10 INSANE Risks WWE Took With Their Biggest Stars
8. Sable
In 1999, the acrimony between WWE and Sable grew to such an extent that the former Women's Champion left the company outright, filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit and virtually put all of wrestling behind her by the summer despite playing an enormous role in an 18 month period that had completely transformed the entire company.
It really didn't have to be that way.
Sable's April 1999 Playboy issue did monster, record-breaking numbers, speaking to the phenomenal success of performer and promoter during that time. Splitting from Marc Mero in 1998, a limited-but-game Rena Mero showed phenomenal fire in her debut match at WrestleMania XIV, and when aided by the likes of Luna Vachon and Jacqueline and Mero himself, she shone as brightly as industry top star Stone Cold Steve Austin.
The success of the Playboy spread didn't really scan as much of a surprise, but a narrative rapidly emerged that she was suddenly disinterested in the rigours of wrestling as a result. WWE rather forcibly and prematurely turned her heel to match what they believed to be happening behind the scenes, squandering a top babyface and straining a working relationship until it collapsed completely.