18. Jeannie Clark (Stunning Steve Austin V Danny Davis - USWA)

Video: Steve Austin V Danny Davis

Given the importance of Lady Blossom in the success achieved by Steve Austin in the WCW, today we take a look back to Austin's debut in USWA wrestling, where he is accompanied by Jeannie Clark before she adopted her familiar moniker.

A pre-match interview has Austin gloating after being named Rookie Of The Year, before Jeannie grabs the mic off the presenter and announces that Austin is destined for big things. Austin and his valet then make their way straight to the ring to start the match against Danny Davis.

Clark assumes her position ringside as the action commences, with the young referee Jamie Dundee seen pointing a warning finger to the valet not to get involved in the bout. A fast start by Austin is quickly reversed by Davis, who rolls up his opponent for the pin. However, Jeannie had anticipated the danger, and can be seen grabbing the hand of the referee and engaging in conversation to distract the official. By the time Dundee's attention returns to the ring, he only manages to count to 2 before Austin kicks out.

The referee is distracted as Austin is pinned

As Austin regains the upper hand, he is accused of pulling the hair of his opponent, with the commentators also spotting the offence. They then highlight the lack of experience of Dundee in officiating, as Austin persuades the young referee that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

With Davis breaking free, he then manages to lift Austin over his back into a pin position, ready for the count of the referee. However, Austin's valet steps in again, luring the naive referee over to her to leave a frustrated Davis pinning his opponent for a full six seconds before the count starts. Dundee only reaches a count of 1 before Austin kicks out.

Jeannie again steps in with Austin in trouble

Austin once again goes on the offensive, landing his signature Stun Gun finisher. A pin sees Davis wrap his legs on the ropes to stop the count at 2. Seemingly on top, Austin then lets his attention slip as Davis quickly rolls him up for another pin attempt. Unbelievably, the referee has again drifted over to Austin's valet to engage in conversation, obviously distracted by Clark's feminine wiles. A one-count is again all that results once Dundee spots the pin. The commentators then criticise Dundee, stating that he needs to pay more attention on the action in the ring.

A roll-up pin is again unseen by the referee

Jeannie repeats the trick for a fourth time!

Austin's domination of the match soon to comes to an end, as a charge from Davis ends in a reverse backbreaker. As the move is executed, the referee can be seen turning his back on the action, and with Jeannie spotting her man in trouble she once again draws the gaze of the official and then engages in a full 20 seconds of conversation with Davis pinning Austin unseen.

Dundee in conversation yet again with Austin's valet

This prompts a USWA official to demand that the match is stopped, before he berates Dundee as not being ready to officiate matches. Jeannie can be spotted behind him looking innocently on, as the young referee loses his job as a USWA referee.

The referee is fired as Jeannie looks on

In what is at times was a dominating performance by Steve Austin, Jeannie nevertheless prevented a loss for Austin with her numerous well-timed interventions. Jamie Dundee seemed vulnerable to Clark's distractions from the outset, and the blonde valet seemed to cast a spell over the young referee. The final distraction, lasting a full 20 seconds, was particularly crucial as Austin was clearly about to lose if the referee had kept his attention on the action in the ring. Ultimately though, he could not take his eyes off Jeannie, in what must be the only case of a valet causing a referee to be fired.

17. Lady Blossom (Stunning Steve Austin V Z-Man - WCW Fall Brawl, 5th September 1991)

Video: Steve Austin Vs Z Man - Fall Brawl

A confident Blossom leads Austin to the ring

As Lady Blossom showed on numerous occasions during her valetship of Steve Austin, she needed little encouragement to get involved in matches and swing the result her man's way. This match-up against Tom Zenk would be no different.

Eyeballing Z-Man from outside the ring

After walking to the ring in a cleavage-baring dress (which would prove useful at the end of the match), Blossom takes up position ringside before verbally engaging with the Z-Man, prompting an angry Zenk to try and leave the ring to get closer to Austin's valet. Luckily, the referee stops the over-reaction from Austin's opponent, leaving Lady Blossom to point a warning finger in Zenk's direction for his insolence.

An early warning for Zenk

With the match started, Jim Ross refers to the valet as an 'evil woman', no doubt in reference to her numerous interventions in Austin's matches. As the match progresses, Blossom can then be seen posing and pouting into the camera as Tony Schiavone describes how Austin seeks the approval of his valet for his offensive moves in the ring.

Posing at ringside

As Austin has Zenk in a headlock in the ring, his valet casts a menacing stare as the commentators describe how Zenk needs to develop a meaner streak. The Z-Man soon starts to have more success though as the action spills out of the ring. However, a failed aerial move from Zenk turns the tide back in Austin's direction, and another energy-sapping headlock on the Z-Man has Blossom jumping up and down in excitement.

Happy with Austin's work

With the 10-minute time limit approaching, Zenk turns the tables and puts a sleeper-hold on Austin, leaving the champion staggering towards the ropes. Luckily for Stunning Steve, his valet is ready and waiting to lend her assistance.

Blossom intervenes with the referee distracted

The knucks are handed over....

As Austin makes it over to the ropes, referee Nick Patrick is preoccupied with monitoring the sleeper, allowing Blossom to grab Austin's hand at 10:18 in and hand a set of brass knucks unseen to the champion. She then issues final instructions to Austin as Zenk is moved back by Patrick. As the Z-Man attempts a falling suplex, Austin lands a punch to make full use of the knucks before pinning the challenger for the 1-2-3. A knowing Lady Blossom has already started to make her way into the ring before the 3-count is complete ready to celebrate with Austin, although not before making sure the brass knucks are safely hidden in her ample cleavage.

.... before being concealed down Blossom's cavernous cleavage

Choosing her moment impeccably as always, Lady Blossom once again was the deciding factor in this match. While her verbal assault on Zenk before the match was a useful distraction, the valet waited until she could execute a match-winning intervention before she got involved. As usual, Lady Blossom managed to hands the knucks over out of view of the referee, and then was careful to conceal the foreign object before celebrating with Austin. Zenk ultimately had no answer to such tactics, and was left to writhe in pain as the blonde valet revelled in victory.

Zenk down and out as Lady Blossom celebrates

16. Lady Blossom (Stunning Steve Austin V Tracey Smothers, WCW Main Event 1991)

Video: Steve Austin V Tracey Smothers

It's time to call in again with Lady Blossom, as she continued her reign as the WCW's undisputed queen of valet interference in the early 1990s. Steve Austin's opponent this time is Tracey Smothers - one half of the Young Pistols - in what has the potential to be a competitive match-up.

Entering the ring

Following the introductions, a red-clad Lady Blossom departs the ring as the action commences. As Austin poses to the crowd following an early take-down of Smothers, the Young Pistol quickly rolls up the TV Champion for a 2-count, to the annoyance of Stunning Steve and his blonde valet.

An early assault from Austin is soon reversed by Smothers, and an arm-lock on the champion has Blossom appealing to the referee and looking distinctly unimpressed. Austin manages to hold his own though, and at 2:50 in succeeds in clothes-lining his opponent over the top rope and out of the ring. With Smothers lying prone on the floor, and the referee preoccupied in the ring with warning Austin, the time has come for his beautiful valet to enter the fray.

Blossom gets ready to attack

Blossom can be seen firstly checking the ring to make sure the referee's attention is diverted. She then eyes up her prey before walking over to the stricken wrestler and choking Smothers on the floor before rapidly departing the scene. Surprisingly, Smothers appears to quickly recover from the attack as he re-enters the ring, but nevertheless the valet's intervention was well-executed and unseen by the referee.

Smothers is choked on the floor by Austin's valet

Smothers soon regains the upper hand, and a flying elbow prompts the Young Pistol to go aerial as Austin staggers around in the ring. Tracey connects with a spectacular move and rolls up Austin for the pin. However, Lady Blossom senses the danger and intervenes again.

Blossom distracts the official with Austin pinned....

....before departing the scene

Climbing up onto the apron at 3:55 in, Blossom instantly draws the attention of the referee, leaving a frustrated Smothers lying on the champion waiting for the three-count. He then naively turns his back on Austin to remonstrate with the official, as the blonde valet departs. Austin then recovers and when Smothers turns round he is quickly nailed by the Stun Gun and the champion gains the 1-2-3 for victory.

Lady Blossom sees Smothers pinned at close quarters

As the match reached its conclusion, there was a real chance that Smothers could have caused an upset and dethroned Austin as the TV Champion. However, Lady Blossom was crucial in this successful title defence. Not only did she take the opportunity to attack Smothers as he lay hurt on the floor, she also picked her moment perfectly to distract the referee at the conclusion to the match, preventing the pin and then allowing Austin time to recover and execute his signature finisher. Whilst Smothers may have felt hard done by, ultimately he could not cope with Lady Blossom's interventions and was therefore undeserving of the win. As Tony Schiavone so eloquently puts it during the match, "She is one bad lady!"

Victorious again

15. Lady Blossom (Stunning Steve Austin V Kip Abee - WCW Worldwide)

Video: Steve Austin V Kip Abee

Leading her man to the ring

Next up we have a nice little cameo from 1991 of Lady Blossom, as she guides Stunning Steve Austin to another successful WCW TV title defence. The victim this time is the hapless Kip Abee, who is clearly a very long shot to dethrone the champ in this match.

Following the entrance of Austin, Blossom demurely retires ringside, looking radiant in an elegant turquoise number. With the match started, Austin executes two moves involving pulling the hair of Abee, drawing the ire of the referee. As the two engage in conversation, Abee has the temerity to roll up Austin from behind and gain a two-count.


That would be the end of Abee's successes though, as Austin gains command of the bout. As Stunning Steve executes a painful arm-lock on his opponent, the commentators discuss how his blonde valet was crucial in wresting away the title from Bobby Eaton, with the cameras focusing on Lady Blossom as she looks dismissively into the lens.

If looks could kill...

More attacks from Austin follow, before he intentionally pulls up Abee at the count of two to continue the opponent's suffering by getting Blossom involved. After signalling to his valet, Austin takes Abee over to the ropes, and Blossom can be seen instinctively moving into position.

Blossom senses her opportunity

At 5:00 in, and with the referee's back turned as he chastises Austin for choking Abee on the ropes, Lady Blossom springs into action. With Abee prone and vulnerable, she firstly rakes her nails into his face, before then pulling his hair and choking him further on the ropes. Abee can be heard crying out in pain as the valet attacks, before she leaves the scene of the crime and checks her nails for any damage.

The claws go in to the face of Abee

The attack is swift and expertly delivered, and the valet exudes a child-like innocence as the referee wonders what had happened while his back was turned. The commentators then refer to Blossom's ruthlessness, and that she would literally scratch out your eyes out to secure a win. Soon after, Austin nails the Stungun and a finishing clothesline to gain the 1-2-3 and extend his reign as TV Champion.

Blossom protests her innocence

In what was clearly a premeditated move, Lady Blossom's intervention was skilfully executed, and it is fascinating to watch her wait for the referee's back to turn before digging her claws into the face of Abee. Not only was she able to execute a painful attack to Austin's opponent, she then showed an ability to con the referee and persuade him of her innocence. An excellent performance then from Blossom, whose interferences in Austin's matches became legendary during Stunning Steve's reign as the champion.

14. Melina (MNM V Mexicools - WWE Smackdown, 3rd February 2006)

Video: MNM V Mexicools

Melina on her way to the ring

With Melina nursing a slightly injured ankle following a recent encounter with Kurt Angle, MNM entered the ring to defend their tag team titles against the Mexicools. Once again, the valet would prove crucial in determining the result of the match.

Checking her ankle pre-splits

Leading her charges to the ring, Melina checks her ankle is OK before entering the ring with her trademark splits manoeuvre. As usual, a kiss is placed on the cheek of Mercury and Nitro, before their opponents the high-flying Mexicools drive to the ring on mini tractors.

Johnny Nitro and Pscicosis start off proceedings, with the Mexicools soon gaining the upper hand and executing some impressive double-team moves. Indeed, an early pin attempt on Nitro by Super Crazy could have yielded a quickfire win, although a streetwise Melina encourages Mercury to illegally interrupt the count.

The valet applauds her charges' efforts

Mercury and Nitro are then subject to spectacular aerial attacks, firstly from Pscicosis and then Super Crazy who flies over a bystanding referee to take out both members of MNM ringside. With the action back in the ring, Pscicosis then makes an error when flying into the turnbuckle as Mercury moves out of the way, giving the momentum to MNM.

Pscicosis crawls over to Melina as the referee looks elsewhere....

Joey Mercury softens up Pscicosis with a sustained attack, and a double-team move leaves the Mexicool stunned in the corner of the champs. As Mercury moves over to exchange words with Super Crazy with the referee in close pursuit, Melina senses her opportunity to intervene.

The leg-scissors locked on to Pscicosis

Pscicosis somehow crawls over to the ropes, attempting to gain some respite. His naivety is evident though as he places himself within easy reach of MNM's valet with the official otherwise distracted. At 6:00 in, Melina quickly jumps onto the apron and locks onto Pscicosis with a perfectly-executed leg-scissors to the head, leaving the Mexicool's arms flailing as he attempts to escape. The leg-lock lasts five seconds, before the beautiful valet releases Pscicosis to avoid detection by the referee. She can then be seen revelling in her actions, and even sticks her tongue out at the stricken opponent.

A cheeky tongue to Pscicosis

Melina berates the official

With Nitro continuing the attack on Pscicosis, before a double-team move leaves the Mexicool vulnerable to the pin by Mercury, with Melina close by. After three two-counts with Melina berating the official for his slow counting, the valet then decides to claim onto the apron to vent her fury at close hand. However, Pscicosis somehow manages to push Mercury in the direction of the valet, knocking her to ground and leaving her nursing her ankle.

The boot comes off, ready to be used later....

Looking on as the Mexicools take charge

Sensing that his valet is hurt, Johnny Nitro rushes to her aid and helps to remove Melina's boot, as she sits on the steps ringside to recuperate. Meanwhile, back in the ring the Mexicools are now firmly in charge, and MNM's belts are under real threat. A flying backflip from Super Crazy appears to be enough to clinch the win, but Mercury just about kicks out. A further near-pin is then prevented by Nitro intervening, which brings Pscicosis into the ring and attracts the attention of the official.

Melina runs over to Super Crazy....

Super Crazy then decides to go aerial, and climbs the turnbuckle for what he hopes will be a match-winning move. However, Melina can be seen rushing along the apron and levels the Mexicool with her removed boot, leaving Super Crazy prone and pinned by Mercury for the victory.

....before levelling him with with her removed boot

In what was a real nip-and-tuck match, MNM's valet literally proved the difference between Mercury and Nitro retaining or losing their belts. Her first intervention in executing the leg-scissors on Psicosis was perfectly-timed and effective. Indeed, Pscisosis has form in falling prey to the actions of female valets (see post 2 from his WCW days), and once again he was shown to be wanting in this area, suffering the consequences as a result. The replays of Melina's boot attack then reveal that the valet was not injured at all by her fall off the ring apron, as she can clearly be seen running unimpeded to Super Crazy before nailing the wrestler with her boot. That mix of deviousness, coupled with referee positional awareness, and an ability to execute effective attacks at key moments, all combined to secure the win for MNM. While some would see the result as unfair on the Mexicools, they fell short in the face of a skilled, experienced valet who would not be denied victory. MNM-arvelous!

13. Melina (MNM Vs Nick Berg & Kevin Matthews - WWE Velocity)

Video: MNM Vs Nick Berg & Kevin Matthews

Confidently leading her men to the ring

As MNM's reign as WWE Tag Team Champions continued, this easy win over Berg and Matthews would once again display Melina's talents as their cruel, calculating, and beautiful valet.

Melina's trademark ring entrance

A kiss for good luck

With the entrances complete, Melina places a kiss on the face of Mercury and Nitro before arrogantly shooing away their hapless opponents - a theme that would continue as the match went on. The commentators then refer to the valet's importance in MNM holding the belts, acknowledging her impeccable timing in interfering in matches. As usual, Melina takes her time to leave the ring, a full 10 seconds after the bell to start the match had been rung.

Nick Berg is first in to face off against Joey Mercury. Predictably, Joey takes the upper hand to the cheers and applause of Melina ringside. With Berg's face rammed into the boot of Joey Nitro, MNM's valet points and shouts orders to her men as the assault continues. Melina can then be seen mocking Berg as he lies prone in the ring.

Melina checks her manicure as the match continues

Spotting an opportunity to intervene

An uppercut from Nitro draws a mocking gesture from Melina, satisfied that her men are in full control. The valet then proceeds to check her fingernails and look dismissively to the crowd, such is her confidence in the result of the match. Unbelievably, she then takes out her cellphone and commences a lengthy conversation while the match continues in the ring - a gesture of supreme arrogance and dismissiveness.

Berg receives a full-force kick from Melina

As a hurt Nick Berg is thrown out of the ring by Mercury at 3:50 in, Melina is still engaged in her phone call. However, with the referee diverted she prowls around the ring to where the stricken opponent lies, before taking aim and launching a brutal kick to the midsection of Berg. The sound of the impact shows how hard the valet's kick was, and Berg wheels away in clear pain as Melina continues her call and the referee's back still turned.

Berg in agony as the referee is oblivious

More excellent work from Nitro and Mercury continues as Melina gestures her approval whilst still on the phone. Berg is in big trouble now as Melina berates the crowd to keep quiet to allow her call to continue. Finally Berg manages to tag in Kevin Matthews, prompting Melina to end her call some two and a half minutes after it began.

The call continues....

A brief period of success for Matthews ends as he flies into the boot of Nitro, and the match is soon over as Joey closes things out. Melina looks mockingly at Matthews before Joey throws him out of the ring. Berg is then forced to the ring apron as the beautiful valet laughs and points in their direction.

Melina mocks Matthews

A display of pure arrogance and narcissism, Melina nevertheless clearly assisted in the win thanks to excellent timing and a willingness to physically hurt MNM's opponents when the opportunity arose. Vocal as always, she helped to direct operations in-ring despite spending much of the bout on her cellphone, and her continual mocking gestures to Berg and Matthews will no doubt have helped to erode any confidence they may have had in stepping up to take on the champions. The kick to the stomach of Berg will live long in the memory, not just for the stricken wrestler, but also for the crowd ringside who witnessed how brutal and calculated the beautiful valet could be. Ruthless, arrogant, but very effective....

The beautiful Melina celebrates with the win secured