’s Championship, ending Moolah’s 28-year reign. This victory catapulted Richter to superstardom, making her a two-time women’s champion and a prominent figure in WWF programming.
The Pay Disparity: Richter vs. Vince McMahon
Wendi Richter with pop icon Cyndi Lauper. In the 1980s, the pay gap in wrestling was stark, with women earning only a fraction of what men made. Photo Credit: WWE.
Despite her success, Wendi Richter felt severely underpaid compared to her male counterparts. At WrestleMania I, the main male stars received substantial paydays:
Richter’s weekly average was about $2,500 before travel expenses. The year before, she had reportedly received only $1,500 for her “The Brawl to End It All” match against Moolah. This disparity led Richter to seek a better contract.
The pay gap was not just evident in the WWF. Throughout the wrestling industry, women wrestlers often received significantly less compensation than their male counterparts, despite drawing substantial crowds and contributing to the overall success of promotions. This disparity was a common issue in the industry at the time.
The Tensions That Led to “The Original Screwjob” in Wrestling
Fabulous Moolah and Wendi Richter face off at The Brawl to End It All on July 23, 1984, at Madison Square Garden, where Richter claimed the WWF Women’s Championship. This match took place a year before the infamous 1985 screwjob that would forever alter the course of Wendi Richter’s career in the then-WWF. Photo Credit: WWE.
Wendi Richter’s dissatisfaction with her compensation grew. She wanted to renegotiate her five-year deal or, at the very least, receive additional compensation for her contributions to the company over the previous 16 months. She also sought royalties for her appearance in the “Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling” cartoon at a time when such payments weren’t standard practice in the wrestling industry.
According to Richter, Vince McMahon acknowledged her complaints were legitimate but never took action to address them. This tension set the stage for what would unfold on November 25th, 1985.
The situation was further complicated by the changing landscape of professional wrestling. The WWF was expanding rapidly, and McMahon was protective of his company’s image and assets. There were concerns that if a disgruntled champion left the company, they might appear on rival promotions’ television shows with the WWF title, potentially damaging the WWF’s credibility.
The Night of Betrayal: A Title Defense Turned Screwjob
Wendi Richter enters the ring to face "The Spider," unaware that she’s about to be double-crossed. Photo Credit: WWE.
On that November evening at Madison Square Garden, Richter was scheduled to defend her title against a mysterious masked wrestler known as “The Spider.” As Richter made her way to the ring, she noticed a few peculiarities:
1. The Fabulous Moolah was backstage, which was odd since Moolah usually only appeared at events where she was booked to perform.
2. When Richter entered the ring, she noticed The Spider had a different physique – smaller and older than Glen Deane, the wrestler who usually portrayed this character.
As the match began, Richter quickly realized she was facing none other than The Fabulous Moolah herself.
“Almost immediately after the match started, I knew it was Moolah,” Richter recalled, “because of the style–the low blows and cheap shots.”
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The Original Screwjob: The Moment That Changed Wrestling
The Spider, later revealed as The Fabulous Moolah, upended the wrestling world in the match infamously known as "the original screwjob." This betrayal forever altered Wendi Richter’s career and set a precedent for future underhanded tactics in WWE, marking it as one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history. Photo Credit: WWE.
The bout was uncharacteristically aggressive, with Wendi Richter desperately trying to unmask her opponent. Even commentators Jesse Ventura and Gorilla Monsoon noticed the unusual intensity.
Ventura: “I’ve never seen her this aggressive and this flagrant about breaking the rules, Gorilla.”
Monsoon: “Well, the title’s on the line. You do whatever you can to hold on to it, I guess.”
The climax came when The Spider (Moolah) executed a small package pin. Richter kicked out after a one-and-a-half count, but the referee quickly slammed his hand to the mat three times, calling for the bell.
In the confusion that followed, Richter continued to wrestle, seemingly unaware that the match had officially ended. She finally unmasked Moolah and even executed a backbreaker, pinning her opponent as if the match were still ongoing.
The Aftermath: Wendi Richter’s Departure from WWF
Wendi Richter left the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) immediately following the controversial betrayal, marking the abrupt end of her WWE career. Photo Credit: WWE.
This incident, now known as the “Original Screwjob” (although there were multiple screwjobs in wrestling before this) marked the end of Richter’s WWF career. She left the arena immediately after the match, still in her wrestling gear, and didn’t return to the WWF/E for 25 years.
Richter went on to wrestle for other promotions, including the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico (winning the Women’s title twice and having a vicious feud with Monster Ripper, AKA Bertha Faye) and later the AWA (winning the title there and holding it for nearly a year).
She later obtained her Master’s Degree and became an occupational therapist and dog breeder, breeding several champions at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show in NYC.
Legacy of the Screwjob: Wendi Richter’s Career Beyond WWE
Wendi Richter during a July 17, 1984 interview on WWF Tuesday Night Titans (TNT), just months before her career-altering screwjob. This interview marks a moment when Richter was still at the peak of her WWF stardom, unaware of the betrayal that would soon follow. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Wendi Richter screwjob remains a significant moment in wrestling history. It highlighted the power dynamics and behind-the-scenes machinations in the industry and set a precedent for future controversial finishes, most notably the Montreal Screwjob involving Bret Hart in 1997.
In a 2021 interview with Wrestling Inc., Richter reflected on the incident: “I was just so hurt by it. I was so angry. I was so disappointed. I felt so betrayed. It was just a culmination of all those emotions.”
The September 2024 Netflix documentary “Mr. McMahon” has brought renewed attention to this incident, showcasing its lasting impact on the wrestling world and its place in the complex legacy of Vince McMahon. In the documentary series, Richter reflected on the incident.
“The referee counted one. I lifted my shoulder up, and he counted ‘two, three’ even with my shoulders off the mat. That was a very painful night. My dreams were completely shattered. I was humiliated and it was on television.”
McMahon, however, remained unapologetic about his actions. He stated, “I didn’t care. It was like the public being in an uproar, ‘Oh my God, it really wasn’t a fair count.’ My answer to that is, ‘Life is not fair sometimes.’ I don’t fight fair.
Vince McMahon provided his further perspective on the incident, stating, “When it was time to do the honors and pass the championship to someone else, she resisted.
“‘This is show business,’ McMahaon continued. “I’m writing a script. You’re holding my championship belt. It’s mine. It’s not yours.’ ‘I’m not gonna give it up.’ Alright, I’m going to make you give it up then.”
The Role of The Fabulous Moolah in One of Wrestling’s Biggest Betrayals
The Spider, revealed as The Fabulous Moolah, tangles with Wendi Richter, wrapping the WWF Women’s Championship around her head during her attack. Photo Credit: WWE.
The involvement of The Fabulous Moolah in this incident adds another layer of complexity to the story. Moolah, whose real name was Mary Lillian Ellison, had been a dominant force in women’s wrestling for decades. Her willingness to participate in the betrayal of Richter, who had been her protégé, raised questions about loyalty and ethics in the wrestling business.
Some speculate that Moolah’s involvement was motivated by her own desire to regain the Women’s Championship and maintain her influence over women’s wrestling in the WWF. Others suggest that she was simply following orders from McMahon, prioritizing her long-standing relationship with the company over her friendship with Richter.
The controversy surrounding Moolah extends beyond this incident.
Moolah has been accused of exploiting the wrestlers she trained, both financially and personally. These allegations have cast a shadow over her legacy in professional wrestling.
Reflections and Renewed Attention: Wrestling’s Controversial History
Wendi Richter proudly accepted her 2010 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, 25 years after her controversial departure from the company. Photo Credit: WWE.
The passage of time has allowed for reflection on this incident from various perspectives. While Wendi Richter remained bitter about the incident for many years, she eventually reconciled with WWE, accepting her WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2010. However, she has maintained that she never received a personal apology from Vince McMahon.
Many wrestling personalities have commented on the incident over the years. Jim Cornette, a longtime wrestling manager and promoter, once stated, “It was a dirty deal, but it was business. Vince didn’t want to take the chance of Wendi showing up on TV somewhere else as the WWF Women’s Champion.”
The Netflix documentary “Mr. McMahon” has brought renewed attention to this incident, providing new insights and perspectives. In the documentary, McMahon maintains his stance that it was a business decision, stating, “For me, it was nothing personal. This is business. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for our business.”
Watch the ‘screwjob’ match between Fabulous Moolah and Wendi Richter below:
The Lasting Impact of Wrestling’s Original Betrayal
Wendi Richter and The Fabulous Moolah in an earlier match, before their relationship unraveled in the infamous 1985 screwjob. Their rivalry, marked by betrayal, remains one of wrestling’s most controversial chapters. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Wendi Richter screwjob of 1985 remains a dark chapter in professional wrestling history. It serves as a stark reminder of the often harsh realities behind the glitz and glamour of the industry, where business decisions can dramatically alter careers and leave lasting scars on those involved.
This incident also highlights the progress still needed in terms of gender equality in professional wrestling. While women’s wrestling has made significant strides in recent years, the pay disparity and treatment that Richter faced in 1985 continue to resonate with ongoing discussions about equality in the sport.
While Richter would go on to have a successful career outside of the WWF, the betrayal left a lasting mark, not only on her but on the wrestling world as a whole. The original screwjob set a precedent that would be echoed years later in the Montreal Screwjob, proving that in the world of wrestling, no one is safe from a well-timed double-cross.
The above incident frequently gets referred to as the “original screwjob” in wrestling. However, there have been many screwjobs in wrestling going back to the 1800s. We have stories on many of them here on our site! You can find them below.
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JP Zarka is the founder of Pro Wrestling Stories, established in 2015, where he guides the site's creative vision as editor-in-chief. From 2018 to 2019, he hosted and produced The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo, brother of WWE legend Macho Man Randy Savage. His diverse background includes roles as a school teacher, assistant principal, published author, musician with the London-based band Sterling Avenue, and being a proud father of two amazing daughters. He has appeared on the television show Autopsy: The Last Hours Of and contributed research for programming on ITV and BBC.
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