Only True WWE Fans Can Match The Wrestler To Their Costume
- by Michael Gordon
- – on
- in Sports
Professional wrestling is defined as a form of performance art which combines athletics with theatrical performance. The most famous pro-wrestling company in the world, of course, is WWE, Vince McMahon's world-conquering 'sports entertainment' behemoth. At its best, WWE gives its fans engaging, entertaining characters who take part in breathtakingly choreographed matches that are built up to after storyline feuds. It combines elements of soap opera with elements of sporting competition, and is a very unique form of entertainment.
One of the most fun aspects of pro-wrestling is that it is a variety show. There are your serious badass wrestlers who engage in bloodfeuds with their enemies. But then there are the guys who are there to make you laugh, or the ones who are there to wow you with their death-defying athleticism. There are all sorts of body types and all kinds of skill-sets in wrestling, and it stands to reason then that every wrestler will try their best to look as different and distinctive from everyone else as possible. This also applies to the female wrestlers, who these days have looks and body types every bit as varied as the men.
From the standard black trunks and boots, to the garishly designed long tights and elaborate jackets; from a simple shorts and vest combo, to an old-school collegiate singlet, the best wrestlers have easily identifiable looks.
Now, lets see if you can identify the following WWE superstars from their costumes...
The Big Dog
This guy has become one of the most controversial WWE superstars of all time over the last few years, as many disgruntled fans have resented his status as WWE management's handpicked main man. He has already been a three time WWE Champion, a one time United States Champion, a one time Tag Team Champion and is currently in his first reign as Intercontinental Champion. Oh, and he won the Royal Rumble AND has main evented Wrestlemania three times. That's quite a resume...
This superstar is sometimes known as 'The Demon King'
On the July 19th 2016 episode of Monday Night Raw, this Irish superstar was drafted from NXT, where he had been one of the biggest stars and their longest reigning champion (at a lengthy 293 days). He went on to become the first superstar to win a World Championship (the Universal title) in his WWE Pay Per View debut match. Though he suffered an injury there and would miss some time, he returned in April 2017 and is now one of the biggest current stars on Raw. On big occasions, he has been known to break out some extremely elaborate face and body paint...
This legend finally retired in April at Wrestlemania 33
Wrestlemania 33 on April 2nd 2017 was a bittersweet night for members of the WWE Universe, as it was the night they finally saw this legendary superstar hang up his boots and ride off into the sunset. Or, we suppose, for this guy it might be more appropriate to say he rode off into the moonlight. He was a seven time WWE World Champion, a six time Tag Team Champion, a Royal Rumble winner and the holder of the most famous Streak in sports entertainment history: his amazing 21 match undefeated run at Wrestlemania. This Phenom did it all.
Arguably the highest-drawing wrestler of all time
The Attitude Era was the most lucrative boom period in professional wrestling history. Starting in the late 1990's and ending in the early 2000's, this era was known for it's risk-taking, edgy storylines, increased level of violence and focus on sexuality. Arguably the biggest star of the era was this man; a beer-swilling, corporate boss-defying Redneck who took no guff from anyone and was always ready to stomp a mudhole in someone's ass. He was a six-time WWF Champion and the only person to win the Royal Rumble match three times.
This legend has won more Championships than anyone else in wrestling
Arguably the greatest professional wrestler to have ever lived, 'legend' doesn't even come close to describing this luminary of the business. Officially recognised by WWE and Pro Wrestling Illustrated as a 16-time World Champion, his actual number of reigns across various promotions might be as high as 25! With a career that spanned 40 years, he wrestled anybody and everybody you could care to think of, and was one of the biggest stars in the business in the boom period of the 1980's.
The 'Phenomenal One'
One of the top guys on WWE's Smackdown Live brand, this superstar burst onto the scene in January 2016 during the Royal Rumble match. His lengthy career in promotions all over the world like TNA, Ring Of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling meant that the WWE Universe was already extremely familiar with him, to say the least! He is the current WWE Champion, a belt he won in November 2017 on a show in Manchester, England. This made him the first person to capture the title outside of North America.
Once headbutted Vince McMahon in the face on live television
This burly French Canadian superstar debuted on the WWE main roster in May 2015 and his career has gone from strength to strength since then. He has already been Universal Champion once, Intercontinental Champion twice and United States Champion three times, and also had a run as NXT Champion before joining the main roster. His career hit new heights in 2017, however, when he became embroiled in a feud with Shane McMahon, which culminated in a Hell In A Cell match in the main event of the titular PPV.
This Steampunk-inspired diva was the first ever Smackdown Live Women's Champion
One of a contingent on Irish talent currently plying its trade in WWE, this diva was one of the 'Four Horsewomen' of NXT, and is one of the divas largely credited with increasing the value of women's wrestling in modern day WWE. At Wrestlemania 32 she wrestled in a hotly contested WWE Women's Championship triple threat match, and at the Backlash PPV in 2016, she became the first ever Smackdown Live Women's Champion. Her ring attire is similar to of the character Chandra Nalaar from Magic: The Gathering.
OOOHHH YYEEAAAAHHHH
Everything about this superstar screamed 'unique'. From his deep and raspy voice, to his hugely flamboyant ring attire, to his use of 'Pomp And Circumstance' (the Graduation song used in nearly every high school ceremony across the USA) as his entrance theme, he simply refused to do anything like anyone else. And fans loved him for it. He was a two time WWF Champion and a one time Intercontinental Champion, and is largely credited with being the best IC Champion ever.
The Excellence Of Execution
This man was another of the biggest stars of WWE's 1980's/early 1990's boom period. Largely seen as one of the best technical wrestlers of all time, he prided himself on his ability to put together technically proficient matches that told true stories from bell to bell. He eschewed the tendancy at the time for over-the-top gimmickry and was never an amazing talent on the microphone, but he didn't need to be. His wrestling said everything there was to say. He had the most combined days as WWF Champion in the 1990's: 654.
He's just a sexy boy
Another contender for the title of greatest professional wrestler that's ever lived, this WWE mainstay made his debut in 1988 as part of tag team The Rockers. He wrestled solidly for WWE until 1998, before being forced to retire following a back injury. However, in 2002 he returned to the ring for what was thought to be a short run...and wound up wrestling full-time until his second retirement in 2010! He won the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 'Match Of The Year' award a record 11 times over the course of his career, and loved to wear elaborately tassled ring attire. With leather chaps.
Follow the buzzards
The self-proclaimed Eater Of Worlds debuted on WWE's main roster in 2013 and has gone on to become one of the company's most compelling (and sometimes frustrating) characters. One of the few true 'gimmick' wrestlers working today, this menacing superstar is a backwoods Hillbilly preacher (of sorts), who often leads a cult (his 'Family') and believes he is spoken to by the spirit of Sister Abigail (whoever that really is). He is a one time WWE Champion and a one time Smackdown Tag Team Champion.
Drink it in, maaaaannnnn
The Ayatollah Of Rock and Rollah. The Best In The World At What He Does. The Greatest Of All Time. These are all nicknames that have been coined by this uber-confident superstar over the course of his illustrious career. And to be honest? He might very well be one the greatest of all time. For real. Very few wrestlers are able to reinvent themselves so effectively over long periods, and this guy has proven to be a master at it. He has been a top star in the Attitude Era, the Ruthless Aggression Era and is still working at the top of his game in the PG Era. That light-up jacket might have been a step too far, though....
This diva was one of the first two women to main event a WWE PPV in 2016
Another one of the Four Horsewomen of NXT, this diva has made an everlasting mark on WWE by competing in some history-making encounters. At NXT Takeover: Respect in October 2015, she became one of the first women to headline a major WWE event, competing in the first ever women's 30-Minute Iron Man match. Then, on the main roster, she became one of the first women to main event a major WWE Pay Per View event, and one of the first women to compete in a Hell In A Cell match.
This three man group held the WWE Tag Team Championships for longer than any other team
The WWE has given us some memorable stables over the years; groups of wrestlers who banded together to be more than the sum of their parts. And this particular group, which formed in 2014, quickly became one of the most purely entertaining acts in modern WWE. After a rocky start in which fans reacted poorly, they turned heel and threw out the rulebook, simply doing whatever they thought was funny and acting as silly as humanly possible. And wouldn't you know it? Fans loved it so much that they had to turn babyface again, due to the deafening cheers they were getting.
A certified G and a bona fide stud
Prone to referring to himself as 'Smacktalker Skywalker', this brash superstar also believes he is a 'Certified G and a bona fide stud'. Recently, however, he has begun to back up his proficiency with catchphrases by capturing some Championship gold; he is now in his second reign as Cruiserweight Champion. Certainly one of the most distinctive looking superstars on the roster, his ring attire is often as bizarre as it is briliant and memorable. And his unique hairstyle has now been commodified and sold as a wig on WWEShop.com!
Hustle, Loyalty and Respect is this top guy's motto
Speaking of superstars resented for being perceived to be handpicked as 'the guy' in WWE... This superstar is the closest thing the PG-Era WWE has come to an all-media conquering mainstream idol like Hulk Hogan. He is their franchise player and the face of the company, and has only recently shown signs of seguing away from the business to pursue a Hollywood career. He is a sixteen time World Champion and has headlined five Wrestlemania's, all while wearing garishly coloured t-shirts and wristbands, along with his customary jean shorts.
The most electrifying man in sports entertainment
Speaking of true icons... This superstar has actually transcended wrestling fame altogther and become the highest paid movie star in the world. In fact, these days he is regarded primarily as an actor, which is no mean feat for someone who started their career in the public eye wearing trunks and jumping round a wrestling ring. One of the top stars of the Attitude Era, this guy was an eight time WWE Champion, a two time Intercontinental Champion and a five time Tag Team Champion.
This Smackdown Live diva feels the glow
This glow-in-the-dark superstar is a two time Smackdown Women's Champion, and one of the main stars of the reality TV series Total Divas. She really came into her own following the brand split in 2016, and used her fresh start to overhaul her image. When she debuted her 'glow' gimmick, which involved glow-in-the-dark ring attire and hair and an energetic new theme and dance to the ring, the WWE Universe responded positively. She was rewarded when she won her second championship at Wrestlemania 33 in her hometown of Orlando, Florida,
This Ugandan giant actually hailed from Mississippi
The 1980's and early 1990's gave us some of pro-wrestling's greatest ever characters. This era was especially defined by somewhat cartoonish and over-the-top characters, and when they were played well, they were wonderfully entertaining. However, sometimes thing's weren't calibrated quite so well, and the world was given odious superstars like 'the Ugandan giant'. This wild savage was accompanied by a handler in a safari mask and once 'ate' a chicken live on air. Sometime tells us this wouldn't fly in 2017...
'You look stupid!'
'We don't set the bar...We ARE the bar!' As one half of the current Raw Tag Team Champions, this superstar is having one of his best runs in WWE. His bruising, physical style is being showcased in wonderful tag team matches, and his chemistry with his partner is brilliant. And he has a badass mohawk. Which has sometimes led to chants of 'You look stupid!' from the fans. We humbly disagree with this assessment, though, as we think he looks like an awesome ginger Viking. Respect the 'hawk!
The Devil's Favourite Demon
This fiery superstar's career has been all over the map. Officially one of the longest tenured superstars currently in WWE, he has been a full time roster member for 22 years, which is a very impressive accomplishment. Over the years, we've watched him terrorise and entertain in equal measure, whether as a villainous monster heel or as part of a comedy odd-couple tag team. He has been WWE World Champion twice and Tag Team Champion a mammoth twelve times. Oh, and he is ALWAYS better with the mask. Always.
Recently relinquished her NXT Women's Championship while still undefeated
Another record-breaking female superstar here. This Japanese phenomenon came to NXT in 2015 and soon won the Women's Championship, which she proceeded to hold on to for a record 510 days, before relinquishing the title as she was being drafted to Monday Night Raw. This was the longest title reign in WWE's post-expansion modern era. She was also undefeated during this time in any match, meaning she is now billed as having the longest undefeated streak in WWE history. Whoa.
This Straight Edge superstar left WWE under a cloud of controversy
From one long-reigning champion to another, we now move on to one of the biggest (and most unlikely) stars of modern WWE. This guy didn't look like a bodybuilder, was absolutely covered in tattoos, and had a noted propensity for speaking his mind backstage and refusing to settle for second best. His career hit its peak in the time period from November 20th 2011 to January 27th 2013, where he was WWE Champion for a huge 434 days. This is the sixth longest reign of all time, and the longest of the modern era.
This woman is the longest reigning Divas Champion in history
This diva was ranked number 1 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's list of the Top 50 Female Wrestlers in 2015, and was also named Diva Of The Year by Rolling Stone magazine that year. She was a two time WWE Divas Champion, and her second reign of 301 days is recognised as the longest in history. She is a reality TV star and is engaged to one of WWE's most famous wrestlers. An engagement which happened when said star proposed to her in the middle of the ring at Wrestlemania 33!