Top 5 Times Pro-Wrestlers Unmasked On Television

Rey Mysterio In the world of pro-wrestling, many hide their true identities behind a mask. This is simply done because of either the style they perform in or a simple family or wrestling tradition they want to stick to or uphold.Several top performers like Jushin “Thunder” Liger and Rey Mysterio spent most of their careers behind a mask. Rey was known for a variety of them while people like Liger mainly stuck to one look. Some wrestlers worked behind the mask for comedy reasons or to get ahead for the time being.John Cena, for example, was fired from the WWE storyline wise. However, WWE needed to use him on the Mexican Tour. So Cena’s cousin, Juan Cena, ended up working in his place. Cena simply put on a mask to hide his real identity. Of course, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know it was him.Juan ended up being fired after the tour, for whatever reason. For others, the tradition is a big deal behind the mask. Lucha Libre includes many mask for mask matches, which are seen as the end of rivalries. Many a time, a mask is simply used for a small period of time. We decided to count down the top five times pro-wrestlers unmasked on television.

#1 Hogan is Mr. America?

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is one of the biggest names in pro wrestling history. Everyone knows who he is and even if you don’t know much about wrestling, you know the face of Hulk Hogan.

That said, if you wanted to hide your true identity, you would obviously need to put on a mask. However, a guy like Hogan cannot truly hide.

In 2002, Hogan made his comeback to the WWE. He and NWO members Scott Hall and Kevin Nash would team up for a period of time to be a thorn in the side of WWE Superstars. The Rock would go on to face Hogan in a huge match at WrestleMania 18 where he beat the Hulkster. The NWO would go on to turn on Hogan and Rock would come out to help his fallen opponent.

Hogan turned babyface the following night.

In 2003, Hogan was told by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon that his services were no longer required and he would be forced to sit out the rest of his very big contract with WWE. This did not settle well with Hogan. On May 1st, Smackdown General Manager Stephanie McMahon had a talk with people about the hiring of Mr. America. He was not seen at the time, but came out later on during a Piper’s Pit segment.

When Vince McMahon came out to say that it was Hogan in disguise. Hogan would say  "I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!" Stephanie kept Mr. America on the roster simply to get back at her father, whom she had a rivalry with during that time period.

Finally, McMahon was able to prove after a period of time that Hogan was in disguise. The reason many believe this was done was due to Hogan quitting in real life in June that year. McMahon would go on to “fire” Hogan on TV, but of course Hogan had quit in real life. The reason for his departure was due to issues with the creative team. Hogan would not be seen again in WWE until 2005.