10 Most Radical WWE Character Transformations Of The Past 10 Years
Can you even imagine asking for a hug now?
In less than 10 years, a certain 'Stunning' Hollywood Blonde named Steve metamorphosed into a Stone Cold, beer-swilling SOB whose top draw antics rebooted an entire industry. He flaunted a few rings along the way. Great times.
Transformations tend to come around for the following reasons: When a wrestler has a bucket load of potential but hasn't found their true character calling yet, when a well-established gimmick has stayed its course for such a length that a breath of fresh air is needed, or when creative loses its damn mind and throws in a baffling curveball, mostly to the detriment of the performer.
The industry's truly classic transformations may have gone down several decades ago at this stage, but the last ten years have heralded some interesting changes too. As NXT has served as a spinal column for WWE talent since 2010, it's no surprise that many on this list began life in that brand, and with a very different personality.
The resulting transitions may range from contentious to inevitable, but it's always intriguing to scroll back through the network archives and dig out those comparatively uncharacteristic origin stories
10. Rhea Ripley
It's been a hell of a three years for Rhea Ripley in the WWE, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing.
Three years may also be a swift blip for many gimmicks, but Ripley didn't hang about for her transition. On making her strong debut at NXT in late 2017, Rhea had an almost early-John Cena simplicity to her in-ring presence and attire. That all changed at the Mae Young Classic in 2018, when she returned black-clad with metal studs, a pumping metal soundtrack, and a notably villainous persona.
This character laid the groundwork, with steady tweaks made in the following seasons. Rhea Ripley is now a finely tuned babyface badass who still runs the NXT circuit, but has also bagged some quality time in the main roster, and in WrestleMania. She's one of the most distinct and unique competitors in the women's division.
That swift change in appearance and personality has without a doubt shaped her ongoing legacy. Rhea Ripley, along with the fans, has never looked back.