REBRANDED | Wrestlings Worst Name Changes

[@WRESTLEWITHANDY]

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[@deshawnbrooks1307]

Vince McMahon running wwe was a joke and it was cringe

[@ChocoPie_Baby]

when vince realised that after he change Walter to a bizzare name Gunter we all thought his dowbfall is conming but we was wrong Gunther can work best classic hard hitting marchd , insane character develoomentb and now HHH handle his push we still pray he should be the one of the greatest I.C champion in WWE

[@BIGETV.]

butch aint bad

[@alexgeorge501]

Misfits In Action

[@tashjiansimms1023]

Outta nowhere topic but I think a video about how good n entertaining Shawn Michaels was at being special guest referee would be a great next video and something different Idk how many times he was but everytime I seen him as one he steals the show

[@storysnob1022]

I remember watching Pete Dunne and enjoying his work. Then he vanished… needless to say, I was SHOCKED when I found out who Butch was.

[@mikeg7430]

Me too. I didn't know for a min min till the homie told me

[@TheBrokenOwl]

Same. Plus others like War Raiders (plus their names), all the Imperium members, A-Kid (I am getting used to Axiom though), Jordan Devlin, and even more

[@WilbertAdams1]

I don't call him Butch. Pete Dunne always.

[@Abhijeet-pf9zo]

Butch has a bigger fanbase than Pete Dunne.

[@mayur_mahamuni]

Same here

[@OUTSIDERThemes]

Actually, the reason the name War Machine was changed because Marvel had a character with the same name and didn’t want to risk getting sued.

[@joeyjoejoe1394]

…when they made action figures of them, because War Machine held the mark on their name I imagine to be used in wrestling

[@s4xtt]

I think also cause wwe being PG having the name War is not exactly something shareholders favor

[@ShadowCloutJutsu]

Ummm you do know they were war raiders when they came into nxt but when they went into the main brand they became the Viking experience then the Viking raiders

[@sdollar1399]

@@s4xtt uhmmmmm…. war games?

[@InFiNiTeO7]

​@@s4xtt WarGames. You have no excuse.

[@JassanT]

I refused to call Chad Gable "Shorty G." I wasn't about to disrespect him like that

[@WilbertAdams1]

Me too.

[@RetroJR3379]

What sad about this is that Gable put a great performance during the King Of The Ring tournament and even in defeat that should've been Chad Gable coming out party but unfortunately got McMahon

[@kjo2130]

I don't think I'll ever get over what Vince did to Keith Lee... it's honestly mind boggling how quickly he destroyed the Crown Jewel of NXT.

[@eLite-Tiss91]

Really that man could face Roman Reigns for the world he was so over...then....(Ty lee)...poof

[@annbauman6123]

Yeah and AEW isn’t doing anything with him now

[@sillywilliam9539]

They tried turning Pete Dunne from bruiserweight to bushwhacker but his talent has never stopped shining through.

[@avgjoeshow4208]

I can see it now, the birth of bearcat. Vince, sitting in his office, talking it out with somebody where he says “God damn man he’s big and strong like a bear and fast and nimble like a cat. By God is the Bearcat.”

[@williamlee7672]

More to do with Bearcat Wright. Who had a great career and is in the HoF legacy wing

[@isitoveryet9525]

War Machine would’ve probably opened WWE to copyright issues

[@johntorres532]

Fuck wwe though lol

[@DarthSoto78]

Yeah, because they did not want Disney/Marvel to sue them.

[@arcticphoenix2789]

Yeah for obvious reasons

[@sassytroy8282]

Man, that hypnotist's idea for Red Rooster is gold! For the 80's anyways. Have Terry be like I was with Heenan at a show and was hypnotized into thinking I was a chicken and then have Terry spend the rest of his time in the WWF looking for this hypnotist and never finding them...

[@achimsinn6189]

On the other hand we have dalton castle on Roh and AEW acting like the thinks he's a peacock and it's pretty hilarious. I'd say the key to such a gimmick would be to not take it too serious.

[@annbauman6123]

@@achimsinn6189he’s more like an Elton John inspired character

[@ChurchillGeoff]

Cactus Jack was originally meant to be Mansen the mutilator and his first book includes possibilities like Headcase

[@CodyIgor]

Lol no Cactus originally went as Cactus Jack Manson.....then the Mankind character originally was going to be called Mason the Mutilator

[@stevegallo8483]

There is one major reason WWE couldn't use the name "Barbie" for Kelly Kelly (real name Barbie Blank), even if they wanted to use her real name. Mattel has the name under copyright because of the doll they make.

[@GameBreaker1055]

That sounds so stupid... Didn't it used to be a legit nickname for people called Barbara? That like not being allowed to name people "Nick" or "Charlie" or "Sam/Sammy" because someone named their action hero figure like that

[@ShadowMoon878]

Mattel cannot do anything because Barbie is her real name. You cannot trademark someone's name. What Mattel can do is trademark the Dolls that are named Barbie. As long as WWE did not create Kelly Kelly wrestling figure and named it Barbie, Mattel cannot do anything

[@quintinlee9224]

@@ShadowMoon878 barbie blank is her nickname not her birth name

[@shawnmichaels568]

Keith lee's definitely one of the worst name changes.

[@adityamaharaj3262]

Yeah that was just so unnecessary

[@paulcowlishaw]

Wasn't it Bearcat or something ridiculous like that

[@thek1ng02]

​@@paulcowlishaw Yep

[@paulcowlishaw]

@DAMJAN OBRADOVIC V.2 I remember him coming out as Bearcat and I was thinking WTF.

[@thek1ng02]

​@@paulcowlishaw That was awful NGL

[@miroslavtomic7038]

I agree with all except for one. Misfits in Action started as a joke in WCW, but eventually they clicked with fans and the stable was successful. Sadly this happened during the worst time of WCW. Their success mostly stemmed from their feud with Lance Storm and his Team Canada, which attracted WCW audience, mostly Southerners, to the storyline. Only bad thing about it were the new names they were given. But, it was nowhere even near to being failure.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

The feud between Hugh G. Rection and Lance Storm throughout the fall of 2000 was one of rare positive and good things going on in the dying days of WCW. Sadly, by January 2001 WCW had totally given up on this storyline and had MIA go their separate ways, which many people see as one of first signs that WCW was done.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

They also had a very funny and comedic but highely popular feud with Filthy Animals, most notably with Animals members Konnan and Rey Mysterio.

[@stevegallo8483]

Misfits In Action was classic Russo right down to the names of the members: Especially Hugh G. Rection and Major Gunns, and we all know why she was given that name.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

@@stevegallo8483 Yes, I know.

[@miroslavtomic7038]

I mean, who can possibly forget the episode of Thunder in fall of 2000 when, during the promo of MIA in the ring, the entire locker room, minus Lance Storm and Team Canada, came out clapping and congratulating Rection on his victory over Storm the previous Sunday for the US Title. Most notable part of this event was that Goldberg came out last and gave an emotional speech and endorsement for Rection, fondly remembering that Rection, then called Hugh Morrus, was Goldberg's first official opponent in WCW when his Streak started. While Goldberg's speech was scripted, the rest of the locker room coming out was off script and it was very emotional. Especially famous was the ending of Goldeberg's speech when he told Rection "Goldberg's streak had to start somewhere, my friend". Despite what most people think of Bill DeMott today, during the dying days of WCW he was one of last men who actually were working hard to click with fans and try to keep the company alive. He was highely respected back then.

[@konahrikbolin8359]

Keith Lee is definitely the most agile big man since Vader. Most likely even more so.

[@UnleashtheFiore]

Agree with all of these apart from Pete Dunne. The name Butch is bad but the character he absolutely nails. Hope he doesn't lose it if the name comes back

[@MichaelTaylor-qp2xf]

I'd like to believe that Terry Taylor was bitten by a radioactive chicken, becoming the Red Rooster, but unlike Peter Parker, chicken powers aren't nearly as cool as spider powers.

[@arturocastillo4283]

I'd be happy with that storyline only if he was called "The Crimson Cock"

[@MayheM_72]

Butch is a much better wrestler than his character would suggest. I like the smaller wrestlers, and hopefully he'll be able to show his technical abilities. Piper Niven is also very talented, and I'm glad the Doudrop name was "doo-dropped"!

[@gamerogaitano11]

😂😂

[@kevinc1891]

Ok homer

[@WilbertAdams1]

I don't call him Butch. Pete Dunne always.

[@GameBreaker1055]

@@demarcuskane1392 If you go into a circus and they have this amazing jongleur but the ringleader decided to call him "Tony Turret" and have him use less objects and less exciting objects to juggle while throwing around slurs for "the extra laugh" would you not feel robbed of the performance you could have seen?

[@Foxtrot6624]

Piper Nevin talented? What. Do we watch the same show?

[@tharukaepaarachchi814]

It's still a shocker for me that how didn't Keith Lee didn't became a world champion in the main roster because he has a great size, charismatic and good on the mic.Same with Samoa Joe.

[@maxnorton1209]

Injuries were the main reason for both.

[@tharukaepaarachchi814]

@@maxnorton1209 Yeah,that's unfortunate

[@laderius.]

Samoa Joe x100. Smh

[@NOname-bv2jy]

"Good on the mic"

[@leir2005]

Samoa Joe had moments though where he was healthy and they chose not to pull the trigger on him. He had a championship match against Brock Lesnar, and another against Kofi Kingston. I think he was also in that fatal four way at SummerSlam some years ago.

[@xx7secondsxx]

With Stone Cold.... you could've said RING MASTER as the example of his character build that didnt work/go over in the beginning

[@ShadowMoon878]

Vince even had him come out in a top hat and circus coat...

[@LibraJohnny]

You could add Tony Atlas as "Samba Simba". And for the worst changes that could have happened, Ric Flair who almost became "Spartacus".

[@Albert_YTC]

Pete Dunne is an absolute legend in the UK wrestling community. Renaming him butch and making him a scrappy doo like character was so awful

[@zemox2534]

Thank you! Finally someone agrees with me!

[@OomaGooma]

Keith Lee is pretty awesome. I like watching him wrestle.

[@edrueter9]

Even as a kid I thought the Red Rooster was the dumbest name. Lol.

[@animaltvi9515]

The taylor made man, one in WCW wasn't much better.

[@arturocastillo4283]

Everything would've been different if he was called "The Crimson Cock" instead

[@MrTrueCaller619]

Vince is the biggest troll in wrestling history 😂

[@ASoberBear]

As someone that is a bear even us bears do not accept the bear cat.

[@KnightVision68]

😂😂😂😂😂 Winning comment lol

[@williamlee7672]

Bearcat Wright had a good career and is in the HoF legacy wing. Maybe Vince saw this in Keith Lee.

[@brianlogsdon4824]

Maybe instead of Bearcat they shoulda called him ManBearPig

[@ravendarklawgaming197]

I realize Kurt Angle is still alive, but nobody can convince me that Chad Gable isn't his reincarnation.

[@arcticphoenix2789]

Chad Gable was essentially a watered-down Kurt Angle regen.

[@chrisginny5220]

Chad Gable should have been Kurt Angel’s “son”

[@amsterdamshusi]

I am still so pissed about Pete Dunne/Butch change. He was signed as Pete Dunne, he was a star in NXT for years as Pete Dunne, he had big title reigns, all indications were that he was going to be a star of the future! The Bruiserweight gimmick was perfect for him! He was a badass! Now he’s a flunky who plays for laughs. Top guys aren’t comic relief. You’re never gonna see a guy named Butch win a championship at Wrestlemania. I’m glad for the guy that he’s getting paid but I actually cared about and wanted to watch Pete Dunne. I don’t give a shit about Butch.

[@g-man80]

I remember when WCW came to my hometown in 1991 & Terry Taylor was there. The crowd was chanting "Red Rooster" at him. He cussed the crowd out. lmao

[@rickybobby7707]

Hugh. G rection got me off gaurd what were they thinking back then 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JTeam45]

Every time I heard "Slap Jack," I get some kind of sick grin.

[@Big.Stepper.]

Now Keith Lee should be named Uncle Phil... foreal.

[@KamenRider808]

To be fair...Pete Dunnes name change at first I didn't like, but I liked it after a while. But I still call him Pete.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

I still want that Keith Lee Roman Reigns match

[@edanguiano6096]

I sometimes wonder how exactly Vince made it as far as he did

[@bzilla-d4i]

That's a damn good question, however guys like Hulk Hogan, The Rock and Stone Cold made him rich.

[@lild5470]

U mean he took over his pops business.

[@ShiningJudgment666]

@@lild5470 Right time honestly. And he wasn't old and senile. Also having very strong competition.

[@HitLeftistsWithHammers]

Vince pee pee poo poo!

[@charismatickidd]

Trial and error

[@LePLusCoolDesCools]

How can you call someone "Butch" and expect them to get over ? Honestly, I'm persuaded WWE changes people's names whenever they don't want that wrestler to get too over. Which is the dumbest thing imaginable. Why would you *not* want a wrestler to get over ?

[@bryanellis459]

I think the Butch name was also a play on the Bushwhackers, as Ridge Holland's real name is Luke

[@yamifromthedead]

Honestly, he should keep Butch. He got over with that name on the main roster and I don't think his gimmick in developmental would have lasted that long on the main roster anyway. With Butch, he was able to expand his character much more.

[@zemox2534]

Butch is a stupid name and if you actually followed his career before he signed with wwe you would know that Pete Dunne could have gotten over easily with good booking and no name change

[@nichhodge8503]

I’m surprised they didn’t call him Biff (as in Biff Tanner from the Back To The Future movies)

[@dmadv]

​@@zemox2534his nxt uk run was bland dude💀, him being butch has more personality compared to that

[@L_HD]

Butch sounds like a name a stupid jobber would recieve Pete Dunne ain't one of those

[@yamifromthedead]

@@zemox2534 If Pete Dunne was put on the main roster minus the Brawling Brutes, i’m sure he would never touch a main event. Despite how talented he is. Butch got over where he was able to main event a PPV with Roman Reigns.

[@nichhodge8503]

Pete Dunn became Biff Tanner (name from Back To The Future films) or did I dream that? And War Machine became Raiders Of The Lost Ark

[@harrisonsilencieux7596]

Pete was the one who came up with the name he wanted to change his character. And it worked he was over.

[@TheDiamondBayBay]

Video idea: Worst theme song changes

[@mtk2fitness208]

America alpha was one of the greatest tags of all time. I wish they would've had a longer run.

[@anilbalram7768]

The historical background of Bearcat would honestly have been a good gimmick, especially since the person was a strong black performer in the territories. It's like Ric Flair becoming the Nature Boy. Also, Butch still got over and he still looks strong as part of the brutes so honestly he shouldn't be Pete Dunne again. He should be like Butch Dunne or some kind of mix.

[@night6724]

Butch is a nickname. These guys just hate name changes

[@sonxicor254]

Big as a bear and swift as a cat

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Barbie Blank sounds like more of a made up name that half the NXT ones 😂

[@ralfsstuff]

It felt like a slap in the face when they renamed Walter. I'm glad Gunther's doing great right now, but a part of me just can't get over the name. Walter sounds like he could be my dad, Gunther sounds like a granddad's name instead

[@champagneshane9654]

Gunther is a better name

[@seankkg]

It sucks because Walter is his real name and totally fits with his European Bad Guy vibe. Gunther just sounds like a *fake* European Bad Guy. Just kind of unnecessary. His real name is the same syllables for his banger of a theme too.

[@dilbert719]

I'm stunned that Hak was apparently a nickname Sandman had in real life. I thought they were straight up insulting him, calling him a hack.

[@Allpurple_reign]

2:41 them war chants did hit different though.

[@keithjohnson6051]

Can't believe u forgot Michael McGillicuddy

[@Landofnothing]

Still makes me laugh. What a stupid name lol

[@ASoberBear]

Triple H is right 9/10 times and because he is right so often we give him a pass with short comings. It is well deserved good will.

[@R3troZone]

I always assumed War Machine was changed to War Raiders because WWE loves to trademark everything and the name War Machine is owned by Marvel/Disney so they couldn't use it.

[@AngelusNielson]

You can't copyright "Keith lee" and that's why Vince did the Bearcat thing.

[@yellowsun3164]

Shane haste is one of my favorite wrestlers in the world, and when I saw him become SLAPJACK?? Bro…

[@GabbyJFS_02]

I will never understand WWE’s constant push to just take off someone’s first name. Riddle, Cesaro, etc. Do they think we can’t remember more than one name? I just don’t get it.

[@snowvalkyrie]

Vince, I am going to tell you what my grandfather told me as a teenager. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

[@antonberg3271]

I honestly believe that Chad Gable could be a main event since he is so similar to Kurt Angle when it comes to his olympic past as well as Rey mysterio since in the majority of Gables matches he was seen as a underdog.

[@Gargoyle_75]

When I was a teen, a friend mentioned to me there had been a Red Rooster wrestler he saw against Rick Martel. I found the idea so stupid, I did not believe him for years. Until… I came up with a few federation matches… He had been right all along…

[@theevn7]

Rhea Ripley + Ryback = This guy on the thumbnail "Feed the judgementboy!" 😅

[@0121zachary]

The Red Rooster gimmick was a punishment for Terry Taylor because he ran a fowl (hehe) backstage with Pat Patterson and Bruce Prichard

[@TheViper4Life]

Not only changing them to an over done Viking theme, their original names of Hanson and Rowe where way better than Erik and Ivar. They worked well on Black and Gold because their own personalities were pushed to the front rather than leaning so hard on the gimmick. I mean even Sarah Logan being called Valhalla now makes no sense when you consider that, in Viking Lore, Valhalla is a place not a persons name so it just comes off as super cheesy.

[@sassytroy8282]

Maybe they tag team her and claim it Valhalla...

[@mattchristensen9424]

As a descendant of vikings I approve this comment

[@goldenghostgod5333]

They changed their name from War Machine cuz that’s clearly copyrighting or don’t you get that lol

[@ChurchillGeoff]

I always thought Ron "the Truth Killings being repackaged as R-Truth was a bit of a step backwards

[@NottyGurlStyle]

Vince messes with everyone.. Gable could have been the next Kurt Angle but noooooo…he messed him up. Gable is great and deserves better.

[@bwill613]

10:42 Shorty G before the shooooosh 😂😂😂

[@justinterry2926]

Well that was pretty true description of sandman

[@HelpTheWretched]

Almost as bad as Retribution was Raven's group in TNA, which had Frankie Kazarian, Johnny Devine, and Matt Bentley becoming Kaz, Havok, and Martyr.

[@a.d.jackson6229]

Pete Dunne became Butch and instant mid card status afterwards

[@bozazz]

I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be seeing Butch and Shorty G make a comeback real soon…

[@PurpleCinnamon-Land-Of-Misfits]

They still refer to him as Butch I heard it on commentary not long ago❕❗

[@chrismiddleton6962]

​@Purple Cinnamon ~Land Of Misfits~ that's cause they haven't changed his name back yet. He's still butch

[@PurpleCinnamon-Land-Of-Misfits]

@@chrismiddleton6962 That I understand I just thought they would of changed it back to Pete by now since they announced it months ago

[@chrismiddleton6962]

@Purple Cinnamon ~Land Of Misfits~ nobody announced it, it's just a rumor

[@adamantiiispencespence4012]

Honorable mention for this should Uha Nation becoming Apollo Crews.

[@MJfp6lx]

😂😂 I think Vince does it to guys he wants to get rid of

[@anthonyhaylock6655]

I agree when they changed Pete Dunne to butch , I thought it was one of stupidest ideas in WWE history , as Pete Dunne is a very talented wrestler and could have made them a lot of real money in the future but now he’s just being used as a jobber

[@zemox2534]

Changing the War Raiders into the Viking Raiders was such a stupid decision. At least War Raiders referenced Hanson and Rowe's years as War Machine

[@cijmo]

Vince had to give these people humiliating roles to make himself feel superior.

[@sneakgamecrazy]

idk i thought Kelly Kelly was a pretty fire name

[@stingrey1571]

The problem with “shorty g” is chad gable is 5’8 and not 4’8. Yes he was short by wwe standards but not in every day life. At 5’8, he’s TALLER than rey mysterio and Daniel Bryan and same the same height as Otis. The entire gimmick didn’t make sense when shorty g would be in the ring with someone like ricochet who is an inch taller than him.

[@melchardcaranto4675]

Pretty sure Barbie Blank was a copyright lawsuit waiting to happen

[@VlogsIWC]

I mean I’ve gotten used to Pete dunn being called butch and I’m loving him with ridge holland and sheamus

[@venomgaming7014]

At least Erik and Ivar’s team name got switched to Viking raiders and their finisher became known as the “Viking experience”.

[@GeneGamer]

Keith Lee was actually called Keith Lee when he went to the main roaster for nearly 2 years till in end of 2021 when he came back from injury he was changed to bearcat Keith Lee then after 4 weeks he left and went to aew

[@matthieugagne766]

Cannot believe Hugh G Rection is real

[@mmurph617]

Andy is the King of Segues.

[@sheepdavis]

Chilly McFreeze was a good name

[@kelseydonaldson8795]

i bet that the Red Rooster thing didn't work for Terry Taylor

[@mattemattics5667]

I’d say it’s hard to believe the “Viking Experience” made it to TV, but it’s Vince.

[@georgedafourth]

I like the War Viking Raider Machine Experience

[@hermesjr.branzuela5271]

I actually grew to love Butch and his character right now. He's so funny yet aggressive at the same time.

[@dejountemurraythefutureg.o9040]

Tbh agreed, Butch fits him now that his Pete Dunne outfit is back. Just didn’t fit him with his initial main roster look

[@ryananderson5202]

The mouth guard was strange.

[@Ghost-of-Flint.810]

This is probably very underrated but I actually enjoyed the retribution team now their names were questionable but they were good wrestlers I feel like if they did the right thing with them they could probably end up being championship material because I can feel like mace can live up to his name and become brutal war machine he can dominate anything in his Path T-bar could be the same thing

[@GoRicky15]

I would also suggest Rhonda Singh, who was rebranded from a monster heel to a trailer park hick with the name "Bertha Fae". I've heard this was a dig at her size, as bertha = girtha, fae = fat. Very clever, Vince

[@annbauman6123]

Honestly these are all super bad name changes but the top 3 for me are Doudrop Butch and Viking Experience

[@SuperGuitarDude7]

I'll say this. The name Kelly Kelly didn't hurt her career so not sure why this is on your list. Also, it makes sense that he didn't change Kurt Angle or Brock Lesnar's names because they were famous for amateur wrestling before which is why they were originally brought in to the WWE.

[@Lightman0359]

With his kendo stick, Could the Hardcore Hak angle also be an attempt at a Hacksaw Jim Duggan reference?

[@Rajneeeeesh]

They did my guy Pete Dunne dirty.

[@ralfsstuff]

Didn't even recognize him.

[@kadharefinley224]

I hated some of these when Keith Lee came back from injury in 2021 and then a few months later he was Bearcat like WTF 🤦 and when Pete Dunne turned in Butch but it’s rumored that he’s going back to Pete Dunne

[@thederpiestofderps]

To be fair, while Butch isn't great like Pete Dunne but he is a hell of a lot of fun

[@riquepr]

How about Chavo Guerrero to Kerwin White or something like that.

[@ravi23039]

I always liked chad gable. He deserves more good things.

[@claymathewselevator8121]

Rich Swann’s WWE name was almost Silk Morris or something like that

[@luisanitrans]

Keep in mind, this Kieth’s rebrand happened after his call up and returning after a long hiatus due to Covid and heart conditions. So the rebranding occurred soon after. #WherearetheGoodCartoons?