words // Brandon Richard

Throughout the course of history, professional wrestlers have been known to lace up a pair of high-cut leather boots for in-ring competition. Some of the boots have even become famous in their own right. The Iron Sheik's curled-toe Persian boots, Hulk Hogan's bright yellow leather boots and Bret Hart's Concord XI-like patent leather boots are a few that are recognized outside of the world of wrestling.



While the boot is still standard in-ring gear, sneakers have turned up between the ropes more often in recent years. A lot of this started in the late 90s, when wrestling promotions moved away from traditional set-ups for more a more edgy and current feel with their product. You've probably heard of John Cena, a current WWE superstar who has made basketball shoes a part of his usual match get-up. Before him, guys like Kevin Nash and Shane McMahon frequently wore shoes that would be considered "heat" in the sneaker community inside the ring.

We here at Sole Collector can even make the claim of having a hand in blending sneakers and wrestling. Long-time readers of our magazine may recall that we shot WWE Divas for Issues 4 & 5 and TNA Knockouts for Issue 13. Names like Stacy Keibler, Trish Stratus. Torrie Wilson and Christy Hemme are just a few that have graced the SC pages.



Today, the WWE will present the 27th edition of their annual spectacle, Wrestlemania at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. There's an increased buzz surrounding this year's event due to the return of the People's Champ, The Rock, who will be hosting the show. To celebrate Wrestlemania XXVII and bridge the gap between the sneaker world and professional wrestling, let's recap some of the best sneakers we've seen worn by wrestlers, inside and outside of the ring.

Bret Hart

Shoe: Jordan True Flight

Year: 2010

John Cena

Shoe: Jordan Jeter Throwback

Year: 2010

2009: Shane McMahon - "Cement" Air Jordan Retro 3

2010: Santino Marella - Nike Air Max Wavy

2011: Lisa Marie Varon aka Victoria aka Tara - Nike Air Max LeBron 8 V/2

2010: John Cena - Jordan Flipsyde

2004: Stacy Keibler - Air Jordan XI Low White/Pink Sample

2009: Shane McMahon - Air Jordan Retro 1 "Olympic"

1998: Bret & Owen Hart - Nike Zoom T-Bug Flight

2007: John Cena - Reebok Pump Omni Lite

2006: Christy Hemme - Sole Collector x Nike Air Max 95 - "Cowboy"

2010: Hulk Hogan - Nike Shox Turbo VI iD

2009: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - Nike Air Max 360 III





2010: John Cena - Jordan Flight 9

2000: Kevin Nash - Nike Air Garnett III

2010: Jeff Hardy - adidas Superstar II

2004: Trish Stratus - Nike Shox Turbo

2009: Batista - Nike Zoom Kobe IV POP

2011: John Cena - Jordan 1 Fund 5/8

Hulk Hogan

Shoe: Nike Shox Elevate

Year: 2006

Lisa Marie Varon aka Victoria

Shoe: Air Jordan 16 Black/Red

Year: 2004

Shane McMahon

Shoe: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'Fire Red'

Year: 2007

Stacy Keibler

Shoe: Air Jordan 10 'Powder'

Year: 2004

John Cena

Shoe: Reebok Pump Bringback

Year: 2006

Edge

Shoe: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Year: 2010

John Cena

Shoe: Under Armour Proto Speed II

Year: 2009

Shane McMahon

Shoe: Air Jordan 3 Retro 'True Blue'

Year: 2006

Stacy Keibler

Shoe: adidas a3 Superstar Ultra T-Mac PE

Year: 2004

John Cena

Shoe: Air Jordan 2009

Year: 2009

Kevin Nash

Shoe: Air Jordan 13 'Bred'

Year: 1998

Gail Kim

Shoe: PUMA Suede

Year: 2006

Hulk Hogan

Shoe: New Balance 8574

Year: 2009

John Cena

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Shoe: Reebok Pump Show Stopper

Year: 2007

The Rock

Shoe: Under Armour Proto Speed Trainer

Year: 2011

Torrie Wilson

Shoe: Reebok G-Unit G6 Women's Mid

Year: 2004

Kevin Nash

Shoe: Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Bred'

Year: 2002

Shane McMahon

Shoe: Nike Dunk High SB 'Papa Bear'

Year: 2007

Kelly Kelly

Shoe: Nike Big Nike High GS

Year: 2009