PGWA PRESENTS  ˜A BANNER NIGHT”
An Evening of Women’s Wrestling in Tribute to a Legend

Professional Girl Wrestling Association
North Carolina

Penny Banner was more than just another lady wrestler.  During her 23 year career (1954-1977), which coincided with the so-called “Golden Age of Women’s Wrestling”, she set standards and achieved successes that made her a major figure in her day and an icon for the generations that followed.

.

New wrestler added!

.

.

.

Some fans know her as the first woman to hold the American Wrestling Association’s Ladies Championship, others for her years of packing arenas across the United States and Canada; some even recall her having dated Elvis Presley in the 1950s (Elvis was a big wrestling fan, and whenever Penny would work in Memphis, he and his friends were always at ringside to cheer her on!).  Outside of the ring, Penny was also an accomplished competitive horsewoman and businesswoman, and in her latter years she was a multi-medalist in the Senior Olympics.

Penny Banner was also the Commissioner of the PGWA, a position which she held since the organization’s founding in 1992.  Although no longer a wrestler herself, Penny took seriously her duty as a role model for newcomers to the sport.  She was also disturbed by the growing trend in women’s wrestling at the time to focus on what became known as ‘T&A’, rather than actual athletic ability.  In her estimation, the “Evening Gown Catfights” and such gimmicks were killing the sport she loved.  In her position as commissioner, she dedicated herself to the PGWA’s mission of preserving and promoting the “Old School” style of pro wrestling.  The means of doing so were to host all-ladies shows, to book individual women’s matches on various independent promotions’ cards, and to publicize the ladies in both print and, with the development of the internet, online.

And the PGWA’s success speaks for itself.  At the time of its founding, women’s pro wrestling was seemingly on the verge of extinction in the U.S., with few organizations even bothering to book female wrestlers on their shows any longer.  But in 2008, women wrestlers are more popular than ever, and a number of other all-female promotions have joined the PGWA in presenting women’s shows.  And the PGWA’s official website, LadySports Online, has been visited nearly three million times since its relaunch in 2003.

Through it all, Penny Banner served as not only a symbol of the PGWA’s growth, but also a cornerstone of its success.

Sadly, after a valiant battle for several years, Penny succumbed to cancer early in 2008.

“A Banner Night” is the PGWA’s chance to say goodbye to our friend, as well as to highlight some of the finest competitors in women’s professional wrestling today.  The main event will see PGWA Champion Nikki Roxx (aka TNA’s Roxxi Laveaux) put her belt on the line against Tracy Taylor.  Other participants include Tasha Simone, Sassy Stephie, XTC, Scarlett Rose, Mia Martinez, Jaime D, Sarah Lynn, Josianne Pussycat, Angel Dust, Susan Morton and Su Yung.  Also in attendance will be Wendi Weaver, Penny Banner’s daughter, who will present the ‘Penny Banner Spirit of Excellence Award’.  This all-female card will be held on Saturday, November 15th at the SAW Arena in Millersville, Tennessee.  Admission is $10 per person.

For additional information on A Banner Night, please visit www.LadySports.com.

.

,

www.LadySports.com

.

.

.

.

.