Mexican region, Monterrey subregion, 2nd round: (4) AJ Lee vs (5) Wendi Richter

[Bernkastel]

This is a second round match in the Mexican region. It is a standard wrestling match. It will be held at the Monterrey Arena in Monterrey City, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

#4 AJ Lee

VS.

#5 Wendi Richter ​

There will be 1 day of discussion before the poll opens. It will remain open for 2 days. Spam rules will apply. In case of a tie the winner will be decided based upon how many people have made a case for them in the discussion thread. One per each poster.

Who wins the match up?

 

[Viola Moonlight]

I love me some AJ Lee and she might be one of the most popular Divas in recent memory... but at this point in her career, she does not have the legacy that Wendi Richter has accrued.

Being the woman to take down Moolah's longest reign as Women's champion and her association with Cindi Lauper/MTV have etched Richter into history. She was also apart of the screwjob before the famous screwjob. That's three moments in professional wrestling history people can correlate with Richter. What has AJ Lee done to put herself on the map? Being the spouse/love interest of more famous wrestlers?

On that merit alone, Richter takes this one.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

I expect someone out there with more knowledge could correct me but I think Richter's win over Moolah is the biggest women's match of all time. I've yet to really care about anything AJ has ever done in a match. Outside the ring she has varied from boring to incredibly entertaining but I don't think that gets you far enough in this match.

If anyone wants to tell me of a bigger match than Moolah/Richter I am all ears. I spent the better part of 29 seconds coming to that conclusion.

 

[Bernkastel]

I expect someone out there with more knowledge could correct me but I think Richter's win over Moolah is the biggest women's match of all time. I've yet to really care about anything AJ has ever done in a match. Outside the ring she has varied from boring to incredibly entertaining but I don't think that gets you far enough in this match.

If anyone wants to tell me of a bigger match than Moolah/Richter I am all ears. I spent the better part of 29 seconds coming to that conclusion.

I'd argue that Burke vs Byers was a bigger match, especially because it drew money while Moolah vs Richter... really didn't. At least not the rematch. I'd say the first match they had was the biggest women's match since the resuscitation of the industry in the States though. Richter was chosen to be Moolah's successor, which was a huge and an impossibly tall task because of the general shape of the women's sport at the time.

The difference between Richter and AJ is that Wendi was billed as the real deal in the media, while AJ isn't. Even during her long title reign WWE rarely hyped her up as being the "best in the world" until it became necessary. She even lost matches. Wendi was seen as "the best" even when she wasn't champion. AJ has since been overshadowed by Paige, considering how often they trade the title, and may even be overshadowed by Nikki Bella in the future.

So I'm voting Richter. I feel she's far more important to go out to the industry and a better wrestler than AJ.

 

[Lowdown]

In regards to AJ, I think Charles Barkley said it best: "you're hot right now, but I'm a legend". I won't discount any of AJ's accomplishments, especially in such a short time. But I want to emphasize the short time. She's been the talk of the IWC for three last three to for years, and is never seen the broad wrestle. Wendi, on the other hand, is a legend. Keep in mind that she was one of the catalysts of the Rock n' Wrestling Connection asking with Hogan. Hell, she along with Moolah ended up being cartoon characters. All that aside, Richter has held numerous championships the world over, and is a Hall of Famer if I'm not mistaken. So my vote goes to Wendi.

 

[stingray11214]

This is a glaring example of someone who has done little in the grander scope of Professional wrestling, going up against a Hall of Famer. Sure, AJ Lee won titles in the Sports Entertainment era. However, without Richter, she would be nowhere. The only sad part about Richter is the way she went out in WWF. She went to WWC, and went to war with Mildred Burke and Stu Hart protege, Monster Ripper, and traded the WWC Women's strap. However, at the end of the day, AJ's book is still being written. I would hope that once her contract runs out, she goes for a tour or two in Japan to beef up her resume. But, at the present time, it is Richter, hands down.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I love me some AJ Lee and she might be one of the most popular Divas in recent memory... but at this point in her career, she does not have the legacy that Wendi Richter has accrued.

Agreed. It's obviously hard to rate someone whose career peaked before people had a chance to see them perform, but I remember Richter and think she would have beaten AJ in the standard match this poll is calling for......not that I have anything against AJ, who might be the best ring performer of today's divas.

Wendy Richter for the win.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Hmmm, AJ versus someone who could be easily compared to her husband... Wendi was screwed out of the WWF Women's Belt for holding them to ransom on her contract so took her ball and went home, she left the AWA without relinquishing their Women's Championship.

Anyone trying to use longevity should really check their facts - outside of 2 bouts in 2005 Wendi only really wrestled in the 80's (and has no recorded bouts in 1987). AJ is now entering her 8th calender year in wrestling and has already passed Richter in recorded matches (422 to 303).

As too influence, she was just the body thrown in for Cyndi Lauper to endorse against the real wrestling superstar - Moolah. AJ has been a breath of fresh air in the Divas, an actual wrestler who loves wrestling rather than someone who just fell shy in their efforts to become a model.

Wasn't a Richter fan back in the 80's, still ain't - my vote goes to the woman who loves the business rather than the woman more interested in herself. Vote AJ.