Madusa Returns to Squared Circle Expo

Wrestling legend Madusa is one of a kind. At Squared Circle Expo VI, she will be one of about 90...and knowing her, she swill still stand out.

Whether she is called Madusa, Madusa Miceli, Alundra Blayze or any other of her wrestling names, Madusa is a legend and a pioneer. Perhaps she was even ahed of her time. Beautiful, talented and solid on the mic, she would work well in today's wrestling.

When Madusa debuted in the 80s, the competition was thin. There were no women's divisions in the big wrestling companies. AWA, WWF and WCW would have to bring in various challengers. Madusa would win and the league would have to bring in new challengers. Longterm feuds were not possible.

Madusa also was involved in monster trucks. I am sure she stood out there, too.

I have met her several times, but I will meet her again at SCX VI. I can't pass on meeting this legend.

Of course, I will also meet many other wrestling legends and current stars. The lineup has about 80 stars and it seemingly grows weekly. This is just one reason why SCX is the best. During the two-day convention, there are also panels, Q&As, photo ops, vendors and more, including two nights of wrestling.

For more info on Madusa and SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Madusa and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2018.

Madusa at the Squared Circle Expo 2021

As I wrote yesterday, there were so many fantastic moments at the Squared Circle Expo last weekend. One of the best was one of the first.

As I approached Madusa's table, she loved my press badge and asked, "What's that about?" Of course, I told her briefly what I did. She then said, "I have to sign it. Can I sign it?" Ha! As if I would decline that request? I proudly walked around with a Madusa-signed press badge the rest of SCE.

I have been a fan of hers since her time in the American Wrestling Association in the 80s. Looking back, Madusa was well ahead of her time. She had a Hall of Fame career, but I truly believe it would have been even better in more recent times.

Accomplished women wrestlers have had to fight for recognition and their place from the beginning. Wrestlers like Madusa are why the current crop of women wrestlers are being used as main eventers.  

Madusa looks fantastic and was in great spirits. All weekend, she delighted fans, while also seeming to have a fun time herself. That is the best combination.

I never had the pleasure of seeing Madusa wrestle in person, although I watched many of her matches on videos. Unfortunately, I think we have seen her last match. Fortunately, we have not seen the last of her though. 

For more info on the SCE, go to SquaredCircleX.com. Also follow SCE on social media. Lastly, check here, Patch.com, WrestlingFigs.com and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage of the SCE.

Madusa and me in Indianapolis, IN-May 2021.

Madusa Appearing at the Squared Circle Expo

Madusa Miceli is coming to the Squared Circle Expo May 14-15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is quite a coup for a lineup that already includes many legendary wrestling legends.

Debrah Ann Miceli was born in Milan, Italy, but rose to fame as in wrestling rings all over the world. Known mostly as Madusa Miceli, she wrestled as Alundra Blayze in the WWF.

Trained by Eddie Sharkey in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Madusa joined the American Wrestling Association in 1986. Her first feud was with Sherri Martel. Madusa would go on to beat Candi Devine in a tournament final for the vacant AWA Women's title in December 1987. She held that belt for almost a year before losing it to Wendi Richter.

During this time, Madusa also managed "Mr. Magnificent" Kevin Kelly and the AWA World Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig Madusa and Hennig eventually joined the Diamond Exchange, a stable led by Diamond Dallas Page. In 1988, she was the first woman to be awarded Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year. The next year, she signed with All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, first foreign wrestler to do so.

In 1991, Madusa joined World Championship Wrestling as part of Paul E. Dangerously's Dangerous Alliance. After mostly serving as a valet to Rick Rude, Madusa was kicked out of the Dangerous Alliance. Madusa got revenge by beating Dangerously by count-out at the Clash of Champions XXII.

When Madusa signed with the WWF, Vince McMahon did not want to pay her for her trademarked name, no did he like acknowledging the pasts of wrestlers. Madusa was renamed Alundra Blayze.

In December 1993, she beat Heidi Lee Morgan for the vacant Women's title. She lost the title to Bull Nakano in November 1994, but won it back in April 1995 for her second reign. She lost the title to Bertha Faye in August 1995, but won it again in October 1995 for her third reign.

At the end of 1995, Madusa rejoined WCW and discarded the WWE title belt. Madusa never won the WCW Women's title, but did hold the WCW Cruiserweight title after beating Evan Karagias to become the first woman to hold that title. Madusa was also part of Randy Savage's Team Madness. Madusa also served as an instructor at WCW's Power Plant.

In 2015, she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame under the Alundra Blayze moniker. She returned with the WWE Women's title and proclaimed it was back where it belonged and she was champ. She later returned and beat Candice Michelle for the 24/7 title, a belt she eventually sold to Ted DiBiase. In 2017, the WWE Network released a documentary entitled "TrailBlayzer" detailing Miceli's careers in both wrestling and monster truck driving.

Madusa is just the latest guest announced for what is shaping up to be a fantastic lineup of wrestling legends.

The Squared Circle Expo promises to deliver a unique fan experience. Promoted as a " convention dedicated to the culture of professional wrestling and sports entertainment," the Squared Circle Expo takes the best elements of conventions and adds a few new ones to deliver a unique fan experience.

The two day event will include wrestling superstars, meet and greets, photo ops, special events, seminars, memorabilia vendors, Q&A panels and more. There will even be a live wrestling show on Saturday night. Along with Madusa, also appearing are Vickie Guerrero, Melina, Renee Michelle, Francine, Tay Conti, Dr. Britt Baker, Booker T, the Gunn Club (Billy, Austin and Colten Gunn), Chris Masters, JTG, Kane, the Headbangers, Dustin Rhodes, Jake Roberts, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, Charles Wright, Dan Severn, Duke Droese. The Boogeyman and the Highlanders. More legends will be announced as they are added.

I will be "On the Beat" all weekend. Until then, I'll be updating news here, on GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and Patch.com. Also, check SquaredCircleX.coom for more info.

 Madusa Miceli and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2018.

Friendly Encounters: Madusa and Heather Owens

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

People who go to comic cons (or similar) meet lots of celebrities. Generally speaking, you will meet celebrities who mean something to you. On occasion, you will meet celebrities who really mean a lot to you. Such was the case earlier this year when Hardcore Heather Owens met wrestling legend Madusa at Days of the Dead.
Heather has been a fixture on the indy wrestling scene for several years. She's a hard worker, who can work either side, but is probably better as a villain. Outside of the ring though, Heather is an absolute sweetheart.
Heather is one of the unsung heroes at Days of the Dead. She is always busy making sure things run smoothly. While she is always a blur of activity, she always has time for a picture with her fans (like me) who recognize her there.
Heather has been a big fan of WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Madusa. I'll let her express herself here though.
What a sweetheart! 💕 Madusa is such an inspiration and just a super down to earth Classy Broad ❤ Sooo...if you are at DAYS OF THE DEAD right now...you NEED to meet her. DO IT! 🤗
The funny thing is that I could use those exact words to describe Heather. I have seen her at wrestling shows. I see the response she gets.
Basically, I would say these are two #ClassyBroads and 2 real sweethearts.
Days of the Dead returns to Chicago November 16-18. Check DaysoftheDead.com for more info. Heather will be ther, as will plenty of other celebrities. Of course, I'll be "On the Beat" as usual.

Madusa and Heather Owens in Indianapolis, IN-June 2018.

Madusa Loves Johngy's Beat

I was very excited when I saw that wrestling legend Madusa was appearing at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018. I had been a fan of hers since she first appeared with the old AWA.

Madusa went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the WWE and the WCW. She won several titles and had many memorable matches during her great career. She also got into monster trucks.

I have met a ton of wrestlers, but Madusa had escaped me. Actually, she escaped most, since she didn't do many appearances.

Thanks to Jayson Maples of HeroesLegendsWrestling.com, Madusa appeared at Days of the Dead and I finally met her and she was awesome. We talked about her great career and other fun topics, like her music interests. Someone mentioned a rock and roll cruise and Madusa was very excited.

It was great to finally meet Madusa and take her off my "want" list. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't want to see her again. In fact, I have been enlisting Chicago fans to be vocal in their desire to see Madusa here. Hopefully, Jayson will make this happen.

Before I left DotD, Madusa was kind enough to have a little fun in a promo for this site. That promo is below and is also permanently in the left hand promo column.

Thank you Days of the Dead, Jayson Maples, Heroes and Legends Wrestling and Madusa! Let's do it all again in November at Days of the Dead!