Here’s Why WWE Keeps Changing Everyone’s Name

WWE

A backstage report has revealed the real reason why there have been so many WWE name changes in recent weeks.

In January, fans took to social media to criticise WWE for changing former NXT UK Champion WALTER’s ring name to Gunther.

Since then, WWE has changed the names of numerous notable stars, with Pete Dunne arrived on the WWE main roster as Butch, and Raquel Gonzalez and Marcel Barthel making their SmackDown debuts as Raquel Rodriguez and Ludwig Kaiser respectively.

Per Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, talent have been informed that Vince McMahon doesn’t want performers using their real names, or names used prior to signing with WWE.

This appears to count for individual names, as Raquel Rodriguez’ real name is Victoria Gonzalez, so had to drop her shoot surname. It was pointed out that Theory dropped his ‘Austin’ forename because his birth name was Austin White.

The report noted that the memo only applies to those who WWE decided it applies to, with the likes of Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey most likely keeping their names.

You can check out a list of every WWE name change of 2022 right here.

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• name change
• Backstage
• Vince McMahon
• wwe

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