My World with Jeff Jarrett - Working with Debra [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Today on My World Jeff we’re going to get in-depth about one of the most important alliances in your career...Debra McMichael!

Debra Marshall is born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1960 and grows up as a track-runner, cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. She goes to Alabama … Roll Tide … and she becomes a flight attendant. Her mother meets Steve McMichael … then playing for the Chicago Bears … on an airplane and sets them up for a blind date and they marry in 1985. She won the title of Mrs. Illinois and Mrs. Texas in 1987 and 1992 respectively.

Was she the beauty queen she was portrayed to be in WCW considering her track record?

Her path to professional wrestling begins when Steve McMichael is hired by WCW to be a color commentator on Monday Nitro alongside Eric Bischoff & Bobby Heenan. I know you weren’t a part of WCW at the time but did you ever watch Nitro and hear McMichael on commentary and what did you think of him?

Debra makes various appearances during Steve’s time in WCW as a plant in the crowd or one of the many beautiful valets Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage used a couple of times along side Woman and Hulk’s wife at the time Linda...but she is entered into a storyline where Ric Flair constantly hits on her while she’s at ringside. You’re already off WWF television at this point so short of working Memphis on Monday nights you’re home able to watch this. Was this your first memory of seeing Debra when she starts getting involved with Ric?

It’s all a ruse see as Debra & Steve are going to turn on Kevin Greene and become Horsemen...unlike you Jeff. When you see Debra in this beauty queen money hungry role...it fits right?

Debra, Woman & Elizabeth are the Horsemen valets as the story evolves into the nWo debuting. We’ve covered your run in WCW extensively in the archives but do you first meet Debra at your first WCW show?

What were your first impressions of her?

At that point did you know there was going to be a story to be built around you & her & Steve?

Do you think you needed Debra as a valet/manager?

Did she add anything to your presentation in WCW?

Do you think she was improving as your run in WCW was going on?

Did she come to you for advice?

You were there to see a lot of the dynamic between her and the other women in WCW, notably Woman as both were involved with the Horsemen. Did you notice any tension or heat amongst the women?

During the WCW run what do you think was Debra’s biggest attribute?

When did you start to first notice issues between Steve & Debra?

Was the storyline art imitating life eventually?

How uncomfortable is work when something like this is happening?

Did Jill have any issues with you working with Debra or did she know it was all business?

Do you think you & Debra instantly became friends or did the relationship grow into it?

You depart WCW but the Debra and Steve McMichael storyline would continue eventually somehow wrapping Bill Goldberg into it before she moves onto Alex Wright and then she’s gone out of WCW.

The rumor and innuendo was when Debra & Steve’s divorce was final she had no intention of going back to WCW. Eric said on 83 Weeks that she was just there to be there with her husband in the beginning but as her role changed and grew, her head got big and was too high maintenance. Did you ever get that feeling with her?

How much contact are you in with her after you leave WCW?

When you find out she’s officially left WCW and is looking for work...does the thought ever cross your mind? Do you go to Bruce or JR and go...ya know...we might have something here?

Bruce has always said that she would call weekly saying she’s available and if there’s a spot she’s interested. Did Bruce or Jim come to you and ask for your opinion on her?

Do you think she was better suited for the WWF compared to WCW?

How do you find out she signed?

Are you told she would be paired with you?

Her debut with the World Wrestling Federation is on October 19th in Milwaukee...the infamous Austin kidnaps and holds McMahon hostage episode...and she just comes down to the ring with you. Did you feel like that was the right way to debut her?

Debra entrance 10/19/98 RAW

She went from being the beauty queen in sashs and evening gowns and here she is in a suit jacket and short pencil skirt. I mean Jeff...the last 10 seconds of that clip is just her on the apron watching you and there is no camera on you. So it’s sex appeal right?

Was there a worry on your part that she would overshadow you? You had seen what happened in the past with Sable and Marc Mero right?

This is the height of the Attitude era. I mean the episode she debuts on ends with Steve Austin holding a gun to Vince McMahon’s head and pulling the trigger for a piece of paper to come out with BANG 3:16 and Vince pisses himself. Does Debra being added to your package and your refined short hair look bring you into the Attitude era?

What do you remember of Vince’s first reaction seeing you two together?

Was Russo a fan of hers? Did he even know who she was?

Somehow Head is distracted by Debra and that allows you to smash your guitar over Al Snow’s head to get the win that night. Did you think right away you had something here?

You always talk about what’s the end game. When Debra debuts...and it’s even speculated in the Observer that eventually it’ll be Debra & Sable in a program together … what was the end game?

Did you get any calls or heat from anyone in WCW...mainly Steve...about being paired up with her?

She comes into the WWF looking...more buxom. Was this something you ever discussed with her?

Your first match together on a pay-per-view is at Survivor Series that year where you lose to Al Snow in the first round of the WWF Title Tournament. Not exactly the hot start to a pairing on pay-per-view Jeff. What do you remember of this match from St. Louis?

You and Goldust begin a program and at the Rock Bottom pay-per-view in Vancouver the match is set...Goldust vs. you and the loser of the match will have to strip. Well you won’t...but Debra will have to. This even includes where Debra comes out during a match between Goldust and Owen and Debra has a long coat on and flashes both … well while wearing a bra & panties ...but it doesn’t distract Goldust but Owen and gives Dustin the win.

You’re a god fearing man Jeff. Are you comfortable with this? Is she comfortable with this? What’s your reaction to the creative?

Did Jill ever any object to anything presented regarding you & Debra?

Did you or Debra object to anything presented?

Did Owen ever grab you and go...Jeff you sure this is the right idea?

You lose to Goldust at Rock Bottom after hitting him with a guitar and getting the pin but commissioner Shawn Michaels reverses that decision and he “forces” her to strip. She gets down to a thong bikini before yourself & the Blue Blazer save her and whisk her away. How did Owen feel about getting involved in this storyline?

It’s insuitated on TV that you & Debra are together. Was that something you two were attempting to shy away from because you two don’t really act like you’re together?

Was there talk of the time of putting Debra in the ring? Were you a part of getting her ready for in-ring action?

Debra has said in previous interviews that she didn’t ride with you & Owen but with Venis & Test. Is that true?

Debra gets pushed pretty quickly and at a infamous show in Chicago at the Rosemont Vince McMahon and Mankind faced off in an arm wrestling match and the winner was to have gotten a kiss from Debra. Vince won … of course … and you’re on that same show working X-Pac in a guitar on a pole match. Did you ever think she would be pushed as hard as she was so quickly?

Does her rise help you do you think?

You & Owen are pushed as a steady tag team with Debra as your manager in early 99 which leads to a WWF World Tag Team Title reign. Ivory debuts as a manager for D’Lo Brown & Mark Henry who are contenders for the tag titles and brawls with Debra. Was Debra comfortable getting physical?

Should she had just been a mouth piece or trophy heater in your mind?

Debra has her first wrestling match on Raw from Birmingham, Alabama on February 15th as you & her team up to face Ivory & D’Lo and the match ends in a no contest but Debra hits Ivory with a guitar because why not? How nervous is Debra getting in the ring? Was she worried Ivory … the real life Lisa Moretti who was a real worker … would try to shoot on her?

Raw is War on March 22nd...the go home for WrestleMania XV...features you & Owen facing Gangrel & Edge which ends when Public Enemy …. Yes that Public Enemy … interferes and attacks both of you and Debra ends up getting a blood bath. Was she cool and comfortable with that?

The Brood Gives Debra a Bloodbath [RAW] [03-22-1999]

I do enjoy the fact that she’s wearing a white business suit too to really sell the color. Your idea?

Her first WrestleMania is WrestleMania 15 in Philly and she’s at ringside for you & Owen against D’Lo & Test and she gets involved with Terri & Ivory at ringside. You & Owen pick up the win and retain the titles. Was being on a WrestleMania a big deal for Debra?

You & Owen drop the tag titles to Kane & X-Pac and not long after Debra is shown flirting with Val Venis. Was there already talk of you & Debra breaking up on screen?

The reason I ask is because not long after you’re all going to the European tour and you’re in front of some big crowds…

WWF @ Oberhausen, Germany - Arena - April 1, 1999 (7,048)

WWF Tag Team Champion X-Pac pinned the Brooklyn Brawler in under 7 minutes

Val Venis & Jackie defeated D-Lo Brown & Ivory when Jackie pinned Ivory with a DDT

Triple H pinned WWF Tag Team Champion Kane after Ken Shamrock interfered

WWF IC Champion Goldust pinned the Road Dogg with the Curtain Call after the Blue Meanie interfered and hit Road Dogg with the title belt

WWF Hardcore Champion Hardcore Holly pinned Al Snow after sending him through a table

The Undertaker pinned Ken Shamrock by reversing Shamrock's tombstone attempt into his own

Billy Gunn pinned Gangrel

Edge & Christian defeated Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett

The Big Show pinned the Big Bossman with the chokeslam in under a minute

WWF World Champion Steve Austin pinned the Rock with the Stunner

WWF @ Sheffield, England - Arena - April 2, 1999 (12,744; sell out)

WWF Tag Team Champion X-Pac defeated the Brooklyn Brawler

Triple H defeated Kane

D-Lo Brown & Ivory defeated Val Venis & Jackie

WWF IC Champion Goldust defeated the Road Dogg

Hardcore Holly defeated Al Snow

Billy Gunn defeated Gangrel

Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett defeated Edge & Christian

The Undertaker defeated Ken Shamrock

The Big Show defeated the Big Bossman

WWF World Champion Steve Austin defeated the Rock

WWF @ Newcastle, England - Telewest Arena - April 3, 1999 (10,699; sell out)

Al Snow pinned the Brooklyn Brawler after hitting him with Head

Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett defeated Edge & Gangrel (w/ Christian) when Edge was pinned

Ivory defeated Jackie

WWF Hardcore Champion Hardcore Holly defeated Val Venis

Billy Gunn & the Road Dogg defeated WWF IC Champion Goldust & the Blue Meanie

WWF Tag Team Champion X-Pac defeated D-Lo Brown

WWF Tag Team Champion Kane defeated Ken Shamrock

The Undertaker pinned Triple H with the tombstone

The Big Show defeated the Rock via disqualification when Ken Shamrock interfered and hit Show with a chair

WWF World Champion Steve Austin pinned the Big Bossman (w/ Gerald Brisco & Pat Patterson) with the Stunner

WWF @ Birmingham, England - NEC Arena - April 4, 1999 (12,236; sell out)

Christian defeated the Brooklyn Brawler

Gangrel defeated the Blue Meanie

WWF IC Champion Goldust defeated Edge and Kane

Triple H defeated X-Pac

The New Age Outlaws defeated Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart

Al Snow, D-Lo Brown, & Ivory defeated Hardcore Holly, Val Venis, & Jackie

The Undertaker defeated the Big Bossman

WWF World Champion Steve Austin & the Big Show defeated the Rock & Ken Shamrock

What changed with Debra on this tour?

Now the infamous moment which literally becomes a staple of WWF programming...and you’re not even on the show for it!

It’s Raw on April 19th, 1999 - and the match is scheduled as Road Dogg vs. Owen Hart. Owen comes out to your music with Debra and man the pop is...loud...for Debra. Road Dogg offers Owen the #1 contendership for the tag team titles if Owen wins but if he loses he gets to see Debra’s “Puppies.”

Road Dogg vs. Owen Hart - 04.19.99

Road Dogg promo starts at 2:50.

Puppies literally makes Jerry Lawler a bunch of money. Did Debra have any issues with calling her breasts puppies? Did it make you uncomfortable?

There’s always been the rumor and innuendo that a storyline was going to be executed where Debra would be cheating on you and sleeping with Owen and to break you guys up but Owen turned it down. Is that true?

On May 2nd in San Diego Nicole Bass replaces Sable in an Evening Gown Match against Debra and beats her before you come out and hit her with a guitar. Somehow this leads to Val Venis making the save and leaving with Debra. What do you remember of this?

Debra becomes Women’s Champion after defeating Sable in an “Evening Gown” match where Sable refuses to lose and Debra gets stripped and is awarded the title and Sable isn’t seen from again for a long time. What do you remember of this night in Orlando on May 10th?

The Val storyline goes nowhere as Debra slaps Val and it becomes you & Debra against Val & Nicole Bass at Over the Edge.

We’ve covered this in our Owen episode which I implore you to check out in the archives as it’s one of the greatest podcasts I’ve ever done...but what do you remember of Debra that night?

Going to Raw the next night both of you do confessionals regarding Owen. How broken up was Debra?

Was it important to have each other at that point in time regarding Owen’s passing?

Debra’s Women’s Title becomes a crutch for you of sorts and you use it to help yourself gain the Intercontinental Title from the Godfather. Was the title supposed to go to Owen before his death and this was their way of moving the title along?

Did Debra have any issues continuing on after Owen’s passing?

On June 9th...and I point this out for a couple of reasons...on a live Sunday Night Heat from the Nassau Coliseum … you wrestle Mark Henry to a 2 minute no contest which is just a big schmozz but it leads to Steve Austin coming out and hitting the stunner on D’Lo & Henry before chasing you & Debra backstage. What is Austin & Debra’s status at this point? Friends? Getting close?

Debra drops the title to Ivory on June 14th. Was Debra ever comfortable wrestling?

There’s more and more tension building between you & Debra on screen as you begin to be more of an ultra heel and try to have Debra act more conserative. Is this just turning up your character and setting up the eventual split?

You said … in our infamous Austin 3:16 episode which we’ll finish one day… that once Austin and Debra started dating, Paul Bearer told you your relationship with her on screen was going to come to an end. Can you tell us how that all went down with Paul and did you believe him at the time?

Was Austin’s … supposed issue with you … driving a wedge between you & Debra personally? Also creatively?

We touched ever so slightly on Debra in our first episode...Holding Vince Up … in your last few months there but let’s get granular. The teased breakup between the two of you going into SummerSlam 99 doesn’t happen and in fact she helps you become the European/Intercontinental Champion for one day. The next night on Raw as a reward you give her an assistant...Miss Kitty. How did Kitty and Debra get along?

Is this the setup for Kitty to take Debra’s spot?

You’re working a lot with women…Cindy Margolis and Moolah being the highlights … and we covered some of that in your Holding Up Vince episode and Ben Stiller as well. Is this all just a set up for you and Debra splitting?

What a Raw is War that comes up here Jeff. It’s September 20th in Houston, Texas and you’re teaming with Debra to take on Stephanie McMahon & Test. Test gives you the flying elbowdrop off the top rope and Stephanie pins you for the win. It’s Stephanie’s first match ever and here she is pinning you.

Stephanie McMahon & Test vs. Debra & Jeff Jarrett!

Debra never tags in and afterwards you put her in the figure four.

Was Debra’s babyface pop when your music hit just getting to be too much you think for your character to sustain and it was time to break up?

So it’s not all Austin’s fault?

Debra tries to help Chyna defeat you at Unforgiven by hitting you over the head with the guitar but the decision is reversed by Tom Prichard and Harvey Wippleman. What a group that is.

The next night at Raw from Greensboro Chyna & Debra team up and defeat you & Tom Prichard after Tom hits Chyna in the head with a guitar and falls on top of you for the pin to earn another IC title shot.

That is the end of your connection with Debra in the WWF Jeff.

After her being close with Owen for his accident you’re at the Smackdown taping when D’Lo and Droz had their accident. How did she handle that?

You finish up not much longer after you steal $300,000 from Vince McMahon and put Chyna over. Did you discuss your leaving with Debra?

How did your relationship with Debra evolve from when she comes into the WWF to when you leave?

Do you think Debra helped your success in the WWF? Did she play a part in your mind of earning that big WCW contract?

Did you keep in touch with Debra after you left the company?

Was there ever any conversation about her coming into TNA or any of your other various wrestling ventures?

What is your relationship with Debra like today?

Do you think Debra’s legacy in the business is just going to be known as “Puppies?”