3 WWE Superstars who liked their new name and 3 who did not

#5 Curtis Axel did not like his WWE name change

Before he was repacked as Curtis Axel in 2013, Joe Hennig was known as Michael McGillicutty in WWE. Despite being the son of Mr. Perfect, Hennig’s family history in the wrestling business was hardly referenced as part of his McGillicutty character.

The former WWE Intercontinental Champion admitted in an interview with Phoenix New Times in 2013 that he disliked the McGillicutty name. He also vowed to never use it in WWE ever again.

“I still would get embarrassed when people say, ‘You’re a wrestler?’ And then they’d ask what my stage name was and I was pretty embarrassed when I had to say ‘Michael McGillicutty.’ I didn’t really like the name, but I’m glad that’s gone and I’ll never do that again.”

Hennig kept the name Curtis Axel until he received his release from WWE in April 2020. Although he has not wrestled since leaving WWE, the veteran Superstar has changed his name back to Joe Hennig on social media.

#4 Elias liked his WWE name change

Elias used to be known as Elias Samson during his time in WWE NXT. However, shortly after he began appearing on WWE RAW in 2017, his surname was suddenly removed from his name.

Speaking on The Steve Austin Show, WWE’s resident guitarist said he found out about the name change when he showed up to RAW. He added that he was fine with dropping the Samson part of his name, as long as WWE did not change his character.

“I’m still gonna be me and as long as they’re not trying to change who I am or my character – which they’re one in the same anyway, as far as I’m concerned – I’m cool with calling me whatever you call me.” [H/T Wrestling Inc.]

WWE also stopped referring to Elias as The Drifter after he moved from NXT to RAW.