The crossover between professional wrestling and video game fans is increasingly large, as wrestling has grown nerdier over the past two decades. One great practice that's arisen due to that increase in nerdy wrestlers is wrestling in cosplay. Wrestlers will dress up as their favorite game characters and then wrestle a match in the gear. The latest example comes from the all-women Mission Pro Wrestling promotion, as wrestler Vertvixen decided to show her love for God of War.
On Saturday, Mission Pro Wrestling held a Pay Per View event titled Keep 'Em Talkin' in Buda, Texas. For Vertvixen, it was her first match with the rapidly growing indie promotion. Vertvixen was challenging Rache Chanel in the first round of the Mission Pro Wrestling #1 Contendorship Tournament. To take her game up to the next level, Vertvixen worked the match with God of War energy. Her gear, make-up, and entire look were based on God of War's Kratos, even down to a couple of Blades of Chaos toys.
Vertvixen must have embraced Kratos' rage, because she'd go on to defeat Rache Chanel and move on to the #1 Contendership Tournament's second round. It isn't clear when the second round will take place, but Mission Pro Wrestling does have an event announced for July 31 named Play Hard, Hustle Harder and Vertvixen is being advertised for the card. She could end up facing either Alex Gracia, Jazmin Allure, or Jennacide, with the tournament winner ultimately getting a chance to face MPW champion La Rosa Negra.
Kratos is just the latest example of Vertvixen cosplaying, though it's perhaps her first in-ring cosplay. Past cosplays include Nova from Starcraft Ghost, Jill Valentine of Resident Evil, Cammy and M. Bison from Street Fighter, Zero Suit Samus, and even Darksiders 3's Fury. The list goes on. When Vertvixen isn't wrestling, she's also a Twitch streaming partner. Fans can also check out Vertvixen's matches as part of AEW on its Dark show.
Kratos as a character also has a meaningful connection to professional wrestling. This past year WWE superstar Shad Gaspard passed away in a tragic accident. Gaspard is remembered not only for his wrestling but also for contributing motion capture recordings for Kratos in God of War. Kratos cosplay is a great tribute to his memory.
As mentioned, wearing cosplay gear to matches is an increasingly common event. Wrestlers will often dress up for special occasions or big matches. One of the best-known match cosplayers is Kenny Omega, one of the wrestling industry's biggest gaming fans. He's previously cosplayed in matches as Undertale's Sans and Street Fighter's Akuma, never mind his entire NJPW heel gimmick being based on Final Fantasy 7's Sephiroth. Hopefully, more pro wrestling cosplay will be delivered soon.
God of War is available now on PS4.