Source: al.com
WWE Hall of Famer ‘Sensational Sherri’ dies in McCalla
MCCALLA, Ala. (AP) — Sherri Martel, widely known as “Sensational Sherri” in a professional wrestling career both in the ring and as a manager, has died at her mother’s home in McCalla.
Martel, 49, who was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame last year and won championship titles in the American Wrestling Association and World Wrestling Federation, was found dead Friday afternoon, police said.
Capt. Loyd Baker of the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit said foul play isn’t suspected, but that Martel didn’t die of natural causes.
“The cause of death is pending her autopsy and toxicology report,” Baker said Monday.
Her death was first reported by WWE.com, which said she was “skilled and accomplished inside the ring and a force when managing from outside of it.”
“Her physical strength and the strength of her personality redefined women’s roles in sports-entertainment, paving the way for many WWE Divas to follow,” according to her biography on WWE.com.
Baker told The Tuscaloosa News that Martel had gone to bed because she wasn’t feeling well and her husband later found her unresponsive at 12:45 p.m. Friday at the house where she had been living for the past year.
Martel wrestled in the 1980s but became even better known when she managed wrestling superstars like Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair.
Bruce Mitchell, a columnist for the Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter and Web site, told The Tuscaloosa News that Martel knew how to work the crowd.
“She was very good at knowing what to do ringside to get people agitated and interested,” he said. “You knew you would get a show when you watched Sensational Sherri.”
“Everyone respected her. She was an attractive lady, but she wasn’t just eye candy,” he said. “She was a pioneer and a trailblazer.”
