The Man Behind the Masks

Author: Denise May
Issue: 2007 June

Remember that old expression, "Clothes make the man." Well, ask Ron Thompson and he will tell you that clothes certainly make the wrestler! That's because Thompson is the real man behind the masks. Thompson makes captivating, and often intimidating, masks and wrestling wear that conceal wrestlers' true identities, unleashing alter egos with names like Terminator, Spoiler and Dr. Doom.

"I've only been designing and sewing wrestling wear for about three years," said Thompson. "But, I've already designed more than 1,000 wrestling masks. My wife was skeptical about it in the beginning and even I wasn't really sure I could make a living at it, but the business has really taken off."

As I child, Thompson dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler himself. He and his father would attend live wrestling matches being taped in Oklahoma City at what was then television station WKY, Channel 4.

"I always wanted a mask when I was a kid, but I never got one," said Thompson. "By the time I got old enough to consider becoming a wrestler myself, the sport had become a lot more dangerous. Many people think it's all fake, but a lot of the injuries are very real. Being hit in the head with a metal chair is not for me. I'm making more money without the pain."

Thompson found a way to stay connected to the sport by using his head, and his hands, a safer way. He hit the sewing machine instead of the mat.

"I went to school to learn auto upholstery, but quickly found out it wasn't for me," said

Thompson. "One day, I saw a mask on EBay and thought 'I could do that!' So, I got myself a sewing machine and started making masks, first selling on EBay. Later, I opened my own website store (www.wrestlingweargalore.com) to sell masks and other wrestling wear. I also get a lot of referral business. Now, I have customers all over the world, including Japan, Canada and Italy."

Thompson explained that he offers stock masks as well as custom designs. Remembering his childhood favorites, Thompson prefers the "bad guys" of wrestling. His stock designs include styles resembling characters like Mr. Wrestling #2 and The Punisher. Others have a Spiderman look and there's even one similar to that worn by Jack Black in the movie Nacho Libre.

"Many of the masks are a combination of colored stripes, flames, checks and even animal prints,” said Thompson. "I can turn those out in less than a day. The custom designs take more time. People often come up with their own characters that I sketch out for approval. I've even done masks that resemble Confederate and Canadian flags. I sell quite a few masks to wrestling fans who want to look like their favorite wrestler or just for Halloween.”

Is there any design Thompson won't tackle?

"Once I had an order for a monkey mask with ears and fur. It took a lot of time and work. Then there was a guy who wanted me to do a Mr. Massacre mask with a lot of blood on it. That would have taken forever, since I have to sew on each drop of blood separately. Nothing is ever just painted on."

All of Thompson's masks are made of Lycra, so they stretch over the head for greater comfort than the lace-up style. His wrestling wear product list also includes Lycra tights and kick pads as well as a stretch sock that fits over regular sport shoes - a more affordable option than real wrestling boots.

"A lot of the Indy wrestlers (local independent wrestling groups) only get paid about $50 or $60 a show, so I try to keep my wrestling wear competitively priced. Stock masks are as low as $20 and up. A custom design starts at $50 and up. Most of the time, it's one size fits all with Lycra. I'm a big guy, so I figure if it fits me it will stretch or shrink to fit most wrestlers."

Speaking of stretching, Thompson also wants to expand his business. Soon, he will be adding embroidered designs, as well as custom amateur wrestling singlets and custom neoprene motorcycle face masks. He's also working with a popular Ultimate Fighter and one of his Pennsylvania Indy groups will soon be seen on television. Thompson expects the added exposure will create even more interest in his designs.

Thompson explained that one reason wrestlers wear masks is that they are wrestling in a number of groups, and therefore need multiple character identities.

"Fans would probably be surprised to know that two or even three of their favorite wrestlers are actually the same guy," said Thompson. "One wrestler wears a pink, frilly mask so fans won't guess he's the bad guy they saw last week. Multiple characters mean multiple jobs and more money for independent wrestlers."

So, the next time you see a mysterious wrestler and wander, "Who was that masked man?" Don't ask Ron Thompson. He knows how to hide a secret.

Shawnee Outlook