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WWF Fashion -- 6 Wrestlers Who Changed the Way We Dress

WWF Fashion -- 6 Wrestlers Who Changed the Way We Dress

Posted: Jan 23rd 2010 By: CMBurnham

Yeah, we know it's fake and that it often lacks in political correctness, but still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a red-blooded American male that has never been into professional wrestling.

Whether you're a WWF (World Wrestling Federation) fan from way back when or a WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) enthusiast today, you know that loving wrestling is a rite of passage for any young man.

Feats of strength and theatrics aside, StreetLevel has to acknowledge these gifted grapplers for their contribution modern style. That's right, style. These kings of the ring are actually the unsung heroes of "swagger," Here we honor six influential wrestlers who unknowingly redefined urban style as we know it.

"The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase

With a diamonds and dollar signs aesthetic reminiscent of a grown-up Richie Rich, Ted Dibiase a.k.a. the Million Dollar Man was famous for three things: his obnoxious attitude, his diamond-encrusted "Million Dollar Belt" and his manservant Virgil.

Before the Notorious B.I.G. went from "ashy-to-classy" Dibiase set the standard for what classy was. His superior tuxedo game has been emulated by many stylish high scool prom attendees and music biz impresario Sean "Diddy" Combs has even taken a page from Dibiase's book and had his own manservant. A little known fact is that a very young Dwayne Carter first uttered the words "bling bling" upon seeing the Million Dollar Belt on television.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Before female rapper Eve described herself as a "pitbull in a skirt" there was "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The Scotsman terrorized his way to the top of the WWF in the mid-eighties while wearing his signature kilt and "Hot Rod!" tee.We're sure that his get up may have caused some confusion about gender roles for young men, but that is the price of cutting-edge fashion.

Piper's star turn in 1988's "They Live" cemented his impact on the fashion industry as he resurrected the Ray Ban, Influenced by Piper, designers Marc Jacobs and Thom Brown have both incorporated elements of his style into their menswear lines making the wail of his bagpipes as sweet a sound as the ring of the cash register.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage

Randy Savage's impact on the fashion industry is undeniable. His effortless fashion sense ushered in multiple trends such as western hats and stunna shades. The original rhinestone cowboy's chants of "oh yeah" have even assisted in molding the animated personas of beloved characters such as the Kool Aid Man and Jodeci.

A man of his fashion dominance only deserves a fitting counterpart, and the beauty pageant stylings of his girlfriend/manager Miss Elizabeth had adolescent fan boys fantasizing about what lay under the layers of pastel chiffon. The dominant duo caused waves in the industry with their beauty and the beast pairing bringing a regal upheaval to the ring.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels

Before Kanye West could welcome you to Heartbreak, before KiD CuDi made it cool to be solo dolo, Shawn Michaels was the original lonely stoner. After splitting with his then partner (think tag team, not life partner) Marty Janetty in a public and emotional tiff, hockey-haired Shawn went on to being known as "The Heartbreak Kid." His slinky white leather outfits didn't break hearts as much as they did the rules of men's wear.

His penchant for high kicks, acrobatics, arrogance and posturing became the template for groups like like Aerosmith, Van Halen, Motley Cr?e and countless hair bands. He also inspired Billy Ray Cyrus's 1992 hit "Achy Breaky Heart."

Bret "The Hitman" Hart

"One glare and wink [and he] had everyone wearing pink" this line penned by Harlem rapper Cam'ron in his song "Take 'Em To Church" was actually a nod to "The Hitman" Bret Hart. He and his brother-in-law, Jim ""The Anvil" Neidhart, ruled the wrestling roost as the Hart Foundation all the while making pink an accent color in the American consciousness.

His unapologetic pink unitards left little to the imagination but what you couldn't image was what process he used to actually invent the Jherri Curl. Yes, contrary to popular belief it was this Canadian champion who developed the hair process that'd become all the rage in the African-American community of the 1980s. His long lackered locks sported a chemical curl so gangsta that it would inspire groups such as NWA to pick up glocks just to be half as hardcore as "The Excellence of Execution"

Koko B. Ware

Lesser known for his wrestling steez than for his immaculate style, the original Birdman, Koko B. Ware, turned the ring in to Wet Willies with his Miami Beach inspired get-ups. An accomplished singer as well as an athlete, his fondness for mixing colors and patterns spawned the early days of streetwear as his cosign made it safe for kids to begin experimenting with mismatched fashion.

His smooth moves and stage presence motivated a then young Bryan Williams to take on the name "Birdman" and start Cash Money Records even though at the time he could not afford a fabulous Macaw like Koko's "Frankie."

Honorable Mention

"The Model" Rick Martel

Jumping the gun on his own fame, the self-proclaimed model went on to bottle his own fragrance "Arrogance" Though it featured a clever ad campaign, discerning cologne buyers did not want his man-spray anywhere on their bodies.

 

Tags: WWF, WWE, Ted DiBiase, Roddy Piper, Jim Neidhart, Koko B. Ware

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Spotlight in History

  • 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2007 Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-05
  • Bill Watts May 5th Today!
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th Today!
  • El Matador Dos May 5th Today!
  • Princess Victoria May 5th Today!
  • Shane Rawls May 5th Today!
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th Today!
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th Today!
  • El Gallardo May 5th Today!
  • Zane Morris May 5th Today!
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th Today!
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th

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