10 Current Wrestlers Whose Characters Are Like Their Real Life Selves

"Living your gimmick" is wrestling terminology for a wrestler who is the same person outside the ring as they are on-camera. This practice was not only more commonplace in days past, but it was actually considered to be somewhat mandatory as maintaining kayfabe was always of paramount importance, especially in WWE.

Since wrestling has become more performance based and, in some cases, scripted, wrestlers have adapted more of a character approach to their personas, much like an actor would. However, there are still some wrestlers who present an authentic version of their true personalities on-screen. Here are 10 current wrestlers who still "live the gimmick."

10 Sonny Kiss

Sonny Kiss is groundbreaking in pro wrestling in a variety of ways. Identifying as female, Sonny still wrestles men in AEW and Independent promotions. Sonny is the exact same person outside the ring as she is inside of it.

She has lived her life unapologetically and has shattered stereotypes in the process. Sonny is a prime example of someone who doesn't play a character on television, but rather presents herself in a completely true to life fashion.

9 Maki Itoh

One of the most over the top and zaniest personalities in modern wrestling, Maki Itoh is the genuine article. If you follow Maki on social media, you will see that she is quite possibly even more outrageous OUTSIDE the ring. With her eclectic interests and playful demeanor, Maki can be something of an acquired taste.

Though she is not contracted to AEW, she has made several appearances for the company and has, at the very least, made an impression on every one of those occasions. While she may be polarizing for some, you can't deny that Maki is exactly what she presents herself to be.

8 Minoru Suzuki

One of the most feared competitors in all of New Japan and beyond, Minoru Suzuki is as legitimate as they come. With the scars to prove it, Suzuki is what is commonly referred to as a "shooter" in the wrestling business. Because he is not only a pro wrestler, but also a mixed martial artist, Minoru carries himself as such.

He is highly respected by his peers and generally viewed as a man not to be trifled with. While Minoru can be jovial and fun-loving outside the ring, his tough guy image is the real deal.

7 Hook

Hook is the embodiment of pro wrestling's version of a "Gen Z'er." He's apathetic, detached, and just has a general sense of ambivalence that surrounds him. His Father, legendary wrestler, Taz, has confirmed that Hook's persona is not a put on. Taz has said that Hook won't even answer his text messages most of the time.

Hook has also garnered a reputation as something of a ladies' man, and after being spotted at several gentlemen's clubs, that status seems to have been confirmed. All things considered, it would appear that Hook is the same person outside the ring, as he is in it.

6 The Briscoes

The brothers from Sandy Fork, Delaware, are presented as scrappy farm boys who won't back down from anything or anyone. They are presented as such, because that is exactly what they are. Mark and Jay Briscoe are intense, uncouth, and a little crazy.

The Briscoes don't just back down from a fight, but they EMBRACE them, even if it's against each other. Born and raised on a farm in Delaware, The Briscoe Brothers are exactly what you see of them on television.

5 Jon Moxley

Jon Moxley is one of the biggest stars currently in AEW, and he's also one of the quirkiest and most unhinged. If you've ever encountered Moxley outside the ring, you will see that his eccentric character traits are quite real.

He is slightly anti-social and naturally private, giving off an aura of unpredictability. It's quite probable that Jon's unorthodox personality is what has made him so popular with AEW fans. One thing is certain and that is that Jon Moxley and Jonathan Good are virtually one and the same.

4 Darby Allin

Darby Allin is an example of a pro wrestler who walks a fine line between audacity and insanity. Perhaps no other wrestler outside of Mick Foley has shown such a blatant disregard for his own well-being.

The difference between Darby and Foley is that the former doesn't simply limit his daredevil exploits to the wrestling ring. On any given day, you can find Darby jumping off a bridge or doing skateboard stunts on his own time. While he is not the most conscientious wrestler, no one can argue that Darby Allin is as authentic as they come.

3 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar and Sable at Minnesota Viking training camp

It was only a couple of years into Brock Lesnar's career, that we learned that he is not much of a social butterfly. Countless fans have attested that Brock can be moody and unapproachable in real life, which is completely in tune with his wrestling character. In fact, Brock has wrestled under his real name for his entire career, allowing him to present himself exactly as he is.

To Brock's credit, he has never pretended to be something he is not, readily accepting all the potential criticisms that may come his way as a result. With Brock Lesnar, it's very much a situation of what you see is what you get. Cowboy Brock also gave fans a different look at what Lesnar is truly like, away from prying eyes.

2 Eddie Kingston

It's funny, because Eddie Kingston's real personality almost seems like a character straight from a Hollywood script. He's bombastic, over the top and defiant, but he is also 100% authentic. In all honesty, Pro Wrestling is likely the only sphere of life that Kingston could find lasting success in, due to his unabashed personality.

What makes Eddie so special is that he blurs the line between reality and fiction so well, that he often makes for must see television. Eddie Kingston is the prime example of the legendary Terry Funk's words, "I can't make you believe that wrestling is real, but I can make you believe that I am."

1 Matt Riddle

What makes Matt Riddle so special is that you kind of feel like you already know him. It's not so much that he's the everyman like a Steve Austin or a Dusty Rhodes, but we all know someone who is kind of like Matt. He's goofy, fun-loving and sometimes seems short of a brain cell or two, but insincere he is not.

Look no further than Riddle's backstage altercation with Bill Goldberg, and you will see that Riddle conducts himself outside the ring, exactly as he does inside of it. As his star in WWE continues to rise, it's highly probable that much of his success is due to being the most authentic version of himself.