Moolah wasn't through with Wendi.She tried many times to take the belt away from her.She succeeded with Leilani Kai,whom she managed in a match
against Wendi.Kai ripped away at Wendi's hair and at the opportune time Moolah hit Wendi in the throat,leaving her ripe for a pin.Wendi won the title back at
Wrestlemania,however.
Wendi continued to defend her title and defeated masked Spider Lady.But in a return bout Spider Lady rolled up Wendi
and the ref counted to three even though Wendi broke the pin.Richter ripped off the mask and uncovered her old nemesis Moolah.
Wendi left the promotion that night.Reasons for the screwjob are various and some even suggest Wendi was in on the deal.Whatever the
reason women's wrestling in the WWF stalled for a few years afterwards. Wendi disappeared for a little while but reappeared in the AWA. It didn't take long for Wendi to bump heads with the AWA women's champ Madusa Micelli.
Madusa used dirty tricks and disqualifications to retain her belt against Wendi but eventually Wendi
took the belt from her.
Around the mid eighties new WWF owner Vince McMahon was revolutionizing wrestling by getting younger audience demographics.
He wanted wrestlers who could appeal to the MTV generation.Then womens champ Fabulous Moolah[Lillian Ellison]
was far past the age where she could appeal to that demographic.Wendi fit the bill and as Hulk Hogan was seen as a role model for young boys,
Wendi Richter would be a role model for girls.[Although she probably also pulled in hormone crazed teenage boys.]She was paired with
pop singer Cindy Lauper,who would manage "Wendi" and the Rock 'n' Wrestling connection was formed.Turning from heel to face and
winning the womens title from Moolah proppelled her into instant sardom.
