For a long time, tattoos were frowned upon in wrestling. In the days where guys were expected to look clean-cut for TV, having some ink on their bodies was bad. Times have changed and as pro athletes have embraced tattoos more, so have wrestlers. It’s nearly impossible to throw a rock in a locker room and not hit someone with some ink, even a small one that few even see.
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Some wrestlers are famous for huge tattoos, from Roman Reigns’ shoulder and arm art to CM Punk and Undertaker’s more elaborate coverings. Yet, amazingly, there are still a few wrestlers who have resisted tattoos no matter their fame. Here are five wrestlers known for being covered in ink and five who surprisingly have no tattoos at all to show getting inked up isn’t for everyone.
10 NONE: Kane
This may be an astounding choice. Given his on-screen “brother,” the Undertaker is famous for some tattoos, it would be assumed Kane would follow suit. Even throughout a variety of gimmicks, Kane has never added any ink to his persona.
One would think a flame design would be perfect or even something in his youth, yet nothing. It actually works out given he’s now Mayor Glenn Jacobs as some tattoos would have been harder for his new position, yet the Big Red Machine avoided tattoos in his time.
9 COVERED: MVP
One of the most notable parts of MVP’s remarkable WWE comeback is that, unlike his first run, he’s been allowed to show more of his tattoos. In his first run, MVP had to almost completely cover up his ink, with much of it coming from his gang days.
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This includes “Monte Cristo” on his arm, a reference to the famous story, and a Malcolm X portrait on his chest. He added in some intricate designs to his arm and back, and while much of it remains covered, MVP’s ink lives up to his arrogant athlete character.
8 NONE: Daniel Bryan
With his clean-living vegan lifestyle, maybe it’s no shock Daniel Bryan doesn’t have any tattoos. Bryan shifted from a babyface to a surprisingly effective heel champion, but that fun demeanor combined with his wrestling skills makes him a major favorite of fans.
Bryan has inspired a few fans to get tattoos of his likeness or his “YES” chant. Yet Bryan himself is resistant to getting any ink of his own and just keeping to his clean style.
7 COVERED: Aleister Black
He may not be getting a huge push in WWE right now, but Aleister Black stands out with his stunning ink. He has a whopping 54 tattoos, all of which stand out nicely. Several are tied into mythology and ancient cultures, from Shiva to Khali.
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Several skeletons abound, from coffins to “Grim Reaper” on both calves. There’s “Anti Hero” inked on his knuckles, and, of all things, the face of singer Ella Fitzgerald on his left hand. Black just enjoys how the tattoos add to his bizarre aura.
6 NONE: John Cena
There was buzz in 2018 when pics seemed to show John Cena with his first-ever tattoo. However, it now appears it was just a fake for a movie role. Cena has donned such fake tattoos but has stated he’ll never get one for real.
Despite his appreciation for the U.S. military, he’s never indulged in any service-style tats or for other bits. The reason? Because Cena is afraid his mom will scold him for it. Even “the Champ” can be intimidated by his mom.
5 COVERED: Jeff Hardy
It’s quality, not quantity, that makes Jeff Hardy’s tattoos a big deal. Technically, he has only eight, but their size is huge. The biggest is the massive tattoo with a demonic face that Hardy added in 2020.
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There’s also the massive drawing of roots along his right arm to his shoulder and demons on his neck. The huge snake tattoo on his right side also catches the eye. It makes Hardy a living work of art and quite the sight high-flying in the ring.
4 NONE: The Miz
While a stellar heel, the Miz is known as a pretty nice guy outside the ring. His reality TV show shows him as a nice family man who loves his wife and kid. A funny episode had the Miz reacting to his dad having a tattoo, and his wife Maryse has a nice one on her wrist.
Yet the Miz himself is ink-free as he’s openly said it’s just not for him.
3 COVERED: Ruby Riott
While bouncing back from injury, Ruby Riott has been a standout with her punk look. She has 26 tattoos and adds in more with some striking ink on her. Most showcase her punk rock background and the ink on her neck of the mythological beast Medusa.
The most prominent is the massive skeleton tattoo on her chest and the flower tattoo on her right shoulder. There’s also the unique tattoo she shares with Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan, marking their debut on the main roster. The ink alone makes Riott a sight in WWE.
2 NONE: HHH
It’s very odd how HHH has never gotten any tattoos given how much of a fan he is of heavy metal music. The man has always been cleaner than some of his compatriots, but one would assume he’d have added a tattoo to the list. If nothing else, it would be natural for him to put in something for “The Game” or even when he was breaking into the business.
It oddly fits better now with HHH moving into a role as leader of the company, so being without ink makes him look more respectable to those in a high level corporate environment.
1 COVERED: Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio’s tattoos are a thing of wonder. He has nearly forty of them, several with great meanings. The obvious is “619,” the area code he grew up in, which is also the name of his signature move. There’s the huge Mexican tattoo on his stomach for his heritage.
His children’s names are on his right and left biceps, and there’s that fantastic intricate tattoo on his back. Rey has openly joked that he’s “running out of space” yet continues to put in these amazing ink on his high-flying body.
Next: 5 WWE Wrestlers Who Never Shined As Faces (& 5 Who Never Shined As Heels)
