Leva Bates is a fun female wrestler, one bursting with personality. A fan of using cosplay for her in-ring outfits and entrances, Bates has wrestled for Shimmer Women Athletes since 2009, and it seemed only a matter of time before either TNA or WWE would come calling. In late-2014, it was the latter who were first to take the plunge, using Bates as enhancement talent on NXT. Instead of being given a name, the Diva had her colourful personality taken literally, being called 'Blue Pants' by the announcers, because she, well, she wears blue trousers to the ring. Over time, this has become Bates adopted name in WWE, something which doesn't represent the best of starts for her career with the company. In essence, this is the same as creative deciding to call Rey Mysterio 'Masked Guy', or Bray Wyatt 'Hat Man', because he wears a hat during his entrance. It shows a quite astonishing lack of creativity - if you care so little about a performer as to name them after something so generic, why even bother having them on the show at all? How are fans supposed to believe this is a larger-than-life personality, because she wears blue clothing? Is that really her only distinguishing feature?
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.