More so recently, wrestlers have made it very public their love for video games. While the two mediums have been intertwined for decades now with games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System, you wouldn't hear much about Bob Backlund shooting around in Duck Hunt or "Macho Man" Randy Savage throwing down in a game of Tetris. Professional wrestlers have been able to let out their more creative side with things like their entrance, and that still stands true today.
Multiple wrestlers have used things like comic books and even music to represent their entrance over the years, but more recently we have seen entrances with massive references to video games. Wrestlers across WWE, AEW, and other promotions have even gotten permission and help from video game creators to create the perfect look for their big entrances on occasion. Let's take a look back at a few of the entrances that have been inspired by video games.
10 Kenny Omega - Undertale
Kenny Omega is synonymous with the concept of tying in video games to one's entrance. On two separate occasions, Omega would come out with references to the 2015 role-playing game, Undertale. The first entrance would be at New Japan Pro Wrestling's biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 13, where his entrance video was designed to look like Undertale, even having the help of the game's creator Toby Fox.
His second appearance would come on an episode of AEW Dynamite where he would join The Young Bucks in trios action, making his entrance in a mask and jacket combo based on the character, Sans.
9 Zelina Vega - Street Fighter
In what has become a sort of tradition for Zelina Vega, she would make her entrance at her first ever Royal Rumble wearing gear and a mask inspired by the Street Fighter character, Vega. This combo would be fitting seeing as Zelina would come up with her ring name with inspiration from the character.
Zelina's WWE career is littered with references to video games, with most of her big entrances coming from her favorite genre, fighting games.
8 Tommaso Ciampa - God Of War
Tommaso Ciampa would face off against number one contender Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship at the 2021 Halloween Havoc event. During Ciampa's entrance, he would come out in gear and body paint inspired by the God of War franchise's main character, Kratos.
He would have the same body paint as Kratos except painted blue, his name engraved on a leather armor strap on his chest, and a leather loincloth to complete the look.
7 The New Day - Sonic The Hedgehog
The trio of Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E would have multiple gears inspired by pop culture including Nickelodeon, the Power Rangers, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They aren't afraid of portraying video game characters either as their gear for SummerSlam 2018 saw the three dressed as Sonic The Hedgehog figures.
Kofi would be draped in blue representing the main character Sonic, Xavier would be fitted with orange primarily to represent Tails, and Big E would be the hard-hitting red echidna, Knuckles.
6 Zelina Vega - Mortal Kombat
Zelina Vega's next Royal Rumble outfit would come from the Mortal Kombat series. Vega would make her entrance with a royal purple singlet adorned with a cape and hairstyle reminiscent of Sindel from the fighting game franchise.
Zelina would have close connections to the Mortal Kombat franchise doing multiple photo shoots dressed as Kitana and Jade from the series as well as being invited to an exclusive event showing off the 11th entry in the series alongside fellow WWE wrestlers.
5 Jade Cargill - Mortal Kombat
From one Mortal Kombat fan to another, Jade Cargill would make her entrance for her TBS Championship defense against Tay Conti at Revolution dressed as the green female ninja, Jade. Cargill would come out in a similar singlet to the fighting game character and even have her hair dyed green for the match.
Cargill would also be a fan of dressing as pop culture icons for her entrance including Storm from the X-Men, She-Hulk, and Cheetara from the Thundercats television show.
4 The New Day - Gears Of War
The New Day promoted their upcoming appearance in the video game, Gears of War 5, by dressing in their outfits from the game for the entrance at the 2020 Survivor Series. Their armor would be typical Gears armor customized with their rainbow colors and logos.
Kofi, Xavier, and Big E wouldn't be alone in the Gears franchise either as former WWE star, Dave Bautista, also makes an appearance in the fifth entry as a replaceable skin for the character Marcus Fenix.
3 Adam Cole - Halo
All Elite Wrestling has already seen its fair share of video game-inspired entrances in its short tenure. Adding to that ever-growing list is Adam Cole with his Halo Spartan-themed entrance at Revolution. Cole has made it well known his love for the Halo franchise, even getting custom Nike shoes themed after the video game series.
Adam Cole is a massive gamer outside the Halo franchise. Cole can be found on Twitch playing games like God of War Ragnarök and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
2 Zelina Vega - Street Fighter 6
Zelina Vega would make her most recent return to the Royal Rumble a memorable one with her cosplay of Street Fighter 6 character Juri Han. Vega would also have a Street Fighter-like moment with Xia Li on the apron striking a fighting-style pose while dodging moves from Li.
During Vega's entrance, it was also announced that she would be joining the cast of the upcoming Street Fighter 6 game as a commentator.
1 Kenny Omega - Final Fantasy
Kenny Omega would make his historic return to New Japan Pro Wrestling to face Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17. During his entrance, he would come out dressed as Final Fantasy 7 antagonist Sephiroth including the character's theme, One Winged Angel.
Omega would reveal that he would receive developer Square Enix's permission to use the gear and theme for the event. Years earlier Omega even got the chance to interview the game's producer Yoshinori Kitase.