Joe King
Luna Vachon was one of the most intense, unconventional, and memorable performers in professional wrestling history—an unapologetically wild presence who stood out in every era she worked in.
Born Gertrude Elizabeth Vachon on January 12, 1962, Luna came from one of wrestling’s most storied families. She was the daughter of Paul “Butcher” Vachon and niece of “Mad Dog” Vachon and Vivian Vachon. Wrestling was in her blood, but Luna didn’t just follow the path—she carved out her own identity, far removed from the traditional mold of women’s wrestling at the time. She began training at the age of 16 under her aunt Vivian and The Fabulous Moolah and debuted while still a teenager, quickly developing a reputation for her feral charisma, raw intensity, and willingness to push boundaries.
Luna worked across multiple territories, including Florida (Championship Wrestling from Florida), Memphis (CWA/USWA), Puerto Rico (WWC), Japan (All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling), and Minnesota. In these promotions, she built her persona as a chaotic, unhinged competitor, often portraying a character that blurred the lines between performance and reality. She also captured championships, including the WWC Women’s Championship, and gained respect for her toughness in a male-dominated environment. Luna gained national attention in the late ’80s. She was aligned with Kevin Sullivan’s “Army of Darkness”, often acting as a sinister valet and occasional wrestler.
Luna debuted in the WWF in 1993, immediately standing out with her shaved sides, face paint, and piercing promos. She became one of the few women at the time presented as a serious, dangerous competitor rather than just eye candy.
Key moments:
•Feud with Sensational Sherri – One of the rare non-title women’s feuds of the era
•Alliance with Shawn Michaels – She served as a foil to Sherri during Michaels’ storyline.
•Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania X – She teamed with Bam Bam Bigelow in a win over Doink The Clown & his midget sidekick, Dink The Clown.
•Feud with Women’s Champion Alundra Blayze – Vachon was a top contender throughout her stay in the Federation.
•Luna was the first ever female competitor to be featured in a WWF video game when she appeared as a playable character on WWF Raw for Sega Genesis & Super Nintendo.
ECW
Luna’s time in Extreme Championship Wrestling further cemented her legacy as a hardcore pioneer. She managed and aligned with Tommy Dreamer in his epic feud with Raven and was involved in brutal, storyline-heavy angles. Her cage match against Stevie Richards stands as one of the greatest moments in ECW history. Vachon was one of the few women who fit ECW’s gritty, violent presentation naturally. She wasn’t just a valet—she was part of the chaos.
Return to WWF
She briefly reignited her feud with Madusa in WCW before returning to the WWF during the Attitude Era, where her role shifted slightly but she remained a standout personality. Highlights included: managing Goldust(perfectly complementing his bizarre character), her feuds with Sable, Jacqueline, Marc Mero, and others during a transitional period for women’s wrestling. Despite her talent, Luna was often underutilized during this era as the division leaned more toward the “Divas” presentation.
Personal Struggles & Passing
Luna battled personal issues throughout her life, including addiction and mental health struggles. Tragically, she passed away on August 27, 2010, at the age of 48.
In 2019, Luna Vachon was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, a long-overdue recognition of her contributions to the business. Luna Vachon is remembered as a trailblazer for women’s wrestling. A performer who prioritized character and authenticity over glamour and she continues to be an influence on future generations of wrestlers who embraced individuality and edge. If she had come along in today’s era, Luna would almost certainly be a top-tier main event star in women’s wrestling. She held the the Women’s World Championship in the following promotions: USWA, SCCW, SWF, WWOW, LMLW, GLCW, and AWF. Luna is also a member of the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame, Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame, Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame, Women’s Superstars Uncensored Hall of Fame, and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The 5th Horsemen
Agree about Luna. She was a rare athlete and performer who looked the part and you believed could legit go toe to toe with any of the men on the roster and with her family background and training probably could.
One of a kind!