Happy Halloween! We’re celebrating our eighth anniversary of dreaming up Halloween costumes for the women of wrestling. This year, we’ll be splitting up the women into three categories: NXT, TNA/Lucha Underground and WWE.
But before you see this year’s picks, be sure to catch up on the past seven years of this feature:
- 2008
- 2009: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- 2010: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- 2011: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- 2012: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- 2013: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- 2014: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
For the first part of our feature, we have the NXT Divas:
Alexa Bliss as Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad
The Joker’s bizarre former psychiatrist and lady love will make her big screen debut in next year’s Suicide Squad, but she’s a pop culture phenomenon already, thanks to countless appearances in comics, cartoons, television and video games. Who better to don Harley’s updated, pigtailed look than NXT’s own pint sized evildoer? Perhaps she could convince Blake and Murphy to dress up as Deadshot and the Joker to compliment her costume.
Asuka as Asuka from Tekken
We just couldn’t resist. Like her NXT counterpart, Asuka (from Namco’s Tekken series) is popular with fans, practicing martial arts moves inspired by her forerunners within the Kazama family, like other fan favorite Jun. NXT’s Asuka certainly celebrates her heritage too, naming herself after the great Lioness Asuka. Both girls have their own distinctive look too, and we can definitely see NXT’s Asuka rocking similar gear. It’s only a matter of time before a new blue attire from Asuka down in NXT has us fangirling. Bring on Tekken 7! We can’t wait to customise Asuka and give her pink hair and a multi-colored attire.
Bayley as Joy from Inside Out
Really, who personifies pure, unbridled joy more than Bayley? The NXT Women’s Champion is practically a Pixar character come to life, with her boundless optimism and can-do spirit, so it would be fitting for her to dress as Inside Out‘s Joy, the Amy Poehler-voice leader of the emotions. Bonus points if she’s joined by a Riley-fied Izzy.
Billie Kay & Peyton Royce as Dot & Bette from American Horror Story: Freak Show
Billie and Peyton are two of NXT’s newest Divas, and consequently haven’t been given much of an opportunity to break out of their “enhancement talent” roles. Despite their heel and babyface distinctions, some may find the Divas interchangeable (sharing entrance music certainly doesn’t help them in that regard). Why not acknowledge that in a tongue-in-cheek way by dressing up as American Horror Story: Freak Show‘s conjoined twins, Dot and Bette? Billie, being the heel, can take on the cynical Dot, while the babyface Peyton portrays the dreamer Bette.
Carmella as Cookie Lyon from Empire
The self-proclaimed “hottest chick in the ring” has no shortage of self confidence, which makes her a great match for Empire‘s breakout star, Cookie Lyon. While Carmella hasn’t had to deal with shocking betrayal or seen the inside of a prison cell, she’s about as street smart as Divas get. And, hell, she’s already got a wardrobe to match Cookie’s own extravagant style.
Dana Brooke & Emma as Laverne De Fazio & Shirley Feeney from Laverne & Shirley
♪ Give us any chance we’ll take it
Read us any rule we’ll break it
We’re gonna make our dreams come true
Doin’ it our way ♪
Who would have thought Dana and Emma would become 2015’s strongest NXT Diva duo? The seemingly incompatible Divas have formed a close bond, their successes, failures and hijinks reminiscent of female sitcom duos. With that in mind, we’d love to see them don the vintage wigs and sweaters worn by the namesakes of beloved 70s sitcom Laverne & Shirley. Here’s hoping they know how to hopscotch!
Dasha Fuentes as Dana Brooke
Dasha Fuentes is just starting out as an NXT backstage interviewer, but she’ll soon be taking on a much bigger role in the wake of Devin Taylor‘s departure. However, there’s one part of Devin’s legacy that Dasha certainly won’t want to inherit: her status as Dana Brooke’s punching head-patting bag. Dasha could show Dana that she’s not to be messed with by adopting the look of someone Dana wouldn’t dare patronize: herself.
Eva Marie as Trish Stratus circa 2002
Slowly but surely, Eva Marie is evolving into a well-rounded in-ring performer. While she hasn’t silenced her critics just yet, she would do well to draw inspiration from the ultimate model-turned-wrestler: Trish Stratus. To remind her critics of how hard work can transform a wrestler, Eva could don the look Trish sported when she was just finding her groove in the ring: blonde hair, “100% Stratusfaction Guaranteed” baby tee, flared pants and all.
Nia Jax as Captain Phasma from Star Wars: The Force Awakens
While we don’t know much about Captain Phasma, the much-hyped female Stormtrooper from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, we do know one thing: she’s going to be a badass. Who better to wear the metallic suit than NXT’s own physically imposing Diva? We’re sure that anyone complaining about the introduction of a female Stromtrooper would clam up quickly when met with a glare from Nia Jax.
