Vince McMahon has always wanted his wrestlers to be larger-than-life characters. He didn't want them to seem like regular people who went about their day like every other person when they weren't in the ring or on TV. And for the longest time, it worked.
Sure, the majority of fans knew wrestling was scripted, but before the advent of online dirt sheets and social media, superstars had a certain mystique about them because of how WWE kept things under wraps. That's why it's always so awesome to see backstage photos that reveal these behind-the-scenes happenings, such as wrestlers getting ready for their match, or hanging out with each other and enjoying a nice chit-chat.
10 Evolution Is Still A Mystery
Triple H: "I'm gonna make him wear a nose ring, just so I can pull it out at WrestleMania. That'll show him for leaving us for Hollywood!" Randy Orton: "Good one, Hunter!"
Alright, that's probably not what they're saying. This epic photo was taken backstage at SmackDown 1000, an event that featured an Evolution reunion, where the seeds were planted for the Triple H-Batista Mania match. The boys are seen chit-chatting away, as Lil' Naitch casually ponders life. We even get a mini Horsemen reunion, as Flair is talking to Dean Malenko.
9 Beth Phoenix
There's a reason she was nicknamed "The Glamazon." Beth Phoenix was presented as a powerhouse with the added, well, glam, accentuated by her trademark taunt and entry into the ring. Although there had been many other "hoss" women wrestlers before her, the Hall of Famer brought a different side to the stereotypical character that could kick any wrestler's behind - male or female.
Here we see Phoenix adjusting her look in an arena bathroom. Imagine casually walking in to do your business, and a WWE Superstar is just standing there, washing their hands, in Full Gear (still such a terrible name for a PPV).
8 MMA Runnin' Wild
Somewhere out there, Dana White shed a tear knowing this pic didn't take place in the UFC. Probably not, but it's so interesting to see two of the biggest draws in UFC history casually chatting away in a WWE locker room.
We're very fickle fans (that sounds familiar...), so we tend to forget that Ronda Rousey was the biggest thing in the world a few years ago, and it would have been a major blessing if she ever did anything for the WWE. We got a whole freakin' year out of her, folks! It's just really cool to see Brock chilling with MMA's Four Horsewomen, a smile on his face.
7 A Family Affair
Is anyone else confused by the Santino shirt? No? OK, carrying on.
This is a great family pic of good ol' Dusty with his sons. It's completely nuts to think that young Cody up there would be the catalyst and driving force behind WWE's greatest competition since WCW was still on the air.
Cody and brother Dustin put on a wrestling classic earlier in the year at AEW's Double or Nothing; you just know Dusty was looking up from the heavens with a massive smile, as his sons beat each other to a bloody pulp. Only in wrestling, folks.
6 Blue Collar Grooming
As we mentioned earlier, WWE has always been very secretive with its behind-the-scenes happenings. With social media having taken over, however, the curtain was pulled back a bit, exposing the industry and showing fans what the wrestlers do during their day to day lives.
One of the many important facets of being a WWE star is, of course, the wrestlers' looks and presentation. Enter hair and makeup. Here we see Tucker and Drew McIntyre getting their beards trimmed and their hair adjusted, as David Otunga looks on, thinking of ways he could be any less interesting.
5 Casual Deadman Conversation
Shane McMahon really is The Best In The Woooooooorld - who else can get up and smile like that after having jumped off the Cell?! This pic was taken right after Shane's Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. It was a match that came together at the very last minute, as WWE was scrambling to come up with a marquee match after losing so many key wrestlers to injuries on the Road to WrestleMania.
Despite the violent nature of the match, these two still showed each other a ton of respect as their family members share a moment with them in the background. With Taker having kept up his kayfabe persona practically his whole career, it's weird to see him in these candid pictures - his Instagram page still makes us uncomfortable.
4 Saudi In Style
This photo was taken on one of WWE's trips to Saudi Arabia; here we see unlikely road buddies Baron Corbin, Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler carrying their luggage as some locals chill in the back.
We could make a thousand witty remarks about these poor wrestlers getting stranded down there, but we're just happy they're back home safe and sound... and a lot richer.
3 Zombie Boss
Halloween has come and gone, but its spirit can still be felt, especially in this awesome backstage picture of Sasha Banks getting zombified for a photoshoot.
It's not enough that these wrestlers have to endlessly travel, perform in front of thousands of fans on a regular basis, and put in hours at the gym in order to stay fit, they also have to deal with all the extracurricular activities that come with being a WWE Superstar - such as endless photo shoots. Whatever the case, seeing The Boss mid-makeup is creepy, and it needed to be shared!
2 Listen, Ronnie, You Little Weirdo
Little does Ronda know what's about to happen a few short days after this. Yes, Becky Lynch had already started her character transformation, but it wasn't until she invaded Raw to beat up Ronda and co, bloodied and all, that she became the icon she is today.
This pic was taken after WWE's Evolution PPV, and both champs are all smiles after having made history that night. They may had been exchanging simple pleasantries, but we can just hear Becky saying: "Ronnie, you little weirdo, get that smile off your face, or I'll whoop you good!"
1 Yeah Yeah Yeah
Can we join the Luke Harper fan club? Because clearly Vince McMahon is not a member. Who needs him anyway, when you got Le Champion, The Fiend, and The Big Dog as supporters!
This is just a fun picture that shows the awesome camaraderie among the wrestlers. Luke Harper is a vastly underused talent whose work is thankfully recognized by his peers, as main eventers and lower card wrestlers alike show their support by flaunting Yeah Yeah Yeah Harper shirts in this pic. We're scared that WWE might add a few months to Harper's contract for us posting this, though...