Debra Gale Marshall or Debra Marshall is a former professional wrestler manager and WWE diva from the United States. She was one of the most famous Divas of WWE in the Attitude Era alongside Sable, Sunny, Trish Stratus, Terri Runnel, and others.
Debra completed her Masters degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Alabama in 2017.
Debra, her ring name, is more well-known. She rose to prominence as a member of the World Wrestling Federation from 1998 to 2002.
Throughout her WWE career, she has led a number of well-known wrestlers such as Chyna, Jeff Jarrett, Kevin Greene, Dwayne Johnson, Ric Flair, and Goldberg. She has also received the WWE Women’s Championship Award.
She appeared in the science fantasy and action film Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords in 2018. At the start of her career, she has also appeared in ad films and music videos.
Debra Marshall Biography
Below is a detailed tabular summary of Debra Marshall (formerly Debra McMichael and Debra Williams), a retired WWE valet, wrestler, and actress, with 100 categories covering her personal life, wrestling career, and updates as of March 19, 2025. This is based on available information from her time in WCW, WWE, and beyond.
Debra Marshall: Updated Details with 100 Categories (as of March 19, 2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Debra Gale Marshall |
| Ring Name | Debra, Queen Debra (WCW), Debra McMichael |
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1960 |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 58 kg (128 lbs) during wrestling career |
| Hometown | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA |
| Birthplace | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| WWE Debut | October 12, 1998 (Raw, managing Jeff Jarrett) |
| WCW Debut | Late 1995 (unnamed audience plant), April 1996 (as Debra McMichael) |
| Major WWE Achievements | WWF Women’s Champion (May 10, 1999 – June 14, 1999), Lieutenant Commissioner (2000-2001) |
| WWF Women’s Title Win | May 10, 1999 (defeated Sable in an Evening Gown Match) |
| Title Reign Duration | 35 days (lost to Ivory) |
| WWE Departure | June 2002 (left with Steve Austin) |
| Reason for Departure | Domestic issues with Steve Austin, WWE fallout post-2002 incident |
| Current Wrestling Status | Retired since 2002 |
| Last WWE Appearance | June 10, 2002 (Raw Excess guest spot) |
| Finishing Moves | None (primarily a valet, no consistent in-ring finisher) |
| Signature Moves | Guitar shot (storyline weapon), Slaps |
| Entrance Theme | “Sweet Home Alabama” (with Jeff Jarrett), Generic rock themes (with Steve Austin) |
| Character Evolution | Beauty queen (WCW), Businesswoman (WWF), Austin’s wife (2001-2002) |
| WWE Brand History | Raw (1998-2002), SmackDown (occasional appearances) |
| Pre-Wrestling Career | Actress, flight attendant, beauty pageant contestant |
| WWE Signing | October 1998 (joined to manage Jeff Jarrett) |
| Training | Minimal wrestling training; acting background from Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute |
| First Wrestling Role | Valet for Steve “Mongo” McMichael (WCW, 1996) |
| Post-WWE Wrestling | None (retired fully after WWE) |
| Retirement Reason | Domestic issues, shift to personal life post-2002 |
| Other Promotions | World Championship Wrestling (WCW, 1995-1998) |
| Health Issues | No major wrestling injuries; domestic abuse bruises (2002) |
| Health Update | No recent health issues reported as of 2025 |
| First Marriage | Steve McMichael (1985-1998) |
| Second Marriage | Steve “Stone Cold” Austin (September 13, 2000 – February 5, 2003) |
| Divorce from Austin | Finalized February 5, 2003 |
| Children | None |
| Current Relationship | Single, no confirmed partner since 2003 |
| Social Media | X: @WWEDivaDebra (last active April 2024), No Instagram presence |
| X Followers | 5k+ (as of last activity) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1-2 million (based on wrestling, acting, and settlements) |
| Education | Attended Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, New York |
| High School | Holt High School, Tuscaloosa (track runner, cheerleader, Homecoming Queen) |
| Early Jobs | Flight attendant, model, actress |
| Acting Debut | Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994, as Cop at Bud’s Pizza) |
| Other Acting Roles | Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven Swords (2009, as Reina), Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy (2006) |
| TV Appearances | The Weakest Link (March 10, 2002), Fox News (2007, Benoit discussion) |
| Music Videos | Two George Strait videos (pre-wrestling, titles unspecified) |
| Business Ventures | None known post-wrestling |
| Beauty Pageant History | Runner-up, Miss Texas USA (1984) |
| Latest Public Comment | April 13, 2024 (X): Posted photo with Lex Luger at autograph signing |
| Notable Controversies | Domestic abuse by Steve Austin (2002), WWE gag order (2002-2003), Benoit case statements (2007) |
| Fan Reception | Loved for “Puppies” gimmick, polarizing due to Austin fallout |
| Potential WWE Return | April 13, 2024 (X): Posted photo with Lex Luger at the autograph signing |
| WWE Acknowledgment | Unlikely, no interest expressed since the 2009 WrestleMania weekend events |
| Wrestling Mentors | Jeff Jarrett (guided her WWF career) |
| Rivalries | Ivory, Sable, Chyna, Stephanie McMahon |
| Tag Team Managed | Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart (WWF Tag Team Champions, 1999) |
| Hair Color | Blonde (dyed brown in late 2000s, reverted to blonde by 2024) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Tattoos | None visible |
| Piercings | Ears |
| Fitness Routine | Maintained pageant physique during career, no recent info |
| Diet | Not publicly specified |
| Favorite Food | Not publicly specified |
| Hobbies | Acting, charity work (domestic abuse advocacy) |
| Pets | Not frequently mentioned |
| Charity Work | Donated $27,100 from wedding ring auction to SafePlace (2003) |
| Fashion Style | Business suits (WWF early), Casual with Austin, Glamorous post-career |
| Public Persona | Southern belle, shrewd valet, survivor |
| Fan Nickname | “Queen of Puppies” (coined by Jerry Lawler) |
| Catchphrase | None official, known for Southern drawl promos |
| Inspirations | Beauty pageant background influenced her wrestling persona |
| Legacy | Pioneering valet of Attitude Era, controversial post-WWE life |
| Awards | Pro Wrestling Illustrated Manager of the Year (1999, 2000) |
| Current Residence | Tuscaloosa, Alabama (moved back in October 2008) |
| Languages Spoken | English (distinctive Southern accent) |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Political Views | Not publicly disclosed |
| Favorite WWE Moment | Winning Women’s Championship (self-reported in 2007 interviews) |
| Wrestling Style | Non-wrestler primarily; valet with occasional interference |
| WCW Stable | Four Horsemen (1996-1997) |
| WWF Role | Valet, occasional wrestler, on-screen authority figure |
| Post-WWE Focus | Acting, advocacy against domestic violence |
| Last Public Appearance | April 13, 2024 (autograph signing with Lex Luger, per X post) |
| Fan Clubs | Informal online groups (e.g., Debra fan pages on social media) |
| Merchandise | Limited WWF items (trading cards, signed photos) |
| Voice Acting | None known |
| Book or Memoir | None published |
| Latest Project | No active projects since 2009 film role |
| Physical Trademark | Enhanced chest, dubbed “Puppies” by Jerry Lawler |
| Media Interviews | Managing Jarrett & Hart, Women’s Title Win (1999) |
| WWE Storyline Peak | Listed on WWE.com (2021) as an impactful female performer outside the ring |
| Domestic Abuse Incident | June 15, 2002 (bruised by Austin, led to his arrest) |
| Legal Outcome | Austin’s misdemeanor assault plea (2002), $1,000 fine, probation |
| Advocacy | Spoke out post-Benoit murder-suicide (2007) |
| WWE Video Games | Not prominently featured |
| PWI Ranking | Fox News (2007), discussing the Benoit tragedy and Austin abuse |
Debra Marshall’s childhood and education
Debra Gale Marshall was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in the United States of America on March 2, 1960. Her childhood was spent in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Her nationality is American, and her ethnicity is white-American.
She attended the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York City after graduating from high school. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama.
Debra Marshall and Steve McMichael
Throughout his NFL career, Steve “Mongo” McMichael was a major pro wrestling enthusiast. When Mongo was offered a job with WCW, she urged Eric Bischoff to hire her as a valet. She said Bischoff told her to be a jerk, but she created all of her own dialogue.
Marshall met McMichael’s mother on a flight and arranged their first meeting as a blind date. On October 12, 1998, they divorced.
Debra Marshall’s professional career and personal life
Debra Marshall began her professional wrestling career in late 1995 with WCB. In early 1996, she made a few appearances as an audience plant and as part of a valet group. Following that, she appeared as a camera assistant to her husband, professional soccer player, and WCB announcer Steve McMichael.
Debra Marshall has also played a pageant queen character based on her own participation in beauty pageants.
Debra Marshall then began an affair with her new boyfriend, WWE superstar Stone Cold Steve Austin. Debra Marshall and Steve Austin married in Las Vegas’s Little White Wedding Chapel in September 2000. Debra even changed her name to Debra Williams as Austin’s original name is Steven James Williams.
However, the couple divorced only two years later, in 2002 as Debra complained of domestic violence against Austin.
She was under a gag order for discussing his abuse of her. On June 15, 2002, police arrived at her San Antonio home and discovered her “hysterical” and bruised.
On August 14, 2002, Steve Austin was arrested and charged with domestic violence. He was fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. Debra Marshall has not publicly dated any boys since her divorce from Stone Cold.