A wrestler’s name is a critical factor in determining their success. Their name must be intriguing enough to pique fans’ interest, and must also be easy enough to pronounce or repeat so that they stick in fans’ minds. Without a good name, a wrestler cannot hope to achieve much success.
When non-wrestling fans think of wrestling, a few images come up. To them, the first names that come to mind are some of the iconic and most recognisable names of the past: Hulk Hogan, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and The Undertaker. In other cases, non-wrestling fans think of wacky names for outlandish characters when they think of wrestling. The name ‘The Crusher’ is probably the most popular name any child ever gives themselves when they wonder what they’d call themselves if they were wrestlers.
In recent years, WWE has gone in a different direction when it comes to wrestler’s names. Most wrestlers either perform under their own names if they’re easy to remember and pronounce, or are given slight variations to make their names easier on the fans (example: Jinder Mahal’s real name is Yuvraj Singh Dhesi, but good luck getting WWE to use that name).
Back when larger-than-life characters ruled the world of wrestling, it wasn’t uncommon for wrestlers to have random names and nicknames that had nothing to do with who they were in real life. Some wrestlers were given one-word names because it fit their characters without divulging much about them.
It’s these wrestlers with one-word names that we’ll look at today. These are the top five wrestlers with one-word names whose careers have become the stuff of legend in the world of professional wrestling.
#5 Chyna
Joan ‘Chyna’ Laurer was given this name as a form of irony. Fine china, also known as porcelain, is one of the most delicate and fragile materials on earth. One must be very careful when handling china because it can break very easily. This is also the source of the idiom ‘a bull in a china shop’ which describes a clumsy person in a delicate situation.
Laurer being called ‘Chyna’ was ironic because she was the polar opposite of the name she was given. While fine china/porcelain is delicate and fragile, Chyna was powerful, rough and durable. She spent the majority of her WWE career wrestling against men and even lifted them through her shocking power. Chyna was pushed as ‘the Ninth Wonder of the World’, a woman that defied gender boundaries and restrictions.
Even today, most people associated porcelain with quiet old ladies drinking tea and being careful not to break the delicate material. Chyna, meanwhile, made her name for fighting and winning against male wrestlers and becoming one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time.
#4 Sting
Steve Borden is one of the few wrestlers on the entire planet who managed to stick with one name for almost thirty years and still be recognisable under that name. Sure, he shares this name with a famous musician, but for wrestling fans, the name ‘Sting’ is synonymous with success, wrestling skill, and a crow-themed face paint.
Sting, like his WWE counterpart, The Undertaker, managed to stay relevant and popular for a lengthy period of time by keeping his name the same but changing various aspects of his character. Sting had a surfer gimmick of sorts at first, with blonde hair and brightly-colored face paint.
This Sting was famous for his outstanding matches with the likes of Lex Luger, Ric Flair, Vader, just to name a few. It wasn’t until the rise of the New World Order that Sting changed his look to resemble ‘the Crow’ and became a darker and mysterious character.
Over the decades, Sting remained one of the most popular and respected wrestlers alive, admired both by fans and by his peers. His name was synonymous with WCW and other non-WWE affiliates, as well as the famous ‘Scorpion Deathlock’, also known as the Sharpshooter. Even if he shares his ring name with a singer, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the name Sting is synonymous with wrestling success and lasting popularity.
#3 Vader
When one hears the name ‘Vader’ one of two images comes up. For non-wrestling fans, this conjures up the image of Darth Vader, the Stars Wars character, a tragic villain whose story and image has become so legendary that his mask and story have become synonymous with tragedy, obsession with power, and malevolence.
For wrestling fans, the name Vader conjures up the image of a legendary monster with surprising agility. (Big Van) Vader is one of the most successful and iconic heavyweight wrestlers of all time. Despite weighing over 400lbs., Vader demonstrated surprising agility in the ring, as seen with him performing a Moonsault on several occasions. He is also one of the stiffest brawlers ever, as well as one of the most naturally-tough men to ever step foot in a wrestling ring.
Although Vader never won any championships in WWE, he is still one of the most successful wrestlers ever. He won several championships both in the United States and in Japan, which isn’t an easy feat. Vader won WCW’s World Heavyweight Championship, New Japan’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and All Japan’s Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.
Keep in mind that each of these three promotions has different rules, psychologies and approaches to wrestling. The fact that Vader – whose name itself is enough to intimidate anyone – won the top title in each of these promotions is clear proof of his skills in wrestling.
#2 Mankind
When Mick Foley initially debuted the character that would become known as Mankind, that wasn’t the original name that the character would adopt. Vince McMahon’s initial goal for the character was for him to be called ‘Mason the Mutilator’. Thankfully, Foley convinced him to change it to Mankind, which was the right decision in hindsight.
To wrestling fans, the name ‘Mankind’ brings up one of the most ominous and deepest characters ever seen in WWE. Mankind was a deranged schizophrenic that did unusual things, like speaking to a rat, pulling out his own chair, squealing like a pig, and someone who seemed to enjoy pain. In later segments, the Mankind character evolved into a more tortured soul, as seen with a famous sit-down interview with Jim Ross in which Mankind showed a deeper, more complex side to him.
There’s no way this character would’ve been as over and as successful had he been known as ‘Mason the Mutilator’. People would’ve eventually shortened it to ‘Mason’ and he wouldn’t feel as unique with that name. Mankind, on the other hand, has some kind of almost philosophical undertone to it.
If you call a deranged man that likes to hurt himself as much as he likes to hurt others ‘Mankind’ that’s enough to make people pause and think about it for a moment as they cheer his name.
#1 Kane
The name ‘Kane’ has a very strong connotation. In the Bible, it was Cain that committed the first murder in history, and his name has since become synonymous with betrayal, murder, and fratricide. This is why it fits the character that Glen Jacobs played for almost twenty full years.
Kane, whether masked or not, has been one of the most devastating and powerful wrestlers of all time. His name had overtly biblical connotations through his rivalry with his brother The Undertaker, as did his supposed supernatural abilities.
When Kane entered an arena, he scared younger viewers with his intimidating costume and terrifying mask. Yet even as a heel, fans loved watching the masked monster without a conscience destroy everyone in his path like a true badass. Every little thing Kane did made people want to watch him more, thus turning him into an even bigger star.
Add to this a well-written and complex narrative surrounding Kane’s relationship with his ‘brother’ The Undertaker, and you have one of the most iconic and memorable wrestling characters of all time.
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