6 similarities that wrestling and comic books share

The comic book industry has had its ups and downs throughout the years as has wrestling. Now, both genres are at a high point. A lot of that can be attributed to the writing.

For most writers, this is more than a job and a career. It's their passion. You can feel the emotion bleeding into their creation. It’s why the storylines in both continue to improve. It also helps that writers from both enjoy the other. Maybe that's why there are so many similarities between the two. Here are six examples.

Everyone wins and loses

No character in comics or wrestling goes undefeated. Sure, the T’Challas and Brock Lesnars of the world go on winning streaks. But even they lose. Roman Reigns is a perfect example. He’s held the Universal title for over 1,288 days. However, during his streak, he’s been pinned. Granted, it only happened once, but it was perfectly done. He lost to someone on the rise (his cousin, Jey Uso). That’s how it works in comic books as well.

Batman, Wolverine, and the Hulk are among the best and strongest in comics. Throughout the years, each of them has lost fights they shouldn’t have. It upsets fans, but a good writer can make the loss mean something.

Colorful outfits

In Thunderbolts No. 118 by Warren Ellis, Leonard Samson brings up superheroes wearing brightly colored costumes. He said they want to be recognized. Otherwise, they’d wear black ski masks and padded tactical gear. The X-Men and Justice League are all dressed in loud colors with big emblems. Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson are draped in the American Flag. It’s how they get recognized. The same goes for wrestlers.

John Cena’s merchandise has crossed the entire rainbow. Hulk Hogan’s red and yellow is iconic. This is how they’re recognized without their music or in-ring performance. There are exceptions to the rule like the NWO, Undertaker, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Although, they’re among the few wrestlers that can make something as plain as black and white pop. That’s because of their profound personalities. 

You can’t discuss outfits without Ric Flair. His robes are iconic. They’re flamboyant, and stylish, and helped keep “The Nature Boy” recognized. His daughter Charlotte Flair uses them as well. However, some of her robes are different. She’s added things like peacock feathers, crowns, and more to give it a personal touch. After researching, some of Charlotte’s robes are paying homage to her dad. A nice way to pay tribute to the one that came before you.

The outrageous characters

Speaking of personalities, characters in wrestling and comics have to be more than fighters. They can’t be bland and be well-received. The New Day is an example of this.

Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods took this to another level. Their bright colors, devil-may-care attitude, and love of life and wrestling made them popular beyond belief. For a decade, their merch has sold out in live events and online because of who they are. Only someone that outrageous and confident could sell unicorn horns and Booty-O’s cereal.

Deadpool is aptly named the Merc with a Mouth. Not only does he talk a lot of trash, he prattles on to annoy people. It helps distract his opponents. A thing mastered by the King of Quips, Spider-Man.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has done it longer than almost anyone. It’s why he’s among the most popular fictional characters ever. He made being an annoying jokester marketable in comics.

Catchphrases

The best of these two genres always have a catchphrase. It makes them memorable and marketable. The Rock has a plethora of them. “Do you smell what The Rock is Cookin’?” “Laying the Smack Down” and at least a dozen more. For comic books, “It’s clobberin’ time” “Hulk Smash” and “Up, Up, and Away” are only three of the hundreds of comic book sayings. Without catchphrases, their genres wouldn't be as profitable.

The speeches before fights

Wrestlers and comic book characters love to talk. Especially the villains. They have to tell the world who they are, what their plan is, and why they’re doing it. Doctor Doom does this better than anyone. Not only it is done with arrogance, it’s direct and well-said. Imagine him on the Road to WrestleMania. he'd be insufferable.

For wrestlers, there are the greats like Ric Flair, Dusty Roads, and Chris Jericho. They’ve electrified the crowd with puns and confidence. Belief in yourself is crucial. You can’t sound unsure and expect to be taken seriously. It’s why even the worst of promos can be amazing when the right person is delivering them.

Size and strength don’t matter

The phrase has become a joke, but size doesn’t matter. Especially not in wrestling and comic books. Rey Mysterio is a former WWE World Champion and there aren’t many people smaller than him. Eddie Guerro defeated Brock Lesnar despite being shorter and outweighed. Wolverine is the best there is and he’s almost always the smallest person in the fight. He has wins against Sentinels, Sabretooth, and The Hulk. The latter is the strongest there is. If these guys don't prove this, nothing does.