WWE’s roster has seen an increasing number of Superstars undergoing name changes in recent months, recent examples being Austin’s theory losing his first name and Casey Catanzaro and Kai Lee Ray changing their names to Katana Chance and Alba Fire. The reasoning behind all the changes is explained in a new report from Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter – “Vince McMahon has decreed that he does not want any new people to use their real names anymore, nor the ones they used before in the independent scene.”
The report later indicated that the current main stars will not be affected by the new rule, so stars such as Randy Orton, Ronda Rousey, Shayna Pazler, Bianca Belair and Cody Rhodes are in a clear position. Meltzer wrote, “As always, the memo only applies to people who are newer and who have decided to apply to them. Randy Orton wouldn’t change to Frank Trevino and Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey didn’t apply that to them. It would be crazy if Riddle had to change his name because Riddle is Already his last name, but that seems to apply mostly to people just coming to the main menu and that doesn’t apply to Cody Rhodes.Humberto Carrillo is not a pushed name but his real first name is Humberto.Pete Dunne should have been Butch…but… From now on, they don’t want anyone new to use previous names from somewhere else or real first or last names. Unless you’re “Rey Gable Steveson.” And that will change soon enough, as it always has.”
But a quick look at the NXT roster shows that it could be an issue if and when they are called up (although hopefully the rule will be changed again by then). Check out some of these names in the list below!
Kushida
(Photo: WWE)
The six-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion will face both sides of the base. His real last name is actually Kushida and he used it all over the world prior to his arrival in NXT in 2019 (with his character almost unchanged from his new Japan days). Kushida worked as a jacket half time with Ikemen Jiro
Strong’s real name is Christopher Lindsay, but he had been wrestling for the role of Roderick Strong for over a decade before joining WWE. It is also unlikely that Strong has worked with the NXT brand since 2016 and actually appeared on the main roster under that name.
Zach Gibson (real name Jack Rhea) has been wrestling under this name since 2010 while James Drake’s real first name is James. A name change is likely more likely for the former than for the latter.
Gacy has been working under this name since way back in 2006. He is currently in a feud with NXT Champion Bron Breakker after he kidnapped Breakker’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner.
Ciampa’s real first name is Tommaso and he has been using the Ciampa name since 2007. He has also appeared in a lot of major independent promotions under this name, most notably Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling. It might already be obvious since he’s just been called up to the Raw roster with his name still intact.
