Why Was Sable (Rena Lesnar) So Over?

HandsomeHollywood

Brooke Shields ain't got nothin'
Mar 20, 2017
1,530
1,218
Because they actually pushed Sable and didn't feature Sunny enough out of fear she'd steal the spotlight. I assume.

images
 

reckoning

Registered User
Jan 4, 2005
7,020
1,264
The 1997 Slammy Awards was the turning point for her popularity. Prior to that, she really wasn't much of a factor in WWF. But they had a bathing suit contest at the awards and she wore a very revealing outfit and ended up winning the online poll for the contest, which I'm sure WWF and everyone else assumed would be Sunny beforehand. Vince was obviously paying attention, because after that she started getting most of the camera time during Mero's matches.

At the time, a female sex symbol was still a new concept for WWF. Elizabeth was portayed as the wholesome girl next door, Missy Hyatt flopped, Sherri, Madusa and Luna were serious wrestlers. The only one that was somewhat pushed as a sex symbol was Sunny, but she made her name as a heel manager first and foremost.

As mentioned earlier, the fact that she was willing to pose for Playboy (and Sunny wasn't) helped her push.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kaner9

CaptainCrunch67

Registered User
Aug 23, 2005
6,472
1,063
She worked because she was got, had big boobies, but more importantly she acted like a star.

She was pretty confident in what she did.
 

JackSlater

Registered User
Apr 27, 2010
18,074
12,730
For all the confidence and swagger Sable had, she certainly spoke on the mic like she had neither.

I often thought that she had a sort of trashy sounding twang to her voice, as opposed to how well spoken Sunny was. Not that things in reality actually turned out that way.
 

Cubs2024WSChamps

Tate MacRae follows me on Tiktok
Apr 29, 2015
7,899
2,460
Why?



^
That's why.
We have the answer.

Sex appeal before the internet porn explosion? That's a good answer too.

Mine opinion is she was at the right place at the right time. Back then people were getting reinvested into wrestling and the characters and when someone (Russo) is putting you out there during every big time slot on the show you are going to get noticed and a reaction.

Listen to Prichards podcast where he goes into great detail on how Russo fawned over Sable and his imitation of McMahon saying "white cotton panties".

If Russo was really the writer at the time with the most clout, which he certainly was, he had the women who appealed to every demo in Sable.

She was hot, but not model hot. She could play the skank, the victim, etc. She was a real life barbie doll wholes playsets were packed into Russo's questionable mind.
 

Roo Returns

Skjeikspeare No More
Mar 4, 2010
9,272
4,806
Westchester, NY
Her push lasted as long as it could in her original run. She had limited mic skills and the face of a 35-year-old. She was decent enough in the ring thanks to help from Jackie.
 

JackSlater

Registered User
Apr 27, 2010
18,074
12,730
Her push lasted as long as it could in her original run. She had limited mic skills and the face of a 35-year-old. She was decent enough in the ring thanks to help from Jackie.

Sunny used to say that Sable had more wrinkles than a sharpei puppy in interviews and apparently backstage as well. When it comes to having the desired look and sufficient (limited) ability I think that Sable was up there with anybody else in wrestling history in terms of right place, right time.
 

Roo Returns

Skjeikspeare No More
Mar 4, 2010
9,272
4,806
Westchester, NY
Sunny used to say that Sable had more wrinkles than a sharpei puppy in interviews and apparently backstage as well. When it comes to having the desired look and sufficient (limited) ability I think that Sable was up there with anybody else in wrestling history in terms of right place, right time.

Listening to the Conrad Thompson podcasts like Prichard/JR, she was known about since Mero negotiated to come into the WWF in 1996. Vince was obsessed with her and found ways to get her onscreen and she took off.
 

JackSlater

Registered User
Apr 27, 2010
18,074
12,730
Listening to the Conrad Thompson podcasts like Prichard/JR, she was known about since Mero negotiated to come into the WWF in 1996. Vince was obsessed with her and found ways to get her onscreen and she took off.

Cornette says more or less the same as well, though he also adds that Kevin Dunn was very much into how Sable looked. He compares her to The Ultimate Warrior in terms of having the look the worked at the time and Vince loved but no ability and a poor attitude. Honestly I've not heard much negative about Sable behind the scenes though. To give Vince and Sable credit in this instance, as you suggest Sable did manage to get quite over for better or worse.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad