WWE Legends Defend ‘Viking Experience’ Name Change

NXT’s Hanson and Rowe, collectively known as ‘War Raiders’ were called up to Raw last night as part of the Superstar Shake-Up. The appearance by the NXT Tag Team Champions was shocking, but perhaps not for the right reasons.

The duo will now be referred to as ‘The Viking Experience’. Hanson has had his name changed to Ivor, whilst Rowe will now go by the name of Erik.

WWE fans were quick to slam WWE for the name change, with many saying this had killed off any potential push the talented duo could receive. However, WWE stars of the past have defended the company over the alteration.

Former Intercontinental Champion Lance Storm, took to Twitter to say whilst he wasn’t a fan of the pair’s new name, it wouldn’t really matter too much. He said that the NXT Tag Team Champions are talented enough to overcome it, even comparing this to how he felt when he first heard the name ‘The Undertaker’.

While I don’t like The Viking Experience either, I doubt it really matters that much. Talent will get over a name. I thought The Undertaker was a stupid name when I heard it. Worked out okay for him in the end. #RAW

— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) April 16, 2019

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley also compared the situation to that of ‘The Undertaker’ saying although “The Phenom” debuted as debuted as ‘Kane the Undertaker’ his name was changed as soon after as “the talent is there to back it up”.

https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1117955899618996224

Foley would also say that in an age of social media, fans would likely have been critical of WWE for naming him ‘Mankind’, but in the end it didn’t matter too much.

https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1117953726151573506

Fellow WWE Hall of Famer Road Dogg, stepped down from his position as co-head writer of Smackdown last week. He took to Twitter to respond to a fan and even suggested that in a very short period of time, we might see “The Viking Experience” undergo yet another name change.

Only if you’ll admit that in 3 months, heck, 1 month, they’ll just be called, Viking Experience and more people will know that name than ever knew War Machine! I thought y’all were “woke” c’mon man

— Brian G. James (@BrianRDJames) April 16, 2019

What do you think about the name change? Let us know in the comments.

Also, remember that tonight we will be providing only live coverage of Smackdown, but a live post where all the brand switches that take place during the Superstar Shake-Up can be viewed. Be sure to check that out throughout the show by clicking here.

• The Viking Experience
• superstar shake-up
• war raiders
• wwe

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