Before wowing fans in the WWE ring, Stacy Keibler - dubbed the 'sexiest WWE diva ever' - began her career as an NFL cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens.
The blonde bombshell joined the squad of the two-time Superbowl champions in 1997 at the age of just 18. There, lifelong fan Keibler caught the eye of A-list celebrities on the side-lines while cheering on her favourite team.
Though she hasn’t worn the team’s colours in an official capacity for some time, the star remains a huge fan. “Purple has always been one of my favourite colours, so naturally that was my favourite thing about my Ravens uniform,” Keibler told People.com about her cheerleading days in 2020.
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“My least favourite thing would have to be wearing next to nothing when at times it was freezing and snowing out!”
Approximately two years after her NFL stint began, Keibler entered the world of professional wrestling. She launched her wrestling career by appearing on World Championship Wrestling as Miss Hancock as part of the Nitro Girls.
But her major career breakthrough came in 2001 when WWE bought WCW and she made an immediate impact by moving to SmackDown! as she was presented as the manager of the iconic Dudley Boyz.
Keibler was one of those who personified the ‘diva’ era in WWE, as she left fans hot under the collar with her skimpy outfits and incredible physique, and who can forget her provocative dances on the announce table?
More of her most memorable moments came while acting as the personal assistant of villainous chairman Vince McMahon. The actress and model was a key part of several storylines alongside the likes of Triple H, Trish Stratus and Randy Orton, who the Apex Predator famously produced a devastating RKO on in 2005.
That moment changed everything for the trajectory of The Viper’s career and his Road to WrestleMania 21 for a match against The Undertaker. The pair entered a relationship at the beginning of 2005 and, after challenging The Undertaker, Orton brought Keibler out to the ring and cut a promo alongside her.
He gave her a kiss in the ring and stated that he had a message to deliver to all his doubters. Orton stunned the audience with his attack leaving Keibler needing medical attention.
Keibler, who called time on her wrestling career in 2006, has forayed into acting and has featured in the likes of Bubble Boy (2001), The Comebacks (2007), A Drop of Love (2012), and How I Met Your Mother.
Keibler did not win any championships during her wrestling career, but won the Babe of the Year award in 2004. Since then, she has made a handful of sporadic appearances on WWE while being given credit for boosting the show’s ratings in the early noughties.
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