For fans, these makeup and costume personas become deeply ingrained, often becoming iconic or nightmarish. When wrestlers are rarely seen without their signature looks, it becomes hard to imagine what they truly look like without their makeup.
Let’s explore some well-known WWE wrestlers who are almost unrecognizable without their makeup or wrestling costumes
GOLDUST
Goldust is a legendary name in WWE history. Goldust’s real name is Dustin Rhodes. In his WWE appearances, Rhodes looked completely different with his striking gold costume and face paint, leaving many people unfamiliar with his true appearance at that time.
Goldust was a powerful and energetic wrestler who made a unique mark among WWE Superstars with his performances and distinctive looks. After leaving WWE, Rhodes moved to AEW, where he chose to present himself naturally. Despite this, his WWE look remains unforgettable.
THE BOOGEYMAN
Boogeyman’s scariest moments: WWE Top 10, Oct. 24, 2021
The Boogeyman, played by Martin Wright, was one of WWE’s most unique characters, making his debut in 2005 with terrifying Halloween-inspired makeup and a disturbing habit of eating worms. In a 2022 podcast, Wright revealed that his scary look came together overnight, with every detail on his face carrying special meaning, and the makeup process taking at least three hours.
The Boogeyman became a symbol of fear, with his unsettling entrances and worm-eating moments leaving a lasting impression. Many wrestlers were genuinely scared to face him due to his frightening presence. Despite his scary persona, audiences loved his performances, as he always brought a scary atmosphere to the ring whenever he appeared.
REY MYSTERIO
Go inside Rey Mysterio’s mask collection
Rey Mysterio is known for his incredible presence and quick moves in WWE. With his signature mask and stylish costume, he has become one of the most legendary wrestlers in WWE history. Fans have always been curious about the man behind the mask since Mysterio rarely appeared without it, making everyone wonder what he looks like.
During a wrestling event, Rey Mysterio had to remove his mask for the first time, and fans were shocked to see his real face. Without the mask, Mysterio looked completely different, and it was hard to believe that the man without the mask was Rey Mysterio. However, he eventually put the mask back on and returned to his iconic look. Mysterio has been a part of WWE for many years, and his son, Dominik Mysterio, is now carrying on his great legacy in WWE.
KANE
Kane unmasks and attacks Rob Van Dam: Raw, June 23, 2003
Kane, a legendary WWE superstar, is known for his powerful and fearless presence in the ring. When he debuted, Kane was tall and imposing, with his face hidden behind a terrifying mask, which added to his intimidating appearance. The storyline explained that Kane wore the mask to conceal fictional burns from a tragic fire. Initially mute due to these supposed injuries, Kane later began to speak and even took part in friendships and romances, but the mask remained a key part of his persona.
For six years, Kane wore the mask until a shocking moment during a wrestling event when he removed it, revealing his true face. Without the mask, Kane looked unrecognizable, but his imposing personality remained unchanged. Removing the mask brought a new energy to his character, and he continued to compete in WWE without it and achieved so much success.
STING
All of Sting’s WWE appearances: WWE Playlist
Sting is a wrestling legend who has competed in WCW, Impact, WWE, and now AEW. After his colorful early years, he embraced his iconic black-and-white look, inspired by Brandon Lee’s character in “The Crow.” Sting always appeared in the wrestling ring with his face painted stylishly. Throughout his career, Sting often appeared with a covered face, except during his Main Event Mafia run in TNA. He also experimented with a red-and-black look during his time with the NWO Wolfpac.
Sting is more recognizable without his face paint, but he rarely shows his bare face. One of the few times he did was at his WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2016, after he announced his retirement due to a neck injury. However, in 2020, he returned to wrestling with AEW, bringing back his iconic face paint and look.