World's Championship Womens Wrestling 1938. Clara Mortensen vs. Rita Martinez.

From the Calexico Chronicle February 18, 1938.
Undefeated Champion Girl Wrestler Of World to Appear in Calexico Arena Against Rita Martinez, Mexico City.
Undefeated by any girl wrestler since she won the world’s title in 1932, Miss Clara Mortensen, lightweight title holder, Monday night in Calexico meets a severe test when she enters the ring against Senorita Rita Martinez, champion of Mexico, in a two out of three fall match with a one-hour time limit. Promoter Pete Buzukos, who is bringing these two top-notch lady grapplers to the valley for the first time, said today he expects the Calexico arena to run up an attendance record when Miss Mortensen and Senorita Martinez come here Monday night, February 21, 1938. Coming from a family of wrestlers, Miss Mortensen knows all the tricks of the game. She is said to have begun training when no more than eight years old, and now at 21 has held the world championship for five years. Those who are used to the rough and tough tactics of the big fellas of the ring might expect a bout between two girls to be a tame affair, but those who have seen both of the main eventers in action on the coast report that cash customers are likely to see as much action of one kind and another when the fair grapplers come to grips, as any of the other three bouts on the card will provide. The girls' match will headline a four-bout program. Mastered from a 16mm b-w film, this is rare women wrestling action from 83 years ago!

[Gary-gzq]

Love watching these vintage Women’s Wrestling matches!

[Roadsurferk]

This Dame made the equivalent of over $660, 000 today's money in only 3 or 4 months in 1937 ($37, 000). Astonishing the popularity of wrastlin even back then

[drunkguy]

Thank You. I Hope Maybe You Will Be Able To Upload More When You Can.

[Coco]

Can’t wait to see Liv Morgan to play as Clara in the Mildred Burke biopic.

[jiovanna]

(Women's World Wrestling champions)

Cora Livingston
Clara Mortensen
Mildred Burke
June Byer
Fabulous Moolah

[teller]

"The crowd is intense and expectant. After all, this is a woman's bout." Interesting comment. Us guys just never get tired of you women!

[teller]

Was this filmed during the war? Interesting there was an army major as the announcer and a fair number of uniforms in the audience.

I can't figure why, back then, 8mm or 16mm film with sound would be used to record this event. This has to be 1939-40, given the uniform style. I guess it could be during the war.

(Nevermind on whether it's wartime me or not. Announcer makes a reference to meat rationing around the 5:30-33 mark. Meat, and many other things, was rationed during the war years, '41-'45.

[Karadio_Mobile]

The girl with the most hair win's! Lol :-)

[patricksingleton]

Can you picture Lex Luger trying to say WCWW?