Many WWE Superstars are tattoo enthusiasts, and a few have gotten new tats in the past year. Many superstars now have inked bodies like Roman Reigns, Rey Mysterio, and Seth Rollins.
Wrestlers were even allowed to discuss their tattoos on a WWE-produced show on the WWE Network called Superstar Ink hosted by Corey Graves. Superstar Ink ran for two seasons between August 2015 and August 2017 and hosted many top superstars like Charlotte Flair, AJ Styles, and Jeff Hardy. On the show, superstars revealed the backstories behind their tattoos.
Also Check: AJ Styles' tattoos
Lately, a few WWE Superstars have been adding more ink to their bodies for different reasons. While some documented personal events, others paid tribute to their families and role models.
Here are five WWE Superstars who have got new tattoos in the past year and their meanings.
#5. WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley
WWE RAW Women's Champion Rhea Ripley got a new tattoo on her left leg last June. She showed it to the world through her Instagram story and commented: "My Wendigo is finally done!".
According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, a Wendigo is a supernatural being belonging to the spiritual traditions of Algonquian-speaking First Nations in North America. Legend has it that humans turn into Wendigos when they become corrupted by greed or weakened by extreme conditions, like cold and hunger. A Wendigo is a dangerous creature because of its ability to harm others and infect them with evil.
Rhea Ripley is obsessed with tattoos. In an interview with TalkSport last year, she revealed that she dreams of becoming the most tattooed human ever, but one obstacle stands in her way of achieving that dream.
"My dream since being a little girls is to be the most tattooed human ever. I just love tattoos, I don’t know why! I’ve always loved them. But, unfortunately for me, WWE isn’t clearing my upper body [for tattoos]. That’s why I wear pants! I got pants so I wouldn’t have to clear my tattoos because you can’t see them. I’m trying to finish my leg sleeves, then hopefully I can convince people to let me get my arm sleeves and other stuff, but we’ll see how that goes."
The RAW Women's Champion is currently feuding with Charlotte Flair. In a previous interview with Mirror, Ripley chose Flair as the superstar she would like to tattoo if she had the chance.
"I would probably tattoo Charlotte. I'd probably put a little demon face - just to remind her who I am."
Ripley is set to defend her title against The Queen at Money in the Bank next month.
#4. WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss
Last March, a few months following her engagement to musician Ryan Cabrera, WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss got a new tattoo on her arm in her trademark white ink. Her tattoo consists of a caricature of her fiancé plus song lyrics that reads: "The way you love me... Just the way I am... like I deserve it."
Bliss posted a photo of her new tattoo on her Twitter account, elaborating on its meaning.
"His lyrics, his handwriting, the way he wrote it. His self drawn picture lol aka: the song he wrote and proposed to."
Soon after, Bliss deleted her post as it seemed she was not happy with some of the comments she received. She replied to these comments with this tweet:
Alexa Bliss is a tattoo enthusiast. In April 2020, she got two tattoos inked on her arms. Both had Disney connections, as Bliss is a known Disney fanatic.
She also has a third tattoo on her back. It includes a symbol to remind her of her recovery from an eating disorder.
Bliss is currently one of the top female superstars on WWE Monday Night RAW. She is set to compete in the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match next month.
#3. Former WWE Women's Champion Ronda Rousey
Former WWE Women's Champion Ronda Rousey recently released footage on her personal YouTube channel of her getting a new tattoo. Rousey's new ink commemorates her MMA career fights from her debut in 2010 to her last bout against Bethe Correia in 2015, with the number of seconds it took her to score each victory.
Rousey also posted the footage to her Instagram and commented on it.
"Getting work done by the legendary Chuey Quintanar. How many seconds did it take to win my fights? It’s a crazy feat to see written out, don’t think I’ve ever relived and retold every one until that moment."
Rousey is no stranger to body modification. Earlier, she and her husband Travis Browne had their wedding bands inked on their ring fingers. The former WWE Women's Champion also has a few other tattoos on her ankles, feet, and wrist.
The UFC Hall of Famer had her last WWE match at WrestleMania 35 when she lost the RAW Women's Championship to Becky Lynch in a triple threat match. Following that match, Rousey left WWE to start a family. She is now pregnant with her first child with her husband, Travis Browne.
#2. WWE Legend Batista
WWE legend Dave Batista added a new tattoo to his ever-growing collection last March. He posted a photo on his Instagram to show off his new ink with the comment: "There's a new lady in my life. #Medusa."
Medusa is a famous monster figure in Greek mythology. According to the legend, she has a head full of snakes and would turn those who dare look into her eyes into stone. Batista had her head inked on his belly under his chest Illuminati tattoo.
Following his loss to Triple H at WrestleMania 35, Batista announced his retirement from pro wrestling. In December 2019, WWE announced that the former World Heavyweight Champion would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020. However, he was removed after the ceremony was postponed to the following year.
Batista addressed the WWE Universe following his removal from the WWE Hall of Fame to explain the decision. He revealed that he has previous obligations that would prevent him from attending the ceremony and had asked WWE to induct him in a future one.
Batista is currently focusing on his acting career. He played parts in See and the upcoming animated Netflix series Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas in 2021. He was also featured in the movie Army of the Dead.
#1. Former WWE Superstar CM Punk
Former WWE Superstar CM Punk has many tattoos inked on his body, and he recently added a new one to his collection.
Last February, Chicago-based tattooer Nick Colella posted a picture of a Harley Race memorial tattoo to his Instagram. He revealed that he did it for CM Punk. The former WWE Champion had said in 2019 that he was planning to get a tattoo of the WWE Hall of Famer, and he finally cashed in on his word. Punk had the tattoo inked on his arm, and it shows a peacock with Race's famous crown above its head.
CM Punk has always been a big fan of Harley Race. He spoke about the importance of his Harley Race tattoo in an interview with Sportsnet.
"That’s just the way it works now. Tattoos are, to me, it’s like a receipt and a road map to where you’ve been in life. And a lot of them tell stories. So I will get them to memorialize people, or events such as the Stanley Cup run in the summer, you know, my summer vacation … I think Harley was a big piece of my career, whether people realize it or not. And he’s just somebody who deserves to be memorialized, I feel."
Punk retired from pro wrestling in 2014 and has insisted on many occasions that he has no interest in making a WWE return.