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Debbie Combs
Debbie Combs
Debbie Combs
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Deborah Szostecki (born April 18, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler better known as Debbie Combs.[2]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Her mother, Cora Combs, was also a professional wrestler.[3] Debbie Combs made her wrestling debut at Louisville Gardens for Angelo Poffo's International Championship Wrestling (ICW) at the age of 16 in a seven-women battle royal where she was the first eliminated.[4] Combs dated Randy Savage for five years while they were both working for ICW.[4]

Career

[edit]

Early Career (1975-1986)

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Combs made her professional wrestling debut in 1975 at 16 years old in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the 1970s and early 1980s she worked for World Wrestling Association in Indianapolis. Worked in many territories during her career.

American Wrestling Association (1980, 1985, 1988)

[edit]

She also competed in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1980. Upon joining the promotion, Combs wrestled against Sherri Martel as a babyface in 1988, but later turned heel and became tag team partners with Madusa Miceli. The duo feuded with Heidi Lee Morgan and Brandi Mae.

World Wrestling Federation (1986-1987)

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Combs worked for the World Wrestling Federation from 1986–1987, where she challenged for the WWF Women's Championship against The Fabulous Moolah and Sherri Martel.

National Wrestling Alliance (1986-1989)

[edit]

She also worked in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and is a former NWA World Women's Champion. She originally won the title by winning a battle royal in Honolulu, Hawaii in spring 1986. At some point, she was no longer recognized as the champion and defeated Penny Mitchell to become the champion again in Kansas City, Missouri on April 10, 1987.[5] The Kansas City promotion withdrew from NWA in 1987 and closed in 1988. The NWA vacated Combs' title and awarded Misty Blue Simmes the reinstated NWA United States Women's Championship (a replacement of the prior NWA World Women's Championship held by Combs).[6] Combs challenged Simmes to a title match at a Delta Tiger Lilies card in 1989, but Simmes was unable to accept due to an arm injury she had sustained.

Return to WWF (1994)

[edit]

After leaving the promotion, she later returned to the WWF in 1994 to challenge Alundra Blayze. She wrestled Blayze once on an episode of Wrestling Challenge and was scheduled to face her at WrestleMania X, but was replaced by Leilani Kai.

Return to World Championship Wrestling (1996-1997)

[edit]

Combs briefly competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1996 during their brief attempt at a women's division. On the March 31, 1997 edition of WCW Monday Nitro, Combs lost to WCW Women's Champion Akira Hokuto.

Women's Pro Wrestling

[edit]

In the early 1990s, she was also president and booker of Women's Pro Wrestling (WPW), an all-women's promotion that produced direct-to-video matches. Her organization featured "Awesome" Ondi Austin, Babyface Nellie, Bambi, Candi Devine, Denise Storm, Jackie Moore, Lady Justice, Lisa Starr, Malia Hosaka, Olympia Hartauer, Peggy Lee Leather, Penelope Paradise, Penny Mitchell, Sandy Partelow, Susan Green, and Velvet McIntyre.[7]

After Wrestling

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Since her retirement, Debbie Combs has worked as a booking processor with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office in Nashville, TN.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Debbie Combs

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Deborah Szostecki (born April 18, 1959), better known by her Debbie Combs, is an American retired professional wrestler renowned for her extensive career in women's wrestling during the 1970s through the 1990s. The daughter of veteran wrestler Cora Combs, who trained her in the sport, Combs made her professional debut in 1975 at age 16 as a last-minute replacement in a seven-woman for Angelo Poffo's at , where she was the first eliminated. Throughout her career, she competed in major promotions including the (AWA), World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now ), and (WCW), facing notable opponents such as and for the WWF Women's Championship in 1986–1987. Combs achieved her greatest success as a three-time NWA World Women's Champion, first winning the title in February 1986 via a nine-woman and holding her longest reign for nearly nine years until 1996, marking the second-longest reign in the championship's history.

Early Life

Family Background

Debbie Combs, born Deborah Szostecki on April 18, 1959, in , entered the world as the daughter of Beulah "Cora" Szostecki, a pioneering figure in who performed under the Cora Combs. Cora, originally from , had already established a notable career in the ring by the time of Debbie's birth, having transitioned from a background in country music to wrestling in the late 1940s. This familial connection immersed young Debbie in the wrestling milieu from infancy, as Cora frequently brought her daughter along on the road during tours, starting when Debbie was just six months old. Raised primarily in a wrestling-oriented household, Combs grew up amid the demands of her mother's itinerant profession, often cared for by fellow wrestlers like Ella Waldek and Mars Bennett while Cora competed. The family, which included Debbie's brother , maintained strong ties to , where Cora had deep roots, and Combs spent much of her early years in environments like , reflecting the transient yet influential lifestyle of a wrestling family. Details on her formal education or aspects of family life outside wrestling remain sparse in available records, underscoring the overshadowing presence of her mother's career in shaping her formative experiences.

Training and Debut

Debbie Combs began her wrestling journey under the direct mentorship of her mother, Cora Combs, a veteran professional wrestler who trained her starting in her mid-teens. This hands-on guidance focused on the fundamentals of women's wrestling techniques, including basic holds, takedowns, and ring psychology, drawing from Cora's extensive experience in the industry. Growing up immersed in the wrestling world from infancy, as she traveled with her mother from six months old, Combs developed an early affinity for the sport despite its male-dominated nature during the 1970s. Inspired by her family's legacy in , Combs decided at a young age to pursue a career in the ring, aiming to carry forward the tradition established by her mother. This determination propelled her into professional competition sooner than many peers, reflecting her passion for the athletic and performative aspects of wrestling in an era when opportunities for women were limited. Combs made her professional debut at age 16 in 1975, entering a seven-woman at in , for Angelo Poffo's (ICW) promotion. Stepping in as a last-minute replacement when another wrestler failed to appear, she was the first eliminated in the match, marking a humble yet determined entry into the professional scene.

Professional Career

Independent and Regional Promotions (1970s–Early 1980s)

Debbie Combs began her professional wrestling career in the independent circuit shortly after her debut, establishing a presence in regional promotions across the Midwest and South during the . Following her initial appearance in a seven-woman with (ICW) in 1975, she became a regular fixture in the promotion run by , competing frequently in , and surrounding areas. Her early ICW tenure involved a mix of singles and matches against local female competitors, allowing her to develop fundamental skills under the guidance of her mother, Cora Combs, who occasionally appeared as her opponent in masked gimmicks like "Lady Satan." This period also coincided with her personal relationship with ICW standout , which lasted five years and helped integrate her into the promotion's core events. Throughout the late 1970s, Combs expanded her bookings to other independent circuits and early NWA territories, including in , where she participated in multi-woman bouts and feuds that showcased her emerging technical style. A notable example was a best-of-three-falls match in 1979, where she and Cora Combs defeated Kay Roberts and Sherie Lynn two falls to one, highlighting her reliability in team competition against established regional talent. These appearances in NWA-affiliated shows in and helped Combs build momentum, as she wrestled in singles contests against opponents like Ramona Isbell in 1980, further solidifying her role in Southern and Midwestern independents. By the early 1980s, Combs had honed her "tough girl" persona through consistent mid-card performances in these smaller promotions, often engaging in hard-fought matches that emphasized her resilience and family wrestling legacy. Her work in promotions like the included bouts such as a 1983 singles victory over Donna Day, which demonstrated her growing proficiency and positioned her as a dependable draw before transitioning to larger national circuits. These foundational years in ICW and NWA territories provided essential experience, with Combs appearing in dozens of events annually to refine her in-ring presence against a variety of female wrestlers.

WWF and NWA Era (Mid-1980s)

Debbie Combs entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1986, primarily serving as an enhancement talent and jobber to highlight established stars in the women's division. During her tenure, which lasted through 1987, she frequently competed against veteran champions, including multiple bouts with . One notable encounter occurred on May 18, 1987, at , where Combs defeated Moolah by count-out in a match billed for the WWF Women's Championship, marking a rare upset in her role as undercard talent. These appearances helped elevate her profile nationally while building on her regional experience. Transitioning to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) later in 1986, Combs achieved a significant breakthrough by capturing the on February 13 in , through victory in a . This win was reaffirmed in a repeat on February 15 in Honolulu, Hawaii, solidifying her status as champion amid the fragmented recognition of the title during the period. Her reign showcased her as a top contender in the NWA's women's landscape, where she defended the belt in various territories until it was vacated. Combs reclaimed the NWA World Women's Championship on April 10, 1987, in , defeating Penny Mitchell in a singles match to fill the vacant title. This second reign, lasting approximately seven years until 1994, featured high-profile defenses that underscored her technical prowess and endurance. Key rivalries during this era included intense matches against challengers like Donna Day, as seen in a title defense at the 4th Annual "High Chief" Memorial event in , where Combs retained via submission holds emphasizing her style. These encounters, often in cross-promotional settings, positioned her against emerging international talents and helped establish her as a defensive mainstay in the NWA women's circuit through 1989.

AWA and Mid-Career Transitions (Late 1980s)

In the late 1980s, Debbie Combs transitioned to the (), where she competed in the women's division amid the promotion's efforts to revitalize its roster during a period of declining popularity. Her involvement began notably in 1987, including a victory over Penny Mitchell on April 10 in a co-promotion with (CSW). By early 1988, Combs engaged in high-profile feuds within the 's joint events with the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), defeating on January 4 in Memphis. These matches showcased her against emerging talents like Devine, highlighting Combs' role in elevating the women's matches during the 's final years before its 1990 closure. Combs' AWA tenure extended into mid-1988, where she secured a singles win over Brandi Mae on May 14 in , demonstrating her adaptability in singles and tag formats. She also teamed with Miceli in a losing effort against Brandi Mae and at the same event, part of a broader women's and tag scene that included competitors like from earlier crossovers. This period marked a bridging phase for Combs, as the 's weakening territory system amid the national wrestling boom forced wrestlers to navigate fragmented promotions, with her prior reign influencing bookings in these mid-tier circuits. During these transitions, Combs refined her technical wrestling style, emphasizing mat-based holds and submissions that had defined her career since under her mother, Cora Combs. To remain relevant in an evolving landscape, she occasionally took on managerial duties in regional shows, adapting to the shifting demands of territories like the CWA, where she continued competing against established heels such as in March 1988. These efforts underscored her versatility as the industry consolidated, positioning her for future opportunities in larger promotions.

Return to WWF, WCW, and Independent Runs (1990s)

In the early 1990s, Debbie Combs made a brief return to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) circuit through affiliated regional promotions, marking a short-lived comeback after her mid-1980s stint. On April 9, 1994, she was awarded the Women's Championship in , following the departure of champion Lauren Davenport from the promotion. Combs defended the title successfully in several matches that year, including victories over Susan Sapphire on April 11 and on May 16, both in USWA events. Her USWA run, which lasted until July 27, 1994, when she lost to in , highlighted her enduring presence in WWF-adjacent territories during a period when women's divisions were limited. Combs also appeared in (WCW) during the mid-1990s as part of the promotion's short-lived push for a women's division, primarily serving as enhancement talent to elevate emerging stars. In 1995, she debuted on , losing to in a match that showcased Madusa's dominance. She returned on March 31, 1997, for an episode of , where she was defeated by WCW Women's Champion , with Hokuto retaining her title in a bout accompanied by manager . Later that year, on May 5, Combs faced again in a dark match on Nitro, further emphasizing her role in building credibility for WCW's female competitors. These sporadic outings totaled just a handful of televised appearances, reflecting WCW's inconsistent commitment to women's wrestling at the time. Throughout the 1990s, Combs maintained an active presence on the independent circuit, securing multiple championships and engaging in notable feuds that sustained her career until retirement. She also won the for a third time by defeating on May 10, 1996. She captured the International Wrestling Association (IWA) Women's Championship three times in Ohio-based promotions: first awarded in July 1995, then by defeating on November 29, 1997, in Girard, and finally by beating on April 19, 1998, also in Girard. These reigns involved defenses against regional talents like Rosie Palmer and Lady Satan, underscoring Combs' veteran status in indie bookings. Additional independent highlights included winning the Music City Wrestling Women's Title as "Princess Dee" in late 1997 and defeating to win the on September 19, 1997. Combs retired from in-ring competition in 1998 after over two decades in the industry, concluding her independent runs with a legacy of resilience in smaller promotions.

Founding and Running Women's Pro Wrestling

In the early 1990s, Debbie Combs founded Women's Pro Wrestling (WPW), an all-women's promotion aimed at showcasing female talent during an era of limited opportunities for women in the industry. The organization, established around 1992, was based in , and focused on producing content to highlight women's matches independently of larger male-dominated promotions. As president and booker, Combs managed the promotion's operations, drawing on her extensive independent wrestling experience to assemble a roster that included notable performers such as , , Penelope Paradise, , and Penny Mitchell. WPW primarily produced events, allowing for distribution of women's wrestling content outside traditional television or live touring circuits, with Combs often participating in matches alongside the talent. These video releases featured competitive bouts emphasizing athleticism and storytelling tailored to female wrestlers, helping to build visibility for participants in regional markets. The promotion operated briefly from 1992 to 1993, running a series of events before ceasing activities, amid the broader logistical and financial hurdles faced by niche women's promotions in a male-centric industry. Despite its short duration, WPW represented Combs' entrepreneurial effort to create dedicated space for , leveraging her network from prior independent runs to book talent and sustain operations until its disbandment around 1994.

Championships and Accomplishments

Major World Titles

Debbie Combs achieved significant success as a champion in the (NWA), where she captured the on three occasions during the 1980s and 1990s. Her initial reign began on February 13, 1986, in , when she won a to claim the title, followed by a confirmation victory over Judy Martin two days later in . This marked her entry into the upper echelons of , as the was the premier global title for female competitors at the time. The reign lasted until early 1987, when the title was vacated due to territorial disputes following the Kansas City promotion's withdrawal from the NWA. Combs regained the championship on April 10, 1987, in , by defeating Penny Mitchell in a match for the vacant title. This second reign was notably long, extending until January 1, 1994, when she lost it to , during which she defended the belt across various NWA-affiliated promotions, solidifying her status as a dominant force in the division. Her third reign began on May 10, 1996, in Fall Branch, , when she defeated (who had won the title the previous day). Combs held the title until October 1996, when she lost it (exact date unknown). This acknowledgment highlights her enduring impact on the title's lineage, even as documentation from the period remains incomplete in some areas. In addition to her NWA accomplishments, Combs was awarded the United States Wrestling Association (USWA) Women's Championship on April 9, 1994, in , following the departure of the previous titleholder, Lauren Davenport. She held the title for approximately 104 days before losing it to on July 22, 1994, in , during a period when USWA maintained cross-promotional ties with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). This brief reign further underscored her versatility across major promotions.

Regional and Independent Championships

Debbie Combs achieved notable success in regional promotions, including the (WWA) in Kansas City, where she won the WWA World Women's Championship on April 10, 1987, by defeating Penny Mitchell. She continued to defend it after the promotion closed in 1990, aligning with her NWA title defenses. In the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), Combs captured the Women's Championship in 1994, awarded on April 9 after Lauren Davenport's departure. She defended it successfully against challengers including Susan Sapphire (July 4), Robbie Rage (July 9), and others before losing to on July 22. Additionally, Combs secured the NDW Women's Championship twice during late 1997 and early 1998, reflecting her continued prominence in smaller, regional outfits amid her independent runs. Her first NDW reign lasted from August 1 to August 19, 1997, while the second extended from October 4, 1997, to May 15, 1998, totaling over seven months and demonstrating sustained success in the promotion's women's division.
PromotionTitleReignsNotable Details
WWA (Kansas City)World Women's Championship11987 (won April 10 vs. Penny Mitchell; defended post-1990 closure)
USWAWomen's Championship11994 (awarded April 9; defenses vs. Susan Sapphire, Robbie Rage; lost July 22 vs. Candi Devine)
NDWWomen's Championship21997 (August 1–19); 1997–1998 (October 4–May 15, 223 days)

Awards and Recognitions

In 1992, Debbie Combs was honored as an "Other Honoree" by the for her significant contributions to . Combs was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019, recognizing her pioneering role in the regional wrestling scene. In 2020, she received induction into the Hall of Fame and Museum in the Ladies Division, alongside , acknowledging her three-time reigns and broader influence on the industry. Her career has been celebrated in wrestling media discussions, including a June 2024 episode of the Wrestleville , which highlighted her as a trailblazer in women's wrestling during the . Interviews and retrospectives often credit Combs with helping to expand opportunities for female wrestlers in that era, emphasizing her foundational work in promotions like the NWA.

Personal Life and Legacy

Relationships and Family

Debbie Combs dated professional wrestler for five years during her time in Angelo Poffo's promotion in the late 1970s. No marriages or children for Combs are documented in available records. She maintained close professional and personal ties to her extended wrestling family, particularly her mother, Cora Combs, who influenced her entry into the industry and with whom she often traveled and competed early in her career. Public information on Combs' personal life remains limited, with most details emerging through overlaps with her wrestling career rather than private disclosures.

Post-Retirement Activities

Following the closure of Women's Pro Wrestling (WPW) in the late 1990s, Combs largely stepped away from promotional roles in 1998, citing shifts in the wrestling industry and a desire for a change in her professional life. Her final documented match occurred in 2000 against , after which she fully transitioned out of the business. After retiring from wrestling, Combs joined the Davidson County Sheriff's Office in , where she served as a booking processor for over two decades, managing administrative tasks related to detainee processing and bookings. She retired from this position around 2018, transitioning to a new career path. As of 2025, Combs works as a , apprehending individuals who fail to appear in and transporting them back to custody, a role she describes as equally demanding and engaging as her wrestling days. "I’m a , so I go out and get people who did not go to and [go] pick them up and arrest them and take them back to jail," she explained in a 2023 interview. Since retiring from active wrestling involvement, Combs has maintained a low public profile, with no returns to the ring or promotional work. She has made occasional media appearances, including podcast interviews in 2024 and 2025 discussing her career, such as on Give Me Back My Pro Wrestling and Wrestleville. In April 2024, she was presented with the Penny Banner Spirit of Excellence Award by the Professional Girl Wrestling Association (PGWA) in recognition of her contributions to women's wrestling.

Impact on Women's Wrestling

Debbie Combs played a pivotal role in elevating the women's divisions during the 1980s expansion of the (NWA) and independent circuits, where she competed as a second-generation wrestler trained by her mother, pioneering performer Cora Combs. As a three-time NWA World Women's Champion—securing the title in a 1986 battle royal in and again in Kansas City in 1987—Combs challenged the dominance of figures like , bringing visibility to regional territories and fostering competitive storylines that highlighted technical skill over spectacle. Her performances in promotions such as the and independent shows helped sustain interest in women's matches amid a male-dominated industry, contributing to the gradual professionalization of female talent. In the early , Combs founded and served as president and booker for Women's Pro Wrestling (WPW), an all-female promotion that produced events featuring wrestlers like , , and . By emphasizing athletic wrestling techniques rather than exploitative elements, WPW provided a dedicated platform for women performers during a period when major leagues like WCW and WWF had largely sidelined women's divisions, predating their mid- revivals. This initiative influenced subsequent independent women's groups by demonstrating the viability of women-led bookings and storylines, helping to preserve talent pipelines and inspire organized female-only events in the years leading up to broader industry shifts. Despite her achievements, Combs remains underrecognized compared to contemporaries like Moolah, often overlooked in mainstream wrestling histories due to the fragmented nature of independent records and the era's limited media coverage of women's matches. Recent discussions since 2020, including retrospectives on NWA champions and women's wrestling trailblazers, have begun to highlight her multiple title reigns and family legacy as key to understanding the unsung foundations of modern women's divisions.

References

  1. https://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/DotNetDaily/WWE_European_tour_continues_correspondents_needed_with_the_New_Age_Outlaws_TNA_Impact_Wrestling_TV_Dot_Net_Weekly_audio_show_Brooklyn_Brawler_Debbie_Combs_Gory_Guerrero_Wahoo_McDaniel_printer.shtml
  2. https://slamwrestling.net/legend/cora-combs/
  3. https://slamwrestling.net/news/pwhf-announces-2007-induction-class/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12074360/
  5. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/debbie-combs/id1611593504?i=1000655006480
  6. https://alliance-wrestling.com/the-national-wrestling-alliance-womens-world-championship/
  7. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=3324
  8. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/debbie-combs/
  9. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles_old/d/debbie-combs.html
  10. https://filsingergames.com/2nd-generation-wrestler-debbie-combs-joins-her-mother-in-legends-ladies-3/
  11. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4026
  12. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4235&page=4
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVmHHo1VFXs
  14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY5w7xY2DpM
  15. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/debbie-combs-3950.html
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  17. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-wm.html
  18. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/title-history/nwa/nwa-world-womens-championship
  19. https://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/debbie-combs-3950.html
  20. https://crazymax.org/newsite/results/awa-results-1988/
  21. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-wm.html
  22. https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/wcw-forgotten-women-wrestlers/
  23. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/oh/iwa/oh-iwa-wm.html
  24. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Debbie_Combs
  25. https://alchetron.com/List-of-women%27s-wrestling-promotions-in-the-United-States
  26. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Women%27s_Pro_Wrestling
  27. https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/11609909
  28. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ks/wwa/kc-wwa-wm.html
  29. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=345
  30. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4026&page=11
  31. http://www.oklafan.com/bios/view/4103/
  32. https://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/legacy-honorees
  33. https://saintlouiswrestling.com/hof/
  34. https://prowrestlinghalloffame.com/inductees/
  35. https://wrestleville.com/podcasts/debbiecombs
  36. https://talksport.com/wrestling/3170943/wwe-wrestlemania-ex-champion-bounty-hunter-debbie-combs/
  37. https://podscan.fm/podcasts/the-best-of-jamesrockstreet-productions/episodes/debbie-combs-on-gmbmpw
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFf_ILZj4BQ
  39. https://www.ladysports.com/2024/04/16/debbie-combs-presented-with-the-penny-bannerspirit-of-excellence-award/
  40. https://www.thesportster.com/best-nwa-womens-champions-ranked/
  41. https://fciwomenswrestling.com/debbie-combs-big-star/
  42. https://slamwrestling.net/news/complicated-legacy-of-fabulous-moolah-on-trial-at-cac/
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