Wrestler appearances in other video games

I'd like to thank everyone for their contributions to this topic so far. Once again, we'll start off with Tekken:

Tekken




Paul Phoenix was most likely based off of famed American Martial Artist Joe Lewis. While Paul Phoenix has always strived
to be "the best fighter in the universe", Joe Lewis was regarded as "the greatest Karate Fighter of all time" by Bruce Lee.

I also believe Paul Phoenix has some connection to another famed Martial Artist and movie star: Chuck Norris.



While Tang (Bruce Lee) reluctantly kills Colt (Chuck Norris) in Way of the Dragon, Paul and Marshall Law were
given a friendlier rivalry throughout the Tekken series.



Jaycee (a masked Julia Chang) is based on Rey Mysterio Jr.



Again, not every video game character is based on a well-known Wrestler or Martial Artist. In Bryan Fury's case,
he was based on a renegade cyborg that also demanded an extended lifespan.



Another celebrity nod from 2002's Tekken 4.



While Tekken's Asuka Kazama is basically a recycled version of Jun Kazama, I couldn't help but notice a few similarities to the real-life
Asuka (then Kana). Which all may be a pure coincidence.

Asuka made her Pro-Wrestling debut in 2004. Tekken's Asuka was first featured in 2005's Tekken 5. Besides the similar hair colour, hair
styles and futuristic attires, Tekken's Asuka also contains an assortment of stiff kicks and also speaks in an Osaka dialect.



Tekken's combot looks strangely similar to the Droids in the Star Wars franchise. Tekken 4 was released three years after Episode 1
hit theatres.



Going as far back as the Official Playstation Magazine issues of the early 2000's, Tekken's British Boxer Steve Fox is said to have been
inspired by David Beckham.



Yoshimitsu shares a lot of similarities with the Great Muta and The Great Kabuki.

For one thing, Yoshimitsu is also a masked Ninja who's appearance has constantly changed with every instalment.

Judge Injury is a fantastic name. Seriously.

Brawlhalla, a free-to-play 2D platform fighting game for Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS, with full cross-play had two WWE Crossovers.

First wave added the Rock, Xavier Woods, Becky Lynch and John Cena.


Second wave brought Randy Savage, the Undertaker, Roman Reigns and Asuka to the game.

Japanese game developers weren't the only companies inspired by Hulkamania. Our next entry takes a trip across the pond
with British game developer Codemaster's 1992 title Wrestling Superstars.

Wrestling Superstars



Quite possibly the most brazen 80's-inspired WWF knockoff cover in existence. Wrestling Superstars has your patriotic, shirt-tearing
Hulk Hogan, your obligatory masked high-flyer (who looks like a member of the Killer Bees being caught by Mr. Perfect), Ultimate
Warrior in an torture rack and Randy Savage applying a cobra claw on Andre The Giant.

In my opinion, Wrestling Superstars is a must-have simply for it's amazing box art alone.

Pictured below is the roster of the ZX Spectrum version:



The player (who takes control of Darling Dude), must go up against four other computer-controlled competitors.



The graphics on the commodore version depict Darling Dude looking like a cross between Hulk Hogan and Ric
Flair. Skullbasher Bob brings to mind King Kong Bundy, Abdullah The Butcher or George "The Animal" Steele.



Knuckleduster Nik embodies the spirit of the Punk Rock stereotype. Or is Nik the long-lost third member of the Nasty Boys?
You decide!



The third opponent is none other than the Masked Marauder. Is that a bondage mask or a Welder's Helmet?
Or perhaps a member or Demolition? I believe Masked Marauder is the high flyer pictured on the front cover.

Sometimes primitive graphics and lack of character backstory works in a game's favour; allowing players to
come up with their own scenarios.

For me, Masked Marauder is a deranged doctor dressed in doctor scrubs with a welder's mask.



The final opponent is Golden Guy (and boy is he tough).

Golden Guy is a palette swap of Darling Dude. Since this is a British game, I'll think it's safe to assume that
Golden Guy is "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith.


Sgt. Slaughter's Mat Wars



Released in 1989, Mat Wars would be one of the few Wrestling games named after a Wrestler in the west (and quite
possibly the first).



While Sgt. Slaughter isn't a playable character (serving as a referee instead), Mat Wars contains a lot of
generic opponents in the place of AWA and WWF talent.



The first character is Krusha; an executioner (though, the graphics make him look like he's wearing a crucifix
on his chest). Perhaps Krusha is a reference to Barry Darsow's Krusher Krushev gimmick?

The opponent "Bruno" was most likely inspired by Bruno Sammartino.



The third character is the strangely-named "Irok-san" (you'll be forgiven if you scratched your head
and called him "Iraq-san", too).

According to my Japanese Kanji dictionary, the closest word I could find is:

色香 (Iroka)
charm noun

Mr.Irok the charmer predates Yokozuna's WWF debut by three years and two years before Slaughter
took on the role of Iraqi sympathizer within the WWF.



Swoop's appearance is that of a Native-American Warrior complete with warpaint, loincloth, armband
and feathered headress. Since Swoop predates Tatanka's first match by 1 years (and with the fact
that Swoop's name is quite aerial sounding), I'm guessing Swoop may have been inspired by Jimmy
"Superfly" Snuka.



Tex the Cowboy could be the "Texas Bronco" Terry Funk or Cowboy Bob Orton Jr.



The closest playable character to Sgt. Slaughter is "The Tank". An army general that brings to mind Corporal
Kirchner - a character Michael Kirchner was given three years prior in 1986.



Since Macho Man Randy Savage wouldn't become a Slim Jim Spokesman until 1993, I'm guessing
Slim is based off of Hulk Hogan with a dash of Harley Race.



The next character is Spike; who's appearance brings to mind Surfer-era Sting.

Steve Borden would begin using the ring name "Sting" a few years before Mat Wars was released. It's also
worth noting that Sting's Fire Pro name is "The Spike" (starting with Super Fire Pro Wrestling III Final Bout
& Easy Type from 1993).



The final opponent is Mr. Jazz who vaguely resembles Junkyard Dog. Though, the "Mr." in his name
makes me also think of Mr. T. and T's connection with the first two Wrestlemanias.





Beyond the blandly-titled "Player 1" (whom I guess is Riki Choshu due to his hair, white boots and use of a lariat), the roster is:

Insane Warrior (Road Warrior Hawk & Animal), Karate Fighter (The Great Kabuki), Coco Savage (Bobo Brazil), The Pirania (Dos Caras
& Mil Mascaras) & Golden Hulk (Bruiser Brody).




The Atari 7800 cover even has a ripoff of Shawn Michaels in his Rockers era attire!

Kaguya Hime Densetsu (Famicom)

This entry even came as a surprise to me while looking up information on the 7800 port of Mat Mania this evening.

Kaguya Hime Densetsu (legend of princess Kaguya) is a point and click adventure game released on the
Famicom in 1988. Notice anyone familiar on the box art?



It's Abdullah The Bhutan Butcher!

Playable character? Main antagonist? A boss fight to end all boss fights?



How about a thumb wrestling match?



Gotta love Japanese humour. Special thanks to GrandMasterLynx for the footage.

One thing I remember about Mat Mania (aside from it being made by the fine folks at Technos Japan) is that some version of it had Insane Warrior misspelled as Insane Worrier.

I believe that was the Japanese version called Exciting Hour. The game also goes under a third name: Mania Challenge.

Oh nice, I remember seeing a video of that ages ago. Nice to have a shot of the portrait art.

I can't believe they got away with Andy Savage and Rich Flair even with the lax copyright laws.