What do you get when you have two Olympic athletes, an entourage, and a lead pipe in Detroit, Michigan? Sounds like the main event of a WrestleMania, doesn’t it? Well, if you thought that was it, you would be dead wrong! No one would have guessed it would have been Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding.
Two of the top women’s figure skaters in the world. Not to mention, they were both going to represent the United States in the 1994 Winter Olympics. The story was everywhere, and maybe for the first time in history, all eyes were on figure skating!
Nancy Kerrigan Takes Blow to the Knee
It was the ex-husband with the lead pipe in Joe Louis Arena. Sounds like a game of Clue. January 6th, 1994, at the home of the Detroit Red Wings, Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding would put in some work on the rink, preparing for the Olympics. Just like any good WWE storyline, an unknown man hit the American skater with a foreign object.
After Kerrigan’s devastating cries, fingers pointed quickly at Harding’s ex-husband. Jeff Gillooly had set up a meeting with his “stable” and put the plan in place to eliminate the competition. Even though Harding maintained her innocence, she eventually pleaded guilty to conspiring with her ex. Not really sure if that’s how you rekindle a flame or not.
Both skaters would qualify for the ’94 Olympics. While it didn’t have a complete storybook ending, Kerrigan not only took home the World’s heart, but she also placed with a silver medal. Harding, on the other hand, had a bunch of trouble with her laces, crying, and placing eighth. Proving that karma is truly a b****!
Consequences and Legacies
Tonya Harding competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics before receiving her punishment for her involvement in the situation. She received probation, a fine, and a lifetime ban from U.S. Figure Skating. She also became a punchline and was the subject of the movie, I, Tonya, starring Margot Robbie.
Kerrigan would rise to moderate fame, receiving endorsements and appearing in various media. She also received U.S Figure Skating Hall of Fame honors in 2004, only a year after Harding made her “Celebrity Boxing” debut. She would finish her career with not only two Olympic medals, but two World Championship medals, and a U.S Championship medal.
The event became one of the most-watched Olympic broadcasts in history. People tuned in for the drama, the suspense, and the story. We had America’s sweetheart, Nancy, and our villain, Tonya. Having a 48.5 television rating, I don’t think Thanos could get those numbers.
Final Thoughts
“With so much drama in Figure Skating, it’s hard being Nancy Kerrigan.” The 1990s were filled with historical pop culture moments. This moment put Figure Skating on the map and put all eyes on the Olympics. And with all of the details of the situation, does it surprise anyone that it took place in Detroit?
I don’t know if any Figure Skating event will be as big as the one in ’94. It was the perfect storm that put it on the map. This proves that a good storyline will grab the attention of the masses. People who couldn’t care less about the sport finally came around when the lead pipe got involved.
