Real Reason For Karrion Kross' New WWE Look

Here's why Karrion Kross was dressed in Demolition cosplay on this week's Raw.

Karrion Kross
WWE

Karrion Kross debuted a bizarre new look on this week's episode of WWE Raw, walking to the ring wearing a studded black and red mask with two leather straps crisscrossing over his torso.

The former NXT Champion didn't wrestle in the mask but the straps were there for the duration of his 90-second bout with Ricochet. Well, almost. The elaborate attire appeared to slip and/or break as Kross was putting the high-flyer away.

Karrion's new great was met with a mixed response online, with many drawing unfavourable comparisons to Demolition, Savio Vega's old Kwang character, Rikishi's Sultan gimmick, and many, many more.

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The Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast's Andrew Zarian has now revealed why WWE opted to change things up for Kross, with marketing seemingly behind the move:-

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Kross hasn't made the most fortunate start to main roster life. Called up on 19 July, he was immediately jobbed out to Jeff Hardy in under two minutes, with another defeat on the horizon before a positive COVID-19 test took Hardy off television.

While Kross has gone 4-1 on Raw since then, his stripped-back ring entrance (compared to NXT) and apparent split from Scarlett has robbed him of much of his bombast - and he isn't drawing any kind of crowd response at the moment either.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.