10 rare photos you need to see of WWE Superstars as fans
Making it to WWE is perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments a wrestler can achieve. Often seen as the largest wrestling promotion in the world, WWE is considered to be the epitome of pro-wrestling in many ways. Thousands of wrestlers aim to one day enter a WWE ring and make a name for themselves.
However, much like all of us, superstars used to be wrestling fans themselves. They also used to attend these shows and stand in lines just to get that one picture with their favorite WWE Superstar. Little did they know that one day they'd be standing in their place greeting fans.
In this article, let's take a look at ten rare photos of WWE Superstars as fans that you need to see. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.
#10 Peyton Royce
Peyton Royce (Real Name: Cassie McIntosh) has been a wrestling fan since her childhood. Hailing from the island continent of Australia, Royce started her pro-wrestling career in 2009 on the independent circuit before signing with NXT in 2015.
After spending three years on the Black and Gold brand, Peyton moved up to the main roster to SmackDown in 2018 along with her former Tag Team Partner, Billie Kay, as the IIconics. The two won the Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 35 in a fatal four-way match. The two women then joined IMPACT Wrestling, where they are known as The IInspiration, before announcing that they will be stepping away from in-ring action indefinitely.
In the picture above, we can see a young Peyton Royce having a fan-moment with Jeff Hardy and Mickie James.
#9 Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens reflects on ten year old advice from Steve Austin that changed his life cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/9/8/9… http://t.co/2QdbMYgRG8
Kevin Owens (Real Name: Kevin Steen) looks to be on the right track to make it to become a future Hall of Famer. Being considered one of the most talented and versatile superstars, KO has had quite a career even before making it to WWE.
Since signing with the company in 2014, Owens has won the NXT, Universal, United States, and the Intercontinental Championships. His debut is considered to be one of the best debuts of an NXT Superstar on the main roster where he ended up challenging and defeating John Cena clean in his very first match.
With the motto of 'Fight Owens Fight', the Quebecer has stood toe to toe with most of his contemporaries and still managed to hold his own in the squared circle.
In the picture above, a young Kevin Owens can be seen in a picture with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Who knew that the young fan would be main-eventing WrestleMania alongside Stone Cold one day!
#8 Zack Ryder
Zack Ryder (Real Name: Matthew Brett Cardona) has been a wrestling fan since he was a little kid. In the photo above, a young Ryder can be seen alongside John Cena.
'The Long Island Iced Z' used his strong social media presence to woo the fans who cheered for him week in, week out, forcing authorities to take notice of his growing stature as a WWE superstar.
Ryder had a decently successful run in the company, winning the Intercontinental, United States and RAW Tag Team Championships. He was involved in a feud with and against John Cena in 2011, a truly memorable year in Ryder's wrestling career.
He jumped ship to AEW in 2020 after WWE canceled his contract as part of its budget cut initiative. He has since then left Tony Khan's promotion to join IMPACT Wrestling on a non-exclusive contract.
#7 Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston (Real Name: Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah) is the first African-born WWE Champion in the history of the company. Before making it to the top of the food chain, Kingston had won many other mid-card and Tag Team Championships in the company. He is also famous for his Royal Rumble antics of saving himself from eliminations in the most creative ways possible.
The picture above shows him alongside the Rock N' Roll Express' Ricky Morton, one at WrestleMania 14. Despite being part of the New Day faction, Kofi has managed to carve a path for his singles career which seems to be growing in stature week after week.
Kofi has been an inspiration to those who don't fit the stereotypical image of a WWE Superstar. Nothing is impossible, KofiMania!
#6 Billie Kay
As seen on the first slide with Peyton Royce, her tag team partner Billie Kay (Real Name: Jessica McKay) has also been a wrestling fan since her childhood. The picture above shows a young Billie taking a fan photo with the Master of the 619, Rey Mysterio. Unlike her on-screen persona, Kay looks innocent and sweet in this picture.
Being one of the few WWE Superstars from Australia, the former Women's Tag Team Champion will play a major role in expanding the company's reach in that part of the world.
#5 Ricochet
Oh... My... God... Is that Ricochet with Triple H? https://t.co/P0ynWqnAJk
Ever imagined what Ricochet would look like with long hair? Well, your search ends here. In the picture above, we can see a young long-haired Ricochet (Real Name: Trevor Mann) posing alongside the Game, Triple H. Who knew that about 15 years from then, Ricochet would be working under the guidance of this very man.
After proving his worth all around the globe, Ricochet signed with the wrestling giant in 2018. In his two years with the company, he has won the North American championship in NXT, and the United States and the Intercontinental Championship on the main roster. Being one of the most athletic Superstars on the main roster, the future looks bright for The One and Only.
#4 Bayley
Former SmackDown Women's champion Bayley (Real Name: Pamela Rose Martinez) has been a wrestling fan since a very young age. Attending various shows and pay-per-views, she met many Superstars before becoming one herself. In the picture above, she can be seen alongside John Cena, hugging him, of course.
After joining the company in 2013, the Role Model went on to win the NXT Women's Championship before she was called up to the main roster in 2016. Winning all the major titles for women in the company, she is the first Women's Grand Slam Champion in the history of WWE.
The bubbly and lovable gimmick that Bayley portrayed was quashed in 2019 during the SmackDown Premiere on FOX when she won the blue brand's Women's Championship from Charlotte Flair.
Bayley now sports a contrasting gimmick to her earlier one with the company. One best described as 'hypocritical'.
#3 WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns (Real Name: Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoaʻi) has pretty much grown in this business, being part of a family highly devoted to this business. Being one of the most influential superstars of the modern era, The Big Dog has main-evented four WrestleManias in a row.
The picture above shows baby Roman Reigns with 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Being from the Anoa'i family, he has had a closer look at this business than most of the others on this list. Reigns is a multi-time world champion, and someone Vince McMahon is very high on.
He has established himself as a force to be reckoned with, putting himself on the same pedestal as his cousin The Rock. A picture with an uncle, cousin or even his father would qualify Roman to feature on this list, any day of the week.
#2 Sasha Banks
Being termed one of the four horsewomen of WWE, Sasha Banks (Real Name: Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado) is arguably one of the best female pro-wrestlers in the world. Before joining WWE in 2012, she wrestled on the independent scene under the ring name Mercedes KV.
Being a former NXT Women's Champion in her own right, The Legit Boss made her main roster debut in 2015 along with Charlotte and Becky, in what is termed to be the beginning of the Women's Revolution in WWE.
The above picture shows Banks posing alongside John Cena and Vickie Guerrero. Sasha, a former SmackDown Women's champion, is the first cousin of noted rapper Snoop Dogg.
#1 CM Punk
Being considered one of the most controversial WWE Superstars of all time, CM Punk (Real Name: Phillip Jack Brooks) is one of the biggest fan-favorites of this generation. Before signing with WWE in 2005, Punk was known for his work in Ring of Honor. The Straight Edge Superstar's 434-day WWE Championship reign is considered one of the best in the history of the company.
The above picture shows a young yet equally-determined CM Punk alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin. A match between these two gentlemen is still one of the biggest dream-contests for many fans, but the chances of that happening are as low as Punk returning to WWE (but, never say never!)