WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

The high-octane Usos have scored back-to-back victories this week on Raw and "The Main Event." It's gotta be the warpaint.

Like soldiers prepping for combat, many Superstars apply face paint before the big battle - to express creativity, intimidate opponents or win the esteem of the WWE Universe. ( PHOTOS) In fact, some of the most colorful and notable competitors in WWE history applied warpaint before stepping in the hallowed confines of the squared circle.

WWE paint jobs have run the gamut from strange to funny, fitting to frightening. With so many Superstars to choose from, WWE.com selected 15 airbrushed athletes. From The Road Warriors to Demolition, The Ultimate Warrior to The Missing Link, here are WWE.com's all-time favorite brushed mugs!

The Missing Link

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

A crazed, out-of-control wild man, The Missing Link sported blue and green face paint and shaved random portions of his head to add to his fearsome appearance. Known for ferociously head-butting his opponents, the unhinged combatant achieved his greatest success in WWE when he was managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan before he, presumably, returned to Parts Unknown.

Abe "Knuckleball" Schwartz

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Abe "Knuckleball" Schwartz first appeared in WWE during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike. After this timely entrance, Schwartz attempted to bring a little of America's "National Pastime" to sports-entertainment. As WWE’s MVP - Most Violent Player – he had his face painted with the stitches of a baseball, wore a uniform and entered the ring to a frightening version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Unfortunately for Schwartz, it wasn't too long before the WWE Universe was able to say, "You're out!"

Hakushi

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Proudly hailing from Japan, the villainous Hakushi joined WWE in 1995, battling Superstars like Bret Hart and the 1-2-3 Kid. With his frightening appearance and luchador-inspired in-ring style, the perplexing powerhouse was always a handful for all his WWE opponents. Years later, Hakushi's influence can still be seen in Superstars like Tensai.

The Warlord & The Barbarian

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Two of WWE's most dynamic Superstars - The Warlord and The Barbarian - joined forces to form The Powers of Pain in 1988. For several years, the painted twosome battled some of the greatest tag teams in WWE, leaving their mark in matches against Demolition, The Bolsheviks and many more. The Powers of Pain again proved that a colorful appearance - or having any peculiar look, for that matter - does not disqualify a Superstar from being a dangerous, serious and competitive force in WWE.

Kamala

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Well-known for his massive size, striking face paint and penchant for eating live chickens ( WATCH), the incomparable Kamala also had a stellar and memorable in-ring career, battling some of WWE’s greatest Superstars, including Hulk Hogan, Jake Roberts and The Undertaker. The super-sized Superstar goes down in history as possibly the largest WWE competitor - in physical size and charisma - to ever don face paint.

Smash

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

One half of the legendary tag team Demolition, Smash was one of the most successful face-painted Superstars in WWE history. A former Tag Team Champion as part of Demolition, the studded Superstar clashed with all the greatest tag teams of the era, such as The Brain Busters, The Colossal Connection and The Legion of Doom. Although Smash and Demolition were much more than their painted faces, it was an important and memorable part of who they were and a lasting part of their WWE legacy.

Doink

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Tricky, cruel and unhinged, Doink the Clown baffled Superstars and the WWE Universe alike. With his creepy clown face paint and often inexplicable behavior, he added a villainous presence to WWE in the mid-1990s. His air-brushed countenance was so effective in unsettling WWE fans, few are upset he is gone.

Ax

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

The other half of Demolition, Ax, backed up his intimidating look with a brutal in-ring style. The former Tag Team Champion, with his partner Smash, was a fixture on WWE programming and in WWE's biggest matches. One of the most successful face-painted Superstars in WWE history, Ax was part of many memorable tag team and singles matches, such as a stirring victory over WWE Tag Team Champions Strike Force at WrestleMania IV.

Animal

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

WWE Hall of Famer Animal was one of the most successful competitors in WWE history. As half of The Road Warriors, he dominated tag team competition and guaranteed that his signature face paint and spiked shoulder pads would go down in WWE history. You can't always judge a book by its cover. But if you did in Animal's case, you would probably be pretty close.

Papa Shango

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Papa Shango, a voodoo practitioner, debuted in WWE in 1992. Carrying a smoking skull to the ring, the face-painted Superstar had mysterious powers in addition to his massive size, striking fear into the hearts of his fellow Superstars. His skeletal visage remains burned into the minds of many WWE fans.

Goldust

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

The Bizarre One shattered his share of dreams during his time in WWE. With a literal love of gold and mind games that flummoxed his opponents and his fans, Goldust was one of the most bizarre Superstars in WWE history. Very few Superstars' face paint was more distinctive than that of the inimitable Goldust.

The Great Muta

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Competing in the United States and around the world, The Great Muta wore face paint and spewed green mist into the air before his matches. But he was most definitely not style over substance. With a top notch grappling pedigree and high-flying moves, he has made his mark in sports-entertainment since the 1980s, searing his distinctive face paint into the minds of sports-entertainment fans the world over. Like a fellow former WWE Superstar from Japan - Hakushi - The Great Muta's influence can be seen in modern day competitors like Tensai.

Hawk

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Along with his fellow Road Warrior, Animal, Hawk was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011. As part of the legendary tag team The Road Warriors, Hawk was one of the greatest and most noticeable Superstars of the last 25 years. His distinctive warpaint and appearance are an intimidating part of WWE history.

The Ultimate Warrior

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

Known for his high-energy ring entrance - racing into the arena at full speed and shaking the ropes up and down – The Ultimate Warrior also had some of the most distinctive face paint in WWE history. Not all sizzle, he had a very successful in-ring career, even becoming the first Superstar to hold the WWE Championship and Intercontinental Championship simultaneously.

Boogeyman

WWE's 15 wildest warpaints

"I'm the Boogeyman and I'm comin' to get'cha!"

Creepy and confusing, the Boogeyman was one of the strangest Superstars in WWE history. As if his horrifying appearance wasn't enough, he was also known to use worms, such as when he kissed Sharmell while holding a mouthful of nightcrawlers. ( WATCH) Clashing with Mark Henry, Booker T, Kane and many more, Boogeyman made his mark on WWE with his fists, but more so with his face paint.

Who's on your list of the greatest face-painted WWE Superstars? Make your voice heard in the comments section below, and be sure to check out WWE on  Facebook and  Twitter to get all the latest updates on all things WWE!

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