6 current WWE Superstars' tattoos with an interesting backstory

Some of the most famous WWE Superstars' tattoos have interesting backstories.

Many superstars are tattoo enthusiasts. A few years ago Corey Graves, one of the most inked superstars, hosted a show on the WWE Network where several performers, including Charlotte Flair, Happy Corbin and Seth Rollins revealed the backstories behind their tattoos.

Meanwhile, other superstars have also disclosed the stories behind their ink in interviews and on social media. Some of these performers documented personal events, paid tribute to their families and role models, or sent a hidden message for themselves within their tattoos.

Here are six superstars' tattoos with an interesting backstory.

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#6. WWE Champion Brock Lesnar - The sword

Brock Lesnar has several tattoos on his body. One of the most prominent is the sword stretching from his stomach to his neck.

The Beast Incarnate was going through hard times when he got that sword inked on his body. To get his release from Vince McMahon's company in 2004, Lesnar agreed to a noncompete clause that would prevent him from performing in any wrestling, ultimate fighting, or sports entertainment companies for an extended period of time.

However, following an attempt at getting into the NFL, the former Universal Champion later wanted to pursue a career in UFC and return to wrestling in Japan. This resulted in a legal dispute with Vince McMahon's company.

In addition to his dispute with WWE, Lesnar was going through other personal problems. He decided to get a tattoo to remind him of how bad he felt during that time.

In his autobiography "Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival," Lesnar revealed the meaning behind his sword tattoo.

"I felt like life was holding a sword right up against my throat, so I went under the ink gun because I never wanted to forget exactly how I felt at that time,'' wrote Lesnar. ''The bad times only make you appreciate the good times even more, and if I was ever told that I could only keep one tattoo, this one of the sword pointing right up against my throat is the one I’d keep (...) In some ways, it’s funny, because the period of my life that I’m talking about is a time I so want to forget, but I know I can use this memory as motivation."

Lesnar later won his legal battle with WWE and had a successful career in UFC. The Beast Incarnate then returned to Vince McMahon's company in 2012. He recently defeated Big E, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley in a Fatal-Five-Way match to capture the WWE Championship. The 44-year-old will now defend his title against Lashley at Royal Rumble.

#5. WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair - The word "Worthy"

Charlotte Flair is one of the best heels in WWE today. However, her on-screen persona does not reflect her real-life character. Hence, The Queen recently inked the word "worthy" on her forearm to remind herself of that.

In an interview with TV Source Magazine, the SmackDown Women's Champion disclosed the meaning behind her most recent tattoo.

"I have learned a lot since my debut in 2015. I have grown every year, and a part of that growth is also learning how to deal with the pressure and criticism,'' said Charlotte. I am so invested in my career and character, but being in the public eye is sometimes challenging. (...) There is a difference between what people say about the character Charlotte versus the person Ashley. It symbolizes remembering and knowing that and striving to stay true to yourself. It’s also about knowing you’re worthy and believing that every day."

Flair also has a few other tattoos on her body. One of the most prominent is the one on the right side of her abdomen, which is a tribute to her brother Reid, who tragically passed away nearly nine years ago.

The 35-year-old is currently active on SmackDown. Although she holds the SmackDown Women's Championship, Flair will not defend her title at the Royal Rumble. Instead, she will be competing in the Women's Royal Rumble match.

#4. WWE Hall of Famer Edge - the sun tattoo

Edge is one of the most inked superstars on the current WWE roster. According to the Hall of Famer, his tattoos are the story of his adult-professional life.

One of the most eye-catching pieces of ink on the Hall of Famer's body is the sun on his left shoulder. In an interview with WWE.com, he revealed the backstory behind that tattoo.

"(At the age of 17) two friends and I decided to get tattoos of different animals (...) I got a shark,'' Edge said. ''Two years later there was a cartoon called Street Sharks and by happenstance, it looked eerily reminiscent of my tattoo. Actually, it was identical."

In 2003, the former WWE Champion decided to ditch the shark tattoo. Hence, he replaced it with the sun.

"What I did was have the sun that was on my tights and boots for the first half of my career replace the shark; I guess the sun represents what I did back then -- look toward brighter days," he added.

Edge did have brighter days in the following years as he won many championships and became one of the greatest superstars in the company's history.

Although he initially retired in 2011 due to injury, The Rated-R Superstar returned to the squared circle two years ago. He is currently active on Monday Night RAW. The 48-year-old will now team up with his wife Beth Phoenix to face The Miz and Maryse at Royal Rumble.

#3. WWE Superstar Kevin Owens - The word "LIVE"

WWE Superstar Kevin Owens has several tattoos dedicated to his family members, including his wife, children, and grandparents. He also has a very eye-catching bull tattoo on his right arm, which he got because he is a Taurus.

Also, one of the most prominent pieces of ink on Owens' body is the word LIVE with the "E" written backward on his left arm. The former Universal Champion revealed the backstory behind that tattoo during an episode of Superstar Ink.

"At one point we (Owens' friend and mentor Steve Corino) were going through some things in each of our personal lives, we were just going through some rough stuff, and we decided to get a tattoo that says 'Live,' just as a bond with each other – we’d have the same tattoo,” he said.

Owens also disclosed that Corino was the one who came up with the idea of writing the "E" backward since both usually played heel characters on-screen.

"It’s almost like a social experiment because when people see it, some people will see 'LIVE' right away and then notice," the former Intercontinental Champion added.

Owens is currently active on Monday Night RAW. Last Monday, he defeated Damian Priest via disqualification in a United States Title match.

#2. WWE Superstar Sasha Banks - The word "Protect"

Unlike many WWE Superstars, Sasha Banks does not have any visible tattoos. But she does have a hidden one.

Nearly three years ago, The Boss inked the word Protect on her inner lip. In an interview with Women's Health last year, Banks revealed the backstory of her tattoo.

"I only have one tattoo and it's on my inner lip. And it's kinda faded but it says 'Protect,''' Banks said. ''And for me, it means to protect my words (...) This is something I really want. And protecting your voice, protecting your words, making sure you speak your positive words, even if your voice shakes. I just always wanna speak my truth through my words. So, I got this done."

The 30-year-old is currently one of the most accomplished female competitors on the roster. She is a six-time Women's Champion, two-time Women's Tag Team Champion, and former NXT Women's Champion.

Banks is currently out of action due to injury. The former SmackDown Women's Champion last competed on January 2, when she lost to Charlotte Flair at a live event.

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Please credit Women's Health and give a to H/T Sportskeeda if you use the above transcription.

#1. WWE Superstar Seth Rollins - The Bushido

WWE Superstar Seth Rollins has only two tattoos. The most prominent is the one on his back, which spells out the seven virtues of Bushido, the Japanese samurai code of honor, discipline, and morality.

During his appearance on Superstar Ink, The Visionary disclosed the backstory behind his most famous tattoo.

"This was my first tattoo,'' said Rollins. ''It's the Bushido. It's the samurai code. It's the way they live their life. Ironically enough I found it in a movie, The Last Samurai, it was a dude trying to figure himself out and stuff like that and he found peace in the samurai. I thought it was a really cool message and it's kind of a cool simple way to live your life."

Rollins also has the word "forever" inked on his left wrist, which he got to remind him of where he came from and the time he started focusing on WWE.

The Architect joined Vince McMahon's company in 2010 and has been with the company for more than a decade now. He is currently one of the most accomplished superstars on the roster.

Despite being on RAW, Rollins will challenge SmackDown's Tribal Chief Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble.