Sneakermania: Kicks Worn By Wrestlers In & Outside of the Ring

Get ready for tonight's presentation of Wrestlemania XXVII by taking a look at some instances of when sneaker culture has invaded the squared circle.

Sneakermania: Kicks Worn By Wrestlers In & Outside of the Ring

1.

Sneakermania: Kicks Worn By Wrestlers In & Outside of the Ring

words // Brandon Richard

Throughout the course of history, professional wrestlers have been known to lace up a pair of high-cut leather boots for in-ring competition. Some of the boots have even become famous in their own right. The Iron Sheik's curled-toe Persian boots, Hulk Hogan's bright yellow leather boots and Bret Hart's Concord XI-like patent leather boots are a few that are recognized outside of the world of wrestling.


While the boot is still standard in-ring gear, sneakers have turned up between the ropes more often in recent years. A lot of this started in the late 90s, when wrestling promotions moved away from traditional set-ups for more a more edgy and current feel with their product. You've probably heard of John Cena, a current WWE superstar who has made basketball shoes a part of his usual match get-up. Before him, guys like Kevin Nash and Shane McMahon frequently wore shoes that would be considered "heat" in the sneaker community inside the ring.

We here at Sole Collector can even make the claim of having a hand in blending sneakers and wrestling. Long-time readers of our magazine may recall that we shot WWE Divas for Issues 4 & 5 and TNA Knockouts for Issue 13. Names like Stacy Keibler, Trish Stratus. Torrie Wilson and Christy Hemme are just a few that have graced the SC pages.


Today, the WWE will present the 27th edition of their annual spectacle, Wrestlemania at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. There's an increased buzz surrounding this year's event due to the return of the People's Champ, The Rock, who will be hosting the show. To celebrate Wrestlemania XXVII and bridge the gap between the sneaker world and professional wrestling, let's recap some of the best sneakers we've seen worn by wrestlers, inside and outside of the ring.

Bret Hart

2.

Bret Hart wearing the Jordan True Flight

3.

Bret Hart wearing the Jordan True Flight

Shoe: Jordan True Flight

Year: 2010


John Cena

5.

John Cena wearing the Jordan Jeter Throwback

6.

John Cena wearing the Jordan Jeter Throwback

Shoe: Jordan Jeter Throwback

Year: 2010


2009: Shane McMahon - "Cement" Air Jordan Retro 3

8.

Shane McMahon wearing the Cement Air Jordan Retro 3

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Shane McMahon wearing the Cement Air Jordan Retro 3

 

2010: Santino Marella - Nike Air Max Wavy

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Santino Marella wearing the Nike Air Max Wavy

11.

Santino Marella wearing the Nike Air Max Wavy

 

2011: Lisa Marie Varon aka Victoria aka Tara - Nike Air Max LeBron 8 V/2

12.

Victoria wearing the Nike Air Max LeBron 8 V/2

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Victoria wearing the Nike Air Max LeBron 8 V/2

 

2010: John Cena - Jordan Flipsyde

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John Cena wearing the Jordan Flipsyde

15.

John Cena wearing the Jordan Flipsyde

 

2004: Stacy Keibler - Air Jordan XI Low White/Pink Sample

16.

Stacy Keibler wearing the Air Jordan XI Low

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Stacy Keibler wearing the Air Jordan XI Low

 

2009: Shane McMahon - Air Jordan Retro 1 "Olympic"

18.

Shane McMahon wearing the Air Jordan Retro 1 Olympic

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Shane McMahon wearing the Air Jordan Retro 1 Olympic

 

1998: Bret & Owen Hart - Nike Zoom T-Bug Flight

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Bret & Owen Hart wearing the Nike Zoom T-Bug Flight

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Bret & Owen Hart wearing the Nike Zoom T-Bug Flight

 

2007: John Cena - Reebok Pump Omni Lite

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John Cena wearing Reebok Pump Omni Lite

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John Cena wearing Reebok Pump Omni Lite

 

2006: Christy Hemme - Sole Collector x Nike Air Max 95 - "Cowboy"

 

 

2010: Hulk Hogan - Nike Shox Turbo VI iD

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Hulk Hogan wearing the Nike Shox Turbo  VI iD

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Hulk Hogan wearing the Nike Shox Turbo  VI iD

2009: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - Nike Air Max 360 III


The Rock wearing Nike Air Max 360 IIIThe Rock wearing Nike Air Max 360 III

 

2010: John Cena - Jordan Flight 9

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John Cena wearing the Jordan Flight 9

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John Cena wearing the Jordan Flight 9

 

2000: Kevin Nash - Nike Air Garnett III

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Kevin Nash wearing the Nike Air Garnett III

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Kevin Nash wearing the Nike Air Garnett III

 

2010: Jeff Hardy - adidas Superstar II

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Jeff Hardy wearing the adidas Superstar II

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Jeff Hardy wearing the adidas Superstar II

 

2004: Trish Stratus - Nike Shox Turbo

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Trish Stratus wearing the Nike Shox Turbo via Sole Collector

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Trish Stratus wearing the Nike Shox Turbo via Sole Collector

 

2009: Batista - Nike Zoom Kobe IV POP

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Batista wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI POP

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Batista wearing the Nike Zoom Kobe VI POP

 

2011: John Cena - Jordan 1 Fund 5/8

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John Cena wearing the Jordan 1 Fund 5/8

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John Cena wearing the Jordan 1 Fund 5/8

Hulk Hogan

39.

Hulk Hogan wearing Nike Shox Elevate

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Hulk Hogan wearing Nike Shox Elevate

Shoe: Nike Shox Elevate

Year: 2006


Lisa Marie Varon aka Victoria

42.

Lisa Marie Varon wearing the Air Jordan XVI

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Lisa Marie Varon wearing the Air Jordan XVI

Shoe: Air Jordan 16 Black/Red

Year: 2004


Shane McMahon

Shoe: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'Fire Red'

Year: 2007


Stacy Keibler

46.

Stacy Keibler wearing the Air Jordan X via Sole Collector

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Stacy Keibler wearing the Air Jordan X via Sole Collector

Shoe: Air Jordan 10 'Powder'

Year: 2004


John Cena

49.

John Cena wearing the Reebok Pump Bringback

50.

John Cena wearing the Reebok Pump Bringback

Shoe: Reebok Pump Bringback

Year: 2006


Edge

52.

Edge wearing the Converse Chuck Taylor-All-Star Hi

53.

Edge wearing the Converse Chuck Taylor-All-Star Hi

Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Year: 2010


John Cena

55.

John Cena wearing the Under Armour Proto Speed I

56.

John Cena wearing the Under Armour Proto Speed I

Shoe: Under Armour Proto Speed II

Year: 2009


Shane McMahon

58.

Shane McMahon wearing the Air Jordan Retro 3 True Blue

59.

Shane McMahon wearing the Air Jordan Retro 3 True Blue

Shoe: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'True Blue'

Year: 2006


Stacy Keibler

61.

Stacy Keibler with the adidas a3 Superstar Ultra

62.

Stacy Keibler with the adidas a3 Superstar Ultra

Shoe: adidas a3 Superstar Ultra T-Mac PE

Year: 2004


John Cena

64.

John Cena wearing the Air Jordan 2009

65.

John Cena wearing the Air Jordan 2009

Shoe: Air Jordan 2009

Year: 2009


Kevin Nash

67.

Kevin Nash wearing the Air Jordan XIII

68.

Kevin Nash wearing the Air Jordan XIII

Shoe: Air Jordan 13 'Bred'

Year: 1998


Gail Kim

70.

Gail Kim wearing the PUMA Suede

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Gail Kim wearing the PUMA Suede

Shoe: PUMA Suede

Year: 2006


Hulk Hogan

73.

Hulk Hogan wearing the New Balance 8574

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Hulk Hogan wearing the New Balance 8574

Shoe: New Balance 8574

Year: 2009


John Cena

John Cena wearing the Reebok Pump ShowstopperJohn Cena wearing the Reebok Pump Show Stopper'

Shoe: Reebok Pump Show Stopper

Year: 2007


The Rock

77.

The Rock wearing Under Armour Proto Speed Trainer

78.

The Rock wearing Under Armour Proto Speed Trainer

Shoe: Under Armour Proto Speed Trainer

Year: 2011


Torrie Wilson

80.

Torrie Wilson wearing the Reebok G-Unit G6 Women's Mid via Sole Collector

81.

Torrie Wilson wearing the Reebok G-Unit G6 Women's Mid via Sole Collector

Shoe: Reebok G-Unit G6 Women's Mid

Year: 2004


Kevin Nash

83.

Kevin Nash wearing the Air Jordan Retro 11

84.

Kevin Nash wearing the Air Jordan Retro 11

Shoe: Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Bred'

Year: 2002


Shane McMahon

86.

87.

Shoe: Nike Dunk High SB 'Papa Bear'

Year: 2007


Kelly Kelly

89.

90.

Shoe: Nike Big Nike High GS

Year: 2009