Trish to headline women in wrestling expo and gala next weekend

Jon Waldman May 18, 2015

Next weekend, Trish heads to Wilmington, NC for the first-ever wrestling convention focused around the women of the squared circle.

There are two great events happening on Saturday, May 23rd in the Port City that will allow for a unique opportunity for fans of female competition to meet their heroes & watch the future of the game. The Women in Wrestling Fan Expo will have autograph signings featuring such names as Trish Stratus, Amy (former WWE Diva Lita), Lisa Moretti, (former WWE Diva Ivory), Lisa Marie Varon (former WWE Diva Victoria/former TNA Star Tara), former WWE Diva Terri Runnels and Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling Star (GLOW) Little Egypt. Later on in the evening, fans can enjoy a special tribute evening event called Lasting Legacy: A Tribute to Women in Wrestling, of which Trish headlines.

Organizer, Co-Founder of Masters of Ring Entertainment (along with Co-Founder Charlie Hartman), Bambi Weavil talked about how the events were conceived.

"We always wanted to pay tribute to the ladies of pro wrestling in a way they haven't been honored before. It's something we feel very strongly about as long overdue and well-deserved," she said. "We strongly feel that women have not been honored appropriately for their careers, accomplishments & sacrifices. We are proud that we are the first to pay tribute to women in wrestling. We approached all the talent involved with our concept, and it was enthusiastically welcomed as a revolutionary idea".

Trish is excited by the opportunity that the Women in Wrestling Fan Expo brings, and sees it as the perfect time for performers and fans to converge.

"Women's wrestling is pointing towards the next â€˜golden era'," she says. "We're seeing some great work and a renewed focus from the top companies and a strong presence of tough female competitors in women's leagues from wrestling, boxing and thanks to our girl Ronda Rousey – MMA, as well. Bambi sure has her finger on the pulse with the creation of this event. It seems very fitting that we now have the opportunity to celebrate the status of women in the sport with a convention of our own."

The decision to make Trish the keynote of the VIP night came for Weavil after looking through her impressive CV. Starting as a valet, Trish grew into one of the greatest wrestlers in women's history and one of the most recognized names of her era. Between seven WWE Women's Championships, numerous mainstream appearances and entry into the WWE Hall of Fame, the Toronto native made her name one of the brightest in sports entertainment history.

"We chose to have Trish honoured as the headliner because of all her accomplishments over the years transitioning from her fitness career into pro wrestling, and now her accomplishments with her lifestyle brand," Weavil says. "She is beautiful, smart, innovative, and will deliver a stratusfying speech for everyone to always remember!"

"I'm so humbled by this opportunity," Trish says about the special evening. "To speak on behalf of those who came before me, worked with me and are now taking over the wrestling landscape is incredible. I'm looking forward to this opportunity to speak in front of my industry."

Introducing Trish will be Lisa Marie Varon. Known as Victoria in WWE and Tara in TNA, Varon comes from a similar fitness background as Trish and grew to became one of the best wrestlers of her era, winning the WWE Women's Championship twice, the TNA Knockouts Championship five times and the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship once.

Varon is looking forward to introducing the woman she spent countless days and weeks with on the road and talked about how Trish was a game changer. "She pushed the envelope for what it was to be a female wrestler," she told TrishStratus.com. "Hard work pays off. Fitness modelling may have got her foot in the door but it takes a special person to take a gift and run with it."

Trish & Victoria battle in a Chicago Street Fight »

Varon, who is a restaurateur but still competes on the independent circuit from time to time, sees the entire event as an opportunity to pay it forward from the legacy she and her peers inherited.

"We learned a lot from Mae (Young) and Moolah, and I learned a lot from Ivory, Jazz and Jackie Moore," Varon adds. "We have a lot to give back to the future of female wrestling. We don't want to be 'our generation was the best', we would love to see it get better and better each time."

Beyond the convention and the special evening tribute, lies a wrestling event that promises to showcase the best talent on the independent scene. For her part, Trish is looking forward to seeing the action unfold.

"There is a true buzz about women's wrestling today. I especillay see it when I'm at my signings, and I hear things like 'what do you think of this competitor' or 'would you return to face that wrestler.' I'm looking forward to watching these girls wrestle and represent!"

To learn more about Lasting Legacy: A Tribute to Women in Wrestling & the Women in Wrestling Fan Expo, visit www.mastersofringentertainment.com.

Trish's appearance schedule

10am-12pm
Trish Stratus will be signing autographs & taking photos with fans in VIP Area.
Purchase tickets to meet Trish »

12-1pm
Team Bestie Photo Opportunity Only with WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Amy "Lita" Dumas
Purchase tickets to meet Team Bestie in a special Photo Op »

3:30-5pm
VIP Women in Wrestling Panel – for VIP Ticket Holders Only in VIP Area! Fans can ask your questions and learn insight from this special panel put together for the first time ever featuring WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, Former WWE Diva Lisa Marie Varon, Former WWE Diva Terri Runnels, Former WWE Diva Lisa Moretti, GLOW Star Little Egypt and Former WCW Star Missy Hyatt, moderated by WGNI's Jackie Jordan! NO VIDEO RECORDING WILL BE ALLOWED.

8-10pm: Trish headlines Lasting Legacy: A Tribute to Women in Wresting
Purchase your VIP tickets for priority seating »
Purchase general admission tickets »

Click here to see the full schedule of events for the day.

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