Wrestlers in WWE and different promotions want much more than simply in-ring capacity to attach with followers. If somebody has an incredible gimmick however they cannot again it up within the ring, there is a good likelihood they will not final very lengthy. Equally, if a rising star has one of many worst wrestling names on this planet, they may wrestle to progress within the enterprise.
Steve Austin, for instance, might not have turn out to be such an iconic star in WWE if he agreed to be referred to as Chilly McFreeze as an alternative of Stone Chilly. The identical may very well be mentioned for Rebecca Quin, who virtually obtained the identify Madeleine earlier than turning into Becky Lynch.
Wrestlers normally work with the artistic workforce to provide you with identify concepts forward of their televised debut. In uncommon circumstances, one other member of the roster typically lends a serving to hand by suggesting a greater identify as an alternative.
On this article, let’s depend down 5 WWE stars who contributed to a different wrestler’s identify.
#5. Corey Graves helped create Roman Reigns’ WWE identify
Joe Anoa’i glided by the names Leakee and Roman Leakee in WWE’s Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and NXT developmental techniques. Shortly earlier than becoming a member of the primary roster in 2012, he switched his identify to Roman Reigns.
On a 2017 episode of Chris Jericho’s Discuss Is Jericho podcast, Reigns mentioned commentator Corey Graves helped together with his identify. The Tribal Chief determined to change his surname from Leakee to Raines following the departure of fellow developmental expertise Calvin Raines.
Graves urged he change Raines to Reigns to come back throughout like a King. The previous soccer participant agreed, including that it gave the impression of a “whole heel identify.”
#4. Cody Rhodes helped create Dangerous Information Barrett’s WWE identify
In 2013, Wade Barrett underwent a personality transformation when he started referring to himself as Dangerous Information Barrett. The persona beforehand appeared on The JBL & Cole Present on YouTube, the place he delivered unhealthy information to folks on the finish of comedy skits.
Barrett revealed in an interview with DNA India in 2014 that Cody Rhodes created the amusing gimmick. Someday, Rhodes jokingly instructed everybody within the locker room that he grew up watching Wade carry out as Dangerous Information Barrett on tv.
WWE’s on-line workforce later needed Barrett to look on The JBL & Cole Present. The Englishman thought it will be humorous to deliver the fictional character to life on the YouTube collection, resulting in the creation of Dangerous Information Barrett.
#3. Shawn Michaels helped create Triple H’s WWE identify
Triple H appeared in WCW as French aristocrat Jean-Paul Levesque earlier than becoming a member of WWE in 1995. J.J. Dillon, an govt on the time, initially needed to name him Reginald DuPont Helmsley. After The Sport raised issues, they ultimately agreed on the identify Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
On a 2014 episode of Discuss Is Jericho (H/T Wrestling Inc.), the NXT founder mentioned his D-Era X stablemate Shawn Michaels shortened his identify to Triple H. The 14-time world champion was nonetheless named Hunter Hearst Helmsley at first, however he grew to become referred to as Triple H because the years went on.
#2. Drew Gulak helped create Wheeler Yuta’s identify
AEW star Wheeler Yuta was skilled by Drew Gulak in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the beginning of his profession. He initially needed to be named YUTA, however Gulak suggested him so as to add Wheeler at the beginning of his identify.
In 2022, the Blackpool Fight Membership member mentioned on the Beneath the Ring podcast (H/T Wrestling Inc.) that he had reservations concerning the identify Wheeler. He initially needed a one-word identify like fellow wrestler Taz and singers Cher and Prince. Nonetheless, over time he started to embrace his distinctive identify.
#1. Bray Wyatt helped create Corey Graves’ WWE identify
Corey Graves wrestled for greater than a decade earlier than being compelled to retire in 2014 on account of concussion points. Throughout his days in WWE’s FCW system, he needed the surname Graves to pay homage to the lead singer of The Misfits.
As for his first identify, the previous NXT Tag Workforce Champion struggled for concepts till Bray Wyatt sang a track by Corey Hart at observe sooner or later. Wyatt turned to Graves and mentioned, “There’s your identify. You are Corey Graves.”
The wrestler-turned-commentator mentioned on The Kurt Angle Present (H/T Wrestling Inc.) that he “hated” the identify. Nonetheless, he didn’t submit a better option in time earlier than the workplace accepted Corey Graves.
Do you could have any wrestling identify origin tales to share? Tell us within the feedback part beneath.
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