10 WWE Gimmicks Which Ripped Off Real People

4. Marlena - Marlene Dietrich

RVD Jean Claude Van Damme
Don English; Paramount Pictures [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons/WWE

WWE's attitude realignment gradually rendered Terri Runnel's character one-dimensional - largely based around her three-dimensional assets - but it had hidden depth before she became one of Vince Russo's parade of blonde bimbos.

Originally introduced as the valet to Goldust's fading Norma Desmond homage, Runnels' 'Marlena' paid tribute to a real-life star of film noir, Marlene Dietrich. Like her Hollywood double's greatest roles, Marlena was a seductive, cigar-smoking femme fatale who couldn't be trusted. The only difference is that Runnels had her hands wrapped all around her husband, an Academy Award personified - Dietrich, nominated once, would never claim such an accolade.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.