Miss Elizabeth: the death of the former Mrs. Macho Man, an icon from the mid-'80s rock & wrestling era, sends shock waves through the wrestling community - Wrestling Digest Tribute

Wrestling Digest, August, 2003 by Cody Monk

Miss Elizabeth wasn't a physical presence. She wasn't a verbal presence. But, she had the kind of striking looks and presence that gave her an aura. It was an aura that helped WWE earn massive amounts of money. And it was the kind of presence that today allows Trish Stratus, Sable, Jazz, Ivory, Torrie Wilson, Stacey Keibler, et al., to make the kind of living they do.

Before Elizabeth, Jazz and Ivory would likely have jobs because they are such good workers. Wilson, Keibler, Sable, and even Stratus, however, likely would not. Though all have wrestled and continue to work, none came into the business as a worker. They all worked the pretty face-valet angle that Elizabeth created. Had they come in trying to work without someone like Elizabeth blazing the trail before them, they would have been laughed at Beautiful, petite, and having nothing to offer in the ring didn't translate into gigs before Elizabeth made those things en vogue.

Now, those women have pay-per-matches, are marketed both on their own and as a group, and have enough of a mainstream media presence that Playboy magazine keeps knocking on WWE's front door.

It's time for those women to line up and give thanks. Their paycheck every couple of weeks come because a pretty, little Kentucky girl made it cool to be beautiful and in pro wrestling.

Now, a true pioneer of the business is gone. She will be sorely missed.

What Others Had to Say

Here is a collection of some of the reactions around the wrestling world to the death of Miss Elizabeth:

"I am deeply saddened by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with Elizabeth's family."

--Macho Man Randy Savage, in a statement on his Web site

"We are saddened to hear of the death of Elizabeth Hulette. Miss Hulette played the very popular character of Miss Elizabeth in WWE from 1985 to 1992. She finished her career at WCW, from January 1996 through January 1999. We at WWE send our sincere condolences to Miss Hulette's family."

--Official WWE statement

"I had nothing but respect for her. I think she carried herself in a very respectful way during the years I knew her. It's sad to see a person that young die. It's such a waste. Maybe these [recent wrestling-related] deaths start opening some eyes and change some lifestyles. Maybe it's not all in vain."

--James Myers, a.k.a. George "the Animal" Steele, quoted on the Web site "Slam! Wrestling"

"She was always nice and quiet. She stayed to herself, I guess it was because she was with Randy all of the time. I never saw her take a drink, so it's all pretty shocking to me. I could never say a bad thing about her."

--James Harris, a.k.a. Kamala, quoted on "Slam! Wrestling"