4. Stone Cold Steve Austin
WWE became a whole lot more theatrical in the 1980s, and the trend soon spread across all of American wrestling. By the 90s, outlandish costumes became as important a part of the proceedings as headlocks and drop toe holds. Even the most talented competitors -- men like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels -- wore tight spandex with flashy colors and designs. Steve Austin was not part of that culture. With black boots, trunks, and kneepads, he looked like he could have stepped out of any decade in the 20th century to compete. While it didn't necessarily get over at first -- Eric Bischoff allegedly cited Austin's "boring" look when firing him from WCW in 1995 -- the no-nonsense ring gear of Stone Cold became every bit as iconic as his catchphrases and maneuvers. Just as notable -- if not more so -- is Austin's shaved-to-the-bone head and goatee. An unusual look when he adopted it in 1996, it began to get more and more commonplace as Austin's popularity skyrocketed -- shopping malls across America were filled with balding men who may not have had Austin's physique, but wanted to convey some of his bad-ass attitude. The simple gear, shaved head, and facial hair all came together to give Austin an icy, intimidating look. Though the elements were simple individually, together they became an unforgettable part of pro wrestling imagery.