Judy Grable
Encyclopedia
Nellya Baughman was an American
professional wrestler
who was best known by her ring name
Judy Grable. She was an active wrestler during the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to her nickname "The Barefoot Contessa" due to her preference for wrestling barefoot, she was also known as "the acrobatic blonde with the educated flying feet".
in her training school in Columbia, South Carolina
. She debuted in 1953 using the name Peaches Grable. Moolah's female trainees worked in Boston under promoter Paul Bowser
, and in Boston, Grable and Moolah were involved in a feud
.
She wrestled in the National Wrestling Alliance
(NWA) territories through the 1950s and the 1960s. In September 1956, a battle royal
was held to determine the new NWA World Women's Champion
, but lost to long-time rival The Fabulous Moolah. In 1957, Grable appeared on the television show What's My Line?
.
Even though she retired in the late 1960s, Grable's last in-ring worked occurred in Superstar Wrestling in 1974.
and likes fishing, hunting, and sports. She also wrestled at Grand Junction High School
. Her family later moved to Florida, where Grable became interested in the circus
. She was employed at Ringling Brothers Circus
as an acrobat
for six months, deciding she would rather wrestle after falling off a high wire.
In the late 1960s, Grable retired from wrestling after marrying a serviceman. Grable returned to school, graduating in 1978. She was then employed as a nurse's assistant in a home for veterans. One of her daughters works as a wrestler under the name Debbie Grable.
Grable died on May 11, 2008 after living with diabetes, strokes, and Alzheimer's.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
who was best known by her ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Judy Grable. She was an active wrestler during the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to her nickname "The Barefoot Contessa" due to her preference for wrestling barefoot, she was also known as "the acrobatic blonde with the educated flying feet".
Professional wrestling career
Grable trained for her professional wrestling career with The Fabulous MoolahThe Fabulous Moolah
Mary Lillian Ellison , better known by her ring name The Fabulous Moolah, was an American female professional wrestler. She began her career working with promoter Billy Wolfe and his wife, wrestler and trainer Mildred Burke, as well as working alongside professional wrestler "Nature Boy" Buddy...
in her training school in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. She debuted in 1953 using the name Peaches Grable. Moolah's female trainees worked in Boston under promoter Paul Bowser
Paul Bowser
Paul Forbes Bowser was a professional wrestling promoter who was active from the 1920s to the 1950s in the Boston area.-Wrestler:...
, and in Boston, Grable and Moolah were involved in a feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
.
She wrestled in the National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
(NWA) territories through the 1950s and the 1960s. In September 1956, a battle royal
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
was held to determine the new NWA World Women's Champion
NWA World Women's Championship
The NWA World Women's Championship is the National Wrestling Alliance's women's singles professional wrestling title. It is descended from the original Women's World Championship won by Mildred Burke in 1935 from Clara Mortensen. June Byers was then recognized as the succeeding champion after her...
, but lost to long-time rival The Fabulous Moolah. In 1957, Grable appeared on the television show What's My Line?
What's My Line?
What's My Line? is a panel game show which originally ran in the United States on the CBS Television Network from 1950 to 1967, with several international versions and subsequent U.S. revivals. The game tasked celebrity panelists with questioning contestants in order to determine their occupations....
.
Even though she retired in the late 1960s, Grable's last in-ring worked occurred in Superstar Wrestling in 1974.
Personal life
Grable was the youngest of six children, including four brothers and one sister. She was a tomboyTomboy
A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
and likes fishing, hunting, and sports. She also wrestled at Grand Junction High School
Grand Junction High School
Grand Junction High School is a high school located in Grand Junction, Colorado. It is part of the Mesa County Valley School District 51.As of 2006, the student-teacher ratio is about 19:1 -Athletics:...
. Her family later moved to Florida, where Grable became interested in the circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
. She was employed at Ringling Brothers Circus
Ringling Brothers Circus
The Ringling Brothers Circus was a circus founded in the United States in 1884 by five of the seven Ringling Brothers: Albert , August , Otto , Alfred T. , Charles , John , and Henry...
as an acrobat
Acrobat
Acrobat may refer to:* Acrobat, one who practises acrobaticsIn music:* "Acrobat" , from U2's album Achtung Baby* "Acrobat", a song from Maxïmo Park's album A Certain TriggerIn literature:* Acrobat, a novel by Gonzalo Lira...
for six months, deciding she would rather wrestle after falling off a high wire.
In the late 1960s, Grable retired from wrestling after marrying a serviceman. Grable returned to school, graduating in 1978. She was then employed as a nurse's assistant in a home for veterans. One of her daughters works as a wrestler under the name Debbie Grable.
Grable died on May 11, 2008 after living with diabetes, strokes, and Alzheimer's.
In wrestling
- Signature moves
- DropkickDropkickA dropkick is an attacking maneuver in professional wrestling. It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet; this sees the wrestler twist as he or she jumps so that when the feet connect with the opponent one foot is raised higher than...
- Kangaroo flip
- Dropkick
- Nicknames
- The Barefoot Contessa
Championships and accomplishments
- Cauliflower Alley ClubCauliflower Alley ClubThe Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America....
- Other honoree (2002)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
- Women's wrestler (2011)