Best Dressed in Death

The overall goal is to look like more like a pro wrestler and/or a stage persona/gimmick than a random guy who wandered into the ring from his shift at the gas station. This is measured by the Family Feud Test: If you show a photo of this outfit to 100 random people and ask 'what does this person do?', how likely is it that 'pro wrestler' or their gimmick will be a top answer? The best possible result is a mix of 'pro wrestler' and a gimmick, the worst is obviously 'idk, some guy from the street?' and the like.

Type of Attire - Material, Color, Soakability

Wrestling Gear: Spandex, lycra, pleather, singlets, trunks, tights, kickpads, wrestling boots, lucha masks, other masks worn during a match - attire specifically made for pro wrestling. Best score.

Sports Attire: Clothing made for athletic activities other than wrestling. This includes MMA/boxing shorts, tank tops, jerseys, martial arts attire, but NOT sneakers without kickpads. Barefoot counts as sports wear/martial arts. Decent score.

Streetwear: Anything typically not worn for athletic activies. Jeans, sneakers, street shoes. Low score.

Basic items like knee/elbow pads are not rated. T-shirts are rated exclusively on color. Light colors good, dark colors bad. Exposed skin good, being all covered up bad. The messier an outfit looks after a deathmatch, the higher the score.

Gimmicks can excuse streetwear if it adds to the clarity and overall composition. For example, a 'Mad Scientist' won't lose points for not wearing wrestling/sports attire as long as there is a clear theme (in this case medical attire would be fine).

Curtain to Bell Judgement

Anything worn and/or removed in this time window is considered. Masks, hats, jackets, accessories that are taken off before match begin can positively influence the overall rating. The removal of shirts typically improves skin exposure and shifts the look toward 'pro wrestler'.

Attention to Detail

Details can yield bonus points. This includes things like basic gear (knee/elbow pads) in matching colors, matching belt & footwear, on-theme accessories. People like managers, valets, or tag team partners are not considered accessories. Hair can be included in the judgement if an effort to match it to the outfit/theme has been made (dyed, themed style), otherwise it won't be considered.

Off Limits

Tattooes/other body art, hair (unless deliberately styled to match a theme or gimmick). I don’t buy into the narrative that wrestlers should look like 10 feet tall action toys that eat nothing but steroids, or that female wrestlers are only as valuable as they are ‘sexy’. Wrestling has a place for all body types, from enormous big boys to skinny high flyers. For that reason, physique does not influence my rating.

That said…

Most people admire Shane Mercer’s strength and athleticism. I do, too, but I admire his ability to keep a straight face during confrontations with invaders from Planet Roid even more.