When the world of wrestling collides with the living dead, the results are as bizarre as they are unforgettable. From eerie gimmicks to outlandish movie crossovers, zombies have left an ominous mark on the squared circle. Uncover five iconic moments where the undead took center stage, revealing the strange and sometimes perplexing ways in which wrestling has embraced the zombie phenomenon.
1. Zombie Influence in Pop Culture and Wrestling’s Strange Dance with the Dead
Abadon, the “Living Dead Girl,” embraces her eerie zombie gimmick in wrestling. Photo Credit: Abadon, AEW.
Zombies have been a cornerstone of popular culture for decades, evolving from supernatural terrors to scientific nightmares. Their journey through our collective imagination has been as relentless as their on-screen shuffling, captivating audiences across various media.
The zombie’s roots in Western cinema can be traced back to 1932’s White Zombie, which introduced the Voodoo-influenced concept of the undead to American audiences. However, it was George A. Romero’s 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead that truly defined the modern zombie archetype – reanimated corpses with an insatiable hunger for human flesh.
As the genre evolved, zombies began to serve multiple purposes in storytelling:
Terror: Films like Night of the Living Dead and games such as Resident Evil use zombies as an unstoppable force of horror.
Social Commentary: Series like The Walking Dead employ zombies to explore human nature and societal values in extreme circumstances.
Comedy: Movies such as Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland, along with games like Dead Rising, showcase zombies’ potential for slapstick humor and satire.
This versatility makes zombies an intriguing fit for the theatrical world of professional wrestling. The industry has long flirted with supernatural elements, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Consider The Undertaker, known as “The Dead Man.” While not explicitly a zombie, his character has supernatural overtones that have captivated audiences for decades.
More recently, AEW’s Abadon has embraced a full-fledged zombie gimmick, complete with ghoulish makeup and unsettling mannerisms. Interestingly, Abadon has managed to maintain this character while also effectively using social media for self-promotion, showcasing the adaptability of the zombie concept in modern wrestling.
As we delve into the world where professional wrestling collides with the undead, we’ll explore further memorable instances that highlight this strange yet oddly fitting relationship. From comedic segments to full-blown invasions, these moments demonstrate wrestling’s willingness to embrace the absurd and the horrific in equal measure.
Let’s shamble forth into this bizarre intersection of sports entertainment and horror…
2. The ECW Zombie: Wrestling’s Extreme Horror Gimmick
The Zombie (Tim Arson) in ECW, 2006 – a surreal moment that tested fans’ patience. Photo Credit: WWE
The resurrection of ECW under WWE’s banner began with the highly successful One Night Stand pay-per-view in 2005. The event’s triumph led to a sequel in 2006, which, despite leaning more towards WWE’s style, still managed to capture the essence of the original ECW. This success fueled hopes for ECW’s return as WWE’s third brand.
However, the debut episode of ECW’s weekly show on June 13th, 2006, took an unexpected turn that would become infamous in wrestling history.
The Sandman vs. “The Zombie” Tim Arson during ECW’s WWE debut, 2006. Photo Credit: WWE.
As the show aired on the Sci-Fi Network, viewers witnessed a surreal spectacle: a zombie shambling to the ring, uttering guttural groans, only to be swiftly dispatched by The Sandman and his iconic kendo stick. The audience’s reaction was as lifeless as the character itself, with many fans seeing it as a clear sign that this new ECW had strayed far from its roots.
Behind the greasepaint and grunts was wrestler Tim Arson, who shared the bizarre backstory of his role as The Zombie in a 2014 interview. The character’s creation was a last-minute scramble, born from the Sci-Fi Network’s desire for otherworldly elements and a no-show by the originally planned “martian” character.
Arson recounted the frantic moments backstage: “Tommy Dreamer and Paul Heyman were in a panic. ‘Tommy! What are we going to do? The network wants a Zombie now! Who the hell can we get to do that?'”
Seizing the opportunity, Arson auditioned on the spot, impressing Heyman with his enthusiastic zombie impression.
“I got off the crate and walked over, and Paul pulled me aside and said, ‘Okay, kid, give me your best Zombie!’
“So I did my grumble, ‘Rarrrr!’
“Paul then said, ‘C’mon, I know you got a better Zombie than that!’
“So at the top of my lungs, I screamed and grabbed the double breasts of his suit and said, ‘AHHHWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! RAAAAIINNNNNZZZZ!!!!!!’
“His last words were, ‘Make it look good!’ and off I went to makeup at 6:35 p.m. for a 7:15 p.m. starting time.”
The Zombie’s brief appearance was more than just a gimmick; it was Arson’s way of repaying a debt to The Sandman, who had once helped him out of a tough spot in Puerto Rico.
“The Zombie gimmick ‘job’ was a favor back to Sandman for flying me home after a discrepancy in pay. I just asked and delivered!” Arson explained.
While Tim Arson sadly passed away in 2015, his legacy as The Zombie lived on. He embraced the character, occasionally reviving it at independent shows, proving that even the most criticized gimmicks can find a place in wrestling lore.
The late Brodie Lee and Tim Arson (as “The Zombie”) share a rare photo moment in 2007. Photo Credit: Brodie Lee.
3. Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies: Wrestling Stars Meet the Undead in Film
The film’s plot is as outlandish as its title suggests. When “The Franchise” Shane Douglas accidentally kills his friend Billy with a piledriver, Billy’s vengeful brother summons an ancient demon. The result? A zombie army that attacks Douglas and his fellow wrestlers. It’s a premise that perfectly encapsulates the film’s blend of wrestling drama and horror tropes.
“Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies” promotional poster, starring wrestling icons like Matt Hardy, Kurt Angle, Roddy Piper, Shane Douglas, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, and more. Photo Credit: Cody Knotts.
Roddy Piper, known for his wit both in and out of the ring, perfectly summed up the film’s appeal.
“The best thing about Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies is it knows exactly what it is,” Roddy Piper told 605magazine in 2014. “It doesn’t try to do anything other than deliver on its title! I don’t know that you can get a better title for any movie as descriptive as Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies. It really says what it is, doesn’t it?”
Piper’s involvement in the project came through a series of connections, including his friendship with “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, forged during their time on the reality show Legends’ House.
The film’s production was as chaotic as its premise. Shot in just 16 days with a minimal crew, the cast and crew faced numerous challenges, including freezing temperatures and less-than-ideal shooting conditions in an abandoned prison. Despite these obstacles, the team’s dedication shines through in the final product.
Roddy Piper gets intense in “Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies,” proving even the undead feel his wrath. Photo Credit: Cody Knotts. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Piper’s enthusiasm for the project is evident, but it wasn’t without its mishaps. He recounted an incident where his commitment to realism nearly resulted in serious injury to one of the zombie extras, highlighting the fine line between dedication and danger in low-budget filmmaking.
“I almost killed one of the zombies!” admitted Piper.
“When the zombies first come in the kitchen, some of them were just beginning wrestlers. They were wonderful. They were respectful.
“This kid came in with mummy bandages on his head, gauze, and stuff. There was a take, and I saw a pot there, so I plunked him on the head with a pot. He went on a steel stainless steel sink like you’d see in jail. He went down.
“The pot was hitting the sink, and it was making such good noises that I just clubbed him to ‘death.’
“It turned out it wasn’t hitting the sink. It was hitting his head. We had to call the ambulance to take the poor kid to the hospital! That was only the first scene…”
While Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it represents a unique intersection of wrestling fandom and horror movie culture. For those who appreciate both genres, it offers a campy, entertaining romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. As Piper suggested, it’s best enjoyed with “cookies and milk,” embracing its B-movie charm.
4. WWE Zombie Merch: When Wrestling Meets the Undead in Marketing
Mattel’s WWE Zombie action figures bring undead versions of wrestling’s biggest stars. Photo Credit: Toy Hype USA.
WWE’s marketing department has a knack for capitalizing on pop culture trends, and the zombie craze is no exception. Every few years, the creative minds at WWE Headquarters unleash their ghoulish imagination, transforming beloved superstars into the walking dead through the magic of digital art.
These zombie-fied photo galleries have become a recurring feature, blending the worlds of professional wrestling and horror in a visually striking manner. One notable collection from 2017 showcased fan-favorite wrestlers in various states of undead decay, providing a macabre twist on familiar faces. Fans can still view this eerie gallery on WWE’s official website, offering a glimpse into this unique crossover of sports entertainment and horror aesthetics.
But WWE’s foray into zombie territory doesn’t stop at digital art. In a bold move that bridges the gap between fantasy and tangible merchandise, Mattel introduced a line of WWE Zombie action figures. These collectibles reimagine popular wrestlers as undead versions of themselves, complete with gruesome details and zombie-appropriate accessories.
While the tagline “Perfect for the little ones!” might be tongue-in-cheek given the horror theme, these figures have found a niche among collectors and fans who appreciate the blend of wrestling and zombie culture. The attention to detail in these figures, from decaying flesh to zombie-themed ring gear, showcases the creative lengths WWE and Mattel have gone to in embracing this crossover concept.
Whether these zombie-themed products are viewed as a clever marketing ploy or a step too far into the realm of the bizarre, they undeniably add an interesting chapter to WWE’s merchandising history. For fans of both wrestling and horror, these items offer a unique way to celebrate their dual interests, bringing a touch of the macabre to the world of sports entertainment collectibles.
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5. Miz and Damian Priest’s Zombie Fight at WrestleMania Backlash
Damien Priest and The Miz fight off Army of the Dead at WWE WrestleMania Backlash on May 16th, 2021. Photo Credit: WWE.
At WrestleMania Backlash in May 2021, WWE fans witnessed one of the most surreal spectacles in recent memory: a Lumberjack match between The Miz and Damian Priest where the lumberjacks were replaced by zombies. This bizarre event was a promotional tie-in for Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” film, blurring the lines between wrestling entertainment and horror cinema in unprecedented ways.
The match itself was a chaotic affair, with both wrestlers having to contend not only with each other but also with the horde of undead surrounding the ring. John Morrison, The Miz’s ally, provided some of the match’s most memorable moments, showcasing his parkour skills against the zombies before ultimately falling victim to the horde.
John Morrison faces a horde of undead zombies at WWE WrestleMania Backlash on May 16th, 2021. Photo Credit: WWE.
The match concluded with Priest emerging victorious, but the aftermath left fans puzzled.
The Miz, seemingly “devoured” by zombies, was absent from WWE programming due to a legitimate injury. However, the storyline continued on the following night’s Raw, with Morrison maintaining the kayfabe that his partner had been eaten alive.
This event sparked debates among fans about the limits of suspension of disbelief in professional wrestling. While the independent scene often embraces such outlandish concepts, mainstream WWE programming typically explains supernatural elements as “mind games” or elaborate pranks. The zombie lumberjack match, however, offered no such explanation, leaving many viewers confused and divided.
Despite the mixed reception, both Damian Priest and The Miz have defended the match in subsequent interviews. Priest, speaking to Inside the Ropes in 2024, admitted he knew the concept would receive backlash but enjoyed the experience as a fan of zombie movies.
“I’m the type of person that goes, ‘This allows my creative juices to do whatever we want. So let’s make a movie out of it. Let’s make a meal out of it,'” The Miz explained.
He further argued that wrestling fans often criticize new ideas prematurely, citing his storyline with Bad Bunny in 2021 as an example of something that initially faced skepticism but ultimately won over the audience.
Zombie Wrestling: A Gimmick Best Left in the Grave?
Zombies in wrestling—an unforgettable spectacle that blurs the lines between horror and sport, but is it a gimmick best left in the grave? Photo Credit: Cody Knotts, WWE, AEW. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
The integration of zombies into professional wrestling has elicited a wide range of reactions—ranging from amusement and intrigue to confusion and criticism. These unconventional crossovers highlight wrestling’s ability to push creative boundaries, often blurring the lines between sports entertainment and other genres.
While some fans find these supernatural elements to be refreshing departures from traditional wrestling narratives, others see them as excessive, potentially undermining the sport’s credibility. A prime example of this divide is the zombie lumberjack match at WrestleMania Backlash, which showcases both the potential for innovative storytelling and the risks of alienating purist fans.
Ultimately, the success of zombie-themed wrestling events depends on execution, context, and audience receptiveness. Although these spectacles may create memorable moments and generate buzz, their long-term impact on wrestling’s integrity remains a subject of debate.
In the end, while zombies and wrestling may seem like a captivating combination, they might be better suited for the silver screen than the squared circle!
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Tim Buckler, a senior writer here at Pro Wrestling Stories, has been an author for over a decade, penning articles for sites such as WhatCulture, Screen Rant, Inside The Ropes, and many more, but his heart will always belong to Pro Wrestling Stories. He also presents a pop culture radio show entitled "The Little Telly Upstairs," which airs every Thursday 8-10 pm on Radio Woking, featuring news, views, and music from film, television, comic books, video games and, of course, Pro Wrestling. Follow him @blockbusterman on Twitter for more of his ramblings!
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