Which WWE superstar had the passion for fashion?

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

In advance, sorry about the title. I couldnt think of anything to summarise it. And it rhymes. Hopefully thats bonus points.

My question to all you WZ faithful is how much does ring gear and costuming translate into success in the ring. You had the classic Hogan/Austin/Flair knee pads and, for lack of a better word, underwear. did Flairs robe adds a little bit of sparkle to his matches? That sounded very feminine, sorry.

The tights of HBK, Taker and Edge, and also the biker shorts HHH wore when recovering from injury. Horrendus.

In between a leotard and a turkey suit most has been seen in the ring.
Did Mick Foley's run down costume attribute to his lack of success in the ring? Had Foley worn Big Daddy V ring gear, would the fans have embraced him more than Hogan....Ok so I had to throw SOME ridiculous suggestions in the pot.

Would my namesake (Mantaur) have been more awesome without the bull's head thing he wore sometimes?

Do you think a wrestler could truly be the face of a company wearing a ridiculous outfit? Sure Cena's shorts and sneakers arent traditional, but at least theyre widely available. Tell me where I can go to buy some of MVP's early ring gear. That stuff is wild!

Any ideas?

 

[Razor Blade Dream]

I think you're on to something there. I don't think the Ultimate Warrior would have worked if he dressed like Conan the Barbarian. The arm ties, ridiculous face paint and "hip and cool late 80's early 90's neon color" scheme pretty much fit him to a T. Also he would have been lost in the shuffle if he wore a "traditional" outfit like Barbarian or Berserker. It wouldn't have worked since he exploded with so much energy and to come to the ring wearing subdued brown and black colors would have killed the momentum. The outrageous colors, as ridiculous as they looked, worked for him, he was loud and out there just as much as the colors of his trunks, arm ties and those weird sleeveless duster jackets he wore.

Flair's robe summed up Flair's persona perfectly. He came to the ring shining like a diamond and it set the stage for the audience that someone special is about to wrestle. Would he have the same success if he didn't wear the robe? Probably, but it's an iconic accessory that people associate with Flair. Like Indiana Jones and his hat.

If the Rock came out with his cocky persona wearing a ripped up prom dress without properly explaining himself, I don't think it would work. Then again that would be kind of funny.

I will say that I don't mind HBK's tights in comparison to his bicycle shorts he insists on wearing when he guests referees. Apparently he has been fond of them for years. I re-watched "Wrestle with Shadows" and there he was in his bike short glory wrestling Bret's son and chasing him around the ring.

The one guy that I can think of that his outfit doesn't work for him is current Kane. How much did his unmasking totally kill his character? I miss the old red pajama wearing guy with the mask and long, greasy hair. As a side note, does anyone remember how he was supposed to be burned over "90% of his body?"

For the most part, the current roster has decent outfits, even though MVP's is a bit like a Power Ranger's.

I mean the same thing applies to movies, as amazing as Heath Ledger was in Dark Knight, if his costume was shit, it wouldn't have been as effective. If he rocked the Jack Nicholson costume from the 89 Batman, it wouldn't have worked since Jack's Joker was "sophisticated" looking for lack of a better word.

I dunno, I tend to lean that the outfit makes the man.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

If the Rock came out with his cocky persona wearing a ripped up prom dress without properly explaining himself, I don't think it would work. Then again that would be kind of funny.

I seriously, truly thought you were going to bust out a new nickname. "The Frock". Seriously? No one else saw that coming?

If the Rock came out in tights, or if he came out with a piece of timber and blue ring gear shouting "HOOOOOOOO" then cutting a great promo, would he have gotten over? Maybe.

I will say that I don't mind HBK's tights in comparison to his bicycle shorts he insists on wearing when he guests referees.

Yeah, after the 90's, HBK goes down a notch in terms of fashion sense. I know there are a few marks for him on this board but goddamn, he has worn some terrible stuff. Even on his DVD, Jericho and HHH made fun of the poo brown tights he wore in his first elimination chamber.

The one guy that I can think of that his outfit doesn't work for him is current Kane. How much did his unmasking totally kill his character? I miss the old red pajama wearing guy with the mask and long, greasy hair. As a side note, does anyone remember how he was supposed to be burned over "90% of his body?"

Yeah he hides the 90% quite well. Maybe that part just isnt facing the camera. Dont insult the WWE creative's memory..

I think the costume change was necessary for his heel turn, but what I would have thought would be better would be underwear. I dont know what you call that ring gear but underwear is the best term. When HHH went heel from his early DX days to his Helmsley-McMahon Days he went from tights to underwear. Same with Chris Jericho last year. Its the way to go.

I mean the same thing applies to movies, as amazing as Heath Ledger was in Dark Knight, if his costume was shit, it wouldn't have been as effective. If he rocked the Jack Nicholson costume from the 89 Batman, it wouldn't have worked since Jack's Joker was "sophisticated" looking for lack of a better word.

God knows Mysterio tried. Even better was His Summerslam 07 turn as "Mecha-Rey". P.S Nicholson is the man in the movie.

I dunno, I tend to lean that the outfit makes the man.

True that

 

[Razor Blade Dream]

I think the costume change was necessary for his heel turn, but what I would have thought would be better would be underwear. I dont know what you call that ring gear but underwear is the best term. When HHH went heel from his early DX days to his Helmsley-McMahon Days he went from tights to underwear. Same with Chris Jericho last year. Its the way to go.

I think they call them "trunks" if memory serves me correctly. Even though in the Smackdown games they call it underwear. Might be one of those regional dialects. Like some call soda "pop" or subs are "hoagies" or "grinders"

 

[finneycom1]

Michaels has always had bad fashion sense, in and out of the ring. When he comes down to the ring to cut a promo in his street clothes, he has those damn 80's tapered leg jeans and that cowboy hat. It's the new era- get you some boot-cut, son!! I do like his tights with built in chaps, though that he has been wearing the past couple o' years.

Jericho does not, DOES NOT, need to wear those trunks he's been wearing. He has gotten a tad pudgy around the mid-section and those trunks make him look idiotic. I still dig the boots with the kick pads though.

One thing that I have never liked though is what Cody Rhodes is doing right now. If you wear trunks with wrestling boots, knee pads are a requirement as well as a necessity. Plus, those new boots he's wearing with the rings around the top of them, makes im look like hes out there in a pair of black underwear with black tube socks on!! Buys some knee pads, $20 a pair at your local sporting goods store.

Last is white boots. Never been a fan. When Saturn was in WWE in 2000-01, his white boots were constantly made fun of by my friends and I. White boots are 80's style. Never liked them!

 

[Razor Blade Dream]

I, for one, think Big Show should wear shirts with iron ons of whatever food he plans to eat after the match. I say he should have iron on ham, bacon or a bucket of KFC on a shirt or on the ass of his trunks. Ratings through the roof I tell ya.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

When putting together a wrestling character, wardrobe is very important because it makes it easier to "buy" the character so to speak (with the undertaker for example, his outfit in the early 90's perfectly encapsulated who his character was and helped get his character over. That along with the supernatural things, paul bearer, and the urn all put together really helped the undertaker. Could you imagine if he came out dressed like the Repo Man?!?!? I don't think it would work).

Wrestling is alot like TV and Movies as in a bunch of little things correctly put together can make or break a wrestler,like if something of a character is a little off, it can make it that much more difficult to suspend belief and reel the audience in (How many times has a good movie turned to shit because of 1 thing like the ending of the movie Signs).

I went off topic there so anyways, I thought demolition's costume was always a good example of what a good costume can bring (Might as well drop the Road Warriors in here too). I think their costumes help define how tough and badass they really were (although looking at demolition today they look like a couple of weirdo's from the show Kink) but back in the 80's it really worked for them. It's funny how the little things can make or break a career.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

Most of the fashion plates of the WWE were going to come in the form of managers. Funny thing is that I doubt half of today's fans will even remember them, as managers have become a thing of the past.

However, Jimmy Hart probably invested more money in his wardrobes than any other person. Ever time you turned around, he was getting a new suit. Towards the early 90's, he would have jackets and tuxes tailor made for each of his talents, and would wear that particular jacket for each of those talents. And he would change his outfits throughout the night depending on which of his wrestlers were coming out next.

Then, he would change the jackets and get all new ones for each of his wrestlers, usually around each PPV.

Heenan seemed to fluctuate in his fashions. Where as he looked great in most of his suits, other times, especially towards the end, he would get a bit lazy and just go for the casual look while wearing his sweatsuits and jackets. Also, he seemed to invest very little in his wardrobe, despite looking good, as I don't think he ever got a new outfit in probably 3 years or so. Most managers seemed to try to get new outfits and sport them at the PPV's (just like the wrestlers), but Heenan just wore the same outfits over and over and over again, for years. Can't complain though, as this was Bobby F'ing Heenan.

Other manager fashion plates would include the Doctor of Style, Slick, and even Sensational Sherri. Sherri's outfits were extremely creative, give her that much. Check out her Survivor Series 1991 outfit when she accompanied Dibiase to the ring, as well as the Royal Rumble 1991 outfit she wore, as well.

As far as today goes, Vince is definitely a fashion plate. Shane McMahon was when he first was introduced as Vince's son on WWE television, but certainly isn't anymore.

I dont know what you call that ring gear but underwear is the best term. When HHH went heel from his early DX days to his Helmsley-McMahon Days he went from tights to underwear. Same with Chris Jericho last year. Its the way to go.

Underwear? Have you ever heard of something called "trunks"? No? Welcome to Wrestling 101.

Trunks are what guys like Triple H, Chris Jericho, and Cody Rhodes wear.

Tights are what guys like Chris Jericho USED to wear, and what guys like Edge and Matt Hardy currently wear.

This isn't hard stuff here, gang.

 

[golden miz]

It has to be miz, morison, and ziggler









just kidding. In all seriousness I have to say that slick and hbk were probly two of the best dressed in wwe history since they both in their early days were the two best dressed based on the current fashions and to today still are ggreatly dressed

 

[TheEvolution]

Without a doubt ring attire really helps the character. For a gimmick to be succesful it must have presence and the clothing 'makes the man' so to speak.

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

Jericho does not, DOES NOT, need to wear those trunks he's been wearing. He has gotten a tad pudgy around the mid-section and those trunks make him look idiotic. I still dig the boots with the kick pads though.

True! I hate his new trunks, he looks so small for some reason. He needs his tights back for sure. When he had the WHC around his waist he looked naked when he walked to the ring, i always laughed my ass off!!!

Jericho didnt need to go to trunks to complete his heel turn, bring back the tights Y2J - PLEASE!

Last is white boots. Never been a fan. When Saturn was in WWE in 2000-01, his white boots were constantly made fun of by my friends and I. White boots are 80's style. Never liked them!

I agree, i hate white boots. Also white tights, Kozlov looks like a tool in whit. He should change to black with some kinda logo on them. Most white in WWE looks bad except maybe white tights if they have some logos or a pattern on it.

I think most of the guys street clothes look pretty bad except when they're wearing an obviously expensive suit.

 

[ZCDarrah]

So far everyone has made some good points so I won't repeat what's been said so far. To sum up my opinion an outfit can make or break a character, and I have never like plain black trunks except for Stone Cold.

How about when a wrestler wears his own t-shirt?

Pretty corny huh? But it works, I was watching RAW last summer and Cena was wearing his "video-game" shirt and my room mate ordered it and she has worn it practically every Monday night since. Me personally, I don't need anybody to EVER see me wearing a WWE type shirt. It was a little funny watching Triple H and Michaels to plug there own DX gear during a promo.

On another side note, how about the unwritten wrestler's fanny pack code? Someone should put together every picture of a wrestler wearing a damned fanny pack!! I know that I've seen a ton.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

In no particular order, im quoting and responding to people.

Underwear? Have you ever heard of something called "trunks"? No? Welcome to Wrestling 101.

Yeah ok I freaking get it. It was like 1am in the morning when I was typing it, and when I said "a handful of of the trunks" to myself it didnt seem right. So underwear it was. And lets not be picky, it basically is logo emblazoned underwear. Are you saying Flair never wore his trunks to bed? Doubt that

Jericho does not, DOES NOT, need to wear those trunks he's been wearing. He has gotten a tad pudgy around the mid-section and those trunks make him look idiotic. I still dig the boots with the kick pads though.

I think this helps him draw more heat. The little muffin top he's accumulating makes fans hate him even more. "He think he's better than me? He freaking looks like a 12 year old that hangs out the front of McDonalds looking for dropped coins so he can go buy a fifth burger" Or at least something to that effect.

Last is white boots. Never been a fan. When Saturn was in WWE
in 2000-01, his white boots were constantly made fun of by my friends and I. White boots are 80's style. Never liked them!

I actually think white boots rock. Not for everyday use mind you, but when HHH busted them out at Wrestlemania XX, it was awesome. Special occasions for top talent. Is Saturn classified in this category? Hows he doing in the tournament?

I thought demolition's costume was always a good example of what a good costume can bring

I dont know about anyone else, but i did not, repeat did not dig demolitions ring gear. I just dont see how two guy in kinky leather gear beat tag teams like the Hart Foundation. Must have been the distracting sound of flesh against leather. And you thought Jillian Hall's mole was vomit inducing.

 

[Chill]

I think that costumes are the best way to get a gimmick over for example, Undertaker, Goldust and Kane's original attire really complimented their personnas.

However, if you aren't so much a character or are wrestling under your real name for example then the best way to go in my opinion is probably the traditional trunks or the tights...simply because of tradition. Have your initials or a logo or something on them to make them different looking and unique to you...

Since people seem to be commenting on Jericho's attire, I would say that those trunks look like a damn nappy!!....and people don't seem to like that Cody Rhodes isn't wearing knee pads...if the man doesn't want to wear them then that's fine..I mean who really cares? they're such a minor thing.... I don't think knee pads will determine whether someone gets over or not....

 

[TwistofRKO]

One thing that I have never liked though is what Cody Rhodes is doing right now. If you wear trunks with wrestling boots, knee pads are a requirement as well as a necessity. Plus, those new boots he's wearing with the rings around the top of them, makes im look like hes out there in a pair of black underwear with black tube socks on!! Buys some knee pads, $20 a pair at your local sporting goods store.

Agree 100%. It irritates me every single time he walks out. He just looks like Robin or Wonderwoman or something. It's much worse with these shorter boots he's deciding to wear. The only person who doesn't look horrible without knee pads is Big Show. If you wear underwear trunks you shouldn't be allowed to compete without a type of knee pads, it's hideous not to.

In my opinion The Rock, Goldberg, Kane, and Mick Foley nailed it perfectly with their attire. Randy Orton and HHH have it down best for current stars.

 

[Razor Blade Dream]

Agree 100%. It irritates me every single time he walks out. He just looks like Robin or Wonderwoman or something. It's much worse with these shorter boots he's deciding to wear. The only person who doesn't look horrible without knee pads is Big Show. If you wear underwear trunks you shouldn't be allowed to compete without a type of knee pads, it's hideous not to.

THAT is who he looks like! I could never put my finger on it but he looks like a freakin super hero sidekick! And he can't pull off being a badass since he looks like a 12 year old kid. Then again his face run wasn't all that awesome either but at least it was believable. He would have worked with The Hurricane back when he had Rosey as a partner.

 

[bxbigshow]

Passion for fashion?

I give a whole heap of credit to whoever decided that the Hart Foundation should stay with pink. They had blue variations of the gear but pink was a bold move and defined Bret's career. Hell Owen even carried it well. And now lookling at Natalya and Tyson Kidd, I believe in pro wrestling, Dungeon talent is defined by pink. It's like Notre Dames's football uniforms..classic.

Yes Y2J needs to go back to the tights, it was mentioned before, but the pudge doesn't work. And I'm still not use to it, I think this is the 1st time he's ever wore trunks.

Who's on point now? Morrison...I like that while his character evolved from J.Nitro to the Shaman of Sexy, his attire didn't change that much. It just grew a bit with him. I also dug the crazy furs he wore in MNM with the LED signs on'em.

Miz wearing his own WWE Shop T is hilarious as it solidifies him as the frat boy tool he portrays.

Big Show- Traditional nod to Andre...nice
HBK- While his recent wear is kinda plain, the Gray/Black/Red gives me a Dale Earnhardt aura...greatest of all time thing, probably wasn't intentional, but I get that vibe.
I like that Rey tries new stuff every WM and every now and then, he's the only masked dude out right now in the States mainstream.
Shelton...Gold Standard...explains the hair color. But I really wanted him to be "The Natural" (ode to Butch Reed)
Swaggaer! Collegiate...classic...Angle-esque
Who needs a consultant?

Kofi is too skinnky to wear just trunks, he looks like a kid who snuck in. He needs to add some muscle to fill it out.
The Brian Kendrick should go back to the white, we all know he was rippingoff Shawn Michaels so go with it.
Cody Rhodes needs to switch to tights...Priceless doesn't need to look like a random run of the mill tag team. Let DiBiase claim the black and gold trunks. Maybe a black and gold tight with Rhodes down the leg.

And people will hate me for it but...JEFF HARDY please dress like a grownup? Lose the excessive facepaint that wears off befor the match starts and you look like am unsupervised preschooler. The arm tights or whatever fishnet thing you wear...no. Evolve a bit, it's not 1999 anymore.

 

[Sean Valjean]

The only thing that bothers me about Cody Rhodes is his boots. I don't know if anyone's noticed, but his boots have the tri-star thing from the Zelda games. I love games, but no Cody. You're supposed to be a member of the baddest team led by the baddest dude in the business. You should not be rockin' video game stuff on your attire. The new Legacy tights are a nice touch, now if only Ted can get a pair.

Y2J should go back to tights. I hate the trunks, he just looks like a jobber to me in those and not someone to take seriously.

I've always loved HBK's attires. I especially love the pants/chap things he's been wearing since WM21. It looks cool and gives him a more modern look while still keeping some old school flair with the old broken heart logos at the hips.

I hated MVP's old attire designs. They were so ugly that I was seriousy wondering if he had heat with someone in wardrobe. But the ones he got after WM23 have been MUCH better, so much so that he actually looks pretty cool now.

I've always wondered when Jeff Hardy's attire will change. He's had the same look for a over a decade now, and I just can't see him wearing what he does now when he's 40, if he's still wresting by then.He'll have to change; otherwise, he'll look like a dad who looked into his son's closet and got curious. Maybe tights like Matt?

 

[Nero89]

Ricoooooooo

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Passion for fashion?

It's the best, dont disrespect.

Miz wearing his own WWE Shop T is hilarious as it solidifies him as the frat boy tool he portrays.

Wait what? Every superstar that comes out to cut a promo or commentate or interfere wears their own goddamn t shirt. Although I would find it funny if Cody Rhodes and DiBiase wore Orton shirts instead of Legacy shirts. The Miz isnt special. HHH even does it when he's invading someones home.

Kofi is too skinny to wear just trunks, he looks like a kid who snuck in. He needs to add some muscle to fill it out.

You think he would look better in tights? Can they even make them that skinny?

And people will hate me for it but...JEFF HARDY please dress like a grownup? Lose the excessive facepaint that wears off befor the match starts and you look like am unsupervised preschooler. The arm tights or whatever fishnet thing you wear...no. Evolve a bit, it's not 1999 anymore.

What peeves me is he doesnt even wear the face paint all the time. Sometimes he wrestles without. Thats just lazy really. If you're going to go facepaint, at least Umaga it and go full throttle. Charlies Angels 2

Also, whats the deal with the towel he had hanging out the back of his pants sometimes? Did Ricky Ortiz teach him how to Swanton, so he's giving him a tribute? I may have underestimate that ****** with the afro.

 

[Razor Blade Dream]

Kofi is too skinnky to wear just trunks, he looks like a kid who snuck in. He needs to add some muscle to fill it out.

I think he has a good build on him for a "skinny" guy, he has a lean, cut look about him. I feel he might do better with somewhat baggy pants or even karate gi type pants.

 

[Kid A]

yeah kofi with the karate style pants would seem ok especially with his wrestling style. he does look a tad skinny , mainly his midsection because his thighs are big but if he wore pants they'd have to have a better logo than what he's running with right now or its really not going to work either..

 

[Scott Free]

Fashion, yeah, I thought Dusty Rhodes in his black and yellow polka dots trunks was the very essence of fashion. The Barbarian had a flair for headgear, those antlers sure added to his look, although Farouk's spartan looking blue helmet wasn't bad either. Lately, John Morrison's furs were the fashion statement of the decade, he wore them in August too, I think that's changed now though. I'm not sure, but I don't think anyone is wearing capes anymore, I miss those, always reminded me of Batman for some reason.