WWE: Stacy Keibler's Hollywood Splash and How It Is Good for the Business

I hate Hollywood.

I hate the phoniness, the plastic appearances of the stars, due to the endless layers of makeup and botox treatments.  

I hate the overly-inflated sense of self-worth that many actors possess, an arrogant attitude that carries with it the need to impose their own political and religious beliefs upon anyone dumb enough to waste their time listening to them.  

Most of all, I hate the way that people hinge on everything the Hollywood elite do and say, absorbing every bit of celebrity gossip they can, as if it brings true meaning to their own lives.

Man, this one’s really starting on a down note, huh?

To be honest, it’s not something I think about too often, but my loathing for the Hollywood lifestyle has recently reared its ugly head with the ascension of ex-WWE Diva Stacy Keibler in the ranks of tinsel town royalty.

If she were perhaps any other woman, she would just be known as the girl on George Clooney’s arm.

But, let’s face it, she’s not just any other woman.

Stacy is a young, gorgeous, leggy blonde, who has a great personality, and an alluring smile who lit up the WWE crowd every time she was on camera.  She brought a youthful, sassy energy to the Divas division, and I for one was sorry to see her go.

Of course, no one had any idea she would end up being the toast of Hollywood.

Anytime a pro wrestling personality leaves the business to make his or her way in the “real world,” it’s always a wait and see moment for fans.

After all, it’s not everyday that a worker, especially a WWE Superstar, can successfully cross over into mainstream entertainment.  Often, they are met with indifference from the Hollywood crowd, mostly due to the outlandish exploits and highly unbelievable events that have historically been featured in Vince McMahon’s world.

Of course, there’s always that attitude.  You know, the one that causes non-wrestling fans to roll their eyes while muttering “oh great, it’s one of those roided up WWE clowns.”

Hey, I’m not happy about it.  In fact, it infuriates me, the response that pro wrestlers typically get from the outside world.  We have seen it for years, and we continue to see it today.

Think about the war of words that has erupted between CM Punk and Chris Brown.  Brown, who, despite having all the money in the world, does not have a clue about how it works, had the same response to Punk.

And, here Punk was always thought of as a “smaller” guy.

It doesn’t help matters when a steroid controversy breaks out, and hits the press, that much is true.  It always  becomes an indictment against any man or woman who lace up the boots and step between the ropes.

Again, not too happy about it over here.

Fortunately for Stacy, she likely doesn’t have to worry about that.  She is an attractive, slender woman, not a burly wrestler, so she has escaped that sort of criticism.

Another WWE Superstar who has been received very well since leaving the company is, of course, The Rock, who has carved out such an identity for himself in the Hollywood arena, that sometimes his WWE career seems like a lifetime ago.

He is the ultimate crossover star in the history of the business, arguably bigger than Hulk Hogan, in terms of being an honest to God actor, taken seriously in Hollywood.  No matter what role he plays, he brings a level of attention, and legitimacy, from the audience who pay to see him on the silver screen.

He has reached a spot that every WWE Superstar before him has aspired to reach.  He has succeeded where others have failed.

And now, Stacy Keibler joins The Rock, Hogan, and a few select others, as the most famous WWE Superstars in American pop culture.  I, for one, say good for her.

While I do not personally seek affirmation of my place as a pro wrestling fan from the outside world, I will say that any good press the business can receive is well worth it.  The reason for that is not because I need approval from the mainstream, let’s face it, non-wrestling fans will never truly understand the passion that we have as fans for the business.

It’s just nice every once in a while to hear WWE mentioned in conversations without the company’s name being attached to a tragedy or public embarrassment.  This is not only good for fans, but also for Vince McMahon, who is always hungry for that approval that only the high profile world of Hollywood can provide.

So, does this mean that I am set to change my mind about Hollywood celebrities and their overall value to the world around them?  Don’t bet on it.

I’m just a pro wrestling fan who’s attempting to take it all in.  It is what we do, and we do it all the time.

Nothing phony about that.