Why So Many Pro Wrestlers Shave Their Body Hair, Explained
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When it comes to the professional wrestling business, one could make the case that having the marketable look of a superstar is essential, whether they're main-event players or not. One specific characteristic that WWE superstars like John Cena and The Rock can relate to is they all have that marketable appeal stemming from how they appear on TV, as it's no wonder both of them have gone on to have successful careers in the acting scene. With that said, as many wrestlers go the extra mile to keep up with their appearance, one might notice that modern professional wrestlers, in general, usually never appear to have body hair. And stemming from Jim Cornette's theory on this phenomenon, it's understandable why most professional wrestlers appear to have no hair on their bodies.
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The Habit Of Professional Wrestlers Shaving Their Bodies
The professional wrestling industry has long evolved since the entertainment genre has been around, especially regarding wrestler appearances. One could look at professional wrestlers from the modern era compared to professional wrestlers from the 1970s and 1980s and clearly notice the differences in wrestler appearance. For instance, during the 1980s wrestling boom period, professional wrestlers were generally more physically massive than today's professional wrestlers, where more lightweight talents get showcased as main attractions.
However, for the longest time, even going back to the 1980s wrestling boom period, most professional wrestlers have kept themselves shaven regarding their body hair. Only a select few wrestlers over the years have appeared like they haven't shaved their bodies, which helped them stand out from the rest of the roster. Professional wrestlers like the legendary George "The Animal" Steele were known for having a lot of body hair, as it helped him get over as the animal-like savage that he was while simultaneously standing out from the rest of the roster.
However, for the most part, it seems like professional wrestlers are expected to look shaven when wrestling on TV and in front of a live audience, as very few wrestlers even sport body hair. It's hard to imagine someone like John Cena going out on live TV with a hairy chest and legs. Or someone like Hulk Hogan having the run of his in-ring career when returning to WWE in 1983 and having body hair with no tan. It begs the question of why most professional wrestlers shave their bodies and whether it's a requirement by professional wrestling promoters.
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Why Professional Wrestlers Started Shaving Their Bodies
In an episode of Jim Cornette's Cornette's Drive-Thru, he got asked why professional wrestlers would shave their bodies and if it was something they had to do because of the promoters they worked under. Jim Cornette alluded to the fascination of the bodybuilding industry, as it's known by many that bodybuilders often shave their bodies and even get a tan for their competitions. Jim Cornette claimed that professional wrestlers wanted to copy what bodybuilders were doing in their respective industries rather than the notion that they were required to shave.
RELATED: 10 Things Fans Should Know About Jim Cornette's WWE CareerIt's also worth noting Jim Cornette stated that when professional wrestlers started getting showcased on TV while wrestling in lighted arenas, it was another motivational factor in professional wrestlers wanting to look their best by shaving. And considering WWE hit mainstream success during the rise of Hulkamania, as its brand of professional wrestling became the hit thing on TV during the 1980s, one should expect its talent to look their best for the cameras, even if that means shaving their bodies.
