Especially during the '90s, it was a rarity for a wrestler to use their real name. It was all about wacky name changes and names WWE could have trademarked. Even some of our true favorites like Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin weren’t using their real names.

In the early 2000s, a wave started to change a little bit with the likes of Brock Lesnar and Shelton Benjamin getting the green light on the utilization of their actual names. However, that was only for a brief time period. More often than not, the company decided to change the name of wrestlers so they can hold full custody of it once they choose to leave. Take Bobby Lashley as an example. WWE couldn’t trademark the Lashley part because that’s his actual last name. However, they do hold custody of the Bobby part. Therefore, he just used Lashley out on the indie scene with the likes of TNA.

Most fans would be pretty surprised by the lack of wrestlers actually using their real names with WWE these days. Given our familiarity with them, we’re sometimes led to believe they’re using their actual names, but this isn’t the case. In this article, we document 10 names you might not have realized are fake. On the contrary, we highlight 10 rare cases of current wrestlers who got the nod of approval to use their real names. Enjoy the article and like always, be sure to share it with a friend. Let’s get started!

20 Real Name - Shinsuke Nakamura

Aside from using the moniker of the “Super Rookie” early on in his career with New Japan, the U.S. Champion has kept the same name throughout his entire pro wrestling career; his real name. That’s a rarity, especially at the WWE level. Only a handful of talent have used their actual names throughout their careers.

At the age of 38, we don’t expect that to change. Fans are hoping Shinsuke Nakamura can extend his stay with the company as his contract expiration looms near. Given that we haven’t seen his best just yet, here’s to hoping he extends that contract.

19 Fake Name - AJ Styles (Allen Jones)

There’s a reason for the AJ in his name. Those are the initials to his actual real name, Allen Jones. However, his name in wrestling should be A.N. Jones....

His real name is Allen Neal Jones. The Styles part is totally made up.

He hasn’t used the name his entire career. In fact, AJ started off as Mr. Olympia back in the late '90s wrestling with a mask. During his minor WCW run, AJ got the label of Air Styles, the introduction of the Styles name. He would cement the legacy of AJ Styles during his run with TNA, which started in 2002.

18 Real Name - Mickie James

She entered the business as Alexis Laree. What a lot of fans tend to forget is that she was actually allowed to keep the name during her OVW debut, WWE’s former developmental brand. However, once it was time for James to join the main roster, she reverted back to her actual name, Mickie James. This is a big surprise considering WWE loves to trademark new names.

Vickie Adams was another name she used. In her return to SmackDown, James also used the name, La Luchadora briefly.

17 Fake Name - Charlotte Flair (Ashley Fliehr)

Surprisingly, Charlotte did use her real name in the wrestling business. Only hardcore fans might remember this as it took place during her earlier years with WCW. Throughout her WWE run however, she is referred to as Charlotte or Charlotte Flair.

Most fans tend to forget, but that isn’t her real-name, not even her real last name. As you can tell, the real spelling of her last name is Fliehr not Flair. But given her father's legacy, it wouldn’t be the wisest decision to use her real last name.

16 Real Name - Maria Kanellis

Women using their real names in wrestling just doesn’t happen all that frequently. Aside from James, Natalya, Ronda Rousey and Stephaie McMahon, most other talent use fake names. Take RAW as an example. Once again, aside from Rousey and Natalya, every active talent uses a fake name. The same goes for SmackDown ,as not a single active female uses their real name, even GM Paige doesn’t use her real name.

Maria’s another rare example of a performer using their real name. A lot of that has to do with her coming up during the Diva Search.

For that reason, there really was no turning back on changing her name.

15 Fake Name - Tommaso Ciampa (Tommaso Whitney)

Perhaps one of the hottest heels in the entire wrestling industry and the current NXT Champion, uses a fake name. His real name is Tommaso Whitney. The closest we’ve seen Tommaso and the utilization of his actual name was his run with the moniker, Thomas Whitney, ESQ.

Others names he has used during his lengthy career; Demarso Whitney, Dr. Thomas, Prodigy and Tommy Penmanship. At age 33, all wrestling fans recognize the champion under the Tommaso Ciampa label. We don’t expect that to change during his rise to the main roster.

14 Real Name - Johnny Gargano

A Cleveland, Ohio native, Johnny Gargano aka John Gargano used his real name for most of his pro wrestling career. However, back in 2007, during his minor WWE cameo, Gargano appeared as the “Champion of Liechtenstein” Cedrick Von Haussen. Given the hilariousness of that cameo, Johnny’s probably pretty happy he used a fake name.

The Gargano name would become a popular one outside of  WWE with the likes of Dragon Gate and Pro Wrestling Guerilla. Given the recognition of his name, WWE wisely decided to keep it the same.

13 Fake Name - Adam Cole (Austin Jenkins)

Speaking of NXT, we now turn our attention to another rising star, ADAM COLE BAY BAY! Never blessed with size or mammoth genetics, Adam Cole had to scratch and claw his way to the top. What separated Cole from the rest of the boys during his indie run was his constant professionalism along with of course, that natural talent and charisma.

He used one other name in the business, Adam Carelle. However, he rose to fame with ROH under Adam Cole.

WWE clearly understood that allowing him to keep the name. However, using his real name wouldn’t be the worst idea. Doesn’t Austin Jenkins sound so darn legit?

12 Real Name - Drew Gulak

Speaking of scratching and clawing, Drew Gulak knows a thing or two about that. He started his career off with CZW, not the most “PG” friendly style of wrestling. Drew has kept his real name throughout his wrestling stint. He has also went by just Gulak, without the Drew at times.

Surprisingly, 205 Live does have a couple of Superstars using their real name similar to Gulak.

That includes Akira Tozawa, Ariya Daivari, Brian Kendrick, Mark Andrews, Tony Nese and a wrestler we’ll include a little later.

11 Fake Name - Baron Corbin (Thomas Pestock)

The initial purpose of the Performance Center was to turn athletes into WWE Superstars. That blueprint worked with Baron Corbin. He transitioned from his NFL days under his actual name, Thomas Pestock. During his WWE run, he keeps the moniker of Baron Corbin, a name that isn’t expected to change.

WWE could have reverted to his actual name during his rise as the RAW interim GM along with his new look. It could have freshened up his character that much more. RAW GM Thomas Pestock, sounds pretty good? Someone get Vince on the phone!

10 Real Name - Cezar Bononi

A wrestler out of Brazil, Cezar Bononi transitioned from a pro soccer player to pro wrestling. He is now part of NXT, appearing sporadically. He definitely has the look to shine but he needs a lot more reps in order to keep up with the other talent.

Given the rarity of his name and the fact that Cezar is his first name, most fans would assume this is a made up name given by WWE.

However, it isn’t and he’s using his actual name. His real name is a lot better than what he used to go by prior to the WWE, “V8 Big Block”... sounds like a really bad nightclub.

9 Fake Name – Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen)

Prior to his WWE run, Owens was known as Kevin Steen, his real name. He used his real name throughout his indie run. However, once he signed a WWE deal, they asked for a name change, which is a bit of a surprise considering how much he accomplished under the Steen name.

He choose the name Owens as a tribute to his son Owen.

He also named his son Owen in tribute to the late great Owen Hart. So yeah, you can say the Owens part has a lot of sentimental value to it.

8 Real Name - Keith Lee

He quit college football in order to pursue another dream; make it in the pro wrestling business. Keith Lee credits his grandmother for introducing him to the sports entertainment field.

Lee would rise to the top early on and was deemed as a natural inside the squared circle. His run with Evolve and PWG put him on the map as one of the best outside of the WWE.

WWE signed him recently and he is also allowed to use his real name, Keith Lee, which is a bit of a surprise. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old has a bright future ahead of him.

7 Fake Name - Bobby Lashley (Franklin Lashley)

Franklin Roberto, that’s Lashley’s real first name, and one most wrestling fans wouldn’t expect. He kind of sounds like an FBI character that would join Nunzio’s faction back in the day. WWE noticed that early on.

They allowed Lashley to keep his last name, however, his first name was changed.

Under OVW, Lashley was originally known as Blaster Lashley. That was later changed to Bobby, a name that stuck throughout his WWE career. Due to the fact that he used his real last name, Lashley was able to use it outside of the company with the likes of TNA Impact.

6 Real Name - Noam Dar

Noam Dar seems like he’s been around forever. What’s truly surprising is his actual age. Dar is only 25 if you can believe it with already a decade of experience. Do the math. Yes, that means he started on the indie circuit at the tender age of 15. Truly surreal.

These days, Dar’s bouncing around both NXT UK and 205 Live. The Scottish Supernova was allowed to keep his real name prior to signing with WWE. He earned a contract with the company during the memorable Cruiserweight Classic Tournament.

5 Fake Name - Drew McIntyre (Andre Galloway IV)

Like Noam Dar, Drew McIntyre got a head start in the business during his early teen days. Before he was known as Drew McIntyre, he was using his real last name on the indie scene, Galloway.

He changed names when signing a WWE deal.

However, once he left the company, due to trademark issues, McIntyre reverted back to his Galloway name. He completely revamped his draw value away from WWE by becoming a massive name. This led to another contract proposal by the company and some big time success with NXT. He is now back on the main roster under his former McIntyre name. The only difference, he’s in line for a major push this time around.

4 Real Name - Shelton Benjamin

Aside from Jeff Hardy and Shinsuke Nakamura, Shelton Benjamin is the only active wrestler on SmackDown to use his real name. This is a big rarity, even on RAW with the likes of Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle among the only performers using their actual names.

A lot of that has to do with timing. For those that made their debuts in the early 2000s, chances are they were allowed to keep their real names. Don’t forget, both Benjamin and Lesnar made their company debuts together back in OVW. Surreal to think they’re still with the WWE these days.

3 Fake Name - Bobby Roode (Robert Roode Jr.)

Prior to landing on Bobby Roode, the former U.S. Champion underwent a couple of names changes. That includes Lee Awesome, Bobby Rude, Mark Rude and his actual name, Robert Roode.

The veteran caught fire outside of WWE during his time with TNA. He became a huge star for the company, starting off in the tag team scene and later transitioning to the upper card as TNA’s World Champion. Wisely, given everything he’s accomplished in the business, WWE decided to keep his wrestling name intact.

2 Real Name - Tyler Bate

Is it just us here on The Sportster or does the name Tyler Bate sound completely fake? Well, as it turns out, he was blessed with this gem of a name from birth. Bate debuted in the business under the moniker of “The Iron Master” Tyler Bate. Given such a name and the obvious ring it has to it, why even consider changing it? Though he did at one point when e was known as Arthur Klauser-Saxon. Yikes!

The youngest performer to receive a five-star rating from Dave Meltzer, Bate continues on these days with both NXT and NXT UK. You’ll be hearing a lot of his name in the future as he is only 21-years-old.

1 Fake Name - Becky Lynch (Rebecca Quin)

We hear fans chanting “Becky! Becky! Becky!” but in reality, it should be “Reby! Reby! Reby!” Known to fans as Becky Lynch, her actual name is Rebecca Quin. She used her first name prior to her WWE run. She was known as Rebecca Knox. In truth, the name really isn’t all that bad and one that could have worked with WWE.

Nonetheless, when signing with WWE in 2013, she became Becky Lynch.

She was a long ways away from her current gimmick at that point. Lynch had a run with NXT under an Irish Jig-Dancer gimmick. Ouch! Needless to say, it all turned out quite well for “The Man.”