The cosmetic aspect of professional wrestling will see wrestlers having different physical looks depending on what works for them. Older days in wrestling would see performers needing to have long hair to create the appeal of having a great look. That changed as time went on, especially with bald wrestlers starting to find success. Many performers made the choice to shave their head for better success while others adapted after losing their hair.
We will look at the wrestlers that showed bald could be beautiful as they succeeded without having a full head of hair. The talents had different levels of success and different styles, but the one thing that bonded them together was the story of thriving as a bald performer. Find out just which wrestlers made the most of this look in their careers. These are the top ten bald wrestlers in the history of the wrestling business.
10 Bam Bam Bigelow
The intimidating presence of Bam Bam Bigelow made him one of the most beloved big men in the industry during the 90s. Bigelow had the agility that surprised fans given his larger size. The bald head of Bam Bam had tattoos over it to make him even more frightening.
Bigelow even main evented WrestleMania 11 as WWE felt he was the right choice to face NFL star Lawrence Taylor. The career of Bam Bam would never hit his potential in a top role, but he was a respected legend for good reason. Bigelow deserves to be a top ten bald wrestler.
9 Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley has rocked the bald head for the entirety of his wrestling career. WWE expected him to become a top star due to his impressive look and potential. Lashley had opportunities as ECW Champion and getting a big feud against Vince McMahon, but it never worked out.
The best work of Lashley came in Impact Wrestling in recent years where he became one of the faces of the company. WWE brought back Lashley and things have been mixed so far. Lashley is still a highly credible wrestler and has accomplished many great things in his career.
8 King Kong Bundy
The rise of monster heels in the 80s allowed wrestlers like King Kong Bundy to break out in a bigger role. WWE pushed Bundy as a top big man due to his intimidating look with his bigger size and bald head. The biggest match of Bundy’s career came in the main event of WrestleMania 2 against Hulk Hogan.
Following the loss to Hogan, Bundy had his fair share of ups and downs. He would not become a top name, but Bundy did have an impressive career. When you’re thinking of success bald wrestlers, Bundy deserves to be mentioned in the top ten.
7 Sgt. Slaughter
The balding Sgt. Slaughter found great success in different promotions throughout his career. WWE had the best run of Slaughter’s career. It didn’t matter that he lost his hair as fans just bought into him with his look helping portray a heel character.
WWE booked Slaughter as a top heel in the main event of WrestleMania 7 losing the WWE Championship to Hulk Hogan. The legendary career of Slaughter still sees him highly respected today. Slaughter’s lack of hair never held him back.
6 Big Show
Big Show started his career with a long head of hair that was quite impressive. However, the decision to cut it all off for a short look and eventually going bald was the right move. Big Show appeared more intimidating and natural with the bald head during most of his WWE run.
WWE would even utilize Big Show’s hair in an angle where Kurt Angle and his cronies shaved his head. The bald look of Big Show is how fans will remember him given how long it’s worked for him.
5 Hulk Hogan
The hair of Hulk Hogan would regress throughout the years from a full head of blonde hair to being almost completely bald. Hogan could be ranked higher, but we must remove the portion of his career with hair. The loss of his hair would see Hogan start wearing his trademark Hulkamania bandana.
Hogan did not like showing off the bald head unless it was necessary once the bandana came off during a long match. Vince Russo insulting Hogan for his bald head in the historic shoot promo was one of the comments that annoyed him. Hogan’s loss of his hair was not as accepted as most of his peers on the list, but the bald head is how fans remember him.
4 Vader
Vader wore a unique mask that covered part of his face, but it did not cover the top of his head. Fans were aware that Vader was essentially bald for most of his career. The big man had a superb career with impressive stints in WCW, NJPW and WWE.
Unlike most other big men of the time, Vader could deliver impressive moves off the top rope. The ability to impress in just about every aspect of wrestling helped him become a top star. Vader deserves a mention towards the top of the list as a top tier successful bald wrestler.
3 Goldberg
The bald head of Goldberg became his trademark look when debuting for WCW in 1997. Goldberg sported a basic look with the black trunks and boots along with his bald head and impressive physique. However, the intensity made him come off like a mega-star leading to his undefeated streak.
Goldberg was among the biggest stars in WCW history winning the WCW Championship to make his streak even more legendary. WWE still brings him back in his 50s to utilize the star power of the icon. Goldberg is still active and has never ditched the bald look.
2 Kurt Angle
One of the best instances of a wrestler losing his hair in a wrestling angle came during the storyline of Kurt Angle vs Edge. A Hair vs Hair match between the two culminated with Edge winning and shaving Angle’s head to embarrass him. The new look worked for Angle and would follow him for the rest of his career.
There are many fans that don’t even know that Angle used to have hair in his wrestling career since that only lasted for a little over his first two years. Angle was one of the best wrestlers of all-time with countless classics. The best work of his career came after shaving his head as he rocked the bald look well.
1 Steve Austin
The top bald wrestler in the history of the wrestling industry must be Steve Austin. WCW fans will remember that Austin once had blonde hair that stood out and helped him play up his heel character. However, it did not help him present the look or appeal of a top star.
WWE signing Austin would lead to him shaving his head completely for a new look and fresh start. The Stone Cold character lined up perfectly with his intense persona and unpredictable character making the new top star in WWE. Austin’s career is among the best of all-time with the bald look helping him present the character well.