Change Over? WWE May Have Scrapped Unpopular Vince McMahon Rule

No more name tags? A wrestler’s name is one of the most important aspects to their entire presentation. If a wrestler doesn’t have a name that clicks, there is a bit of a limit on how far they are going to go. It helps if a wrestler has been around for a long time and the fans have had a chance to get to know them, but sometimes those names are changed. That might not be the case again with WWE.

Earlier this year, Vince McMahon issued a new edict announcing that wrestlers from outside WWE must undergo a name change to remove any aspects of their real names or names used on the independent circuit. This included names such as Gunther (formerly Walter) and Raquel Rodriguez (formerly Raquel Gonzalez). However, Johnny Gargano returned to WWE this week with no name change. According to PWInsider.com, this would suggest that the rule was either being relaxed or gone. There is no word on how the new system will work or how many names will be changed.

Opinion: I would be thrilled with this rule being dropped, if nothing else for the sake of not having to remember a bunch of new names. While I get that WWE wanted to have its wrestlers’ names trademarked, there comes a point where changing names of known wrestlers is more than a bit much. Fans have known Walter for years now, but suddenly he’s someone else? With no reason given for most of the changes, it’s a bit much to accept that they are just a different person all of a sudden.