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Wrestlers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and Ric Flair have millions of fans and enjoy astounding popularity, even years after their retirement. However, there is a certain breed of wrestlers who seem to inspire a cult-like dedication in their fanbase.
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While they may not have as many fans as the major names in the business, and may not even have held a major title or worked for a major promotion, they still have a fanatical base that will travel hundreds of miles to see their matches and follow their every word on social media.
It's the fan's right to cheer for whoever they wish; It comes with the price of a ticket or a click on a link. But these wrestlers have fans that take it to the next level. Here are five wrestlers with cult followings.
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#1 Colt Cabana
Wrestling's resident comedian is winding down his in-ring career, but he remains a fixture on social media. His podcast is garnering major mainstream attention because of a connection to CM Punk's civil suit.
He had a blink-and-you-miss-it run with the WWE years ago, as Scotty Goldman, but was quickly released along with a slew of newer talent before he could get any momentum going.
Colt Cabana breaks the stereotype of a typical wrestler, choosing to showcase his sunny personality and sense of humour rather than apoplexy and threats.
Why he has a cult following: Colt Cabana is funny, first and foremost. Entertaining the fans goes a long way toward garnering their respect. But Cabana also seems approachable, like someone a fan could sit down and have a beer with. It's his common man vibe and humorous antics that make his fan base so dedicated.
#2 Bayley
Even when the WWE tries to turn her heel, Bayley still has a rabid fan base. Examining why isn't so clear-cut.
She's a talented athlete, but there are many talented women in the WWE right now. Bayley has everyone from young children to middle-aged men cosplaying her ring attire and cheering wildly at her entrances.
Why she has a cult following: Like Colt Cabana, Bayley seems approachable. She doesn't have the 'goddess' quality or the etherealness of other women like Alexa Bliss. Likewise, her warm personality shines through no matter the odds or situation she finds herself in. Fans love wrestlers who never quit fighting, and Bayley manages to straddle the role of good girl and combatant with equal aplomb.
#3 Necro Butcher
His matches are NOT for the squeamish. Necro Butcher is the heir to the throne left vacated by men such as Mick Foley and Abdullah the Butcher.
The longtime indy darling is officially retired, but he gained some mainstream success when he appeared in The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke.
Why he has a cult following: Fans appreciate wrestlers who sacrifice for their art and are willing to put their bodies on the line for entertainment. But this is only half of Necro Butcher's appeal. Much like Bayley and Colt Cabana, he has an 'everyman' vibe that makes him seem friendly and approachable even if he just stapled a license plate to someone's forehead.
#4 CM Punk
It almost seems unfair to include Punk on this list because of his massive mainstream success, but that success was built upon his dedicated fan base.
CM Punk draws attention everywhere he goes, from the UFC to those speculating he could show up for All In.
Why he has a cult following: CM Punk has a lot going for him in this regard. One, he worked his way up to the big leagues through the indies, busting his behind night after night for little money until he hit the big leagues. Two, he's highly talented in the ring. Three, he has a devil-may-care attitude and boundless confidence that make him attractive.
Finally, he walked away from WWE on principle, literally passing up millions of dollars because his heart wasn't in the product. A man of conviction enjoys a certain degree of respect. But most of all, much like the others on this list, he seems like a man you could sit down and have a beer with--or maybe a Pepsi.
#5 Shark Boy
A fixture of the indy scene for years, Shark Boy was an anomaly. His mainstream success shouldn't have happened but did.
Despite not being very large, or having a deep moveset or acrobatics to rely on, Shark Boy has enjoyed success all over the world. Often accompanied by his 'school'--fans who wear Shark Boy masks at ringside--he was perhaps the first of the cult favourites of the modern wrestling era.
Why he has a cult following: Shark Boy's gimmick is just plain goofy, from his head fin to the fact that he 'bites' his opponents even though his mouth is obviously covered by the mask he wears. Fans enjoy the occasional break from all the serious drama in many wrestling storylines and angles, and Shark Boy provides that. Perhaps Shark Boy gained so much cult popularity because his career's rise coincided with the rise of the internet. Fans on the early newsgroups and blogs used to gush about Shark Boy, and those same fans are still watching him today.
There you have it; Five wrestlers with cult followings.
Do you know any other wrestler who belongs in this list? Let us know!
