Wrestling stars as Tekken characters

I was always Tekken over Street Fighter, yeah you heard right, I don’t care if it’s controversial, come at me internet!

And I recently has a thought, a few wrestlers on the scene really remind me of characters from the classic fighting game. So with that fresh in my head I’ve taken it upon myself to do a comparison of some of my favourite wrestling stars as characters from the iconic Tekken franchise.

Let me know who you’d have added or any comparisons you think I got wrong.

Michael Oku - Heihachi Mishima

Credit: @y2jimbob/Namco

Forget The Rock, this is the true final boss! Yes, I know Ogre came after Heihachi in Tekken 3 but he was so much easier to beat. Heihachi will always be the final boss, just as Oku is currently the big bad boss of British wrestling.

He’s on such a hot streak at the moment and being able to beat him automatically makes you one of the best on the scene too.

Nico Angelo - Kazuya Mishima

Credit: @emmameekphoto/Namco

Another top, top villain, the Black Heart of Gold is over as hell across most of the UK - just like how Kazuya is super over amongst Tekken fans - but the thing that really links these two is their pure brutality in fights.

Both will do whatever it takes to win and are willing to suffer the consequences that come with that. You wouldn’t want to mess with either of these two bruisers.

Kid Lykos - Jin Kazama

Credit: @theheaddrop/Namco

The main protagonist and ultimate babyface (at least in some companies). Whether you love him or hate him you’re unable to deny the impact Lykos has had on the business and too many is seen as the enduring face of British wrestling, having been a mainstay across the last decade+.

This matches perfectly with Jin, whose journey is always followed throughout Tekken and who has captured the hearts and minds of fans.

Chris Ridgeway - Paul Phoenix

Credit: @chrisridgeway_/Namco

Facing Paul or Chris will see you on the end of the ultimate arse kicking. Stiff kicks and punches that will leave you sore and aching for days, if not weeks, afterwards.

Granted, Paul didn’t create North West Strong but if he did create a faction of Tekken characters it would certainly give Chris and NWS a run for its money.

Miyu Yamashita - Martial Law

Credit: @miyu.yamashita/Namco

When you think of the hardest hitting, most ruthless kicking and absolutely most brutal fighter on the scene you think, of course, of Martial Law…I mean Miyu Yamashita.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think Miyu is the best unsigned (by a major company) wrestler in the world and in Tekken I always used to play as Law because I thought he was the best as well.

Janai Kai - Hwoarang

Credit: @jayleephotographyac/Namco

If there’s one kicking sensation that could compare to Law it’s Hwoarang and the next best kicker in indie wrestling, at least in my mind, has to be the utterly awesome Janai Kai.

A kick from Kai will have you reeling and questioning all the decisions you’ve made in life that have led to that moment of pain as you lay staring at the ceiling.

Emersyn Jayne - King

Credit: @emersyn_jayne/Namco

The ultimate wrestler, ripped as hell and absolutely brutal in a fight. King was always one of the most feared fighters to play against in Tekken, with his hard hitting wrestling moves.

Likewise, stepping across from Emersyn Jayne you accept that you’re in for one hell of a beating and there’s not really much you can do about it.

Lizzy Evo - Nina Williams

Credit: @blueradical/Namco

These two are peas in a pod; beautiful and deadly! Both Nina and Lizzy will stomp you into the ground, chew you up and spit you out without a second thought. Coming up against either is a recipe for pain.

Amira - Anna Williams

Credit: @britwrespics/Namco

Talk about a deadly duo, the introduction of Anna as Nina’s sister meant there was not one but two stunning but ruthless fighters to deal with. Amira is great in the ring and crucially, like Anna, always dresses to the nines. Also…can you imagine how LOUD they would be as a duo!

Craig Marduk - Will Kroos

Credit: @stompphotography/Namco

A unit of a fighter who can take down anyone with ease and leave them crying and wishing they were back home in the comfort of their bed. Kroos is a beast who will have you feeling exactly that way….and Marduk is pretty terrifying too I guess.