WWE's lineup has actually seen a growing variety of Superstars going through name changes in recent months, with the most recent examples being Austin Theory losing his given name and Kacey Catanzaro and Kay Lee Ray getting their names changed to Katana Chance and Alba Fyre. The factor behind all the changes was discussed in a brand-new report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter-- "Vince McMahon decreed he doesn't want anybody new utilizing their genuine names any longer, nor names they've used before on the indie scene."
The report later noted that present significant stars will not be affected by the new rule, so stars like Randy Orton, Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair and Cody Rhodes are all in the clear. Meltzer wrote, "As it constantly the case, the memo only applies to people who are newer and who they chose it applies to. Randy Orton isn't going to change to Frank Trevino and Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey do not have this applied to them.
It would be nutty if Riddle has to alter his name due to the fact that Riddle truly is his last name, however it looks like this applies mostly to people simply concerning the primary lineup and this does not apply to Cody Rhodes. Humberto Carrillo isn't a pressed name but his real first name is Humberto. Pete Dunne needed to be Butch.But from this point forward, they do not desire anyone new utilizing former names from somewhere else or last or real very first names. Other than if you're Gable Steveson. And this will change soon enough like it always does."
But a quick look at NXT's lineup shows that it could be a problem if and when they get phoned (though ideally the rule will be changed again by then). Check out some of those names in the list below!.
Kushida.
The six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion will run up against both aspects of the guideline. His real surname remains in fact Kushida and he used everything over the world prior to getting here in NXT in 2019 (with his persona essentially unchanged from his New Japan days). Kushida has been working as one-half of Jacket Time with Ikemen Jiro.
Roderick Strong.
Strong's real name is Christopher Lindsey, but he was battling as Roderick Strong for over a years before joining WWE. It likewise likely won't matter that Strong has been with the NXT brand name considering that 2016 and has actually already appeared on the primary lineup under that name.
Grizzled Young Veterans.
Zack Gibson (genuine name Jack Rea) has actually been wrestling under that name considering that 2010 while James Drake's genuine first name is James. A name modification will most likely be more likely for the previous than the latter.
Joe Gacy.
Gacy has actually been running under that name considering that way back in 2006. He's presently feuding with NXT Champion Bron Breakker after having actually kidnapped Breakker's dad, WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner.
Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa's real given name is Tommaso and he's been utilizing the Ciampa name given that 2007. He's also turned up in a lot of major independent promos under that name, most notably Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling. He might currently remain in the clear provided he was just called to the Raw roster with his name undamaged.
Quite a Few NXT UK Stars.
Without even diving into their work in numerous UK areas, a bunch of the NXT UK lineup wrestles under their genuine names. Some examples include:
Tyler Bate.
Joe and Mark Coffey.
Ashton Smith.
Eddie Dennis.
Jordan Devlin.
Noam Dar.
Sam Gradwell.
Aleah James.
Amale.
Jinny.
Meiko Satomura.
