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Pro Wrestlers are often treated like real-life versions of superheroes.
From strength to speed to their cerebral natures, most pro wrestlers are versions of heroes or villains in one way or another. We cheer for the heroes to come out on top and root against the evil, vile nature of the heels/supervillains.
You could even argue that a lot of wrestling personas are based on characters from comics. Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt both mirror aspects of the Joker and his unstable, unpredictable nature. The way some wrestlers like Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, and Neville fly around, you'd think they had some superhero in them.
The fact is we need the dichotomy of heroes and villains in both the comics and pro wrestling. The storylines often parallel each other. Here are 10 superstars and their superhero/supervillain counterparts.
#10: Kurt Angle - Captain America
There are just too many comparisons between the former GM of Raw and the World War 2 hero. Angle competed for his country in the Olympics, even winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling with 'a broken freaking neck'.
Captain America fought for his country in WW 2 even though he was consistently rejected because of his sickly nature. Although he would undergo the treatment giving him the super soldier serum, the main reason he was chosen was that of his heart and spirit.
Both characters are synonymous with the Red, White and Blue and are American icons. They both never say die and charge in against the enemy no matter the odds. Captain America even chose a protege in the Falcon and Bucky. Each eventually took up the mantle of Captain America.
Although they haven't taken up his mantle, you could say his 'son' Jason Jordan and Chad Gable both resemble the Olympic gold medalist with their attire and amateur wrestling.
#9: John Cena - Superman
This comparison has been made on air many times by the commentators when Cena would make his usual comebacks during a match. Superman is basically indestructible except for kryptonite.
While Cena isn't indestructible, he was often presented as the biggest hero in the WWE. He's a hero to kids and values truth, justice and the American way. Cena's always stood up for the little guy (on screen) and Superman feels it is his obligation to protect humanity even though he was born on another planet.
Having great power comes with a cost - how to use or not use it. Cena's character has always used his power for good, save for a brief run in the early 2000s as a rapper. Superman always has to hold back when fighting villains because he is often the strongest person.
Unless he fights someone like Doomsday, Darkseid or Solomon Grundy, Superman is unable to unleash the full potential of his arsenal of powers. Cena has always been portrayed as a hero to the WWE Universe and to the younger fans in the audience.
He was the main attraction for WWE and was once considered the top star in the company. Although Superman was once considered the most popular superhero under the DC banner, it can be said that Batman has usurped him ever since the 1980s.
Both heroes are always tempted by being corrupted - fans are always calling for a Cena heel turn to freshen up his character. Superman has often been tempted by villains and heroes alike to go to the dark side. There's even a whole storyline in DC Comics where Superman kills the Joker and accidentally kills his wife Lois Lane (see Injustice: Gods Among Us).
Although both have to constantly deal with the temptation to join the dark side, both have predominantly stayed on the side of good. They are the quintessential heroes and are often both called 'boy scout'.
#8: Kenny Omega - Wolverine
This one works on a few levels. Firstly, the easy comparison is that they are both Canadian.
They both also left Canada and made their marks outside of their homelands. Omega primarily did so in Japan and the US while Wolverine's tribulations obviously have taken him all over the world.
They both were/are a part of one of the most popular factions in each's respective medium. The X-Men ruled the 1990s and early 2000s before the Avengers took over the mantle with their movies and cinematic universe.
And although Omega didn't create the Bullet Club, it's arguable that it was at its peak with him as its leader. Even though it did break up recently, it still was an extremely popular and over faction that initially menaced New Japan.
Another comparison is the pride both take in their work. Chris Jericho might have been a better pick because he actually used to always say he 'was the best in the world at what I do'.
Wolverine is also noted for saying that, although 'what I do' for both guys are different. Wolverine is the best in the world at tracking and sometimes hunting and killing dangerous enemies. Jericho meant he was the best wrestler, but over the last two or three years, that designation can probably be given to Omega.
Omega often wrestles in matches that are methodically drawn out and last over 20-30 minutes. He tells stories with his machinations and facial expressions throughout his matches, including those against the Young Bucks and Cody and Kota Ibushi.
His matches with Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Title even gained six-star ratings. Wolverine and Omega are some of the most popular characters in their respective mediums and it is because they are both so damn good at what they do.
#7: Becky Lynch - Catwoman
The easy comparison for Becky Lynch would have been Poison Ivy because of the red hair. But the attitude doesn't suit Becky. Poison Ivy always uses her feminine wiles and potions to coax men and others to do her bidding.
Catwoman, on the other hand, certainly shares a lot of the same character qualities with the 'Irish Lass Kicker'. Both Becky and Catwoman are antiheroes in a sense.
They're both portrayed as villains - Catwoman as a thief and Becky as a sneak attacker - but both are hailed as heroes in one way or another. It's hard to root against Becky because she has legitimately worked her way from the ground up to become one of the most popular wrestlers in the industry.
She wasn't born into it like some (Roman, Charlotte, Randy) and had to scratch and claw for everything she's ever earned in the business. Catwoman started from humble beginnings as well and resorted to thievery in order to support herself and later her friends.
Since she became such a master thief, she often stole from the bloated, gluttonous rich people that plagued Gotham City. Since both became such masters of their respective crafts, the heroes took notice.
Batman disliked Catwoman at first but realized that they were more the same than they were different. They even started to team up on occasion. In Becky's case, the 'hero' was supposed to be Charlotte (at least according to WWE creative), but the fans weren't having it.
Also in Becky's case, Charlotte resembles Bruce Wayne in that she comes from wrestling royalty. Bruce came from one of the most prominent families in Gotham City. Becky and Catwoman both justify their actions due to the difficult roads they've travelled rather than their last names.
Since both Becky and Catwoman are antiheroes, it's easier to cheer and root for them rather than cheer for the straight-laced archetypes we are told to idolize.
#6: Bray Wyatt - Joker
While Dean Ambrose and the Joker do share a lot of similarities, Bray Wyatt also fits the bill for the 'Clown Prince of Crime'. The Joker is notorious for his schemes that seem to have no rhyme or reason to them but once the veil is peeled back, the true motives for his actions are usually explained.
In the cartoons, he usually just wants to bring chaos and mayhem to the masses, but in the movies, his motivations are a lot darker. In the Dark Knight trilogy, he wants to tear the city down and watch it burn. He targets crooks and heroes alike and tries to get Batman to kill him.
Batman doesn't kill him and the Joker's scheme ultimately fails when the two ships he planted bombs on refuse to blow each other up. One ship carries criminals on it while the other just citizens trying to escape.
Bray Wyatt often tries to speak the truth through his twisted mind but it sometimes comes out as riddles wrapped in enigmas. But if you dissect his cryptic words, there is a twisted logic to them.
He too often targeted the 'heroes' of the WWE like John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. His rantings were often captivating to behold when he first joined the main roster, but now Wyatt has become the poster boy for all bark, no bite.
It's not his fault for losing practically every feud he's been in, but it's hard to invest as him as a real threat these days. The Joker and Wyatt both want the masses to create chaos.
The Joker often uses his patented 'Joker gas' to corrupt the public while Wyatt uses his words to coax the public into 'following the buzzards'. Both use chaos and mayhem as their calling cards.
#5: Roman Reigns - Aquaman
Roman Reigns could be compared to Superman because of the Superman punch and how he has been booked since he became a singles' star. He could also be compared to Thor because of his legendary lineage in the Anoa'i family.
But because the movies is coming out this month, I'm using the comparison to Aquaman. Yes, Aquaman is usually known for his golden locks and as being one of the lamer superheroes.
But if you have actually read a lot of his backstory and storylines, he isn't lame at all. He's a child of two worlds and is often at odds with one or both of them. He can never truly satisfy both worlds with his actions.
He's technically the King of Atlantis but there are many citizens of the ancient city that despise him. He's also greatly despised by many on land despite the heroic actions his takes in order to protect both.
Does that sound a lot like WWE's poster boy for the new age?
For what seems like the last five years, no matter what Roman would do, people would boo. He was often portrayed as heroic and his actions backed that up. But like Aquaman, you cannot tell the people how to feel, who to root for or who to support.
People will like who they want to and despise those who are shoved down their throats for whatever reason. Roman always did his best with what he was given and Aquaman tries to do the same in both of his societies.
Both were/are parts of the most popular factions at one point or another. The Shield ruled WWE when it first formed and became so popular that they were turned face.
The Justice League is arguably the most popular group in DC Comics and has continued to be through it's many versions. Let's also not forget the elephant in the room regarding who's playing Aquaman in the upcoming DC Movie.
Jason Momoa and Roman Reigns look a lot like each other. I'm sure the similarities are a lot less if they were side by side, but separately, they look very similar. Both have long, wet black hair, deep, piercing eyes and small beards.
A lot of the similarities pertaining to looks can probably be attributed to the island nature of each man. Momoa is of Hawaiian descent while Reigns is famously from the Samoan Anoa'i family.
#4: Dean Ambrose: Two-Face
Most people would assume that Dean Ambrose and the Joker are perfect matches.
While it's true that they are both seen as mentally unstable manipulators, I went a different direction for Dean. Two-Face used to be Batman's friend when he was simply District Attorney Harvey Dent and Batman was merely beginning his crusade against the corrupt.
But after a traumatic experience where acid was thrown in his face, Dent's psyche fractured into two parts - the stable Dent half and the unstable, driven by chance Two-Face part.
Dean was always a trusted ally of his friend, Roman Reigns, but when the latter had to temporarily 'leave' the WWE in order to deal with his leukaemia, Dean lost it.
He turned on his other friend, Seth Rollins, later in the same night Roman left his belt in the middle of the ring. Dean and the Shield terrorized the WWE when they first joined the main roster, but he's been a villain for the first time as a singles' wrestler.
And ever since Roman has left, Dean has done nothing but torment his former friends. At first, he mocked Roman, saying he'd have to pay for his sins.
But since he's around, Rollins has suffered the brunt of Dean's malice. Like Rollins, Batman has faced the majority of hate spewed by Two-Face ever since Dent transformed.
Two-Face often blames Bruce for things in his life and Bruce does feel guilty for what happened to his one-time friend. He still believes that Harvey can be reasoned with and always considers him a friend despite his villainous deeds.
Dean, Roman and Rollins will always fight together and fight one another. They'll always be linked together due to their beginnings in the Shield. Sometimes your greatest friends become your worst enemies.
#3: Ricochet - Spiderman
There are a lot of wrestlers that could be compared to Spider-Man - Will Ospreay, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Neville and Rey Mysterio. But I chose 'the One and Only' of NXT, Ricochet.
And even though that nickname sounds like that of an arrogant person, Ricochet has done nothing but back up the nickname ever since he joined NXT. His antics in the ladder match for the NXT North American Championship were amazing.
He jumped all around the cages and rings at WarGames 2. He even performed one of the most amazing feats on NXT TV when he simply jumped out of the ring onto the ramp to confront the Velveteen Dream.
Okay, he didn't simply jump out of the ring. He performed a full 360 flip over the top ropes after getting a running start. It placed him a few feet away from the Dream. If you haven's seen it, just google 'Ricochet and Spider-Man jump'.
And then you'll see why the comparison fits. Both are slender, agile heroes that are often flying through the sky. Ricochet flies through the sky when he's jumping off the top rope or performing his finishing 630 splash.
Spider-Man literally flies through the skies thanks to his web-slinging. He attaches from one building to the next, gliding through the sky with the greatest of ease. When Ricochet performs most of his moves, he does so with the greatest of ease. He has sometimes worn a cape to the ring when wrestling for NXT.
Spider-Man is a hero that is often helping out others and Ricochet did the same when the Undisputed Era attacked the War Raiders and Pete Dunne.
#2: Braun Strowman - The Hulk
This is probably one of the easiest ones to peg. Both the Incredible Hulk and Braun Strowman are hulking beasts more than mere men. The Hulk can jump from mountain to mountain and survive falls out of aeroplanes.
He can also cause mini earthquakes if he smashes the ground and is often on the side of good when fighting the likes of Loki, Ultron, the Leader and Thanos. Braun Strowman is actually a human, so he cannot jump from one mountain to the next.
He also wouldn't survive a fall out of an aeroplane. But what he can do in the context of pro wrestling is certainly Hulk-like. He's lifted ambulances and cars alike while also pushing dumpsters and full stagings over. Both are brutish with their strength as Braun finishes opponents off with a power slam while the Hulk uses his fists to pummel enemies.
Both huge men could easily be seen as villains, and at various points in their lives, each has been a villain. Braun started out as an evil follower of Bray Wyatt. The Hulk is often considered a danger to humanity due to the damage he himself and his actions can cause.
His father-in-law, General Ross, considers him a menace. But both have been heroes for the most part, even when Braun was recently turned to a heel in order to feud with Roman Reigns.
He was quickly changed back in order to feud with Brock Lesnar. They both even have had little friends at one point in Rick Jones (Hulk) and Nicholas (Braun).
One big difference between the two, however, is that the Hulk often just wants to be left alone. Braun just wants viable competition and to win gold. He did win his only main roster gold with his little friend.
#1: Vince McMahon - Lex Luthor
This is also another easy comparison to make. Vince McMahon is the evil genius behind the WWE's success. He's also the evil genius behind a lot of the many storylines in history.
He was the higher power that controlled the WWE and he was actually behind the kidnapping of his daughter when he helped lead the Corporate Ministry. Lex Luthor is also an evil genius; he really is a genius along the lines of Stephen Hawking and Tony Stark.
He is behind most of the plots that ruin Superman's life and he always opposes the 'Man of Steel'. Luthor sees Superman as a menace and tries to get the public to reject Superman as an alien who has more power than a god.
Vince McMahon once tried to feud with God and Shawn Michaels and claimed victory once 'God' didn't show up. Both men are also billionaires who first came from money but ultimately grew their father's businesses.
Lionel Luthor was an evil genius before Lex was, but Lex really brought it to the mainstream with experiments and projects under LexCorp and Cadmus. His evil schemes often pitted heroes against each other and Lex even became president in one storyline.
Vince McMahon bought the WWWF/WWF from Vince Sr. and monopolized the previous model of territorial promotions. By consolidating territories and wrestlers, Vince was able to grow the WWF into the biggest wrestling company in the world.
He also brought pro wrestling into the mainstream as a form of 'sports entertainment'. Both men also will spin any yarn in order to justify their actions. They'll do anything to justify their actions, plans and greedy natures.
They have moral compasses usually pointing South and will do anything to get their ways. Vince even looked a little bit like Luthor when he had his head shaved by Donald Trump at Wrestlemania 23.
STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO COMING SOON!
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