10 Times Wrestlers Abandoned Their Comfort Zone
5. Stratusfaction
A breathtaking brawl completely against the odds, non-wrestlers Stephanie McMahon and Trish Stratus committed to the moment in grand fashion at No Way Out 2001.
On a memorable February pay-per-view with blockbuster matches featuring The Rock, Kurt Angle, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H, the pair almost stole the show with a wild encounter that matched the rising intensity of their feud on television.
Rather uncomfortably contesting the 'honour' of being 'Daddy's Little Girl' to malevolent overlord Vince McMahon, the two overcame in-ring limitations by realistically beating the tar out of one another in a sensational brawl.
Even without a clear heel/babyface alignment at the time (wither neither a sugar daddy's willing recipient, nor a spoilt jealous daughter particularly likeable), the fans were heavily invested in the tension between the two, and the conflict lived up to expectations.
Battling into the crowd (including McMahon hitting a flying clothesline from the barricade to Stratus on the floor), the two then leathered one another with audibly painful strikes, before Trish debuted an impressive bulldog that would later become her finisher.
After a monster powerbomb from McMahon blocked a Trish hurricanrana attempt, a befuddled William Regal smashed Trish with a neckbreaker at the behest of Vince for the crowd-pleasing Stephanie victory.
It was an outstanding match.