The world lost a true character today. Those who knew Sherri Martel will talk about how tough she was, but as Jim Ross wrote at WWE.com - she had a heart of gold. I think I'll most remember her laugh. When Sherri was happy you could tell by her infectious laugh. She was a wonderful lady, and I'm glad to have had a chance to get to know her.
Several years ago, during the early days of 1Wrestling.com, Sherri asked me if I thought there would be any way to use the website to try to sell some of her memorabilia. This was before Ebay because the place to sell stuff online, and we decided to set up an auction to see how things would go. The first item we put up was the outfit she wore at the Wrestlemania when she was managing Shawn Michaels. We had nothing to really go by as far as what to expect the outfit to sell for, and she was absolutely stunned when it sold for about $1700. I remember her calling me saying she was going to go shopping for new stuff, wear it one time, and put it online for sale! We ended up not doing that, but she did sell a few more items before she lost interest.
Over the years, I ran into Sherri at ECW shows, in WCW, and finally last year in TNA. Every time I saw her I knew I could count on getting a big hug and I always looked forward to hearing that laugh.
She drifted in and out of the wrestling business the last several years, but I was really glad that WWE honored her last year by putting her into their Hall of Fame. She definitely deserved it. Her acceptance speech was classic Sherri. They gave her the microphone and she wasn't going to give it back until she was good and ready.
I'll miss her, as will her countless friends in and out of the wrestling business. She was one of a kind.
