A name can make all the difference. Just ask someone like Stone Cold Steve Austin. He wasn’t really making waves under The Ringmaster moniker. However, changing to Stone Cold Steve Austin was a money move. He suddenly became the face of the Attitude Era and the guy responsible for the massive wrestling boom. A name change doesn’t always have the same impact, but it can sure make a heck of a difference.

As you will come to realize in this article, certain top tier performers wouldn’t be taken as seriously today had they kept their former names. Does Heavy Metal Jesus sound like the name of a future IC Champion? We think not. What about Ketih Davis? Is that suitable for a WWE Champion? Nah. We will take a look at other names of current Raw, SmackDown Live and NXT stars that Vince would never revert back to.

It is important to note that in some cases, the name wasn’t all that bad. The change took place due to trademark issues. Take Finn Balor. There was nothing wrong with Prince Devitt. It's just that the company couldn’t trademark it because of prior usage.

Enjoy the article, as we take a look at former names used by current WWE stars. In all likelihood, McMahon would never approve these labels for one reason or another. Be sure to share the article with a friend. Let’s get started folks!

20 Keith Davis (Jeff Hardy)

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Can you imagine Jeff Hardy as Keith Davis? Yikes. Before he was hitting Swanton Bombs regularly, that was the reality for Hardy working as an enhancement talent. Under the moniker of Keith Davis, he lost to the likes of Razor Ramon during the early '90s. The real kicker, Hardy lied about his age at that point claiming he was 18. Although in reality, Hardy was really 16.

Who could have predicted that the same dude jobbing out to Razor would turn into one of the biggest fan favorites of the 2000s – a trend that continues on to this day.

19 Heavy Metal Jesus (Elias)

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Long before his stardom, Elias seemed like one of those wrestlers that wasn’t supposed to make it. Time after time, Elias was rejected by WWE. In fact, according to his interview on the Stone Cold Podcast, Elias was paying for his WWE tryouts, only to get rejected three times. At the very least, he was able to make connections during the experiences, which eventually earned him a contract.

The same trajectory followed Elias during NXT. At one point he was renamed El Vagabundo, a masked guitarist, losing countless matches. He finally perfected his craft at the right time, joining the main roster. Under Vince, he is simply known as Elias, no Samson or no Heavy Meal Jesus (his indie name).

18 Davina Rose (Bayley)

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It is hard to imagine Bayley under a different moniker. However, on route to realizing her WWE dreams, Bayley went by Davina Rose with Big Time Wrestling. According to her interview on the Stone Cold Podcast, Bayley wanted to use the name when she entered WWE. However, given the overuse of the Rose moniker, WWE officials rejected the name request.

Vince loves one word names, especially for the female talent. Without a doubt, he’s pleased that the former Women’s Champion is simply known as Bayley and not Davina Rose. Given his fandom for Mandy Rose, having multiple Rose characters would not sit well with the boss.

17 Cedrick Von Haussen (Johnny Gargano)

via WWE

A journeyman in the wrestling business, Johnny Gargano actually appeared more than a decade prior during an episode of SmackDown. Labelled as the Champion from Liechtenstein, Johnny took on the role of Cedrick Von Haussen. Unfortunately, he wasn’t successful in his debut, losing to MVP.

He also used Joey Gray out on the indie scene. He caught real heat with his actual name, Johnny Gargano. Despite not being able to trademark his name, Vince agreed that keeping it the same was best for business.

16 Husky Harris (Bray Wyatt)

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Prior to striking gold with the Bray Wyatt name and gimmick, the former WWE Champion was just some other guy by the name of Husky Harris. Making his debut with FCW, his name wasn’t any better known as Alex Rotundo.

He needed a big time change. Enter, Bray Wyatt. He never looked back since the change and clearly, it won’t be changed at any point. Interestingly enough, WWE is currently battling an indie wrestler who is trying to use the name Sister Abigail, this according to Sportskeeda.

15 Air Styles (AJ Styles)

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Can you imagine Vince getting slapped out by a guy named Air Styles? Nope, not in a million years. Back in his brief stint with WCW, AJ Styles went by the Air Styles moniker alongside his tag team partner, Air Paris.

Thankfully, the name didn’t stick. He then caught lightning in a bottle with TNA in 2002. At that point the AJ Styles name was starting to emerge in wrestling circles. Given his recent years with WWE, the name is now more valuable than ever before.

14 Pegasus Kid (Finn Balor)

via TPWW

Imagine WWE replacing Finn Balor and putting a mask on him. Ouch! That would not sit well with a lot of fans. Prior to becoming a recognizable face with New Japan, that was Balor’s reality; dawning the mask, he was known as the Pegasus Kid.

Taking off the mask, Balor became a legend with New Japan. He was known as Prince Devitt, catering to his real last name. WWE elected against keeping the name intact, starting a new legacy for the former IWPG Junior Heavyweight Champion under Finn Balor. The only way we see Balor changing names is if he decides to leave WWE.

13 La Sombra (Andrade "Cien" Almas)

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Prior to joining WWE, Andrade "Cien" Almas made quite the name for himself with both CMLL and New Japan. The main difference, he was wearing a mask and the performer was known as La Sombra.

We can only imagine what went through Cien’s mind when he was asked to not only change names but remove his mask as well. According to online speculation, he was none too pleased. Nonetheless, the decision was the correct one as he would be pushed to the top of the NXT mountain. We expect similar success with SmackDown Live in 2019.

12 Claudio Castagnoli (Cesaro)

via WWE

Cesaro's former name, which is his real name, kind of sounds like a soccer player that plays for a national team from Italy. Given his Swiss background, the name really doesn’t do his nationality any justice.

He used the moniker with the likes CZW, Chikara and ROH. He also looked really different during those stints, particularly when he rocked longer hair and a skinnier frame. In any event, Vince won’t change his name. Recently turning 38, he will be known as Cesaro for the rest of his time with WWE.

11 Rick Powers (Velveteen Dream)

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For those that followed Tough Enough back in 2015, it was quite evident that Velveteen Dream was well ahead of the others. A lot of that had to do with experience. Dream was already wrestling at that point, debuting as Rick Powers. He later formed a tag team alongside Lio Rush.

Thanks to the flawed Tough Enough voting system, the dude known as Patrick Clark didn’t win the show. Instead the honors went to Joshua Bredi. To think Dream finished ninth. Yikes! Bury those former names with a shovel and don’t remind anyone.

10 Mercedes KV (Sasha Banks)

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Under the name of Mercedes KV, Sasha Banks first entered the squared circle as a teenager. Similar to Bayley, she envisioned becoming a WWE Superstar her entire life.

Once she made it to WWE, she was rebranded into Sasha Banks. Under Triple H’s guidance, Banks helped to completely revolutionize the Women’s Division. Just thinking about her match against Bayley at TakeOver: Brooklyn still gives me the chills, even to this day. The only way we can see Banks changing names is if she leaves the company since they own the trademark.

9 Alto (Mustafa Ali)

via TPWW

Like Elias earlier, Mustafa Ali seemed like a performer that wouldn’t make it for different reasons. Dealing with discrimination issues, Ali used a mask for the early portion of his career.

If there’s one thing Triple H knows how to do, it's give wrestlers the proper opportunity. That’s exactly what went down with Ali, who was given a shot during the Cruiserweight Classic. It would lead to a WWE contract and later, a spot on 205 Live. Nowadays, he’s mixing it up with the current WWE Champion. So, I guess we can say things worked out pretty nicely for Ali.

8 Matt Silva (Buddy Murphy)

via WWE

Buddy Murphy got his start on the indie scene more than a decade ago in 2007. Back then, known in the ring as Matt Silva, he was visibly chunkier compared to his current days with 205 Live.

Things looked bleak for Murphy at one point as he was pigeonholed in the NXT tag team scene, seemingly going nowhere. A promotion to 205 Live changed everything as he was finally given the proper chance to shine. He hasn’t looked back since, as the current Cruiserweight Champion. He might have got the pop of the year for his championship victory in his native land against Cedric Alexander.

7 Zada (Nia Jax)

via Wrestle Yard

It might be hard to believe but just a couple of years back in 2014, Nia Jax had no wrestling experience whatsoever. In late 2018, she became the first female to main event an MSG show. Talk about a quick turnaround.

Oddly enough, Jax made her debut as Zada, a name that was also used by another female talent later on. She competed in a Tag Team match under the name. The former Women’s Champion's name was then changed to Nia Jax, which clearly stuck.

6 Miroslav Makarov (Rusev)

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Rusev doesn’t have a special airing on the WWE Network, but he should. Rusev has quite the inspirational story. He left Bulgaria with nothing but one ambition, a career in the wrestling industry. Debuting on the indies, he was instantly slapped with a stereotypical name given his background, Miroslav Makarov.

The same would hold true when he joined  WWE. During his FCW run, he made his debut under the name of Alexander Rusev, later changed to just Rusev. With the introduction of Rusev Day, it would be a crime to change his name at this point. Why would you ruin a daily holiday?

5 Kana (Asuka)

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In her early 20s, Asuka decided to switch fields. She went from a graphic designer to aspiring pro wrestler. The decision was a wise one. The likes of Dave Meltzer referred to Asuka as the very best in the world at one point.

She dominated pre-WWE as Kana. Although under a different name, she would continue that trajectory with NXT, becoming the most dominant Superstar in the developmental history. Finally, in the late 2018, Asuka was rightfully crowned as the WWE Women’s Champion.

4 Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose)

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Like so many others, Dean Ambrose didn’t debut under a successful gimmick. He started off as a humble jobber by the name of Jon Moxley. This was a guy that was losing to MNM on an episode of Velocity, alongside his partner Dean Taylor.

Little did he know, years later, he would be given the same first name of his tag partner. Debuting on the main roster with The Shield, it didn’t take long for Ambrose to become a household name and complete fan favorite. It would have been hilarious if he reverted back to this name following his heel turn. Not as hilarious for Vince, though.

3 Roman Leakee (Roman Reigns)

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It sounds so surreal but by the time John Cena reached WWE Championship win number seven, Roman Reigns was barely getting started in the business. How fast he was able to grasp everything, particularly the in-ring aspect, is quite the accomplishment.

Vince and the others knew he was special from the start. The biggest thing was finding the right gimmick. Roman Leakee, clearly was not the right label, nor was his entrance that saw him rocking a suit. Thankfully, that is generally forgotten about these days.

2 Tyler Black (Seth Rollins)

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Gixx and Taj the Destroyer were some of the other names used by Seth Rollins. Those peculiar names aside, Rollins made a name for himself under the label of Tyler Black during his ROH days. Even back then, the likes of Kevin Owens knew he was WWE bound and in line for a huge future with the company.

Surprisingly, perhaps due to trademark issues, the company decided against keeping the Tyler Black name. He was relabeled as Seth Rollins, a name all fans associate with The Kingslayer.

1 Rebecca Knox (Becky Lynch)

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The breakout wrestler of 2018 almost left the industry for good. Needing something with more stability, Becky Lynch left the business at one point for a career as a flight attendant. Thankfully, she came to her senses and returned to the ring under the moniker of Rebecca Knox.

Signing with WWE, she was instantly labelled as Becky Lynch. However, her persona was far from “The Man.” Lynch was initially known as an Irish Jig Dancer, but she has come a very long way since. As the most popular name in WWE these days, McMahon would never change that.