1.
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.
3.
Shoe: Jordan True Flight
Year: 2010
John Cena
5.
6.
Shoe: Jordan Jeter Throwback
Year: 2010
2009: Shane McMahon - "Cement" Air Jordan Retro 3
8.
9.
2010: Santino Marella - Nike Air Max Wavy
10.
11.
2011: Lisa Marie Varon aka Victoria aka Tara - Nike Air Max LeBron 8 V/2
12.
13.
2010: John Cena - Jordan Flipsyde
14.
15.
2004: Stacy Keibler - Air Jordan XI Low White/Pink Sample
16.
17.
2009: Shane McMahon - Air Jordan Retro 1 "Olympic"
18.
19.
1998: Bret & Owen Hart - Nike Zoom T-Bug Flight
20.
21.
2007: John Cena - Reebok Pump Omni Lite
22.
23.
2006: Christy Hemme - Sole Collector x Nike Air Max 95 - "Cowboy"
2010: Hulk Hogan - Nike Shox Turbo VI iD
24.
25.
2009: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - Nike Air Max 360 III
2010: John Cena - Jordan Flight 9
26.
27.
2000: Kevin Nash - Nike Air Garnett III
28.
29.
2010: Jeff Hardy - adidas Superstar II
30.
31.
2004: Trish Stratus - Nike Shox Turbo
32.
33.
2009: Batista - Nike Zoom Kobe IV POP
34.
35.
2011: John Cena - Jordan 1 Fund 5/8
36.
37.
Hulk Hogan
39.
40.
Shoe: Nike Shox Elevate
Year: 2006
Lisa Marie Varon aka Victoria
42.
43.
Shoe: Air Jordan 16 Black/Red
Year: 2004
Shane McMahon
Shoe: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'Fire Red'
Year: 2007
Stacy Keibler
46.
47.
Shoe: Air Jordan 10 'Powder'
Year: 2004
John Cena
49.
50.
Shoe: Reebok Pump Bringback
Year: 2006
Edge
52.
53.
Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Year: 2010
John Cena
55.
56.
Shoe: Under Armour Proto Speed II
Year: 2009
Shane McMahon
58.
59.
Shoe: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'True Blue'
Year: 2006
Stacy Keibler
61.
62.
Shoe: adidas a3 Superstar Ultra T-Mac PE
Year: 2004
John Cena
64.
65.
Shoe: Air Jordan 2009
Year: 2009
Kevin Nash
67.
68.
Shoe: Air Jordan 13 'Bred'
Year: 1998
Gail Kim
70.
71.
Shoe: PUMA Suede
Year: 2006
Hulk Hogan
73.
74.
Shoe: New Balance 8574
Year: 2009
John Cena
'
Shoe: Reebok Pump Show Stopper
Year: 2007
The Rock
77.
78.
Shoe: Under Armour Proto Speed Trainer
Year: 2011
Torrie Wilson
80.
81.
Shoe: Reebok G-Unit G6 Women's Mid
Year: 2004
Kevin Nash
83.
84.
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