Who The Honk Is Erica Leigh?
“The Gummibear Kid” was the most popular at the 2021 ECWA Women’s Super 8.
The ECWA Super 8 introduces you to wrestlers you’ve never heard of in matches that have high stakes. After all, an impressive performance in the one-night tournament could lead to consistent bookings in the longest-running independent wrestling promotion in the United States. If you somehow go the distance and take home the trophy, that could lead to a contract in the big leagues.
I was unfamiliar with most of the names in this year’s ECWA Women’s Super 8, but I’ve quickly become a fan of Damaris Dawkins, Tina San Antonio and overall victor Megan Bayne. After coming so close in the 2019 tourney, including defeating Scarlett Bordeaux for the ECWA Women’s Championship, Gabby Ortiz was my pick to win. With her in-ring skills, local roots and an endearing promo that illustrated just how determined she was, the Philly native was certain to be the crowd favorite.
Almost. While Ortiz did receive a hero’s welcome, it was a newcomer to the promotion that drew the loudest ovation: Erica Leigh.
It was like listening to a foreign language. Chants of “Honk Honk,” “Pee Pee” and “Poo Poo” echoed throughout the Monster Factory. People of all ages joined the chorus, proudly waving their homemade signs. Just who was this woman in the rainbow animal print?
Well, the Virginia transplant has more nicknames than a mafia hitman: “That 90’s Chick,” “The Technicolor Technico,” “The Gummibear Kid,” and most recently, “Captain Cringe.” Only three years into her career and only six years into her fandom, Erica Leigh has become one of the most popular wrestlers on the indies. With her sense of humor and vivid imagination, it’s no wonder that she’s a product of the CHIKARA Wrestle Factory.
While she’s racked up success between the ropes, including being the first woman to win the Pro Wrestling Magic Championship, her cult following stems from her marketing efforts outside the ring. Leigh is very active on social media, posting funny promos before each match and even wacky training vignettes ahead of the Women’s Super 8. Earlier this summer, she defended her title as part of a 30-day, 24/7, falls count anywhere challenge. Titled “The Big Goddamn Cine-Magic,” Killian McMurphy’s pursuit of Leigh was shown in a series of absurd videos inspired by Crash Holly, cinematic wrestling and sketch comedy.
“Basically, if something is cool, I say it honks,” Erica Leigh told The Wrestling Estate. “For example, ‘That movie HONKS.’ So, I’m always honking, because by my own logic, I HONK.
As for the potty humor, it started on Twitter. I didn’t plan on incorporating it into my in-ring work, but after receiving a 45-second ‘poo poo pee pee’ chant before even locking up with Edith Surreal at Pro Wrestling Magic, I thought, why not? I found a lot of people have reacted positively to it, even if they don’t understand it. And who am I to argue with fan engagement?”
No argument here. Erica Leigh had the 70 some-odd fans at the Women’s Super 8 in the palm of her hand. While San Antonio tried every dirty tactic from yanking Leigh’s hair to raking her eyes across the rope, the crowd rallied behind their irreverent idol. Leigh fought back, hitting a roundhouse kick, Samoan Drop and her trademark Seatbelt Suplex. Sensing the end was near, she revved up and went for the spear, but San Antonio dodged and Leigh rammed shoulder first into the steel post.
San Antonio followed up with a face buster. When ECWA Hall of Famer referee John Finegan slapped the mat for the third time, the crowd groaned. It was the heartbreaker of the tournament – Erica Leigh was out in the first round. But she certainly made a lasting impression.
If the ECWA faithful have anything to say about it, you can bet she’ll be back next year to continue her quest to rechristen the annual showcase…the Pooper 8.
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