In the wild and wonderful world of professional wrestling, the fashion choices of wrestlers’ can be as entertaining as the actual matches that take place in the ring. They play an important role in contributing to the gimmicks chosen by the wrestlers, and one can’t help but talk about the types of crazy outfits and accessories when it comes to recalling some wrestlers.

It is entertaining to watch wrestlers’ ring skills come alive in the ring (and watch people get beat up dramatically). But it can be equally fun to watch the big personalities dressed in crazy costumes get tangled up in theatrical plot lines that even Korean drama fans would be proud of.

Here are 4 of the types of memorable (and sometimes ridiculous) fashion that wrestlers have had:

1. Masks

This has been a classic part of wrestling organisations everywhere. Though the popularity of masked wrestlers has waned over the years, they have retained their popularity in Lucha Libre (freestyle wrestling) in Mexico since the early 1900s. For every other sporting events involving Mexico, this type of wrestler’s mask is bound to make an appearance somewhere!

In the Mexican wrestling scene though, the wrestling masks are regarded as ‘sacred’. Most wrestlers there start their careers wearing them. The intentional removal of masks in matches count as disqualification, and if wrestlers are unmasked during the match, their priority is to hide their faces first. And unlike pro wrestling where the highest achievement is to win a world championship, in lucha libre, winning the mask of an opponent in a ‘bet fight’ where each wrestler wager their masks on the outcome gives the highest honour. The defeated wrestler is unmasked, his face shown to the public for the first time, and his mask cannot be used again.

2. Bodysuits

A one-piece, tight-fitting clothing piece inspired by amateur wrestling singlets, bodysuits can definitely make the wearer stand out, compared to someone who dons more typical mens sportswear choices. Unfortunately, one could also run the risk of looking like a Power Ranger, which was what MVP (Montel Vontavious Porter) was affectionately dubbed as by fans.

3. Face paint

Once a common fixture amongst the pro wrestlers of yesteryear, those who use face paint have dwindled to a few in recent years. But like before, they are still a good way to enhance a wrestler’s gimmick or intimidate their opponents (and rattle the audience) or even both! From just one shade to a multitude of colours and patterns, cool to creepy, they definitely make an impact. Wrestler Finn Balor is well-known not just for his wrestling skills but also his cool face and body paint that ranges from popular comic book characters to scary ‘demonic’ looking designs.

4. Robes

This has got to be one of the most ostentatiously outrageous costumes in wrestling history. While it was inspired by boxers’ robes, these pieces of clothing helped Gorgeous George and Ric Flair elevate their villainous personas to levels that that would be remembered for years to come. Ric Flair especially has come to be the name that comes to mind when fans of wrestling talk about those opulent and outlandish wrestling robes.

What do you think of such wrestling fashion? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!