As a lifelong wrestling fan who has seen my fair share of flamboyant characters and iconic looks, I must say that each of these personalities truly stands out in their unique way.
Imagine for a moment a professional wrestler in action. Whether you’re a fan of wrestling or not, it’s likely you visualized more than just a face. You probably pictured their overall appearance – like Hulk Hogan with his famous yellow tearaway shirt, or Stone Cold Steve Austin in his signature black leather jacket, half-open down the middle. No matter who came to mind, that wrestler undoubtedly had a distinctive look. And when it comes to professional wrestling, the appearance is almost as crucial as their in-ring skills and perhaps their ability to speak through a microphone – it’s one of the most significant aspects of a wrestler.
In other words, it’s not just about physical appearance or muscles; being an appealing wrestler involves communicating your character swiftly to the audience so they can decide whether to support or oppose you. The goal is to capture their interest and evoke emotions towards you as a wrestler, whether these feelings are positive or negative.
It’s no surprise that numerous iconic wrestlers have an exaggerated, almost dramatic appearance, which is why their looks often linger in our memories for years. Let’s pay tribute to these extraordinary individuals! Here’s a compilation of professional wrestlers who sport the most outrageous styles, primarily from WWE.
Hulk Hogan
In this image, we’re looking at a scene from WrestleMania 6, yet it could easily be from numerous other pay-per-views. Here, you can observe The Hulkster ripping off his famous yellow shirt, sporting a headband and some yellow shorts too. Notably, he sports his mustache in full splendor, along with the beginning signs of a receding hairline. Maybe it’s my age, but Hogan’s gradual baldness throughout the late 80s and 90s was also a defining aspect of his image. I should mention that Hulk underwent a significant makeover, creating another iconic look just over half a decade after this photo was taken when he revitalized the nWo and adopted his black and white Hollywood persona in WCW.
Ravishing Rick Rude
Rick Rude sported an extraordinary mustache and stylish robes, yet it was his unique tights that truly stole the show. For major bouts, he’d go all out with something exceptional. Over time, this ranged from depicting his adversary’s face to his adversary’s spouse to the belt he was contesting for. However, my favorite will always be the tights honoring himself – a surefire way to provoke boos from the villainous crowd. To put it frankly, I must also acknowledge Rude for his chiseled abs – arguably the most sculpted in wrestling history. If I had a physique like that, I’d be flaunting it too!
John Cena
Other than Sid Vicious and John Cena, who frequently sported denim shorts during their wrestling days, it’s challenging to find many wrestlers donning this style, except for the former WWE stalwart. For years, John Cena was synonymous with WWE, and he never failed to showcase his signature jean shorts, along with a variety of motivational t-shirts promoting resilience and good qualities. However, it’s the jean shorts that stand out in people’s minds, and interestingly, Cena has openly confessed that he began wearing them after experiencing an embarrassing wardrobe mishap while trying cargo pants early in his career.
Macho Man Randy Savage
Sure thing!
Seth Freakin’ Rollins
At TopMob, we engage in lively wrestling discussions through our Slack channel. Remarkably, Seth Rollins often outshines other contemporary superstars when it comes to the topic of his attire. This is surprising given that there are several women on the roster who dedicate considerable time and effort into creating and showcasing fantastic outfits. However, no one surpasses Seth in this area as he skillfully blends an element of flashiness and flamboyance into his captivating unhinged babyface persona, making him impossible to look away from.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Following the decline of the wrestling craze ignited by Hulkamania in the late 80s and early 90s, the entire wrestling world underwent a transformation to appear grittier and contemporary. This shift resulted in many superstars adopting simpler, more basic looks. Stone Cold Steve Austin embodied this trend, rising to fame as one of the most popular superstars during the late 90s and early 2000s. He wore minimalistic black trunks, knee pads, and boots, but the combination effectively defined his character. He sported a shaved head, strutted to the ring in an open black leather jacket with sleeves removed, and frequently carried a beer. The entire look was iconic and perfectly suited to his persona.
The Undertaker
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been captivated by the larger-than-life personas that have emerged from the world of WWE. While many superstars have made a successful transition to Hollywood, none have quite maintained the legendary status like The Undertaker. Unlike others who ventured into different realms, he remained steadfast in his wrestling career, holding top positions for more than two decades. His character may have evolved over time, but it’s that iconic image of long hair, a black trenchcoat, and an eerie aura that remains etched in the minds of fans everywhere.
The Mouth Of The South Jimmy Hart
People will argue about where Jimmy Hart falls on the list of all-time great wrestling managers against the likes of Bobby Heenan and Paul Heyman, but he certainly belongs somewhere on that Mt Rushmore. He was just such an iconic part of wrestling’s boom in the late 80s, and through that, he was able to work with a ton of different superstars. Along the way, he managed everyone from Hulk Hogan to The Hart Foundation, and every time he came to the ring, you had to know what his custom jacket was going to look like and how it would hype his wrestlers.
The Road Warriors/ Legion Of Doom
Today, it’s challenging for many people to grasp the immense popularity of The Road Warriors during the 80s and 90s. They consistently ruled various promotions, often winning in style that left an indelible mark. If you were that strong and consistently main-evented Pay-Per-Views as a tag team, it meant you had an extraordinary connection with fans. Their popularity stemmed from their unique appearance, characterized by face paint, spiky shoulder pads, and hairstyles that were odd, even for the era. It was truly exhilarating!
Demolition
Discussing tag teams from the 1980s is incomplete without mentioning Demolition. They were heavily influenced by The Road Warriors at their formation, but it was their exceptional skills in wrestling and striking visual appearance that truly set them apart. Their look, featuring face paint and costumes reminiscent of a specific adult film genre, made quite an impression. At times, they even wore masks, which added to their intimidating presence, especially when they introduced a third member without revealing who would be participating in matches beforehand.
Bam Bam Bigelow
Bam Bam Bigelow was the first person I ever saw with a head tattoo. I have a vivid memory of talking to my parents about it, and asking how it didn’t kill him. They didn’t care about wrestling and in retrospect, were probably mortified by my obsessive interest in something that involved people with head tattoos, but there’s a reason I could still draw his entire look, including his tights with flames on them, decades after he left WWE. Also, shoutout to Bam Bam for his appearance in the underrated 90s comedy Major Payne.
Luna Vachon
As a devoted fan, I can’t discuss Bam Bam Bigelow without bringing up his mid-90s manager, the formidable Luna Vachon. She had an uncanny ability to appear ordinary when she desired, but inside the wrestling ring, her look was downright terrifying to children. Her style often included accentuating veins on half of her face and sporting a unique haircut with shaved sides, a style that wouldn’t become trendy until decades later. Luna was truly one-of-a-kind, and it’s no wonder so many contemporary female wrestlers credit her as a significant influence.
Honky Tonk Man
In the 1980s, the Honky Tonk Man wasn’t the first to imitate Elvis Presley for a living, but his act thrived in the flamboyant realm of professional wrestling. His villainous persona was so detested at one point that WWE bestowed upon him the Intercontinental Championship and allowed him to hold it for an unprecedented duration. Throughout his career, he often won through underhanded tactics, eventually becoming a notable figure in wrestling lore. Remnants of his image are still used by WWE in vintage advertisements today.
Bray Wyatt
Before Bray Wyatt’s untimely demise, he showcased numerous distinctive personas and appearances, but none stood out quite like The Fiend, portrayed in the image provided. There’s a certain eerie quality about it that leaves you uneasy when you gaze upon it. This persona exudes an unstable power that overshadows other masked wrestlers significantly. Among my favorites was his cult leader from the swamplands, who had a more ordinary appearance at first glance but still managed to send shivers down your spine with his unsettling aura.
Goldust
Goldust, a wrestling character from the past, stands out as exceptionally intriguing to me, perhaps even more so than other eccentric personalities in the sport. His persona was deliberately crafted to make viewers feel uneasy, and he seemed indifferent about whether he received cheers or boos. Instead, Goldust aimed to elicit confusion, with people questioning what they were witnessing. He frequently crossed boundaries by inappropriately touching his opponents and himself, and his attire was flamboyant, often featuring unconventional elements such as wearing a thong over his singlet.
Jake The Snake Roberts
In a more casual tone, here’s how you could rephrase that:
Mick Foley
I struggled with whether to use Mankind or Dude Love or Cactus Jack here, but I suppose you can’t talk about Mick Foley without celebrating all three. And all three are worthy of being celebrated, as Foley played the roles simultaneously in the late 90s and early 2000s and gave each their own personality and get-up. Mankind was far and away the most popular, as he wore a mask, hung out in boiler rooms and shoved his fingers down his opponents’ throats to make them submit. The whole look was like something out of a horror movie, and it led to a ton of fun cinematic matches with strange conditions.
Kane
Starting in the late 90s, Kane rose swiftly to fame by portraying The Undertaker’s last brother who had been previously engulfed in flames. Initially hidden behind a mask, Kane eventually spoke and adopted an unforgettable appearance: a red and black bodysuit with one arm exposed, long hair, and a very eerie mask. His signature look, which included fiery entrances, is still vividly remembered today. One of his most iconic victories was against Stone Cold Steve Austin at the peak of his career, a match that saw Kane threaten to set himself ablaze if he lost.
George The Animal Steele
As a child, I used to believe that George The Animal Steele suffered from mental issues due to his unique appearance and behavior in the wrestling ring. Unlike other wrestlers who were clean-shaven, he had a full coat of fur and a tongue that appeared discolored and unusual. He would also pull stuffing out of turnbuckles and eat it. All these aspects made him seem both frightening and pitiful. Looking back now, I understand that this was simply an attention-grabbing act that enabled him to work with some of the most renowned wrestlers, including Macho Man Randy Savage, with whom he had a well-known feud, during which he developed feelings for Savage’s wife, Miss Elizabeth.
Scott Steiner
Known as Big Poppa Pump, this powerhouse often referred to himself as a genetically exceptional individual, with muscles so massive they seemed on the verge of bursting. He had an eccentric style that included donning chainmail armor at times and even bringing a live tiger into the ring. Reminiscent of Hulk Hogan, he occasionally dyed his hair and beard blonde, except for a small black section that he kept untouched.
Gangrel
Instead of bringing the whole Brood crew, including Edge and Christian, whose vampiric appearances were particularly intense during their prime, I almost opted for Gangrel instead. While it’s true that he might not have been as successful in the ring compared to others, his portrayal of a vampire was unparalleled. In fact, I purchased a Gangrel action figure about a year ago, which even came with a blood chalice. An interesting tidbit: he was married to Luna Vachon for quite some time, another individual on this list.
Dusty Rhodes
I struggled with whether to put Dusty Rhodes on this list because he had a lot of different looks during his forty-plus-year career as a wrestler and booker. He’s not one of those guys who wore the same outfit from day one, but the entire visual look of him in WWE in the late 1980s and early 1990s is so iconic that it has to be recognized here. At the time, he was rocking curly blonde/ white hair and thanks to Vince McMahon, wore a black singlet with absolutely gigantic yellow polka dots. Given his age and size, the look was pretty ridiculous, and WWE fans remember it so well that when Seth Rollins fought Cody Rhodes and showed up in polka dots, fans immediately got the reference.
The Shockmaster
In the 1990s, WCW recruit Typhoon, a regular in WWE and former tag team champion, was intended to debut as a fearsome masked character. However, the costume designers seemed to rush his outfit at the last second, resulting in a bedazzled Storm Trooper helmet that obstructed his vision. This mishap caused him to trip during his first appearance, leading to an unintentionally humorous performance. Due to this blunder, WCW decided to reposition him as a comic relief character instead. To this day, fans reminisce about the incident, finding humor in its failure since the overall look turned out to be so laughably bad yet entertainingly good.
Giant Gonzalez
In the 1990s’ initial phase, WWE was seeking a credible adversary for The Undertaker to engage in an extended rivalry. They eventually chose El Gigante, a towering eight-footer, who they poached from WCW. However, they intended to rename him as Giant Gonzalez, but the costume didn’t align with his imposing stature. The suit was designed to appear as if he was bare and had fur covering his private areas. This unconventional attire made it difficult for fans to take him seriously, yet many can still recall his peculiar appearance vividly.
Alexa Bliss
Initially, Alexa Bliss had a typical appearance for a WWE female wrestler during her early career. However, as she collaborated more with Bray Wyatt, her wardrobe choices became quite unusual, often featuring high buns or pigtails accented with pink and heavy black makeup, and sometimes even including her doll Lilly in the ring, making it all the more eerie. Creepy indeed.
Sherri Martel
In her illustrious wrestling career, Sherri, known for her flair, teamed up and led some legendary figures such as Macho Man Randy Savage, Harlem Heat, and Shawn Michaels. Regularly, she’d seamlessly alter her appearance to complement the wrestler she was accompanying to the ring. I particularly enjoyed the times when she’d amp up her makeup and face paint, making for quite a striking spectacle. Most of the time, this was done to enhance the narrative of the match.
Jushin Thunder Liger
As a devoted fan, although my intention was primarily to focus on WWE personalities, it’s hard to ignore the Japanese legend who graced both the WWE Hall of Fame and the WWE ring itself in the 90s, while also making a significant impact in WCW. His career, steeped in Asian wrestling history, is simply too impressive to overlook. And let me tell you, that mask! I’ve admired many vibrant masks from Luchadors and others, but none quite catch my eye like the one Thunder wore. It’s a spectacle that truly stands out!
Cowboy Brock Lesnar
For most parts of Brock Lesnar’s professional journey, Paul Heyman was his primary spokesperson. However, following the betrayal by the Wise Man at the 2022 Royal Rumble, Lesnar began expressing himself. This change marked some of the finest performances in Lesnar’s career and showcased a recurring style – a cowboy hat paired with various flannel outfits. The climax came at SummerSlam 2022, where he created one of WWE’s most iconic moments by lifting the ring with a tractor. Fans now refer to this phase as ‘Cowboy Brock Lesnar’.
Asuka
What makes Asuka stand out is the impressive variety of accessories she uses. Her makeup is always intricately done and stylish, while her wardrobe boasts bright, captivating outfits. She also owns magnificent robes, and occasionally dons striking masks over her makeup as she makes her way to the ring. It’s a visual delight and offers a unique atmosphere compared to what you usually see from other wrestlers.
Jesse The Body Ventura
The current prospect for Minnesota’s Governorship was a skilled boxer earlier, but these days, he is predominantly known as one of the best announcers in history. His rapport with Gorilla Monsoon stood out, and so did his extravagant attire that often veered into the outrageous. In fact, his ensembles were always over-the-top, featuring unique headgear and vibrant, oddly colored tops or suits. Just take a look at that hat!
Brother Love
Brother Love, played by longtime wrestling producer Bruce Prichard, seldom appeared on WWE shows, notably during the late 1980s. His character was modeled after an exaggerated TV evangelist, and Prichard fully immersed himself in the role, applying makeup to give his face an unusual orange-red hue, wearing garish suits, glasses, and adopting a theatrical, over-the-top voice that was clearly a caricature.
Demon Finn Bálor
As an avid wrestling fan, there’s something truly captivating about a wrestler who transforms into another dimension of their character under the right conditions. It’s reminiscent of Hulk Hogan’s iconic ‘Hulking Up,’ where he tapped into a unique side of himself to shrug off pain for a brief moment, leaving spectators in awe. Similarly, Finn Bálor has his own transformative moment – the Demon persona. Over the years, this otherworldly character has emerged in significant matches, and each time, the intricate makeup and striking appearance leave me spellbound. I eagerly anticipate its return once more.
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2024-10-03 16:38