Marva Scott (wrestler)
American professional wrestler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marva Aniece Goodwin (née Wingo; November 21, 1937 – August 15, 2003), better known by the ring name Marva Scott,[4] was among the first Black female professional wrestlers in the United States.[2] She began wrestling in the early 1950s and her first reported match happened in 1954.[5] With her older sisters, Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson, she was part of the first Black trio sister team.[6] Marva Scott was posthumously inducted into the Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023.[1]
November 21, 1937
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marva Aniece Wingo November 21, 1937 Decatur, Georgia, U.S.[1] |
| Died | August 15, 2003 (aged 65) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.[2] |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
Spouse | Clesson H. Goodwin[2] |
| Children | 4[2] |
| Relative(s) | Babs Wingo Ethel Johnson |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Marva Scott Marva Wingo Martha Scott Marva Johnson Mary Scott African Black Cat |
| Billed from | Detroit, Michigan[3] |
| Debut | 1954 |
| Retired | 1979 |
Professional wrestling career
Scott began her career in the early 1950s at the age of 16.[4] She was promoted as Babs Wingo's sister, often in tag team bouts against Ethel Johnson.[3]
At one point, Scott became a bleach blonde while wrestling as "The African Black Cat".[3] Scott also tag-teamed with her sister Ethel, and together, they became tag team champions.[1]
Wrestling historian Jim Melby called Scott one of the great "teenage sensations" during the "Golden Age of Wrestling" ranking her among the top six female wrestlers of the era.[3]
Scott retired in 1979.[4] WWE named Marva 51 of the best wrestlers of all time in April 2021.[7]
Personal life
Scott was born Marva Aniece Wingo in Decatur, Georgia, to Gladys Chase and Clifford Wingo[2] on November 21, 1937.[8] Scott’s sisters, Babs Wingo and Ethel Johnson, were also professional wrestlers.[1]
Scott was married to Clesson H. Goodwin and had four children.[9] Following her retirement, Scott was employed at the Training Institute of Central Ohio.[2]
Scott died of cancer on August 15, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio.[2]
Championships and accomplishments
- Clete Kaufman Promotions
- Ohio Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ethel Johnson[10]
- Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2023[11]
