10 Best Pop Culture-Inspired Wrestling Attires
They weren't original, but they were memorable!
Pro wrestling and larger pop culture have always gone hand-in-hand - whether entertainment is taking cues from the most popular aspects of the sport (it's been a while, but Stone Cold Steve Austin and D-Generation X infiltrated society in a huge way), or, more commonly, wrestling is emulating whatever's popular on TV or in film, the relationship is ongoing. That's not a bad thing, either - in both instances, the trend can help pro wrestling seem more important or popular, with its finger on the pulse of what's hot.
When it comes to influencing wrestling, pop culture's largest offering has been visual. Movies, television, and comic books are responsible for some of the most iconic, intimidating, and creative characters known to the public, and it's no surprise that wrestling would seek to capitalize on that proven success in terms of ring gear and entrance wear. With the big budgets of the world's top wrestling promotions, sometimes the results were equally breathtaking.
Here are the ten best-executed pop culture-inspired ring looks. Some were permanent and others only made a single appearance, and some were wildly successful while others were flops - but they were all so well executed that they won't ever be forgotten.
10. Zack Ryder - Ghostbusters
Anyone who's followed Zack Ryder online knows that he's a true child of the 80s, and as such, a big fan of Ghostbusters. Ryder was interviewed about the movie on WWE.com and appeared on an episode of Travel Channel's "Toy Hunter" to show off his action figure collection.
In 2012, Ryder debuted new gear paying homage to the film. The tan coloring of his trunks, kneepads, and headband mimics that of the Ghostbusters' jumpsuits, and the decal on the kneepads is a Zacked-out version of the classic Ghostbusters logo. 2012 might not have been the best year of Ryder's career - he was put into a wheelchair by Kane and forced to watch John Cena and Eve Torres kiss - but at least he was stylish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keeJ5L6wktQ
Just this past April, Ryder debuted concept art for another Ghostbusters-inspired outfit, this one covered in green slime. Let's hope this outfit finds its way to Raw soon!