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Women of Wrestling Collector’s Edition 2nd Volume—Issue Fall 2002 The Legs Have It! Stacy Keibler: The Most Beautiful Woman in Wrestling History! By Harry Burkett - typed up by Anne Making our list of wrestling's 100 loveliest women was a solid accomplishemt. Now named the most beautiful diva ever, Stacy Keibler has earned some real bragging rights. Stacy Keibler is the most beautiful woman in wrestling history. That might sound like too bold a statement, but it's true. After all, the most qualified judges in the world--namely you, our readers--have decided this is the case. Your voices have been heard via thousands of ballots received at the offoces of Pro Wrestling Illustrated last year. We're aware of the careful consideration on your part. Ranking 100 women in order of their beauty must have been a pleasurable task, but we're sure it was a time-consuming one as well. Frankly, we were suprised at how many readers took the time to list all 100 names. Realtively few ballots were discarded because they were incomplete. "In last year's Women of Wrestling issue, we warned readres to not allow our placement of Stacy on the front cover to influence their voting," said Editor-in-Chief Dave Lenker. "I believe readers tried sticking to that rule, although that cover shot sure brought out the best in Stacy. It might have had an indirect impact, but I think most fans played this straight." Another pointer was to avoid being swayed by a woman's current popularity. That was probably a near-impossible directive to follow, considering that kind of favoritism would take root at a subconscious level. Did pioneers such as Mae Young, Penny Banner, and Nell Stewart really have a chance with younger fans? "In all honest, I don't think so," continued Lenker. "Sizing up Mae Young's assets in a black-and-white photograph is kind of creepy for me, and I'm sure it would be for most fans. It's like looking at an old photo of your grandmother, with the same kind of clothes and hair-style, and ogling at her like she's a hot babe. Younger fans could say the same about Baby Doll or Sunshine--they look like some of our mothers. Someone like Elizabeth is different because she updated her look and changed with the times and, in our mind's eye, she isn't a throwback to the 1980s. Your age plays a big part in your personal taste." Is it a coincidence that Stacy Keibler is one of the youngest divas featured in the balloting? Keibler is part of wrestling's most sought-after demographic: 18-to-24-year-olds. Keiblers stiffest competition came from Lita and Trish Stratus, who placed second and third, respectively. Lita and Stratus are considered fan favorites in WWE, while Stacy has always embraced a heel role. Lita and Stratus are former women's champions. Keibler rates just above Terri in terms of in-ring ability--and that ins't saying much. Even more telling, Torrie Wilson--a fellow WCW diva with whome Keibler was paired during her early months in WWF--placed a distant, although very respectable, eighth place in the voting. (The fact that she wasn't on TV when the magazine first hit newsstands was probably the main reason she didn't finish higher.) Let's be crass about it: Lita is more hip, Stratus is more curvaceous, Wilson is cuter, but Keibler received the most votes. Why is Stacy considered the most beautiful? "It could be a case where the votes sof most WWE fans were divided among, Lita, Trish, and Torrie, allowing Stacy to squeeze ahead," commented Lenker. "Stacy is a heel, yet she doesn't go out of her way to antagonize the fans. That would explain why she edged out Stephanie McMahon. Stacy is what you would call a 'tweener.' She's not too good and not to bad...she's just right." Fortunately, many fans included the rationale behind their selections with their ballots. One doesn't have to dig far to discover why so many fans love Stacy. She's gorgeous, and she seems to have made a personal connection with the public. "I think 'charisma' is too strong a word to describe Stacy's appeal," wrote Ala Adkins of Portland, Maine. "Charisma would described Hulk Hogan or The Rock, or maybe Tammy Lynn Sytch, if we're talking about women. Stacy has sincerity. She seems like a real person, not a comic book wrestling character, kind of like Arn Anderson, Bret Hart, or, speaking of women, Elizabeth." Perhaps Keibler's popularity stems from her willingness to try extra hard to entertain the fans. Dancing on top of tables before millions of people takes guts, and Keibler seems to be doing that to entertain, not out of some prima donna exhibitionism. "Stacy seems like the girl next door," wrote Anne Abington of Simi Valley, California. Ms. Abington was one of a surprisingly high number of female respondents. "I really voted out of fun, and Stacy strikes me as a down-to-earth person. I wish these sex-crazy guys could appreciate that kind of inner beauty. She's nice, she's naturally pretty, and she doesn't put on airs unless the situation calls for it." Ms. Abington may have renewed her confidence in the male gender upon hearing of Keibler's win. that is, until she ralizes that not all of the ballots cited Keiblers inner beauty. Many fans voted for keibler strictly for hormonal reasons. "Stacy's legs are incredible!" explaimed Brian Wilkins of Ames, Iowa. "Ive never seen legs that were so long, and they aren't twigs, either! I'd give anything for a girl like that to come into my bedroom, knock my homework on the floor, and start dancing on my desk. But she's so tall that I'd be afraid she'd bump her head on my ceiling. I'd ask my girlfriend to do it, but she's a little too heavy and might break my desk." Another reason for Keibler's appeal could be her sexy hybrid of girlishness and maturity. She's like a mix of the comely high school teacher and the playfully naughty girl down the street. Oh, if those worlds could ever collide! For many of her male fans, Keibler becomes that fantasy. That could also be the reason she appeals to Vince McMahon. For him, maybe she blends the conservative WWE board member and the ultra-hot receptionist. Who knows, Keibler has multifaceted qualtities that appeal to a broad range of tastes. Initially vince Russo and cureently McMahon have noted Keibler's potential star power. Something tells us Stacy might have been a gawky teenager, and we also get the impression she can be painfully shy. Perhaps fans not her vulnerabilities, making them all the more eager to celebrate her fine points. McMahon is probably one of those fans, which is why he glows when Keibler throws her legs around his neck. Keibler's ability to connect personally with fans, and the good relationship she has fostered with McMahon, should ensure her of a bright future. Her idea of being bad outside the ring is eating a big piece of chocolate cake. WWE tends to reward popular stars who also happen to be good employees. So don't expect Keibler's talent to be wasted on another gimmick on par with "The Duchess Of Dudleyville," or for her to be simply lumped in with another blonde like Torrie Wilson. WWE has special plans for her that go beyond catfighting in the women's division. Already, along with Trish Stratus, Keibler is considered a frontrunner for 2002's PWI Woman of the Year Award. If the Women of Wrestling poll is any indication, Keibler should garner many accolades in the coming years. Admittedly, it doesn't get much better than being declared the most beautiful woman in wrestling history. Get the saucers of milk ready. Other divas might get catty when they learn that Stacy has been declared wrestling's ultimate sex kitten. Meow!
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Best Feature: She's got legs! |