10 Most Visually Striking Wrestlers Of WWE's Ruthless Aggression Era

The Ruthless Aggression Era is an interesting one in WWE history. Coming in after the Monday Night War, it had the first brand split and an attempt to carve a new legacy. For the most part, it worked, as this was a time of incredible new stars like John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista and more, who all provided some fantastic action. It was also home to some interesting new characters, some that were forgettable while others stood out well.

A few workers just broke out from the pack more than others because of their looks.

Even if the wrestler was bad, their appearance was so striking that you had to take notice. Here are ten wrestlers from the Ruthless Aggression Era who had the most visually striking looks to be standouts of this time.

10 Umaga Had A Wild Look

A Far Better Worker Than His Wild Man Persona

Real Name Was Edward Fatu
Started As Jamal When He Teamed With Cousin Rosey In 3 Minute Warning
Passed Away in 2009

A much better worker than often given credit for, Umaga rose above the classic “wild man” character to be a fantastic star and even Intercontinental Champion. He sold the savage look brilliantly, aided by looking like a brutal warrior in all that makeup and fun outfit.

The way the paint made his jaws look bigger, combined with his long tongue and tattoos, made him look like a fierce warrior before he even got in the ring. His stardom was sadly fleeting but Umaga’s look aided him immensely in getting over in this period.

9 Rey Mysterio's Size Was A Big Factor

The GOAT Luchador With His Colurful Gear & Masks

Debuted In WWE In 2002
First Time Back To Wearing Mask Since Losing It In WCW
Cruiserweight, Tag Team And World Champion

WWE, by their own acknowledgment, was a place for the bigger guys. So that’s why Rey Mysterio stood out well when he joined in 2002, as this guy, just over five feet tall, was a unique sight. His tattoos and those never-ending variety of masks and flashy outfits also helped as Rey soon took off as a much bigger star than anyone could anticipate.

Seeing him clashing with much bigger guys and getting the best of them was pretty wild and just notable seeing someone of his size pushed in a main event spot. Rey truly became bigger than anyone expected for someone with his look.

8 Snitsky Was Too Bizarre To Ignore

It Wasn't His Fault He Looked Odd

Formerly Canadian Football League Player
Left WWE In 2008
Made Brief Cameo In November 2023 RAW

Mention Snitsky and most remember those crazy angles with Kane, Lita and a fake baby. But give it to the guy, he had a look that stood out from the pack. Yes, that weird “tied off” goatee could be a bit silly, but Snitsky’s wide-eyed look lent itself to a guy who seemed not to be playing with a full deck.

He wasn’t the best in the ring yet could handle a battle with someone like Kane and the promos were richly bizarre. Everyone remembers the “kick the baby” moment, while Snitsky himself had a unique look for the period in WWE.

7 Trish Stratus Was A True Knockout

A Pioneer For Women's Wrestling In WWE

Briefly held record for most WWE Women's Title Reigns
She and Lita had the first Women's RAW Main Event in 2004.
Won the title one last time in her first retirement match in 2006

There was something about Trish Stratus coming in at the end of the Attitude Era with her great looks. But when she became a serious wrestler, it just got better. That lush blond hair and great form were standouts, but also just how capable Trish was in the ring with some good opponents.

She was amazing as she showed herself more than just a pretty face, good at brawls with Victoria and Lita and fun touches like the face mask for her “broken” nose. Trish was a standout at a time when WWE pushed women’s wrestling more to kick off a great new era for ladies of the time period who relied on in-ring action as much as their beauty to get ahead.

6 Nathan Jones Was A Legit Terrifying Guy

An Ex-Con Made For A Freaky Foe

Served 7 years In Prison For Armed Robbery
Became National Powerlifting Champion Of Australia
Wrestling Observer Named Him Worst Wrestler Of 2003

Look at this guy. If anyone in the Ruthless Aggression Era seemed set to be a monster heel, it was Nathan Jones. The fact he had legitimately spent time in jail just added to his reputation, but the nearly seven-foot-tall Australian had the look of a guy who’d tear you apart and enjoy it.

He had Paul Heyman as a manager, put into programs with Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar and seemed set to take off. Amazingly, Jones just quit as he couldn’t take WWE’s schedule, which he looked like one of the toughest guys for this time and a powerhouse ready to reach the next level.

5 Chris Masters Had A Masterful Look

His Masterlock Showed His Impressive Build

Based His Act On Paul Orndoroff
Left WWE 2007, Returned In 2009, Left For Good In 2011
Two-time NWA National Champion

It’s obvious how Vince McMahon wanted to push Chris Masters. The guy had a pretty amazing body with his muscular lock and that made his Master Lock full-nelson finisher look like a truly effective move.

Sadly, he was limited by his poor promo skills and not giving more than a decent push before sinking into the lower cards. Yet for his time, Masters seemed great with his appearance and might have deserved a bigger push as the great build and finisher lent themselves to a striking appearance for this era in WWE.

4 The Boogeyman Was A True Oddball

He Was Too Strange Not To Notice

Played by Martin Wright
Added Little Boogeyman sidekick
Last appeared in backstage segment in 2023

Yes, he was a weirdo. Yes, the act was ridiculous. Yes, he was an awful worker. But when it came to wrestlers you couldn’t take your eyes off of, the Boogeyman has to rank up there. It wasn’t just the face makeup, the horns, the wide eyes, or coming out in billowing smoke with weird gyrations. It’s how he threw himself into the entire act, never once feeling he wasn’t the Boogeyman.

Eating worms didn’t make up for being bad in the ring, but it sure made him a guy to keep watching. His tenure in WWE wasn’t too long but give it to the Boogeyman, he had a look more striking than anyone could match.

3 Brock Lesnar Was Impressive In Every Way

From Day 1, This Guy Was A Star

Won KOTR &WWE Title In First Year
Lost title for first time at 2002 Survivor Series
2003 Feud With Kurt Angle Named Wrestling Observer Feud of 2003

From his debut, Brock Lesnar had the “It Factor” most wrestlers can only dream of. That look was bold, muscled and bulked but incredibly athletic to the point of doing a shooting star press. That was combined with his true wrestling skills and that massive back tattoo made his body more striking.

Throw in the short haircut and intense gaze, and one look at Brock made him a fearful figure. He proved it with his amazing success in wrestling, as Brock was a star from the start and looked it, too. That he’s maintained that physique is more impressive as the early Brock lived up to the name of “The Beast.”

2 Bobby Lashley Looked Good At The Start

It Took A While For Lashley To Take Off

Bobby Lashley December To Dismember 2006 WWE

First US Title Reign Cut Short By Injury
Two-time ECW World Champion
Won "Battle of Billionaires" At WrestleMania 23

Today, Bobby Lashley is notable for his great physique, yet he looked just as impressive when he debuted in 2005. Granted, it took a while for Lashley to find his way as a worker and star, but from the beginning, that build got eyes on him.

He was great in power moves, and his spear and other finishers looked great. Lashley was hit by injuries that curtailed his progress and needed time in MMA and later TNA to finally be a star, yet his RA Era run showed the potential thanks to that bold look.

1 Batista Was A True Animal

Before His Movie Stardom, He Dominated The Ring

Started As "Deacon Batista" In 2002
Was Briefly Going To Be Replaced In Evolution By Mark Jindrak
Won 2005 Royal Rumble

His current movie success shows how Batista did a fine job moving from wrestling to Hollywood. It was helped by a great physique as it was truly impressive how great Batista looked. It wasn’t just muscles but also the way he carried himself as a true beast, pulling off power moves and that huge back tattoo aiding in looking impressive.

He was a great star for the time, despite some injuries and that look was a key reason why the Animal became one of the best stars for this Era.