The LPWA, or Ladies Professional Wrestling Association, was a wrestling promotion that featured women wrestlers with an emphasis on athleticism rather than beauty. The association was started by former wrestler Tor Berg in 1989 and lasted until 1992. Berg attempted to start the 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 venture was also short-lived as the promotion only lasted until 2000.
Before closing shop 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 presentation were the LPWA Singles Championship and the LPWA Japan Championship. There were 12 televised matches for the event, four of them being first round matches for the All-Japan Championship, two semi-final matches for the All-Japan Championship, and then the actual championship match.
The LPWA Japan 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 WWF’s Tori, who defeated Lady X. Lady X had previously won the championship over Susan Sexton on January 31, 1991. Lady X was also known as WWF’s Peggy Lee Leather, who formed a tag partnership with Wendi Richter. Richter then became the WWF Singles Champion and defeated Leather in pursuit of her belt. These two also wrestled each other in POWW (Powerful Women in Wrestling). Lady X was also known for her performance in the lingerie battle royal 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 the LPWA’s only pay-per-view event and featured Leilani Kai and Judy Martin beating Bambi and Malia Hosaka for the championship. Kai was a part of the WWF in the 1980s and at one point was the champion after defeating Wendi Richter. She also paired with Judy Martin to form the Glamor Girls, who became WWF and LPWA Tag Team Champions at different points in their careers. Kai also held the NWA World Women’s Championship and wrestled for WCW under the ring name Patty Stonegrinder.
One of the most famous wrestlers of all time Madusa Miceli who wrestled for LPWA, WWF and also All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling. She was the first non-Japanese wrestler to compete in the Japan Wrestlers 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 Tag Team 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.
