20 Rare Pics Of Wrestlers As Fans

Bayley just wanted to give Batista a big ol' hug...

Bayley Sasha Banks
WWE.com

Before turning heel, Bayley's beaming face was a joy to behold, at least in NXT; her super-fan persona worked so well because she brimmed with very authentic-feeling enthusiasm. This is likely because, as with the best wrestling gimmicks, it was closer to a shoot than a work. Look at that picture with a Batista 8x10.

10-15 years prior to making it, she could only have dreamed about (and in face did dream about) winning titles or working alongside her heroes on TV every week.

The same goes for many of WWE's current roster. This gallery looks at WWE stars past and present who grew up as fans, and it shows everyone from Bayley, Sasha Banks, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens and Drew McIntyre as wide-eyed kids/teens who were thrilled to show off their passion.

You'll see cosplay, action figures, cardboard cutouts, posters, home-made signs, posed pictures, dodgy haircuts and more in this feast of fandom. It's an often-cringeworthy look back to a time when these guys and gals weren't stars, they were punters.

It's a wonder Triple H didn't get a restraining order against Ricochet though. Just wait until you reach his entry; the combo of hair and starstruck stare is rather intense...

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood.