Luna Vachon

Early life and wrestling lineage

Gertrude Elizabeth Wilkerson was born on January 12, 1962, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her biological father, Charles Henry Wilkerson, died by suicide in 1966 when she was four years old. Professional wrestler Paul "Butcher" Vachon was staying at the Wilkerson family hotel that night and comforted Gertrude's mother, Rebecca "Van" Pierce. Vachon later married Pierce and formally adopted Gertrude, raising her as his own daughter even after the marriage ended. Through this adoption, Gertrude became part of the famed Canadian wrestling dynasty, the niece of legendary grapplers Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon and Vivian Vachon. From a young age, she was immersed in the wrestling world, attending events and even playing in the ring, which led to informal training with World Wide Wrestling Federation stars. Despite her family's initial objections, considering the lifestyle too harsh for a woman at that time, her determination to join the business was strong. She was also close to family friend André the Giant, who tried to dissuade her from wrestling but took her on a trip to Paris in 1974.

Career development and early gimmicks

Luna Vachon began her formal training around the age of sixteen under her aunt Vivian Vachon and later under The Fabulous Moolah. She started her professional career wrestling for Moolah's all-women's school in Columbia, South Carolina, before moving to Florida. There, she performed as Angelle Vachon as part of a troupe led by Mad Maxine. Her career took a significant turn in 1985 in Florida Championship Wrestling when she debuted as a soft-spoken reporter named Trudy Herd. In a storyline where she was slapped by Kevin Sullivan, her character was driven mad and she joined Sullivan's Army of Darkness stable, adopting the ring name Luna Vachon. This angle introduced her memorable look, which involved shaving part of her head as a precursor to her mohawk, applying face and body paint, and cultivating a menacing sneer. During this Florida period, she teamed with The Lock as the Daughters of Darkness and even provided back-up vocals for the thrash metal band Nasty Savage. Her early career was geographically diverse, including appearances in the Continental Wrestling Association in 1987, tours of Japan with her father Butcher Vachon as her manager, and work in Puerto Rico.

Vachon also competed in David McLane's Powerful Women of Wrestling (POWW). Through POWW's alliance with the American Wrestling Association, she participated in the SuperClash III pay-per-view in December 1988, competing in a battle royal. In the early 1990s, she took on a managerial role for The Blackhearts, a masked tag team from Stampede Wrestling consisting of Tom Nash and David Heath. She worked with the team in Tri-State Wrestling, the Universal Wrestling Federation, and All Japan Pro Wrestling, where the team eventually split. Her versatility was also seen at Wild Women of Wrestling, where she worked not only as a competitor but also as a commentator and booker.

Tenure in the World Wrestling Federation

Luna Vachon's first WWF appearance came at WrestleMania IX in April 1993, where she accompanied Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels. After his match, she attacked Michaels's former valet, Sensational Sherri, igniting a feud between the two women. This storyline soon intertwined with that of Bam Bam Bigelow, who had a confrontation with Sherri. Bigelow subsequently announced he had fallen in love with Luna, presenting her as his "main squeeze." Fans combined her name with his term of endearment, "Tick," to create the chant "Luna-tic." Bigelow even added a Moonsault to his moveset, redubbing it the Lunasault in her honour. A planned mixed tag team match for SummerSlam 1993 was canceled due to a legitimate arm injury Vachon suffered and Sherri's departure from the company. The duo continued feuding with Doink the Clown, culminating in a victory over Doink and Dink at WrestleMania X.

When the WWF revived its women's division, Luna set her sights on the Women's Championship held by her old rival Madusa, then known as Alundra Blayze. After a series of unsuccessful title challenges, her on-screen relationship with Bam Bam Bigelow deteriorated. In a 1994 storyline, she sold Bigelow's contract to Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation and brought in Japanese wrestler Bull Nakano to defeat Blayze for the title. Luna left the WWF shortly after this match. Notably, in 1994, she became the first woman to appear in a WWF video game when she was included in WWF Raw.

• WrestleMania IX (April 1993): Made WWF debut, attacked Sensational Sherri.
• SummerSlam 1993: Planned mixed tag match canceled due to injury.
• WrestleMania X (March 1994): Won mixed tag match with Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Doink and Dink.
• 1994: Managed Bull Nakano to Women's Championship victory over Alundra Blayze.

Extreme Championship Wrestling and WCW stint

After her initial WWF run, Vachon wrestled on the independent circuit before entering Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1994 on the recommendation of Nancy Sullivan (wife of Kevin Sullivan). She was introduced as Tommy Dreamer's new valet in his long-running feud with Raven, a role heightened by the fact she and Raven had been housemates in Florida. In ECW, she stood with Dreamer against Raven's lackeys, including Stevie Richards and her own husband, The Vampire Warrior (David Heath), whose character grew jealous of her time with Dreamer. Her physical confrontations with Richards included a steel cage match at Heatwave '95: Rage in the Cage!, which she won. She also competed during this period for the World Wrestling Council and IWA Mid-South in Puerto Rico under the name Angel Baby. In early 1997, Vachon had a brief stint with World Championship Wrestling, reigniting her rivalry with Madusa. She interfered in Madusa's matches against WCW Women's Champion Akira Hokuto and the two fought in a series of matches, including at the 1997 Slamboree pay-per-view, where Madusa consistently scored the pinfall victory.

Return to WWF and the Attitude Era

Luna Vachon returned to the WWF in late 1997 as the manager for Goldust, helping him reinvent himself as "The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust." The pair adopted various outrageous outfits and roles, including a dominatrix and a nurse. Their first feud was against Vader, with Luna making her return appearance on the November 24, 1997, episode of Raw by wheeling an allegedly paralyzed Goldust to the ring. This pairing also saw them impersonate other wrestlers, such as European Champion Triple H and Chyna, in a title match against Owen Hart. Luna then became embroiled in a heated rivalry with Sable, the valet of Marc Mero. The feud culminated in a mixed tag team match at WrestleMania XIV, which Vachon later described as the highlight of her career despite the backstage tensions. She defeated Sable in an Evening Gown match at Unforgiven in 1998. After a brief alliance where Sable introduced Luna into The Oddities stable, Luna turned on Sable, attacking her as the masked Spider Lady to reignite their feud over the WWF Women's Championship.

This led to a Leather Strap match for the title at the 1999 Royal Rumble, where Sable retained due to interference from her fan, Tori. Luna was suspended before a scheduled title match at St. Valentine's Day Massacre due to a backstage fight with Sable. She returned at SummerSlam 1999 to chase Women's Champion Ivory, beginning a new feud that included a Hardcore Rules match loss at Unforgiven. She later resumed managing her husband, now known in WWF as Gangrel. Her final WWF storylines included participation in a Survivor Series match in 1999 and a protest during a 2000 Royal Rumble swimsuit contest, reflecting her legitimate dissatisfaction with the sexualization of the women's division. She was released from the WWF in early 2000 following another backstage incident.

Later career, retirement and personal life

After her WWF release, Luna Vachon continued to wrestle and manage Gangrel on the independent circuit globally. She performed for promotions such as IWA Puerto Rico in 2000, World Wrestling All-Stars in Australia in 2001, the German EWP in 2003, and British groups ASW and WSU in 2006 and 2007. During a 2001 UK tour with WWA, she was defeated by Gangrel in a Black Wedding Match. On June 9, 2007, she became the inaugural Great Lakes Championship Wrestling Ladies Champion by defeating Traci Brooks. She announced her retirement on December 5, 2007, and wrestled her final match two days later, successfully defending the GLCW Ladies Championship against Brooks before retiring as champion.

Vachon was married three times. Her first marriage was to Dan Hurd, with whom she had two sons, Joshua and Vincent "Van" Hurd, the latter appearing on the reality show Hell's Kitchen. After that relationship ended, she dated wrestler Dick Slater, who was physically abusive. She then married childhood friend and tag team partner Tom Nash. Following their split, she married fellow wrestler David Heath on October 31, 1994, becoming stepmother to his two sons. They divorced in 2006 but remained close friends. Vachon was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and became a born again Christian in 2004 after attending an Athletes International Ministry conference, where she was baptized by Nikita Koloff. In her post-wrestling life, she worked as a tow truck operator for Ultima Towing and Recovery in Port Richey, Florida, a job she described as fulfilling. Her house was destroyed by fire around Christmas 2009, resulting in the loss of her wrestling memorabilia.

Death and posthumous recognition

Luna Vachon was found dead at her home in Pasco County, Florida, on the morning of August 27, 2010. She was 48 years old. The District Six Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death an accidental overdose from a combination of oxycodone and benzodiazepine. Investigators found evidence of pill crushing and snorting straws in her home. Vachon had struggled with addiction and completed a rehabilitation program paid for by WWE in June 2009. In April 2009, she had been honoured with the Ladies Wrestling Award at the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion in Las Vegas. Her legacy has been celebrated through numerous posthumous honours. She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame's legacy wing in 2019, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. The Mountain Goats released a song named Luna on their 2015 pro wrestling concept album Beat the Champ. Vice TV's Dark Side of the Ring dedicated an episode to her story on October 14, 2021. Filmmaker and wrestler Kate Kroll directed the documentary Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story, which premiered in Vancouver in November 2025, offering an in-depth look at her life and career. Her legacy is also honoured through events like the Luna Vachon Invitational wrestling tournament, with semi-final matches scheduled in Brooklyn, New York, for October 12, 2026.

Questions about Luna Vachon

Was Luna Vachon Canadian?

Luna Vachon held American-Canadian status through her adoption by legendary Canadian wrestler Paul "Butcher" Vachon. While she was born in Atlanta, Georgia, she was raised as part of the prominent Vachon wrestling family from Quebec, which included her uncle Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon and aunt Vivian Vachon. This connection to a foundational Canadian wrestling dynasty made her a significant figure for Canadian wrestling fans. Her legacy is frequently highlighted in Canadian media, including a 2025 documentary film that premiered in Vancouver.

What was Luna Vachon's cause of death?

Luna Vachon died on August 27, 2010, at the age of 48. The District Six Medical Examiner's Office in Florida determined her death was an accidental overdose resulting from a combination of the prescription medications oxycodone and benzodiazepine. Investigators reported finding crushed pill residue and snorting straws at multiple locations inside her home. Vachon had a history of addiction and had successfully completed a rehabilitation program sponsored by WWE in June 2009, approximately a year before her passing.

Is Luna Vachon in the WWE Hall of Fame?

Yes, Luna Vachon was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. She was honoured as part of the legacy wing in the class of 2019. This induction recognizes her impactful career and unique persona within the World Wrestling Federation during the 1990s. In addition to this honour, she has also been inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Women's Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the industry.

Who were Luna Vachon's famous wrestling relatives?

Through adoption, Luna Vachon's famous wrestling relatives were all members of the celebrated Vachon family from Quebec. Her adoptive father was Paul "Butcher" Vachon, a prominent wrestler and promoter. Her uncles included Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon, a world-renowned hall of fame wrestler, and her aunt was Vivian Vachon, also a professional wrestler. This familial connection placed her at the heart of a Canadian wrestling dynasty, and she was also closely associated with family friend André the Giant during her childhood.

What was Luna Vachon's signature look?

Luna Vachon's signature look was one of the most distinctive in wrestling history. It centred on a dramatic mohawk hairstyle, which she first developed by shaving one side of her head during her 1985 Florida Championship Wrestling angle. She complemented this with elaborate face and body paint, often in bold patterns and colours, and displayed multiple tattoos. Her in-ring attire was typically dark and unconventional, and she perpetually wore a fierce sneer, all designed to create an intimidating and unforgettable presence that broke from the traditional moulds for women wrestlers of her era.

What documentary was made about Luna Vachon?

A documentary film titled Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story, directed by filmmaker and pro-wrestler Kate Kroll, was released in 2025. The film premiered in Vancouver on November 26, 2025, and provides an in-depth exploration of Vachon's life, career, and personal struggles. It chronicles her journey from Trudy Vachon into the WWF's "Lunatic," her role in challenging stereotypes for women in wrestling during the Attitude Era, and her battles with bipolar disorder and addiction. The film combines archival footage and interviews to portray her legacy.

Sources and further reading

• Luna Vachon (Wikipedia)
• LUNATIC: THE LUNA VACHON STORY, Vancouver ... (gat.ca)
• Catching up with Luna Vachon (wwe.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.