# Remember Female Rollar Derby? Was it scripted like Pro Wrestling? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 16, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328 "2024-07-16T15:46:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/1 "2024-07-16T15:46:04Z")
Do you remember those sweaty, 250lb women, wearing crop tops, and flying by on roller skates? They called it Roller Derby! Lots of pushing and shoving. Once in awhile one of the women would pop another with a fist to the face as they rolled by. Fun times. It’s basically pro wrestling on wheels. Was it scripted too? Were most of the punches faked too? The hard shoves seemed real. Except, no matter how much scuffling occurred. The halter tops and shorts never budged. LOL They didn’t want to get in trouble for showing too much skin. Jim Croce immortalized the uh _sport?_ or whatever it was. > [@](#): > > She was five foot six, two-fifteen > A beach blonde mama with a streak of mean > She knew how to knuckle and she knew how to scuffle and fight > And the roller derby program said > That she was built like a 'fridgerator with a head > Her fans called her Tuffy, but all her buddies called her Spike > > The night that I fell in love with a roller derby queen > Around and round, around and round > The meanest hunk of woman that anybody’d ever seen > Down in the arena ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/2 "2024-07-16T15:49:35Z")
Most of those leagues had men’s and women’s teams but the women sold better. It wasn’t scripted like pro wrestling is today, but neither was pro wrestling back then. In both the outcome was pre-determined, the rest was mostly improvised. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/3 "2024-07-16T15:54:01Z")
I went to Los Angeles Thunderbird games in the early 80s. There were men and women on the teams who took turns. The opponent was, to my recollection, always the Chicago Bombers. The Thunderbirds always scored a come from behind victory in the final round. It was a hoot. Similar characters to pro wrestling and just as much of an act. I love that Croce deep cut. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/4 "2024-07-16T15:54:43Z")
I spent many a weekend watching Roller Derby. I use to know the names of the meaner skaters. These were ladies you didn’t want to piss off. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hD7UqK2GZko/hqdefault.jpg "Jim Croce - Greatest Hits - Roller Derby Queen") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD7UqK2GZko) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/5 "2024-07-16T16:13:55Z")
For those that didn’t watch. 2 minutes of action. The entire show was basically this with more people on skates whizzing by. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nPmXoQNim1A/maxresdefault.jpg "Terror on Wheels, part 2, mean girl gets smothered! roller derby from 1974") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPmXoQNim1A) ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/6 "2024-07-16T16:33:22Z")
Remember Roller Derby? Like from last year, or what? 🤔 Here’s my local team, the Dark River Derby Coalition! [![](https://i.imgur.com/Rd55GbI.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/Rd55GbI.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/7 "2024-07-16T16:37:44Z")
Yep, Roller Derby is still active in a lot of areas. Minnesota Roller Derby is even hosting a national tournament in a couple of weeks in St.Paul. They feature the local team every once in a while on those Saturday morning local interest news pieces and have some of the ladies come on and mean-mug for the cameras. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/8 "2024-07-16T16:40:17Z")
People playing roller derby now very obviously isn’t what the OP is talking about. There is a real competitive game based on the put on entertainment thing from the past. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/9 "2024-07-16T16:43:11Z")
Go watch 'em in Chicago, too! The Chicago Beef Tournament, Aug 9 through Aug 11, 2024. Event by **[Windy City Rollers](https://www.facebook.com/windycityrollers)** , **[Arch Rival Roller Derby](https://www.facebook.com/archrivalrollerderby)** and **[Texas Rollergirls](https://www.facebook.com/TexasRollergirls)** [![](https://i.imgur.com/kxvdRND.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/kxvdRND.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/10 "2024-07-16T16:49:20Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > People playing roller derby now very obviously isn’t what the OP is talking about. There is a lengthy article about roller derby on Wikipedia. It’s been around far longer than I realized, and has had movements both toward and away from “skating phony”, or faked sports entertainment influences. > **[History of roller derby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_roller_derby)** > > The history of roller derby traces the evolution of roller skating races into a unique sport which underwent several boom-and-bust cycles throughout the 20th century. Although it was a form of sports entertainment for much of its existence, a grassroots, early 21st century revival spearheaded by women has restored an emphasis on athleticism. > The growing popularity of roller skating in the United States led to the formation of organized endurance races as early as 1884, when skater Victor W. Clo... ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/11 "2024-07-16T16:53:40Z")
I had no idea that it went back to the 19th Century either to be honest. Regardless, the 1970s era televised Roller Derby Queen in the Croce song and the recollection of the OP and the events that I attended were definitely in the fake times. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/12 "2024-07-16T16:59:09Z")
The local league in my area, [Cornfed Roller Derby](https://cornfedrollerderby.com/), is recruiting new members! At one time, I was in a few community theater plays with one of the skaters. She no longer participates, but her name is listed on their page of Retired Skaters. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/13 "2024-07-16T17:00:22Z")
I only watched in the 1970’s and early 80’s. It was silly and exciting entertainment. I always wanted to see it live. I did attend a couple pro wrestling matches. Taking a body check on roller skates isn’t easy. There’s some athleticism required. I couldn’t find any from video the 1970’s. The clip I posted was from 2011. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/14 "2024-07-16T17:12:48Z")
An acquaintance of mine does roller derby. They ham it up, but both teams play to win. They sometimes raise money for good causes. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/15 "2024-07-16T17:14:20Z")
I also have vague memories of a show called [RollerJam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RollerJam), which aired on The Nashville Network from 1999 to 2001. The teams had both men and women participants. It was definitely in the cheesy fake competition class, with over-the-top characters and ongoing storylines. Although I don’t remember this detail, the wikipedia articles says that they even did some cross-promotion with one of the professional wrestling shows that also aired on TNN at the time. Oh, joy! I see that all three seasons are available on YouTube! ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/16 "2024-07-16T17:16:18Z")
Women-only roller derby is a relatively new thing, and, for the most part, it is legitimate. What most people consider “roller derby” had both men and women on each team; usually, there are 8 periods in a game, alternating between women and men. I am familiar with three separate organizations: One had the Bay Bombers (San Francisco) and Midwest Pioneers as two of the teams. From what I have read, for the most part, this was legitimate competition. Another had the Los Angeles T-Birds; this was almost certainly scripted the way that professional wrestling is. The third was “Rollergames,” which lasted about a season on syndicated TV; this was even more scripted than the previous version. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/17 "2024-07-16T17:21:58Z")
My coworker is a copywriter, and their Roller Derby name is “Oxford Coma.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/18 "2024-07-16T17:24:00Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > I also have vague memories of a show called [RollerJam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RollerJam), which aired on The Nashville Network from 1999 to 2001. The teams had both men and women participants. It was definitely in the cheesy fake competition class, with over-the-top characters and ongoing storylines. Interesting brief revival of the conventional Sports/Entertainment version of the game. Just not all that good. Far too much emphasis on the characters. > [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > An acquaintance of mine does roller derby. They ham it up, but both teams play to win. There is still some retention of the Entertainment side that I’ve seen and heard about. There has to be a lot of mutual concern for safety like in pro wrestling or the game would be too dangerous to play. So they have to ‘sell’ the bumps and falls to the audience to keep them interested. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/19 "2024-07-16T17:47:06Z")
I’ll ask her about it. I’ve only talked to her. I keep meaning to go to a game. Maybe this thread will give me a push. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328/20 "2024-07-16T18:00:07Z")
Wasn’t there a movie about roller derby? One of those 70s apocalyptic cheesefests? :::Does research on IMDb::: Holy crumbs! There were a bunch of roller derby movies. The one I was thinking of was **Rollerball** with James Caan. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-female-rollar-derby-was-it-scripted-like-pro-wrestling/1004328.md?page=2)