Jacqueline Moore was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016, making her the first Black woman to be inducted. The well-known wrestler established herself as a force in the ring and a pioneer of professional wrestling.
Moore recently recounted receiving the call that would forever solidify her place in the wrestling world in 2016.
“I know who called me (about my WWE Hall of Fame induction). I can’t remember his name because he’s no longer with the company anymore,” she recalled during a recent virtual signing with Captain’s Corner, according to BOTWC. “No (not John Laurinaitis). It wasn’t him. I can’t think of the guy’s name. But I did get the big call, that, ‘Hey, they wanna put you in the Hall of Fame.’ I’m like, ‘What!?’ I was so happy. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’”
She was elated. Every game Moore played made history in a sport where women, particularly Black women, have historically been underrepresented. In addition to the Hall of Fame, she is the first Black WWE Women’s Champion and the first woman to ever hold the Cruiserweight belt.
“Being the first Black female in the Hall of Fame, that’s another historymaking—I’mm full of history now. I’m full of history. I’m a walking history book,” she said.
She added, “My family were happy for me. It was special to me. It made my heart happy. I was just so full of joy and to get that call and to be put in there, that made me very happy. Means a lot to me. I was so happy my family could come and see me on my big day. It was great. Had my family there and it was just a special moment for me.”
Moore’s interest in wrestling began as a child in Dallas, Texas, when she discovered the Von Erich family and watched them dominate the local scene. As a self-described tomboy, she became heavily involved in sports and martial arts, obtaining a third-degree black belt in taekwondo and gaining experience in both traditional boxing and kickboxing.
Moore told BET, “Growing up in Dallas, I used to watch wrestling on TV. One day, I saw an ad in the TV guide that said, ‘Learn how to be a professional wrestler.’ So I called the number. Signed up. The rest? History.”
This decision led her to study under the famous Skandor Akbar. Unfazed by the fact that she was the only Black woman in the class, she developed her talents and determination by frequently practicing and competing against men.
In recent years, professional wrestling has transitioned toward elaborate, character-driven storytelling, particularly among Black wrestlers.
“I’m so happy that Black wrestlers, especially Black women wrestlers, have the opportunity to shine today,” Moore said. “Black women are getting more TV time and getting more storylines. It really makes my heart happy.”
Moore has won 14 USWA Women’s Championships and USWA Women’s Championship Tournaments, the WWC Women’s Championship, the UWF Women’s World Championship, the United States Wrestling Association, the IAW Women’s Championship, and 2x WWF Women’s Championship, WWE Cruiserweight Championship, WWE HOF, Class of 2016, according to Double Take Sports.
In 2022, Moore received the Cauliflower Alley Club’s Women’s Wrestling Award. She also made the Pro Wrestling Illustrated list as a top female wrestler and, in 1993, she became the first woman to rank in the top 500 wrestlers overall.
Moore also had experience as a wrestler and manager in Smokey Mountain Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling.
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