The LPWA, or Ladies Professional Wrestling Association, was a wrestling promotion that featured female wrestlers with an emphasis on athleticism rather than beauty. The partnership was started by former wrestler Tor Berg in 1989 and lasted until 1992. Berg attempted to start promotion again in early 1999, joining forces with the NWA and changing the name to form the WNWA (Women’s National Wrestling Alliance). But this company was short-lived as well, as the promotion only lasted until 2000.
Before closing its doors in 1992, the LPWA held its only pay-per-view event, known as the “Super Ladies Showdown.” The event took place on February 23, 1992 in Rochester, Minnesota at the Mayo Civic Center. The main events of the pay-per-view exhibition were the LPWA Singles Championship and the LPWA Japanese Championship. 12 matches were televised for the event, four of them were first round matches for the Japan Championship, two semi-final matches for the Japan Championship, and then the actual championship match.
The Japanese LPWA Championship was won by Harley Saito, who defeated Denise Storm to win the belt. The LPWA Singles Championship was won by Terri Power, better known as Tori of the WWF, who defeated Lady X. Lady X had previously won the championship over Susan Sexton on January 31, 1991. Lady X was also known as Peggy Lee Leather of the WWF, who formed a team partnership with Wendi Richter. Richter later became the WWF Singles Champion and defeated Leather in his quest for the belt. These two also met at POWW (Powerful Women of Wrestling). Lady X was also known for her performance in the lingerie battle royale for the AWA SuperClash III pay-per-view event and also appeared on WOW (Women of Wrestling) as Thug from 2000 to 2001.
The Tag Team Championship was also part of LPWA’s only pay-per-view event and featured Leilani Kai and Judy Martin defeating Bambi and Malia Hosaka for the championship. Kai was part of the WWF in the 1980s and at one point was the champion after defeating Wendi Richter. She also teamed up with Judy Martin to form the Glamor Girls, who became WWF and LPWA Tag Team Champions at different times in their careers. Kai also held the NWA Women’s World Championship and wrestled for WCW under the name Patty Stonegrinder.
Madusa Miceli, one of the most famous wrestlers of all time, wrestled for LPWA, WWF and also for All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling. She was the first non-Japanese wrestler to compete in the Japan Women’s Wrestling League.
Below is a synopsis of the LPWA champion roster.
LPWA Singles
- Susan Sexton / Title Awarded January 1990
- Lady X / Defeated Susan Sexton on January 31, 1991
- Terri Power / Defeated Lady X February 23, 1992
LPWA Couples Championship
- Team America (Heidi Lee Morgan and Misty Blue) defeated Bad, Black, and Beautiful (Black Venus and Bad Girl) on March 13, 1990
- The Glamor Girls (Judy Martin and Leilani Kai) defeated Team America on February 28, 1991
With the closure of the LPWA in 1992, all of these women’s wrestling titles were abandoned.
