Hollywood Champions: 1945 - 1950 (Between WWII and Korea)
The post World War II years saw an explosion in women's wrestling in Hollywood. This was often referred to as the "Golden Age" with some of the greatest stars of the pre-war years winding down their careers while the new group of mega-stars of the 1950's were just beginning their careers. This overlap of the two eras led to many great confrontations.
In 1946 Betty Grable was back from entertaining troops and in top condition. She out legged Doris Day to win the title for the second time in her career.
It wasn't long before Doris Day was signed for a rematch and she destroyed the smaller Grable. This time, the sadistic Day gave her rival's famous butt a spanking before a jeering crowd at the Palladium.
Betty Grable, humiliated by her defeat by Doris Day, mounted a comeback. Fired by a champions heart and a thirst for vengence, she upset the tough young singer for the second time in less than two months.
Late in 1946 Esther Williams, who had been waiting impatiently for Grable and Day to settle their feud, finally got her turn to win back the title she'd surrendered. Her power and athleticism proved too much for the older Grable and Williams won back her title in two straight falls.
Jane Russell was in the greatest shape of her career when she faced Esther Williams in early 1947. Williams had been filming constantly as well as defending her title vigorously. She was tired and no match for the powerful Russell who once more reclaimed the title of the toughest woman in Hollywood.
In the fall of 1947, Doris Day earned another title fight after a string of one-sided wins over less talented women. Champ Jane Russell was just coming off a series of hard fights though some say her age was beginning to show. Whatever the reason, Day dominated the brunette and won back the title which she held to the end of 1948.
On New Years Day 1949, while fans streamed out of the Rose Bowl a few miles away, Esther Williams was entering the ring to reclaim the title she'd lost two years earlier. Her win over Doris Day was, according to all reports, one of the roughest and bloodiest of the era. It lead to changes in the rules intended to reduce the bloodletting. It's instructive about her nature that Day opposed the new rules despite losing this fight.
A new blonde appeared on the scene and took Hollywood by storm. Marilyn Monroe proved she was more than just a pretty face when she beat Esther Williams in mid-1949 to ring down the curtain on Williams string of championships. Monroe defended her title several times, impressing everyone with her grit and tenacity before she quit fighting (officially) to devote time and attention to her marriages and career.
A tournament was held to crown a new champion and an obscure chorus girl, Marge Danzer, beat Gretchen Curry to win the title. She only held it a few months before losing it. It was her only claim to fame for her name never appeared in a movie credit. Years later, she earned a reputation training other fighters such as Rita Moreno, Julie Newmar and Juliet Prowse.
In December of 1950 a new face burst upon the Hollywood fight scene. Janet Leigh had been one of the "Hollywood Bad Girls" for years, but no one expected it when she soundly whipped Danzer to take the title. Her championship reign ended with her marriage (to Tony Curtis) but she fought off and on many more years.
