Ethel Johnson (wrestler) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ethel Johnson |
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Ethel Blanche Wingo |
| Born | May 14, 1935 Decatur, Georgia |
| Died | September 14, 2018 (aged 83) Columbus, Ohio |
| Cause of death | Heart disease |
| Spouse(s) | Leon Hairston (–2010) |
| Children | 3 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Ethel Johnson Rita Valdez |
| Billed height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Billed weight | 115 lb (52 kg) |
| Trained by | Mildred Burke |
| Debut | 1952 |
| Retired | 1976 |
Ethel Blanche Hairston (born Wingo; May 14, 1935 – September 14, 2018) was an American professional wrestler. She was known by her ring name Ethel Johnson. She started wrestling when she was just 16 years old. Ethel made history by becoming the first African-American women's champion in wrestling. Fans loved her, and she was called "the biggest attraction to hit girl wrestling since girl wrestling began."
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Ethel Johnson's Amazing Wrestling Career
Ethel Johnson began her wrestling journey in the 1950s. She followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Babs Wingo. Babs was the first African-American woman to join professional wrestling. Ethel and her sisters, Babs and Marva Scott, all became wrestlers. They signed with a promoter named Billy Wolfe.
In 1952, Ethel and her sisters wrestled three matches in Baltimore, Maryland. One of their tag team matches was the main event. It drew a huge crowd of 3,611 fans! By 1954, Ethel and Babs were as famous as Gorgeous George. They attracted 9,000 fans to a show in Kansas City, Missouri. When Ethel toured Latin America, she used the name Rita Valdez.
Ethel was known for being very athletic in the ring. She was one of the first female wrestlers to do a standing dropkick. She also used a cool move called the flying headscissors.
During her career, Ethel wrestled many popular stars. She faced June Byers and Penny Banner. She even challenged Mildred Burke for her NWA World Women's Championship. Later, wrestling promoter Stu Hart noticed Ethel's talent. She then worked for his company, Big Time Wrestling. She also wrestled at Capitol Wrestling Corporation. Ethel's last match was in 1976. She wrestled her sister Marva Scott at the American Wrestling Association.
About Ethel Johnson's Life
Ethel Blanche Wingo was born in Decatur, Georgia, on May 14, 1935. Her parents were Gladys Chase and Clifford Wingo. As you know, she had two sisters who also became wrestlers. Her older sister was Betty, known as Babs Wingo. Her younger sister was Marva, known as Marva Scott.
Ethel chose a different ring name to stand out from Betty. Even though they often wrestled each other, many fans didn't know they were sisters. Ethel once said that every woman wrestler dreamed of performing in Madison Square Garden. But women's wrestling was not allowed in New York during her best years. She retired in 1977 without ever wrestling there.
Ethel Johnson passed away on September 14, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. She was 83 years old. She died from heart disease.
Film and Documentaries
Ethel Johnson appeared in a documentary about women's wrestling.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lady Wrestler: The Amazing, Untold Story of African American Women in the Ring | Herself | Documentary |
Awards and Achievements
Ethel Johnson won many titles and honors during her wrestling career.
- Independent Titles
- Colored Women's World Championship (3 times)
- Ohio Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Marva Scott
- Texas Colored Women's Championship (2 times)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with June Byers
- Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2023
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2021)
See also
In Spanish: Ethel Johnson para niños
