Torrie Wilson is one of the most popular women in the history of wrestling, famed for her radiant beauty, and sunny, down-to-earth personality befitting that of an All-American Girl. Ever since her wrestling debut in 1999, Torrie made her mark on the business through storylines, photo-shoots and in the ring.
Although Wilson may not have been the strongest in-ring performer, she was beloved by fans for her stunning good looks, earnestness, versatility and hard work. From her beginnings in WCW to transcending to WWE, Torrie evolved so much throughout her nine-year-career. Even though she retired from the ring in 2008, Torrie remains as multi-faceted, beloved and beautiful as ever.
Torrie Wilson Begins Her Modeling Career
Wilson’s Mother Urged Her To Pursue Modeling As A Career During Her Sophomore Year At High School
Torrie Wilson’s belief in fitness was established during her adolescence, and was enhanced by athletics at school. She first made a name for herself in modeling competitions, and won the 1998 Miss Galaxy competition.
As is evident in this photo, Torrie’s physique was already beautifully toned in the contests she partook in. With a radiant smile and shining, blond hair, Torrie looked even more sensational in the green bikini she wore in this picture. Her image was already perfectly established from day one.
Torrie WIlson Debuts For WCW In 1999
Shortly After Attending Her First WCW Show, Torrie Was Convinced To Try A Career In Wrestling
Speaking to Chris Van Vilet, Torrie admitted she didn’t watch wrestling growing up, but she took the opportunity to make a name for herself in WCW. Although she mostly worked as a valet, Wilson enjoyed a prominent role in storylines with David Flair, Billy Kidman and The Filthy Animals.
Although Torrie’s persona hadn’t quite fully formed yet, she prided herself on keeping in shape. Showing off a new wardrobe and working with WCW’s make-up department allowed her to shine brighter, and Wilson maintained a ripped tone that (along with her beauty) made her popular with WCW audiences.
Torrie Wilson Joins The Invasion Of WWE In 2001
After Being Released From WCW In December 2000, Torrie Made Her WWE Debut In June 2001
Although released from her contract months before WCW went under in March 2001, Torrie Wilson had made a big enough impression to receive an offer from WWE. And immediately she made an impact with her onscreen-affair with Vince McMahon, and feuding with the likes of Trish Stratus and Lita.
Torrie would only continue to blossom for WWE audiences, evidently training even harder as she was expected to compete more in the wrestling ring, thus becoming more muscular. Working with WWE hair-stylists and having their make-up/wardrobe departments would allow Torrie to eventually become one of the most popular Divas the WWE Women’s Division ever had.
Torrie Wilson Turns Face And Manages Tajiri
After Beginning An On-Screen Romance With Tajiri, Wilson Defected From The Alliance To The WWE
Because of Torrie’s natural good looks and who she is as a real-life person, the role of heel has rarely suited her. With WWE fans soon cheering her, Torrie became a babyface by forming an on-screen couple with Tajiri.
On paper, the image of Torrie together with Tajiri seemed a most-likely failure, but the segments featuring the two made for an entertaining storyline, and prepared them for even bigger and better things. In this phase of her career, Torrie was still radiant and hadn’t even hit her prime yet as a model and sports-entertainer.
Torrie Wilson Becomes The Leading Lady Of SmackDown From 2002 To 2005
After Separating From Tajiri In April 2002, Torrie Was Ready To Strike Out On Her Own
When Torrie was finally ready to walk on her own path in 2002, she became the No.1 Diva on SmackDown following the WWE Draft and the advent of The Ruthless Aggression Era. With the Women’s Championship being hotly contested for on the Raw Brand, that left Torrie with the perfect opportunity to become the face of the women’s division on SmackDown.
By this point, Wilson had long been embraced as one of WWE’s most popular stars, with her image perfected by WWE’s marketing machine. Now in her late twenties, Torrie’s physique was also perfected as she partook in dozens of swimsuit & bikini contests. Thanks to her disciplined workout regime, Torrie also looked the part of a professional wrestler in her feuds with Dawn Marie and Sable.
At The Height Of Her Popularity, Torrie Featured In Playboy Magazine Both By Herself And With Sable
Perhaps the crowning moment of Torrie Wilson’s career was when she appeared on the cover of Playboy Magazine, not once but twice. With her popularity at an all-time high, it was a major accomplishment for Torrie to be approached by Playboy.
The magazines showcased Torrie at her most glamorous, and were massive sellers, with signed covers going for serious money on eBay today. The fact that Torrie Wilson is one of only two women in WWE history (along with Sable) to be a two-time Playboy Cover Girl makes her achievement truly exceptional.
Torrie Wilson Unites With Victoria & Candice Michelle To Become Vince’s Devils In 2005
Wilson Turned Heel For The First Time In Four Years To Form A New Faction
Torrie had hit the age of thirty in 2005, and she now found herself on Raw united with Victoria and Candice Michelle. A clever play on the classic TV series, Charlie’s Angels, the Vince’s Devils faction were an entertaining, villainous trio.
Although Wilson is better suited as a babyface, her best work as a heel definitely came with Vince’s Devils. Even though she was now in her thirties – and she was outclassed in the ring by the likes of Trish Stratus, Victoria and Melina – Torrie still remained one of the most popular & beautiful women on the WWE roster.
Torrie Wilson’s Final Storylines With WWE From 2006 To 2008
Torrie Feuded With Candice & Victoria And Had A Short-Lived Relationship With Carlito
In the twilight years of her WWE career, Torrie seemed to get lost in the shuffle as audiences were losing interest in swimsuit contests and growing more supportive of legitimate women’s wrestling. With the likes of Mickie James, Melina, Candice Michelle, Beth Phoenix and Michelle McCool on the rise, Torrie nonetheless remained a popular and relevant figure in the Divas’ division.
Torrie continued to wear fashionable outfits, maintain her elite level of fitness, and shine both in beauty and personality. But a nagging back injury ultimately forced her to undergo physical therapy in Novemeber 2007, and then Torrie decided to retire from wrestling altogether in May 2008.
Torrie Wilson Has Aged Gracefully, Now A Full-Time Fitness Instructor And WWE Hall Of Famer
Despite Her Retirement From In-Ring Competition, Wilson Still Makes Occasional Surprise Appearances In WWE
Choosing to retire from WWE at the young age of thirty-two, Torrie Wilson has kept herself busy since 2008 by running her “Officially Jaded” business (which closed in 2009). And of course, she remains fully committed to fitness as a professional instructor.
Now forty-nine-years-old, Torrie Wilson is as beautiful as ever, thanks to her lifestyle and positive outlook on life. Constantly inspiring & encouraging her followers, Torrie remains a beloved figure in-and-out of wrestling. Whenever she makes a surprise return in WWE, fans will always cheer for the stunning Hall Of Famer.