Street Fighter Extended Universe: Slam Masters

There are 3 games in the Slam Master series, as seen below:  

1) Saturday Night Slam Masters — the first game of the series.  

2) Muscle Bomber Duo: Ultimate Team Battle — an updated version of the first game.  

3) Ring of Destruction: Slam Masters II — the sequel to the first game and the final installment of the series.

Story

Professional wrestling became very popular in the early 1980s, and many wrestling groups started all over the world. These groups were rivals. To solve this problem, 8 groups joined to create the Capcom Professional Wrestling Association (CPWA), led by Victor Ortega, the CPWA's first champion.  

One day, Ortega suddenly disappeared. He was very important to the sport, and his sudden loss caused the CPWA to fall into confusion and chaos. The Blood Professional Wrestling Association (BPWA), a secret underground wrestling group, saw this chance and began to act.  

With the theme "Fighters of Muscle Bomber = Destiny," the CPWA leaders decided to hold a world tour called the “Crash Carnival” to find the new king of the CPWA. The gong to choose the new “Master of Muscle Bomber” is sounded…  

Ring of Destruction: Slam Masters II  

The wrestlers of the Capcom Wrestling Association meet again, but this time the Blood Wrestling Association joins to fight for the championship. Victor Ortega, the former Muscle Bomber champion and owner of the CWA, had left because he couldn't find anyone strong enough to challenge him. Now he's back and is the one to beat to win the championship.

Alexander the Grater is a CWA wrestler who once played for Australia’s national rugby team. After moving to America, he switched to American football, gaining some recognition before being kicked out for violent behavior. He then turned to wrestling, with a nickname meant to trick opponents into underestimating him. His signature move is the spike DDT. His name is a play on Alexander the Great, inspired by the late wrestler Big Van Vader. In Japan, he’s known as Sheep the Royal, possibly referencing the Sheepherders, the original persona of Butch Miller and Luke Williams, later famous as The Bushwhackers from New Zealand.

The son of a high-ranking Russian bureaucrat, Biff has trained in wrestling since childhood, receiving specialized instruction. Skilled in various martial arts like sambo and karate, he’s claimed numerous championships. Not one for showmanship, Biff prefers delivering powerful, calculated attacks and mentally mapping out each move. He once trained at Mike Haggar’s gym alongside his friend and rival, fellow wrestler Gunloc. It frustrates him deeply when people dismiss wrestling as fake. When defeated, he’s been known to remark, “Comrade Zangief was right! You all play cheap!”—hinting at a possible past as Zangief’s training partner or friend.

Trained by Meteorito Jr., El Stingray is a high-flying, charismatic CWA masked luchador (Spanish for "wrestler") whose unmatched speed sets him apart. Proud of his midair assault skills, he feels most alive when performing aerial attacks in front of a crowd. He’s locked in a near-constant rivalry with The Great Oni, who shares a similarly flashy wrestling style.  

Concept  

El Stingray’s technico (“good guy”) persona and mask are thought to be inspired by the late Mexican luchador Blue Demon. His moveset closely mirrors that of Volador (“Flyer” in Spanish), a Mexican luchador celebrated for his breathtaking aerial maneuvers. His ring name is likely a nod to retired wrestling legend Sting, known for his time in WCW, TNA, WWE, and AEW. However, El Stingray’s overall design appears most influenced by the late Mexican luchador Lizmark, sharing similar physical traits as well as the design and colors of his tights.

The Great Oni, also known as “The Demon of Sobriety,” is a Japanese wrestler whose theatrical style, reminiscent of a Kabuki leader, captivates audiences. Dubbed the “Pale-Faced Devil” for the white face paint he adopted at a local promoter’s suggestion while training overseas, Oni speaks with the dramatic flair of that era. He often clashes with fellow CWA member El Stingray, whose flashy style mirrors his own, and uses his quick movements to toy with opponents. A close friend of CWA wrestler King Rasta Mon, the two form the tag team “Exotic Warriors.” Oni’s character draws loose inspiration from legendary Japanese wrestlers The Great Muta, Akira Nogami, and The Great Kabuki.

Nicknamed the "Florida Wild Horse," Gunloc grew up as a street fighter in the slums. He trained under Mike Haggar alongside his friend, rival, and fellow wrestler Biff Slamkovich, and together they rose to fame as CWA wrestlers. Gunloc once made a move on Haggar’s daughter Jessica, but after she ignored him, Cody got into a serious fight with him over it. He later repeated the stunt, which didn’t sit well with Haggar, leading to a heated fight between the two men. Gunloc’s Slam Masters bio mentions he is “rumored to be related to a famous street fighter,” a nod many believe points to Guile due to their similar fighting styles.

Jumbo, a liquor enthusiast, once worked as a bar bouncer but was fired after severely beating a customer. He later became a wrestler’s bodyguard, but an unexpected fight with his employer ended with Jumbo knocking him out. Seizing the opportunity, he stepped into the ring himself and made his BWA debut. A brutal competitor, Jumbo thrives on intimidating the weak and takes twisted delight in seeing his opponents bleed. Fiercely loyal to The Scorpion, he serves as his right-hand man and tag team partner, forming the fearsome duo known as the “Silent Assassins.”

Concept  

Jumbo’s look takes cues from late wrestling legend John “Earthquake” Tenta, sporting a mohawk similar to Zangief’s. His jagged face paint, massive frame, and fire-breathing act echo the style of hardcore heel Mr. Pogo from the early ’90s. His Japanese name nods to Kamala the Ugandan Giant, a ’80s WWF veteran known for his “savage” gimmick, who at the time enjoyed a strong run in All Japan Pro-Wrestling during Slam Masters’ development.

King Rasta Mon lived a peaceful life in the mountains of the Dominican Republic until his athletic talent was discovered and evaluated. He then trained under martial arts master Matthew Ainsworth and soon after made his debut as a wrestler. Usually calm, Rasta transforms into a wild force in the ring, driven by instinct. With limited knowledge of human language, he learns by watching cartoons. His highly intelligent simian companion, Freak, manages his matches. Now residing in Venice Beach, California, Rasta’s design and fighting style are reminiscent of the late indie wrestler Bruiser Brody. It’s believed his character was an early concept for Street Fighter’s Blanka. He also shares similarities with late WWE wrestler George “The Animal” Steele, though unlike Steele—who famously spoke only a few words despite being skilled on the mic—Rasta can speak some English. Steele’s iconic “Duh-da-dahh” line was reportedly created by accident.

Haggar started out as a pro wrestler, though it's hinted he was a “champion street fighter” before that. Either way, he earned enough fame and respect to mentor rising stars like Biff Slamkovich and Gunloc, who later signed with the CPWA. While there, Haggar teamed up with Alexander the Grater, and together they called themselves the “Knuckle Busters.”

The Scorpion is a formidable and talented masked wrestler, with his true identity and past hidden in mystery. As the leader of the sinister Blood Wrestling Association (BWA), he stands as the main antagonist in the Slam Masters series.

Titanic Tim is the largest and heaviest wrestler in the CWA. Weighing over 5 kg at birth, he stood taller than 6'3" by the time he finished elementary school. He began wrestling to make full use of his massive frame. According to his American bio, he dislikes small people and is often mistaken for a disco reject. His signature move is the neck chokehold. Tim is close friends with fellow CWA wrestler El Stingray, and together they often team up as the “Deadly Brothers.” His childhood idol, Victor Ortega, inspired and motivated him to pursue a career in pro wrestling. Tim once shared a strong friendship and rivalry with Birdie, even forming the tag team “500 Trillion Powers.” However, Birdie eventually left wrestling for personal pursuits, leading Tim to continue his career solo in the CWA.

Concept  

It’s likely Titanic Tim was inspired by legendary giants like the late Giant Baba and Giant González. His hometown of Wigan may also pay homage to the late “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith, Britain’s most famous wrestler, who hailed from the same place.

Almost nothing is known about Black Widow's early life, except that at one point she faced Yoko Harmageddon in a wrestling match, which ended with Widow injuring Yoko’s neck and waist, forcing her to officially retire from pro wrestling. In Black Widow’s ending in Ring of Destruction: Slam Masters II, she reveals to the crowd that she is indeed female, complete with a distinctly feminine voice. The reason for her disguise is never explained, but since she’s the only female wrestler, it’s speculated that the CWA didn’t have a women’s division at the time of the events in Ring of Destruction.

He’s a member of the BWA, though little is really known about him. Said to have “come from the battlefield,” he’s more than willing to “do whatever it takes to win,” often attacking opponents with weapons like shovels or hand grenades, and treating every match as a life-or-death fight. Rip’s wild, unconventional style has earned him a big fan following within the Slam Masters storyline, and seems to parody hardcore “garbage” wrestling that was popular in Japan at the time.

Concept-wise, he might be inspired by the G.I. Joe character and retired WWE wrestler Sgt. Slaughter, with his Calgary, Alberta birthplace nodding to the legendary Hart wrestling family, including Bret and Owen Hart. Rip Saber may also draw influence from Karl Moffat, aka Jason the Terrible, a Calgary native known in ’90s Japan for enduring and delivering punishment with improvised weapons rather than technical skill. Like many wrestlers in such promotions, Moffat took part in matches with fire and explosives, and his tag partner, Leatherface/Super Leather, had previously performed under the military-themed persona Corporal Kirchner in the WWF during the mid-’80s.

Victor Ortega, the original founder and owner of the Capcom Wrestling Association, also served as its first undefeated and undisputed champion. His reign began after he crushed the top-ranked wrestler, but he mysteriously vanished from the ring when no worthy challengers remained, staying out of sight for over a year. Just before the "International Blowout," Ortega reappeared, accepting The Scorpion’s conditions—wagering his championship belt—to step back into the fight.  

Concept  

Ortega appears to be inspired by the late wrestling legend Superstar Billy Graham. His victory pose mirrors one of Hulk Hogan’s signature stances; in fact, Hogan himself drew aspects of his persona from Graham, who had been both his mentor and trainer. The surname Ortega likely pays homage to Jesús "Jess" Ortega, a Mexican-American wrestler recognized as one of the earliest foreign antagonists in Japanese pro wrestling during the late 1950s.

The Wraith is a massive, demonic wrestler often described as one of the undead, yet his look ironically resembles that of a priest more than a fighter. His hood, tattered cape, and loose, baggy pants give opponents easy handholds, which may be an intentional handicap as he seeks a worthy challenge—something echoed by his defection from Victor Ortega’s CWA to the rival BWA. Adding to the irony, his green skin, long snake-like tongue, scaly face, and use of snakes make him seem as much a giant serpent-man as an undead being. His alternate grey palette makes him appear even more like a risen corpse. It’s likely The Wraith draws inspiration from supernatural wrestling icons like The Undertaker and Papa Shango.