10 wrestlers who had awful names before reaching WWE

Okay, so we all know WWE loves a name change. Unless you're AJ Styles or Samoa Joe, you can probably bet that signing with WWE means you'll be adopting a whole new identity.

While some name changes don't tend to go down so well, see Chris Hero becoming Kassius Ohno, there are some Superstars who definitely should be thanking their lucky stars that WWE decided to give their name a makeover!

Strap yourselves in, because this is a countdown of ten Superstars who had truly awful names before arriving in WWE.

#10 Vampiro Americano - JBL

JBL, right, as Vampiro Americano

Even though it was definitely his most successful singles gimmick, a lot of people were on the fence about the JBL character after John Layfield's extensive run as Bradshaw.

If only they knew!

In 1993, JBL wrestled in Mexico for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and, of course, wore a mask. In his lucha form, JBL's name sounds more like a Halloween special at Starbucks. As Vampiro Americano, JBL would team with Vapiro Canadiense.

Thankfully, there's not much of a trace of Vampiro Americano online, with only one known picture easily accessible. Luckily, two years later, WWE debuted JBL as "John Bradshaw", later losing his first name for his Attitude Era run as part of APA.

#9 The Freakin' Deacon - Luke Gallows

Gallows thankfully has left all of his bad gimmicks behind

Well, if there's one thing you can say about Luke Gallows, man, he's a chameleon and he's not afraid to take the ball and run with it.

For anyone who remembers Festus or Fake Kane, The Freakin' Deacon may not even be Gallows's worst gimmick or name. It is still pretty awful, though, hence hitting the number nine spot in this list.

Gallows went by The Freakin' Deacon in Deep-South Wrestling, where he would paint his face and carry a pet spider named Willow, who he would converse with throughout his matches.

Thankfully, the Gallows we know today doesn't look like such a... NEEEERD!

#8 GI Bro - Booker T

Booker T had a short run as GI Bro

Before he was Booker T, the now WWE Hall of Famer had a spell as GI Bro while wrestling for Western Wrestling Alliance Live.

The character was said to be a tie-in to the Sgt Slaughter gimmick and the Gulf War. Booker previously said his trainer actually came up with the gimmick after the five-time WCW Champion found an old army hat.

I was working at this warehouse and I was cleaning out one of the storage units and I found this army hat. I liked it and it fit me, and I had it on one night when I went to wrestling school. My trainer, Scott Casey, he saw me with it on and he said, 'Now, you're going to be G.I. Bro.'

So, I was like, 'Alright, I'll be G.I. Bro.' I started doing the character and it was actually pretty fun. It was something I did way before I ever got into the big time.

The GI Bro character even had a brief stint in the limelight of WCW.

Then, I got a chance to do it in WCW which was really cool. A lot of people thought I was crazy at that time, wondering what I was doing and why I was doing it. But, I was just paying homage to my mentor and my trainer.

#7 Terra Ryzing - Triple H

Triple H - but with less beard and more hair

Yep, Triple H as you know him now - the leather jacket-clad, bike riding metalhead - wasn't always that way.

Now you'll either find Triple H rocking a sharp suit or a Metallica or Motorhead t-shirt, but back in 1992, The Game had a name fresh out of the '80s when he was known as Terra Ryzing. This was the name given to Triple H when he began his wrestling career with WCW in 1992.

Thankfully, the name never stuck, and Triple H went on to become one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and is now the COO of WWE.

#6 Galldubh - Sheamus

Sheamus has enjoyed great success in WWE

So, the worst part about this one is it just doesn't make sense whatsoever.

Sheamus got off to a flying start in WWE when he became Champion after just 166 days of his debut, after defeating John Cena. But during his time in the indies, Sheamus was known as Galldubh.

Oddly enough, Galldubh is a very uncommon Irish surname with no real meaning at all. Sheamus has rarely been seen without gold around his waist in WWE and is currently enjoying a spell as RAW Tag Team Champion.

#5 Iron City Irvin Ickleman - Corey Graves

Corey Graves didn't always have such a cool name

While Corey Graves is sadly no longer performing, it's hard to imagine to dual-brand commentator being known as anything other than Corey Graves. Well, Graves probably wishes that was the case, as he was previously known as Iron City Irvin Ickleman.

I can't imagine Iron City Irvin Ickleman becoming the incredible commentator Corey Graves has, but the name didn't last too long. If you drop the play on Graves's Pittsburgh roots, even Irvin Ickleman doesn't quite fit.

Graves then ended up having a short run as Sterling James Keenan after he decided to pay homage to his favourite American Football Player Sterling Sharpe and Maynard James Keenan from the band Tool. Slightly more acceptable, but I think Corey Graves suits him pretty perfectly.

#4 Spanky - Brian Kendrick

The Brian Kendrick wasn't always known as such

Well, who knows why this never took off?

The Brian Kendrick has always been known under his real name in WWE, but during a spell on the independents, he was known as... Spanky.

This was a nickname that was given to Kendrick when he was first beginning his wrestling career, said to be due to his "unique way" of staying awake during long journeys between towns.

Thankfully, he went back to his own name in WWE and just stuck a "The" before it. Spanky isn't quite the impressive name for a man who has always been highly regarded as an incredible wrestler and trainer throughout his illustrious career.

# 3 Heavy Metal Jesus - Elias

It isn't hard to see why Elias had this name

I actually struggled to put this one in the list, because I think it's an incredible name.

On the indies, Elias was known as Heavy Metal Jesus. No, not a nickname, his actual ring name. His finishing move was called the Halo Bomb and he was known to do a Crucifix Dive.

Heavy Metal Jesus Logan Shulo thankfully has transitioned to Elias, although I think "Who wants to walk with Heavy Metal Jesus?" has quite the ring to it.

#2 Monster Eiffel Tower - Andre the Giant

Andre the Giant didn't always have quite an impressive moniker

How do you follow Heavy Metal Jesus? Monster Eiffel Tower, of course!

Andre Rene Rousimoff is the most famous French wrestler of all time, probably the most famous giant of all time, and even one of the most famous wrestlers of all time - but he was once known as Monster Eiffel Tower. Why? Well, he's a giant French wrestler.

Thankfully, Andre got to just be Andre the Giant. Monster Eiffel Tower would have definitely still stood out from a crowd, but a more subtle name was definitely the right way to go.

#1 Very Mysterious Ice Cream - Cesaro

El Hijo del Ice Cream and Ice Cream Jr - Los Ice Creams, would definitely give Too Cool a run for their money

There was simply no other way to end this list.

Cesaro, The Swiss Superman, wasn't always such a cool character. In fact, things weren't quite so sweet in 2007 when the current RAW Tag Team Champion wrestled under a mask for Chikara as part of Los Ice Creams.

A Very Mysterious Ice Cream was made as part of Los Ice Creams and came out wearing a mask as part of the gimmick. Cesaro wrestled for Chikara for two years before moving onto CZW and ROH.