10 Alleged WWE Sex Scandals That Rocked Wrestling
4. Sable's Degradation
The following excerpt is taken from the court documents of the $140 million (per June 14, 1999 Wrestling Observer newsletter) lawsuit from Rena 'Sable' Mero to the WWF in 1999:
"Men would routinely walk into the women's dressing room as if by accident; men would cut holes in the walls to watch the women dressing; extras were hired as WWF regulars to expose their breasts; big nipple contests were engaged in; men regularly bragged about their sexual encounters without regard to the women present; WWF produced catalogues and tee-shirts depicting Mrs. Mero In a degrading fashion offering sexual favours; Mrs. Mero was requested to display affection to women to promote a "lesbian angle"; Mrs. Mero was asked to have her gown ripped off repeatedly (notwithstanding promises to the contrary), and Plaintiff was asked to expose her breasts by 'mistake' on national television during a wrestling contest."
The lawsuit charged that professional wrestling, at the time, had become "obscene, titillating, vulgar and unsafe."
Sable claimed that she was lied to in negotiations because the company had no intention of enforcing its drug policy. Contrary to what she was promised, they didn't limit her appearances or allow her to develop an acting career, and due to this, claimed losses exceeding $10 million. She claimed a contract breach for the company not reporting her merchandise numbers accurately and asked for a full accounting and damages to be determined. She also asked for another $10 million in damages for certain remarks made during the broadcast which violated her agreement. A further $10 million was asked for what she described as an unsafe working environment which led to infliction of emotional distress, causing her to suffer damages of $10 million. Finally, she appealed for a further $10 million for damages suffered as a result of WWF violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The lawsuit was met with damnation by some at the time as Sable, who entered the business as a non-wrestler, benefitted more than most as a result of the Attitude Era and all it stood for. After all, Sable posed for Playboy, so any suggestions that WWF were exploiting her body could be seen as slightly hypocritical.
The lawsuit was reportedly settled a couple of months later - for a lot less than the proposed $140,000,000.