Masks have always added intrigue to pro-wrestling. While not on the same level as the luchadors in Mexico, American wrestling too relies on masked wrestlers to add dimension to a character.
While there is no doubt that the most iconic masked wrestler in WWE history has been Kane, there are plenty of other superstars who have used the masks effectively – either short term or long term.
This list takes a look at the top 5 unmaskings in WWE/WCW history
5. Los Conquistadors
The Conquistadors unmasked immediately, revealing themselves to be the Hardys where as Commissioner Mick Foley provided video footage to prove that Edge and Christian had donned the masks at No Mercy to win the gold.
4. Diamond Dallas Page
Only a handful of true WCW main eventers jumped ship to WWE immediately after the Georgia based promotion folded and the biggest name was Diamond Dallas Page. He was immediately put in a feud with the Undertaker – but with a weak stalker gimimick.
Vignettes started airing of a masked person stalking the Undertaker’s then wife Sara and the Deadman became hell bent on finding out who the mystery man was. One night, the stalker came down to the ring in a motor cycle simillar to the Undertaker’s and then unmasked himself – revealing to be DDP.
The arena exploded, but the feud ended up with DDP getting buried – figuratively.
3. Rey Mysterio
This happened in WCW in 1999 – Mysterio teamed up with Konnan in a match against Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The stipulation was that if Rey’s team won, Ms. Elizabeth would get her head shaved bald where as if they lost, Mysterio would remove his mask.
Mysterio was a popular star in WCW due to his high flying ways and the mask was considered his trade mark. Also, it was considered a sign of respect in Mexico and Rey did not want to put the mask on the line in a standard tag team match.
But the WCW officials had their say and Rey’s team lost the match, resulting in Mysterio exposing his face to the fans.
2. Ciclope
Chris Jericho announced himself in the big leagues with his stint in WCW where he became the cocky Cruiserweight Champion. He entered in to a a feud with Dean Malenko where he insulted Malenko’s dad and forced him – kayfabe – out of the company.
At Slamboree, a battle royal was held to determine the No:1 contender for Jericho’s title. After the smoke cleared, it came down to Juventud Guerrera and a masked new comer named Ciclope. Much to the dismay of the crowd, Juventud shook Ciclope’s hand and elimianted himself, handing over the victory to the new comer.
The winner immediately unmasked revealing himself to be Malenko, much to the delight of the crowd as a terrified Jericho looked on from ring side.
1. Kane
The best unmasking in wrestling history has been that of Kane’s. The Big Red Monster had built quite a following with his gimmick and his red mask was very essential to it.
Fans loved the quiet, brooding monster who could destroy opponents and feel no pain. In a build up that was executed perfectly, Kane took on the then World Champion Triple H for the title on Raw with his mask on the line.
While the match could have been saved for a PPV, it did produce a great reaction from the live crowd and after interference from Evolution cost Kane the match, he unmasked himself, revealing his face.
This kicked off an angle where the originally face Kane became completely unhinged and gradually became a heel, chokeslamming the likes of his tag team partner Rob Van Dam, Stone Cold, Eric Bischoff as well as tombstoning Linda McMahon, electrocuting Shane McMahon and setting J.R on fire.
Kane was red hot at this time and deserved the World title to be put on him, but it would take seven years more for that to happen.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
