Stacy Keibler Was An Underrated MVP For WWE In The 2000s
WWE signing Stacy Keibler after WCW ended turned out to be a huge move that added another star to the roster. Keibler was just a little over a year into the business when WWE signed her. WCW did a good job highlighting Stacy as a new face even when the company was going through some of its worst times.
The Invasion storyline opened the door for Keibler, and she spent about five years in WWE. Few women were as over as Stacy during the Ruthless Aggression Era. Fans treated Keibler like one of the biggest stars on the show, which is the main thing every wrestler want to achieve. Stacy’s WWE stint deserves another look back, as she was an underrated MVP for WWE in the 2000s.
Stacy Keibler Was The Rare Breakout Star Of The WCW Invasion Angle
WWE failed to book most of the WCW talents coming over for the Invasion storyline well enough to become stars. Diamond Dallas Page, the Natural Born Thrillers, and Buff Bagwell all had weak stints coming over after big pushes at the end of WCW. Booker T, Shane Helms, and Lance Storm were viewed as the more successful in-ring workers.
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However, Stacy Keibler deserves to be mentioned with them, even though she wasn’t the best wrestler. The personality and presence of Keibler added a lot to the segments she took part in. WWE realized Stacy was going to be someone they invested in from the start. Keibler and Torrie Wilson feuding with Trish Stratus and Lita gave the WCW women a better chance to get over than the male talents.
WWE fans instantly reacted to Stacy from her first appearance distracting Rhyno with WCW owner Shane McMahon. Keibler received more television time each week and was placed in various storylines. The trust WWE placed in Stacy grew as her star power worked to receive a strong roster spot. Keibler was positioned into WWE’s long-term plans long beyond the Invasion angle.
Stacy Keibler Was An Underrated Manager In WWE
Stacy Keibler wrestled when needed, but she was more effective in the manager role. WWE found success for Stacy towards the end of the Invasion era with the Dudley Boyz. Keibler remained the manager of Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley after that angle ended as the Duchess of Dudleyville. The time together helped the Dudley Boyz have one of the best chapters of their legendary tag team careers.
Even the less successful managerial stints of Stacy helped provide some interest in struggling wrestlers. Test and Scott Steiner having a long angle involving them both wanting Keibler as their manager saw her creating interest in their matches. The Hurricane and Rosey received louder pops than ever before when Stacy managed them and became part of the superhero act.
WWE knew that the audience cared about Keibler and would react strongly to whatever she did. Other names like Trish Stratus and Lita utilized their momentum to have great in-ring careers. However, the women who couldn’t bring it in the ring like Stacy and Torrie Wilson had to hit home runs as managers. Both former WCW stars proved they could get over and help others get over once managing in WWE.
Stacy Keibler An Overlooked MVP Of The 2000s
The most valuable WWE divas of the 2000s would have to feature Stacy Keibler at least in the top five on any fair list. Some fans today hold it against Keibler that she wasn’t a good wrestler, but she knew her limitations. Stacy's matches often saw her sticking to the character work or eye candy spots that would elicit huge reactions. A great wrestling performer knows how to get the intended fan reaction and Keibler never struggled with that.
Stacy joined the core of Trish Stratus, Lita and Torrie Wilson, as four women who remained over at a high level through various changes in the 2000s. WWE rotated Keibler between wrestling matches, eye candy segments, managing roles, backstage skits, and everything else needed on television. The massive ovations and strong ratings for her segments showed how over she was.
WWE witnessed Stacy joining the company after a solid run in WCW to start her career. The new company highlighted her even more with a great role for many years. Keibler never won the Women’s Championship, but she was typically as over as the champion at any given time. WWE didn’t want to force her into something she was not. Today’s era may not see the same success for Stacy in WWE, but she made her time count by becoming a massive star of the 2000s.
