LadySports ::: FORMER PGWA CHAMPS RECALL LUNA

Sometimes, having been on the mountaintop gives you a special perspective. In particular, it can offer you a keener insight into those who likewise enjoy the rarified atmosphere of supreme success in your chosen field.

Pippa L'Vinn and Angel "Riptide"Orsini are two women who know what great success is. Pippa is one of the most dominant forces in European women's wrestling, and Riptide has been a major player in the American independent leagues, as well as ECW, for years now. And both of them are past PGWA Champions, with both having wrestled Luna Vachon in PGWA-sanctioned matches.

Each have thoughts about the late superstar they wanted to share with the fans here at LadySports.

PIPPA L'VINN:

"It's funny, Luna and I didn't wrestle one another in either the U.S. or 
England, but rather in Germany.  The PGWA had set up the match when she 
was touring Europe a few years ago.  Well, the day had finally come, and 
that afternoon our first meeting took place in a small hotel room.

I rapped on the door, took a deep breath, and when the door opened, 
there she stood... the Legend, Luna Vachon!  Wild blonde hair, braided 
all the way down 'til the ends touched the floor... heavy tattoos on the 
side of her shave head.

Then she smiled the biggest smile that made the room light up.

She was a lovely woman, very kind, very supportive and so helpful backstage.  
She looked after me while we were at the venue, just like a nervous mum!

Then they announced our hardcore match, we both went down to the ring, and 
it was as if she had flipped a switch.  The Beast entered the ring, ready 
to annihilate me!

The match was a fantastic experience and I am just so honoured to have met such a 
wonderful, charismatic lady, and an AWESOME wrestler and personality both in and out 
of the ring.  She will be sadly missed, but of course never, ever forgotten.

My thoughts are with her family at this sad time."

"Luna was a legend.  It was in irreplaceable loss that Women's Wrestling has suffered.  
She was a brilliant star, a tremendous personality, a terrific teacher, and a loyal friend.  
It's a shame that she didn't get the TV exposure that she deserved, and that her fans 
wanted to see.

I always felt that Luna should have received more airtime and better storylines in the 
WWE and WCW, but it's those same misogynistic minds that still run wrestling today.  So 
it's the same old story for fans of Women's Wrestling who have grown accustomed to that 
same old stupid recycled shit on television.  Except, in her case, the fans 
really missed out on experiencing the totality of her talent, because she was amazing!

By the way, Luna was always touched by her fans' love and support, which she received 
from people all over the world.  She appreciated every gift, card, letter and picture.  
Her fans are really terrific people and great wrestling fans, 
who made a difference to her.

The most important thing that Luna taught me was to always keep the fans in mind 
whenever I performed, and to never sandbag a match just because it was a small venue.  
She felt obligated to give the best performance possible, because someone paid the 
price of a ticket to see her, and they might not get to go to any other show but 
that one.  
So she passed that sense of obligation on to me, and I will always do my best to honor 
her in that way.

Luna was a great heel in the ring, but in real life, she was one of the good guys."