Wrestling is a fan-driven sport where appearance plays a crucial role in either building up a star or halting their progress. Whether it’s something as simple as changing hair color or altering ring gear, these modifications can significantly impact how fans perceive a wrestler.
Often, wrestlers try new character changes or are forced into them, but fans sometimes lose interest quickly. Here’s a look at some wrestlers who either maintained their new look or were quickly forgotten after debuting it:
Dolph Ziggler
- During a storyline with Vickie Guerrero in early 2011, Ziggler dyed his hair dark.
- The look lasted only about a week before he returned to his signature blonde hair.
- Fans compared him to a bigger version of Evan Bourne.
Despite his strong physique and iconic "ramen noodles"-style hair, this dark-haired version of Ziggler failed to catch on and was quickly dropped.
Booker T
- Booker created the "Gi Bro" character in WWA, a revival of his Misfits in Action stable gimmick from WCW.
- This military-themed persona harked back to an earlier part of his career but didn’t stick, as he soon reverted to his original Booker T persona before WCW closed.
Brutus Beefcake
- Ed Leslie, known as Brutus Beefcake, experimented with numerous gimmicks including Zodiac, The Booty Man, and The Barber.
- While never hugely successful with these changes, he consistently found work in the 80s and 90s, especially in WWF and WCW.
- Some gimmicks like Zodiac are now seen as poor creative choices by WCW.
Mark Henry
- Known for his distinctive braided hairstyle from 2002 to 2013, Henry shaved off his braids in 2013.
- This was a major change, sparking comparisons to rapper Rick Ross on social media.
- Although he wanted to cut it earlier, merchandise and branding concerns delayed the change.
Sheamus
- In early 2015, Sheamus turned heel and debuted a new look featuring a large Mohawk and braided sideburns.
- The braid was short-lived, but the Mohawk remained for several years, becoming a key part of his image.
Kazuchika Okada
- After losing the IWGP Heavyweight title in 2018, Okada dyed his hair red and switched from wrestling shorts to pants.
- This marked a "rough patch" era for Okada, reflecting a more somber and indifferent attitude during that year.
Terry Taylor
- A popular star in wrestling territories during the late 70s and early 80s, Taylor’s career took a downturn when he joined WWF in 1988.
- He adopted the "Red Rooster" gimmick, complete with a red mohawk likened to a rooster’s comb, which is widely regarded as a career-low point.
Edge
- After retiring in 2011 due to injury, Edge cut his long blonde hair in 2012 and maintained this shorter style during his retirement.
- He grew his hair back again before making his wrestling return several years later.
Cody Rhodes
- Known for his various looks such as Stardust and his trademark blonde hair, Cody briefly dyed his hair dark during a feud with Brodie Lee at AEW.
- He explained this was a homage to the "Death and Return of Superman" comics, but many fans missed the reference and preferred his blonde look, which he soon returned to.
Tensai (Matt Bloom)
- After performing as Albert/A-Train in WWE and achieving success in NJPW, Bloom returned to WWE in 2012 with the "Lord Tensai" character.
- This gimmick featured large Japanese-style tattoos and was initially pushed strongly, but fans quickly found the look awkward, leading to a drop in his momentum.
Fan Take:
For WWE fans, these changes highlight how critical presentation is in wrestling, showing that even small tweaks can make or break a wrestler’s connection with the audience. It’s a reminder that character evolution must be carefully managed to maintain fan interest and preserve a wrestler’s legacy.
