5 WWE Superstars you didn't know once competed under a mask

Masks.

Throughout history, the idea of covering your face with an image has had a multitude of reasons.

For some, a mask is used to disguise your face, whilst for others, it is a safety necessity for what they want to do.

In WWE, there has been a long tradition of masked Superstars, who have had varying degrees of success.

From Kane to Rey Mysterio to Kalisto, there have been plenty of stars who have donned the mask during their careers.

There are some Superstars though, who have appeared in masks that fans don't remember.

For some of these Superstars, it was long before they joined WWE, whilst some donned the most in the McMahon-led promotion, but not for long.

Here are five WWE Superstars you didn't know once competed under a mask.

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#5 Daniel Bryan

Bryan wore a mask during his early career under the tutelage of Shawn Michaels.

When Daniel Bryan rose to the main event in the summer of 2013, one gripe that the villainous Authority had with him is that he didn't have 'the look' of a World Champion.

Perhaps the group should've taken a page from Bryan's early career, as the YES! Man briefly competed under a mask during the first few years in his career.

Training under his real name Bryan Danielson, the future Superstar showed little to no personality in the ring, and the decision was made that a mask would make him more exciting.

Dubbed 'The Dragon', Bryan would wrestle for several years under the mask, before leaving it behind so he could compete under his real name on the independent scene.

Despite Bryan spending many years in a mask, most fans have no idea he ever wore one.

#4 Hulk Hogan

A lie detector 'proved' Mr America and Hulk Hogan weren't the same.

Even to non-wrestling fans, Hulk Hogan is pretty recognizable.

If the bright red and yellow colour scheme, matching feather boa and iconic bandana don't give it away, then there's always the Hulkster's iconic moustache.

But in 2003, the former WWF Champion attempted to fool everyone, when he donned the Mr America costume, to avoid being fired by Vince McMahon.

Trading in the red and yellow for the red white and blue, America was never afraid to stand up to McMahon's tyrannical rule over the show, even passing a lie detector test to prove that America and Hogan weren't the same.

Unfortunately, this all came crashing down (and it hurts inside!), when America/Hogan briefly unmasked for the fans after a taping, something McMahon caught on camera and took great delight in firing the Hulkster the next week.

#3 John Cena

Juan Cena made his return to WWE backstage with the Lucha House Party.

Much like Hulk Hogan, John Cena is one of wrestling's biggest stars.

Not only a Superstar, but Cena has also become an author, and has made waves as an actor, meaning even non-wrestling fans can point out the 16-time World Champion.

In late 2010 though, Cena donned a not-so-subtle disguise at live events.

After being 'fired' from WWE by Wade Barrett, Cena would return at house shows as 'Juan Cena', his Mexican relative, complete with purple and yellow mask.

Using John's theme, move-set and sounding astonishingly like the former World Champion, Juan's brief tenure in WWE provided some comedy to a storyline that had been so serious.

The angle never made it to air though, as Cena would return, maskless, mere weeks after being fired, though Juan did briefly re-emerge backstage with the Lucha House Party.

#2 Bray Wyatt

Wyatt's mask sent a shiver down the spine of many young NXT Superstars.

Though he may be living life to the fullest inside his Firefly Fun House, back in NXT Bray Wyatt was a very different man.

In the developmental brand, Wyatt would establish himself as a big star, with his Wyatt family brethren Rowan and Harper, but suffered a setback when his nose was broken during a match.

Worried about removing one of their biggest characters from the relatively new brand, WWE gave Wyatt a protective mask, allowing the Eater of Worlds to continue to compete and cut his eerie promos.

The mask even helped Wyatt seem creepier, though the future WWE World Champion decided against keeping it when his face was healed.

Wyatt would instead debut on the main roster without the mask in the Summer of 2013 and has recently returned to our screens.

#1 The Undertaker

The Deadman donned a protective mask for a few months in the mid-90s.

To describe The Undertaker as one of wrestling's most iconic stars is a gross understatement.

Throughout his near 30-year WWE career, the Deadman has amassed countless fans, several World Championships, a Royal Rumble victory and is instantly recognizable to any fan.

But during 1995, the seemingly unstoppable star was on the receiving end of a nasty face injury, one that'd keep Undertaker away from the ring until Survivor Series.

With his face not fully healed, the Phenom donned a ghoulish mask, styled after the iconic one worn in the Phantom of the Opera.

Looking more demonic than ever, this mask look would sadly not last long, as he would be un-masked just months later at the 1996 Royal Rumble event by Bret Hart.

Though the mask's tenure was brief, it surely left plenty of fans sleeping with the light on.

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