WWE has a storied history of performers using fake or ring names. The sports and entertainment juggernaut legally acquires these names for entertainment purposes. Moreover, ring names create the ultimate hype around these colorful characters.

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From Hulk Hogan to Steve Austin, almost every WWE superstar used fake names. Other examples of WWE superstars using fake names include Triple H, whose real name is Paul Levesque, and Chris Jericho, who was born Christopher Irvine. Both men changed their names to better suit their characters, which resulted in great success for them.

Now that we have established the importance of fake names and the fortune they can bring to the person using them, these are some of the most prominent stars who resorted to using fake names inside the squared circle.

10 The Undertaker

The Undertaker

The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, is one of the most successful WWE superstars of all time. Calaway became The Undertaker the moment he stepped foot inside the WWE. Thirty years on and fans still call him The Undertaker.

Taker used many names including "Mean" Mark Callous before he arrived in WWE. As The Undertaker, he became one of the most feared and revered characters in WWE history, and his name played a big part in that. If he had gone by his real name, Mark Calaway, he might not have been as over as he is today.

9 Kane

Kane

Glenn Jacobs is not The Devil’s Favorite Demon in real life. However, the name is aptly suited for someone who wants to run for office. As a matter of fact, Glenn Jacobs is the Republican Mayor of Knox County. Good luck explaining that to Elias’ younger brother, Ezekiel.

Glenn Jacobs is the real name of WWE superstar Kane. He is another superstar who used a fake name his entire career. Kane is one of the most intimidating figures in WWE history, and his ring name played a great part in creating the aura around the character itself.

8 Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Michaels was the poster boy for WWE during the New Generation Era. Michaels and Bret "The Hitman" Hart sowed the seeds for what ultimately became the Attitude Era during the later part of the 1990s.

Michaels, whose real name is Michael Hickenbottom, adopted the ring name while training under the tutelage of Jose Lothario in the eighties. The name “Shawn Michaels” fits his character better, and it is far more recognizable than his real name.

7 Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler

Dolph Ziggler's real name is Nic Nemeth. He chose his stage name because he thought it sounded more like a wrestler's name. And he was right! "Dolph Ziggler" is way cooler than "Nic Nemeth." Plus, it's a great name for a heel gimmick.

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Ziggler is a multi-time champion in WWE. He's held the World Heavyweight Championship, the United States Championship, and the Intercontinental Championship. He's also a multi-time tag team champion. Ziggler spent the first quarter of 2022 winning and losing the NXT Championship.

6 Bayley

Bayley

Bayley's real name is Pamela Rose Martinez. Yes, you read that right. Bayley is one of the most recognizable faces in WWE and her name is known by millions of WWE fans around the world.

Bayley is currently out of action due to injury, but she continues to tease her in-ring return on social media. Bayley is known for her amazing ring skills and her ability to connect with the crowd. She is a remarkable wrestler, and her stage name is as important as her wrestling persona.

5 Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus

Trish Stratus is one of the greatest female superstars of all time. Stratus debuted during the Attitude Era in the 2000s. She was better off using her stage name because it was more marketable than her real name. After all, who would recognize Patricia Anne Stratigias, right?

Trish Stratus is a seven-time WWE Women's Champion. She is also a one-time WWE Hardcore Champion, making her one of the two women in WWE history to win both titles. Wrestling fans love her to this day and there’s no arguing that.

4 Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch

Lynch’s real name is Rebecca Quin. The name “Becky Lynch” resonated with her character when she started in WWE. Lynch worked in NXT before making a name for herself on both Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown.

Becky Lynch’s popularity skyrocketed after a botched punch from Nia Jax broke her nose. Lynch worked through the injury, receiving a roaring ovation from the crowd as she looked down on the ring, all busted open.

3 Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio is one of the most beloved babyfaces of all time. The master of the iconic 619 was born Oscar Gutierrez. Rey started training at an early age and was quite young when he made his pro wrestling debut.

Rey gained a lot of popularity in Mexico and later, internationally, as he was one of the few who could pull off all the aerial moves effortlessly. Also, U.S. wrestling fans were not accustomed to seeing the risky yet innovative moves, many of which Rey helped popularize in the States.

2 Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks smiling

Few fans might correctly recall Sasha Banks’ real name. The real-life Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado is one of the most popular WWE stars. Sasha is also extremely popular with mainstream media due to her appearances outside the WWE.

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Banks is currently out of the picture due to a falling out she had with WWE last month. The company stopped mentioning The Boss on their various platforms, but Banks continues to be the talk of the town. That’s how over she is.

1 The Rock

The Rock

The Rock is WWE’s biggest export to Hollywood. His stock continues to rise both on and off-screen. The Rock is the perfect example of a star who got bigger than WWE. It's even arguable that The Rock is bigger than life.

The Rock was born Dwayne Douglas Johnson to Ata Johnson and Rocky Johnson. He played college football before venturing into the world of sports and entertainment. He is currently the world’s most bankable actor.