Editing Debra Marshall

{{Short description|American actress and former professional wrestling valet}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name        = Debra Marshall
| birthname   = Debra Gale Marshall
| spouse      = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|[[Steve McMichael]]|1985|1998|reason=div}}
* {{Marriage|[[Steve Austin]]|2000|2003|reason=div}}
}}
| image       = Debra McMichael 112721.jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = Debra in November 2021
| names       = Debra<br>Debra McMichael<br>Queen Debra
| height      = 5 ft 6 in<ref name=encyclopedia/>
| weight      = 
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1960|3|02}}<ref name=marriage/>
| birth_place = [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]], U.S.<ref name=stone186/>
| billed      = Tuscaloosa, Alabama<ref name=encyclopedia/>
| trainer     =
| debut       = 1996
| retired     = 2002
| alma_mater  = [[Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute]]<br>[[University of Alabama]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])
}}
'''Debra Gale Marshall''' (formerly '''McMichael''' and '''Williams'''; born March 2, 1960)<ref name=marriage/> is an American retired [[Manager (professional wrestling)|professional wrestling valet]], [[professional wrestler]], and actress. She is best known for her time with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) between 1995 and 1998 as '''Queen Debra'''<ref name="Tuscaloosa Magazine. August 2013">Tuscaloosa Magazine. August 2013</ref> and with the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) between 1998 and 2002 as simply '''Debra'''.

Marshall began her career in professional wrestling in 1995, accompanying her husband [[Steve "Mongo" McMichael]] to the ring in WCW. She joined the WWF in 1998, where she managed the [[tag team]] of [[Jeff Jarrett]] and [[Owen Hart]] until Hart's in-ring death in May 1999. Later that year, she won the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWF Women's Championship]] from [[Sable (wrestler)|Sable]] in an [[evening gown match]]. She later appeared on-screen with her second husband [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] until 2002, when the duo left the company.

==Early life==
Raised in [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]], Marshall became a [[Track and field|track-runner]], [[Cheerleading|cheerleader]], and [[Homecoming|Homecoming Queen]] in [[Secondary education in the United States|high school]] before attending the [[Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute|Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute]] in [[New York City]].<ref name="Tuscaloosa Magazine. August 2013"/> She then became a [[flight attendant]]. Before her involvement in wrestling, she competed and won the title of 1987 Mrs. Illinois America in Elgin, Illinois<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-07-26-8702240602-story.html|title=MRS. ILLINOIS BEARS DOWN FOR HER 'NFC PLAYOFFS'|first=Bob|last=Verdi|website=chicagotribune.com|date=26 July 1987 }}</ref> and went on to compete in the Mrs. America pageant that same year in Las Vegas, Nevada. She later competed and won in the 1992 Mrs. Texas USA pageant held in Houston, Texas<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-03-25-9201270832-story.html|title=- Stating her case: Mike Ditka told...|first=Mike|last=Conklin|website=chicagotribune.com|date=25 March 1992 }}</ref> and went on to compete in the National Mrs. USA pageant. Marshall also attended the [[University of Alabama]].

==Professional wrestling career==

=== World Championship Wrestling (1995–1997) ===
{{see also|The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|l1=The Four Horsemen}}
Marshall first appeared in [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] in late-1995 and early-1996, making occasional unnamed appearances as an [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Plant|audience plant]], and as part of a group of [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Valet|valets]] for the team of [[The Mega Powers|Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage]]. In April 1996, she began appearing regularly as a valet for her husband, [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]] as he transitioned from commentator to wrestler. Based on her real-life participation in beauty pageants,<ref name=proud/><ref>Dumas, Amy. ''Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D.'', p.75.</ref> Debra took on the role of a beauty-pageant queen character, giving herself the nickname "The Queen of WCW" and often making remarks about other wrestlers and valets in [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Kayfabe|kayfabe]] interviews.

At [[The Great American Bash (1996)|The Great American Bash 1996]], [[Steve McMichael]] and his partner [[Kevin Greene]] competed against two of the [[Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)|Four Horsemen]] ([[Ric Flair]] and [[Arn Anderson]]).<ref>{{cite video|title= Great American Bash '94|medium= VHS|date= 1996|publisher = Turner Home Entertainment}}</ref> Flair won the match after Mongo and Debra turned on Greene by hitting him with a steel briefcase, joining the 4 Horsemen.<ref>{{cite news|title= 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work= Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year= 2007|pages= 144}}</ref> She managed the stable with [[Miss Elizabeth]] and [[Nancy Benoit|Woman]].  The briefcase later became one of Debra's signature [[Foreign object (professional wrestling)|objects]].<ref name=digest/> At [[Bash at the Beach (1997)|Bash at the Beach]] in July 1997, Debra [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turned]] on Mongo during his [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] match against [[Jeff Jarrett]] by handing Jarrett the steel briefcase, which he then used to knock Mongo out and thus to win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul14_beach.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714203514/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul14_beach.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title= Rodman, Hogan Bashed At Beach|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date= 2010-01-18|date= July 14, 1997}}</ref> Next, Debra briefly managed [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] and [[Alex Wright]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/oct26_havoc.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120714195511/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/oct26_havoc.html|url-status= usurped|archive-date= July 14, 2012|title=Hogan pays the Piper |author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date= 2010-01-18|date= October 27, 1997}}</ref> On the November 24, 1997 edition of ''Nitro'', Wright fired Debra after she accidentally distracted him, causing a loss to [[Prince Iaukea]]. After her divorce from McMichael, Debra left WCW.<ref name=proud/>

=== World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998–2002) ===

===Manager of Jeff Jarrett; WWF Women's Champion (1998–1999) ===
[[File:DebrawMarshall.JPG|thumb|right|180px|Debra in 1999]]
In October 1998, Marshall rejoined Jarrett in the WWF.<ref name=digest/> At the beginning of her WWF career, known as Debra McMichael and later simply as Debra, she played the part of a shrewd businesswoman, wearing [[Suit (clothing)|business suits]].<ref name=encyclopedia/><ref name=proud>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/04/23/debra-mcmichael-standing-proud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630140327/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1999/04/23/debra-mcmichael-standing-proud/ |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |title=Debra McMichael Standing Proud |publisher=Slam Wrestling |last=Powell |first=John |date=April 23, 1999 |access-date=January 17, 2010}}</ref> She also played the part of Jarrett's girlfriend.<ref name=stamp/> In late 1998, Jarrett began a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]] that culminated in December at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House]] in a "[[Striptease|Striptease match]]".<ref name=rock>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/dec14_rockbottom.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143630/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/dec14_rockbottom.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Foley screwed again|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=December 14, 1998}}</ref> During the match, Debra hit Goldust over the head with Jarrett's trademark [[guitar]], enabling Jarrett to win.<ref name=rock/> [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Commissioners|WWF Commissioner]] [[Shawn Michaels]], however, disqualified Jarrett, and Debra had to strip due to the match's stipulations.<ref name=rock/> As she stripped, [[Owen Hart|The Blue Blazer]] (Owen Hart) and Jarrett covered her up.<ref name=rock/> Debra, however, began utilizing a new strategy during matches, distracting Jarrett's opponents by unbuttoning her blouse.<ref name=proud/><ref name=stamp>{{cite book|title=Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling|author=McCoy, Heath|publisher=CanWest Books|year=2005|isbn=0-9736719-8-X|page=251}}</ref> She would willingly take off her blouse to show the crowd her "puppies", a nickname originally bestowed upon her chest by wrestler [[Brian Gerard James|Road Dogg]] and later utilized by commentator [[Jerry Lawler]].<ref>Lawler, Jerry. ''It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes'', p. 261.</ref>

The strategy helped Jarrett and partner Hart defeat [[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]] and [[Ken Shamrock]] to become [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]] in January 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413213122 |title=World Tag Title History: Hart and Jarrett's Reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=2010-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129184339/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413213122 |archive-date=2005-11-29 }}</ref> In the same month, she also attempted to cause distraction in a tag match between Jarrett and Hart against Road Dogg and [[Billy Gunn]], but was attacked by [[Chyna]], who was also at ringside. In February, Debra feuded with female professional wrestler [[Ivory (wrestler)|Ivory]], making her in-ring debut in a mixed tag match on ''Monday Night Raw'', which ended in a no contest. Immediately after the bell rang, she attacked Ivory and hit her with Jarrett's guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zfN7s_hb1A | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/9zfN7s_hb1A| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|title=Ivory & D'Lo Brown vs. Jeff Jarrett & Debra: Raw, Feb. 15, 1999|author= WWE's Youtube Channel| website=[[YouTube]]|date= February 13, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The same month, Jarrett and Hart retained the tag title in a tag match against Ivory's associates [[Mark Henry]] and [[D'Lo Brown]] at [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] with Debra's assistance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/feb15_massacre.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801062955/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/feb15_massacre.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 1, 2012|title=McMahon makes a Giant mistake|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=February 15, 1999}}</ref> In March, the team lost their tag title to the team of [[Glenn Jacobs|Kane]] and [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132153 |title=World Tag Title History: Kane and X-Pac's Reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=2010-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051106120213/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132153 |archive-date=2005-11-06 }}</ref> She also competed in her first singles match, against Ivory but lost via disqualification after [[Jacqueline (wrestler)|Jacqueline]] and [[Terri Runnels]] attacked Ivory during the match.<ref name="profightdb.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/debra-287.html|title=Debra: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)|website=www.profightdb.com}}</ref> As Debra continued to manage Jarrett and Hart, a potential storyline developed where Hart and Debra would have an affair, but the creative team or Owen himself more likely vetoed the idea before it played out on-screen.<ref name=stamp/> A team name was also in the works—Debra favoring "Talent and Attitude" (T&A)—but Hart died in May 1999 at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]].<ref name=digest/> Later in the event, Debra and Jarrett lost a mixed tag team match against [[Nicole Bass]] and [[Val Venis]]. Debra and Jarrett were interviewed moments after Hart's fall from the rafters at [[Kemper Arena]], where Debra was noticeably shaken and fighting back tears of concern for her friend and was unable to stay in her [[persona]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/OwenHart/may24_overtheedge.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530091422/http://slam.canoe.ca/OwenHart/may24_overtheedge.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 30, 2012|title=Hart tragedy overshadows Taker win|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=May 24, 1999}}</ref>

[[Image:Debra - WWF Women's Champion.jpg|thumb|Debra as [[WWF Women's Champion]] in May 1999.]]
On May 2, 1999, Debra was scheduled to take on [[Sable (wrestler)|Sable]] in a 'Nightgown' match, but was made to compete against [[Nicole Bass]], against whom she lost.<ref name="profightdb.com"/> On May 10, 1999, Debra won the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWF Women's Championship]] from Sable in an [[evening gown match]].<ref name=champ>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |title=Women's Championship Title History: Debra's Reign |access-date=2007-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325020823/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/304454132121112114 |archive-date=2007-03-25 }}</ref> Usually, in an Evening Gown match, the woman who forcibly removes her opponent's dress wins.<ref name=gown>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/may15_mrx.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115072801/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/may15_mrx.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=WWF body slams NBA game|author=Mr. X|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-25|date=May 15, 1999}}</ref> Because Sable removed Debra's dress, she therefore should have been the winner.<ref name=gown/> Commissioner Shawn Michaels, however, ruled that he considered the woman who had ''lost'' her dress the winner, crowning Debra the new Women's Champion.<ref name=gown/> She held the Women's title for a month and eventually lost it to Ivory on June 14, due to interference from [[Nicole Bass]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/3044541321211126 |title=Women's Title History: Ivory's Reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=2010-01-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209015313/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/3044541321211126 |archive-date=2010-02-09 }}</ref>

At [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] in 1999 Jarrett faced D'Lo Brown.<ref name=ss99>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/aug23_fol.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143615/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/aug23_fol.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Foley new champ at SummerSlam|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-25|date=August 23, 1999}}</ref> During the match, Debra and Brown's former tag-team partner Mark Henry interfered on Jarrett's behalf, allowing him to win both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]].<ref name=ss99/> The following night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title and gave Debra an assistant, [[Stacy Carter|Miss Kitty]].<ref>Lawler, Jerry. ''It's Good to Be the King ... Sometimes'', p. 337.</ref> Following an attack by Jarrett after losing a mixed tag match against [[Stephanie McMahon]] and Test,<ref name="profightdb.com"/> on September 26, Debra turned on Jarrett at [[Unforgiven (1999)|Unforgiven]] and hit him over the head with a guitar in the middle of his match against Chyna for the Intercontinental Championship.<ref name=unf>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/sep27_unforgiven.html|title=HHH regains title at Unforgiven|author=Yang, Rich|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=September 17, 1999|archive-date=2012-06-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629143614/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/sep27_unforgiven.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Chyna pinned Jarrett, but referee [[Tom Prichard]] overturned the decision due to Debra's involvement.<ref name=unf/> On the following episode of ''RAW'', Debra participated in an intergender tag match with Chyna against the team of Jarrett and Prichard, in a winning effort.<ref name="profightdb.com"/>

==== Sporadic appearances (1999–2002) ====
{{see also|The Alliance (professional wrestling)|l1=The Alliance}}
In November 1999, Debra participated in an eight-women Sudden Death match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] where she teamed with [[The Fabulous Moolah]], [[Mae Young]], and [[Tori (wrestler)|Tori]] in a winning effort against Ivory, Jacqueline, [[Luna Vachon]] and Terri Runnels<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/nov15_survivorseries.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630045637/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/nov15_survivorseries.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 30, 2012|title=Booking blows Survivor Series|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=November 15, 1999}}</ref> which also served as her last appearance as an in-ring performer, despite being trained at the time to compete. Debra subsequently stayed off television while her husband [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] recovered from neck surgery.<ref name=digest/> She reappeared in April 2000, acting as a guest ring announcer at [[Backlash (2000)|Backlash]] for the opening match.<ref name=digest/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/may1_backlash.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719092614/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/may1_backlash.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 19, 2012|title=Rock victorious at Backlash, Game Over for Triple H|author=Powell, John|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=May 1, 2000}}</ref> In the fall of that year she played the role of [[professional wrestling authority figures|Lieutenant Commissioner]], the assistant of Commissioner [[Mick Foley]].<ref name=encyclopedia/><ref name=digest/>

Debra resigned as Lieutenant Commissioner on the March 5, 2001 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' to pursue managing again, while it was revealed on-screen that she was the wife of Stone Cold. [[Vince McMahon]] subsequently gave her the duty of managing [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]], who at the time was feuding with Stone Cold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://network.wwe.com/video/v535181983?start=0&contentId=160002668&postPlay=true&postPlayCount=1&contextType=wwe-show&contextId=raw_replays&playContext=post_play_via_timer|title=Raw Replays|website=WWE Network}}</ref> During the feud, she appeared on an episode of RAW and slapped Vince McMahon. Although she was advertised to be involved in the [[Wrestlemania 17]] main event match between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, she was later pulled due to both competitors lobbying not to have her out at ringside.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-the-rock-steve-austin-uncomfortable-wwe-s-plan-involve-top-female-star-feud |title= The Rock and Steve Austin were 'uncomfortable' with WWE's plan to involve a top female star in their feud|author= Surrao, Lennard|publisher= Sportskeeda|access-date=2021-06-01|date=March 25, 2021}}</ref> After Wrestlemania, she returned on an episode of RAW, questioning Vince McMahon for his role in Stone Cold's villainous persona, and subsequently slapping him after he insulted her. During an episode of Smackdown, she appeared in a backstage segment and slapped [[The Undertaker]], who was feuding with Austin at the time. 
By the second half of 2001, Debra accompanied Austin, as he defected to the Alliance, with a [[running gag]] about her famous chocolate chip cookies being repulsive (although Debra herself remained oblivious to this). On an episode of RAW, Debra was subject to a bucket of milk accidentally falling on her, which was a miscommunication by [[Stacy Keibler]] and [[Shawn Stasiak]] who meant to play the prank on [[Kurt Angle]]. The following week, Debra beat up Keibler with a tray of cookies in a backstage segment.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/d/debra/|title=Debra|website=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
In August, during an episode of ''Smackdown!'', Debra also clocked Stone Cold in frustration with a cookie tray in the middle of the ring.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling.com"/> The next week on ''RAW'', she accompanied her husband to the ring for a match against [[Matt Hardy]], and was involved in a physical altercation with [[Lita (wrestler)|Lita]] during the match.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling.com"/>

In 2002, Debra was involved in a major backstage brawl with [[Stephanie McMahon]] after arguing over their respective husbands.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling.com"/> Debra appeared sporadically thereafter in backstage segments, notably slapping [[Ric Flair]] in a backstage segment in April on an episode of RAW. She left the company in June 2002 after her last RAW appearance with Austin, fanning the flames of their well-publicized marital fallout.<ref>Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.259)</ref>

Following domestic abuse charges against Austin and arrest, Austin eventually returned to WWE in 2003. Debra, however, was never invited back. References of Debra were subsequently dropped from WWE programming and media altogether, although, in 2021, she was acknowledged by WWE.com in a list of female performers who made an impact outside the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.insidesport.co/wwe-top-50-female-superstars-wwe-releases-the-list-of-all-time-top-50-greatest-female-superstars/|title= WWE Top 50 Female Superstars: WWE releases the list of all time top 50 Greatest female superstars|author= Gupta, Rohit|publisher=Insider Sport|access-date=2021-06-01|date=April 2, 2021}}</ref>

==Other media==
Before becoming involved in wrestling, Marshall studied acting in Texas.<ref name=proud/> Her first acting jobs involved commercials and two music videos for country musician [[George Strait]].<ref name=digest/> She also had a small role in the 1995 film ''[[The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre]]'' as a police officer.<ref name=proud/> The producers originally offered her the lead in the film, but when the director's first choice changed her mind and accepted the role, Marshall was given the small role instead.<ref name=digest/>

On March 10, 2002, Marshall appeared on an episode of ''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|The Weakest Link]]'' alongside several other members of the WWE roster.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=WWF Superstars Edition 2|series=The Weakest Link|series-link=The Weakest Link (US)|airdate=March 10, 2002}}</ref> In addition, she has a role in the 2010 film ''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords|Gathering of Heroes]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/cast.html|title=The Cast|access-date=2008-11-30|quote=Debra Marshall as Reina|archive-date=2010-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429170532/http://www.gatheringofheroesmovie.com/cast.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Marshall's marriage to [[National Football League]] alumnus and professional wrestler [[Steve McMichael]] lasted thirteen years.<ref name=proud/> McMichael's mother, whom Marshall met on an airplane, set up their first meeting as a blind date.<ref name=digest/> They [[divorce]]d on October 12, 1998.<ref name=marriage>{{cite web|url= http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|title= Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate|publisher=The Smoking Gun|access-date=2007-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422190330/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html|archive-date=April 22, 2008 }}</ref>

Debra met Steven Williams, known on-screen as [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], in 1998; they moved in together in 2000.<ref name=stone186/> On September 13 of that year, they married at [[The Little White Wedding Chapel]] in [[Las Vegas]], and she changed her name to Debra Williams.<ref name=marriage/><ref name=stone186/> On June 15, 2002, police responded to a call to the couple's residence in [[San Antonio]], Texas, and found Debra with bruises and a bloody nose.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecold1.html |title=Stone Cold surrenders to authorities|publisher=The Smoking Gun|access-date=2007-04-08|date=2002-08-14}}</ref> On August 14, the authorities arrested Austin and charged him with misdemeanor assault.<ref name=plea/> He pleaded [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25 and received a year's [[probation]], a $1,000 [[Fine (penalty)|fine]], and an order to carry out eighty hours of [[community service]].<ref name=plea>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html|title=Stone Cold Plea|access-date=2007-04-08|publisher=The Smoking Gun|archive-date=2010-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817110113/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/wrestler-steve-austin-taps-out-wife-assault|url-status=dead}}</ref> Austin filed for divorce from Marshall on July 22, 2002, and the divorce was finalized on February 5, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|author=TheSmokingGun|title=Stone Cold Divorce Papers|access-date=2007-04-08}}</ref> Marshall later auctioned her wedding ring off on [[eBay]] for [[United States dollar|$]]27,100 and donated a portion of the proceeds to "Safe Place", an organization which assists the victims of domestic abuse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/03/14/382348.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115065642/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/03/14/382348.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title= Benoit's night ... unless Triple H has his way|author=Baines, Tim|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=2010-01-17|date=March 14, 2004}}</ref>

In June and July 2007, Marshall made several appearances to discuss the [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide]]. She described [[steroid]]s and [[drug]]s as the cause of Austin hitting her in June 2002 and suggested links between such substances and the death of Benoit and his family.<ref name=fox>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/pro-wrestling-wife-claims-drug-abuse-domestic-violence-out-of-hand-in-the-wwe|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|publisher=Fox News|date=2007-06-27|access-date=2007-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514062935/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html|archive-date=2013-05-14|url-status=live}}</ref> She also alleged that Austin beat her three times.<ref name=fox/><ref name=fox2>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|title=Debra Marshall, Ex-wife of Stone Cold Steve Austin Tells What Really Goes on in Pro-Wrestling World|publisher=Fox News|date=June 29, 2007|access-date=2008-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021220214/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|archive-date=2012-10-21|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Marshall graduated cum laude from the [[University of Alabama]] with an undergraduate interdisciplinary degree in 2013. In December 2017, she was awarded a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama. While working on her master's of science degree, Marshall was awarded the University of Alabama College of Arts and Science's Mary Avis Todd Award for "outstanding work in community studies".<ref name="Tuscaloosa Magazine. August 2013"/><ref name=Miller>{{cite web|url=https://news.ua.edu/2017/12/former-wrestling-champ-set-to-earn-masters-degree-from-ua/|title=Former wrestling champ set to earn master's degree from UA|publisher=[[University of Alabama]]|date=December 13, 2017|access-date=December 3, 2021|first=David|last=Miller}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[PWI Manager of the Year]] (1999)
* '''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]'''
** [[WWF Women's Championship]] ([[List of WWE Women's Champions (1956–2010)|1 time]])
* '''[[Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2025

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1995
|''[[The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre]]''
|Cop at Bud's Pizza
|Cameo
|-
|1999
|''[[Beyond the Mat]]''
|Herself
| Documentary
|-
|2012
|''Tengu: The Immortal Blade''
|Captain Lang
|
|-
|2018
|''[[Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords]]''
|Reina
|
|}

===Television===
{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1999
|''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]''
|Herself
|Episode: "The Life and Death of [[Owen Hart]]"
|-
|1999
|''[[Teen Choice Awards]]''
|Presenter
|
|-
|2002
|''[[MADtv|Mad TV]]''
|Herself
|Episode 7.15
|-
|2002
|''[[Weakest Link (US game show)|Weakest Link]]''
|Herself
|Episode: "WWF Superstars Edition 2"
|-
|2007
|''[[Inside Edition]]''
|Herself
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=digest>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_3/ai_80302528/ |title=Getting a leg up |publisher=Wrestling Digest |author=Chamberlin, Thomas |access-date=2010-01-17 |date=December 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218082157/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_3/ai_80302528/ |archive-date=2009-12-18 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name=encyclopedia>{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|author=Shields, Brian and Kevin Sullivan|publisher=DK/BradyGames|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/75 75]|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/75}}</ref>

<ref name=stone186>Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.185–186)</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|title=Lita: A Less Traveled R.O.A.D.--The Reality of Amy Dumas|author=Dumas, Amy|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=2004|isbn=0-7434-7399-X|url=https://archive.org/details/lita00amyd_2}}
* {{cite book|author=Lawler, Jerry|title=It's Good to Be the King...Sometimes|year=2002|publisher=WWE Books|isbn=978-0-7434-5768-2|url=https://archive.org/details/itsgoodtobekings00lawl}}
* {{cite book|author=Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jim Ross|title=The Stone Cold Truth|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|isbn=0-7434-7720-0|url=https://archive.org/details/stonecoldtruth00aust}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
* {{twitter|WWEDivaDebra}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0573233|name=Debra Marshall}}IMDb
* Debra Marsh{{DEFAULTSORT:Marshall, Debra}} 
[[Category:1960 births]] 
[[Category:21st-century American women]] 
[[Category:American film actresses]] 
[[Category:American beauty pageant winners]] 
[[Category:American female professional wrestlers]] 
[[Category:Living people]] 
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Alabama]] 
[[Category:Professional wrestling authority figures]] 
[[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] 
[[Category:Sportspeople from Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] 
[[Category:The Four Horsemen (professional wrestling) members]] 
[[Category:WWF/WWE Women's Champions]] 
[[Category:20th-century female professional wrestlers]] 
[[Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century female professional wrestlers]] 
[[Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers]] 
[[Category:20th-century American sportswomen]] all At [https://mistymcmichael.us/debra-mcmichael/ Wrestler Fandom]
* {{professional wrestling profiles}}

{{WWE Women's Championship}}
{{Four Horsemen (professional wrestling)}}
{{Stone Cold Steve Austin}}

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