During a recent Q&A for “AdFreeShows,” former WCW talent Sonny Onoo discussed the short-lived women’s division of WCW, managing Bull Nakano for her match against WWE Hall of Famer Madusa (Alundra Blayze), and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Madusa vs. Bull Nakano: “Honestly, sitting at ringside, I cannot believe how stiff they were. There was…I don’t want to get hit with any of those clotheslines or some of the bodyslams they were doing to each other. And you remember, those girls would do a double stomp off the top rope…And I had seen it close hand, and it’s…you know, it doesn’t really matter how many sit-ups you do, when you’ve got a 150 lb, how many pounds coming down with both feet on your gut…I know I can’t do it. I can’t take it. But they were so tough, it was amazing.”
On scrapped plans for the WCW women’s division: “Unfortunately, one tip I’ll tell you…[Akira] Hokuto became the first WCW Women’s Champion, and the way we had it laid down was Madusa was going to be the first woman to go back to Japan and try to get that belt back in Japan. And that never materialized, because of a couple of reasons.”
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The Short-Lived Women’s Division of WCW: A Look Back at Madusa vs. Bull Nakano
In the world of professional wrestling, the women’s division has seen tremendous growth and recognition in recent years. However, this was not always the case. In the 1990s, women’s wrestling in major promotions was often overlooked and underutilized. One such example is the short-lived women’s division in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). In a recent Q&A session for AdFreeShows, former WCW talent Sonny Onoo shed some light on this forgotten era of women’s wrestling.
One of the most memorable matches from this era was between WWE Hall of Famer Madusa (Alundra Blayze) and Bull Nakano. Onoo, who managed Nakano during her time in WCW, shared his thoughts on the match. He expressed his amazement at the physicality and toughness displayed by both women. Sitting ringside, Onoo couldn’t help but marvel at the stiff clotheslines and bodyslams they executed. He also mentioned Nakano’s signature move, a double stomp off the top rope, which left a lasting impression on him. Onoo acknowledged that he wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of such a move and praised the resilience and toughness of both competitors.
However, despite the potential showcased in this match, the WCW women’s division never reached its full potential. Onoo revealed that there were plans for Madusa to become the first WCW Women’s Champion and then travel to Japan to defend the title against Nakano. Unfortunately, these plans never materialized due to various reasons.
The lack of support and investment in the women’s division was a common theme during that era. Women’s wrestling was often treated as an afterthought, with limited airtime and minimal storylines. This was a missed opportunity for WCW to capitalize on the growing popularity of women’s wrestling and showcase the incredible talent they had at their disposal.
Fortunately, the landscape of women’s wrestling has drastically changed since then. Promotions like WWE, AEW, and Impact Wrestling have embraced women’s wrestling and given female athletes the platform they deserve. Today, women’s matches are often the highlight of major pay-per-view events, and female wrestlers are celebrated for their athleticism, skill, and storytelling abilities.
In conclusion, the short-lived women’s division in WCW may not have left a lasting impact, but it serves as a reminder of how far women’s wrestling has come. The match between Madusa and Bull Nakano showcased the physicality and toughness of these talented athletes. While the plans for a WCW Women’s Championship in Japan never came to fruition, it is clear that the potential was there. Thankfully, women’s wrestling has evolved into a prominent and respected part of the industry, providing opportunities for female wrestlers to shine on a global stage.