5. Mildred Burke
For proof the history of sexism in professional wrestling pretty much extends throughout the entirety of the sport’s existence, look no further than the story of Mildred Burke. Burke was the first true superstar of women’s wrestling, dominating the industry as summarily as The Fabulous Moolah, and she did so while Moolah was still in grade school. It is in no way fair to say Burke only achieved what she did through sexual favors, since her natural skills and charisma played a huge role in the creation of women’s wrestling, but it is relevant she was married to Billy Wolfe, who in no uncertain terms controlled women’s wrestling at the time.
It was well known at the time and now that Billy Wolfe was a serial womanizer, expecting sexual favors from virtually every female wrestler he worked with or managed. It’s hard to ignore this when looking at the fact Burke was Wolfe’s actual wife during her near 20-year reign as the recognized Women’s Wrestling Champion, especially considering the obvious implication of the connection. When looking at the whole picture, it looks like Burke was more of a victim of an uncaring husband than an opportunist using her sexuality to further her career, but it hasn’t stopped people from claiming her title reign only lasted as long as it did because of their relationship.
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