20 WWE Superstars Who Should Use Their Real Names

Due to trademarks, WWE typically changes the name of a wrestler. Even someone as popular as Finn Balor was forced to change identities once he signed with the company. However, it should also be noted that the times might be changing with the likes of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe all being allowed to use their names that made them stars outside of the WWE.

What’s even trickier than a different name outside of the company is a wrestler using their real name. In this type of situation, WWE simply cannot trademark a real name. Thus, they typically change it into a fictional one that they can hold the rights to. Of course, exceptions exist such as Ronda Rousey.

In this article, we take a look at wrestlers that might have been better off using their actual names. We’ll discuss the impact it could have on storylines along with real names that just sound cooler than the current names that they’re using at the moment.

From Windham Rotunda to Leah Van Dale, we take a look at 20 WWE stars who should consider switching to their real names. Enjoy the list and like always be sure to share it with a fellow wrestling fan. We start the article off with a wrestler that recently turned heel in drastic fashion. Perhaps WWE should have made a move on this name change with the turn – but it might be too late. Let’s get started!

20 Dean Ambrose (Jonathan Good)

In truth, Dean Ambrose could have changed his name during his heel turn on Seth Rollins. Wanting to totally disband from The Shield, Ambrose could have stated that he wanted no connection to stable whatsoever, thus completely changing his name and reverting to his real name, Jonathan Good. A name that’s pretty darn good if you ask us.

Surprisingly, Dean never used his real name throughout his career. However, he has played off his first name with monikers such as Jon Moxley and Jonathan Moxley. Moxley Moxx was another name he used briefly.

19 Carmella (Leah Van Dale)

It is no secret, when it comes to naming female talent Vince McMahon loves one word names. Take the current crop of talent. Here are females using only first names at the moment; Bayley, Natalya, Tamina, Asuka, Lana, Naomi, Paige, Maryse and of course, Carmella. Triple H seems to be pushing the envelope in the other direction with only one NXT female Superstar using a one word name, Aliyah.

Carmella can easily revert to this name of Leah Van Dale. Especially given the fact that Van Dale was a name once used in the wrestling business by her father, Paul Van Dale.

18 Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda)

Before he struck gold with the Bray Wyatt name, WWE went through a handful of names. Bray just couldn’t find the proper label early on and that’s especially evident given the laundry list of names he once used. Here are some of the names used by Wyatt in the past; Alex Routunda, Axel Mulligan, Duke Rotundo, Alex Rotundo, Husky Harris, Levi Wyatt, Windham Rotunda and Windham Rotundo. Is it just us or does Levi Wyatt sound pretty darn cool?

Reverting back to Windham Rotunda , his real name might be a cool change of pace. If WWE wants to truly refresh the Wyatt character, maybe changing his name might be the way to go.

17 Baron Corbin (Thomas Pestock)

RAW General Manager Thomas Pestock. Doesn’t that just get under your skin a little bit? With Baron Corbin’s complete gimmick change both in his role on RAW and new attire, WWE could have used that as an opportunity to take the gimmick change a step further, by completely switching his name. That could have only added even more interest to his character change with the use of his real name.

However, Vince decided to keep the Corbin label which really isn’t all that bad either. Baron’s one of the rare examples of a wrestler to only use one name throughout his pro wrestling career.

16 Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson)

We can see this name change right now. With Daniel Bryan turning heel, he could have pushed the envelope even further cutting a promo and discussing the fact that Daniel Bryan is done with and that he is now Bryan Danielson. That certainly could have caused a massive reaction.

He used his real name during his initial WWE run. Other names he went by include The American Dragon, Dynamic Dragon and due to storyline with The Wyatt Family, Daniel Wyatt. It remains to be seen if he’ll revert back to his real name.

15 Sasha Banks (Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado)

During her days with Chaotic Wrestling prior to signing a WWE deal, Sasha Banks was known as Mercedes KV. The name was associated to her real name, Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado. She could have easily used this name with WWE. Doesn’t it sound like the name of a star?

Nonetheless, Sasha Banks isn’t too shabby either. She struck gold with the gimmick down in NXT creating a “Boss” label. Surreal to think that despite the fact that Sasha started wrestling in 2010, she is still only 26 today.

14 Bo Dallas (Talyor Rotunda)

Not only is Bo Dallas desperate for a name change, but he's looking for just about any type of change at the moment. Dallas turned into a major NXT success story early on, holding the NXT Championship. For whatever reason, the same hasn’t held true on the main roster as he has typically being used as a lower card act. Perhaps completely changing identity might be the way to go with Bo. He can use his real name Taylor Rotunda instead.

Similar to his brother, Bo went through various names during his developmental run. Bo Rotunda, Mr. Florida, Tank Rotunda and his real name, Taylor Rotunda are some of the names he used in the past.

13 Adam Cole (Austin Jenkins)

Give the popularity of his “Adam Cole Bay Bay” catchphrase, changing to his real name might be a big mistake. However, hearing his actual name, you must admit it is a compelling one that sounds perfect for a WWE Superstar.

Real name, Austin Jenkins, Cole’s actual name sounds pretty legit, and one of a future WWE Champion (maybe because Austin sounds a little familiar in the wrestling business). Surprisingly, in the business since 2008, Cole never used his real name. Instead, one of the other names he used early on was Adam Carelle. He would later strike gold with Adam Cole, becoming a household name for independent wrestling fans.

12 The Usos (Jonathan and Joshua Fatu)

WWE fans might forget this but The Usos did in fact start off as The Fatu Brothers during their FCW debuts against The Rotundo Brothers. Other names used by duo includes The Urban Usos and The Fatu Twins.

In the WWE system since 2009, the duo continues to be among the very best in the entire WWE. However, given their longevity, a name change wouldn’t be the worst idea. Perhaps WWE could have pounded on this during their gimmick change. One that saw the duo take off their face paint. That would have been the ideal time to make the move.

11 Hideo Itami (Kenta Kobayashi)

During his rise to fame with Pro Wrestling Noah, he wasn’t known as Hideo Itami but instead, simply Kenta or Kenta Kobayashi. Given the fact that this is his real name, WWE likely decided to change it for trademark reasons.

Hideo Itami hasn’t come anywhere near the legacy of Kenta. Under his Hideo name, he is regarded as a guy that suffered on too many injuries. If the company wants to salvage Itami, get him out of 205 Live and have him re-debut under his actual name of Kenta over on RAW or SmackDown Live.

10 Sonya Deville (Daria Berenato)

What makes Sonya Deville’s character so great is that realism element given her prior career in the world of MMA. However, there is one elephant in the room. In order to give us that full realism feel, Deville should be using her real name. That tends to be the case with former MMA stars that joined WWE. Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Matt Riddle and Brock Lesnar (although he joined MMA after WWE) are just a couple of examples.

She started under her real name Daria Berenato when entering the NXT system, though later she was completely repackaged into Sonya Deville. WWE should have kept her real name all along.

9 Apollo Crews (Sesugh Uhaa)

Time and time again, it seems as though Apollo Crews is about to endure some type of push only for it to be completely halted. He hasn’t been the same since joining the main roster. With rumors emerging that main roster stars can be sent down to NXT, this might be the best opportunity to completely recreate Apollo and make him great again.

He has a unique last name, Uhaa and one he used prior to the WWE with names like Uhaa Nation. It would be a wise move to use that name once again and perhaps add the Sesugh moniker at the front of it. A name change is much needed for Apollo at this point, putting his failures with the name behind him for good.

8 Lio Rush (Lionel Green)

He started off as Ll Green but was later repacked into Lennon Duffy. Both names wouldn’t stick and he would find the perfect name in Lio Rush shortly after.

Joining RAW as the manager for Bobby Lashley, it could have been a cool twist to see Rush revert to his real name, Lionel Green. Let’s be honest, doesn’t Lionel Green sound like a great manager name?

Names aside, Rush continues to do a great job in the position despite his rocky start (the Emma situation). Those days are now long gone as he’s thriving both as a 205 Live talent and manager.

7 Curtis Axel (Joseph Hennig)

Given his father’s excellence in the ring, it is a bit of a surprise that Curtis Axel didn’t use the Hennig label more often during his WWE career. In fact, prior to joining the main roster he was known as Michael McGillicutty – nothing close to his Hennig roots.

Time really isn’t on Axel’s side these days as he’s set to turn 40 next year. With a limited amount of time left, it might be cool to see Axel pay homage to his father and use the Hennig last name during his final run with the company.

6 Rusev (Miroslav Barnyashev)

We’re quite surprised Rusev never reverted to his actual name, Miroslav Barnyashev, a name that sounds pretty darn legit if you ask us! He used his real name Miroslav prior to joiningWWE, however, it wasn’t under the Barnyashev last name, he used Makarov instead.

During his developmental stint, Rusev used the name Alexander Rusev. However, due to an injury early on, he was later changed to just Rusev during his return to the ring. It hasn’t changed since and it doesn’t appear as though it will. Despite the fact that he has a real name meant for the squared circle.

5 Chad Gable (Charles Betts)

Given his background in amateur wrestling, WWE should have kept his name the same, similar to another Olympic grappler in the company, Kurt Angle. For whatever reason, they felt the need to change his name and throughout his WWE career he continues to be known as Chad Gable.

Like Apollo earlier, it would be great to see Gable get sent down to NXT and be completely repackaged. He can return under his real name of Charles Betts while over-powering the competition with his amateur wrestling background. That sounds a lot better than a tag team wrestler alongside Bobby Roode.

4 Kevin Owens (Kevin Steen)

It was a bit of a surprise when WWE decided to rename Kevin Steen into Kevin Owens, given the value of his name out on the indie scene. Steen used his real label throughout his indie run. Once he signed a deal with WWE, Steen was changed to Owens, paying homage to both his son Owen and the late great Owen Hart.

He is currently out on the sideline following double knee surgery. However, according to speculation, he might be back in time for WrestleMania. Whether he returns as Kevin Steen or in all likelihood, returns as Kevin Owens, no matter what, we can expect the same great performer he has been throughout his pro wrestling career.

3 Pete Dunne (Peter England)

He might be only 25, but Pete Dunne has already used a plethora of hilarious names which include Streetfighter Ken and Tiger Kid. Seriously, how great is Streetfighter Ken, though?

He also used the name Peter England which sounds like a perfect name and one Vince McMahon would absolutely eat up. However, within the WWE confines he is known as Pete Dunne and that is unlikely to change. As the current WWE United Kingdom Champion, Dunne is a big deal at the moment and definitely one to watch for the future. He has future WWE Champion written all over him.

2 Finn Balor (Fergal Devitt)

Finn Balor has come a long way since his days back in Japan dawning a mask and being labelled as The Pegasus Kid. Balor would transform into a major star under the name of Fergal Devitt (his real name) and Prince Devitt. Surprisingly, WWE went the other way rebranding the former New Japan star into Finn Balor.

We can easily see the scenario of Finn switching back to Devitt, especially in a storyline which sees the Bullet Club invade WWE and Balor joining the faction under his former name. That would make for quite the storyline and a great character change.

1 Alexa Bliss (Alexis Kaufman)

With Alexa Bliss now in charge of the Women's Division on RAW, WWE should add some realism to the storyline. It would be wise to change her name to Alexis Kaufman. Sounds pretty legit!

That likely won’t take place given that she has grown a brand under the name of Alexa Bliss – the only name she used throughout her WWE career. However, with the familiarity of the Alexa name, would changing into her real last name make that much of a difference? Also, it wouldn't be much of a stretch changing Alexa to Alexis?