Whats Up With That (Promotions changing names of Stars)

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of "What's Up With That?" I'm dare2believe and today the discussion is wrestling promotions that change the names of their signees. Let's get into the topic.

What do each of these professional wrestling superstars have in common: Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson), Michael McGillicutty (Joe Hennig), Husky Harris (Lawrence Rotunda), Seth Rollins (Tyler Black), Desmond Wolfe (Nigel McGuiness), Alberto Del Rio (Dos Caras, jr.), Sin Cara (Mistico)? All of the above and others not mentioned have established themselves as stars in other promotions and on the independent circuit. They sign with WWE or TNA and all of a suddent they are given a brand new name to go along with a brand new persona.

I never realized it before a few months ago how much the different wrestling promotions do not acknowledge a new signee by the name they have worked so hard to establish. Take for instance, Bryan Danielson (WWE's Daniel Bryan), he was a ROH champion and over 10 years experience then he signs with WWE and he's a "rookie" on their develomental series NXT.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

Why can't these established stars be allowed to go by their established names? If you're going to promote them as "the son of Mr. Perfect" then let him use the Hennig name. If you're going to call him the son of Hall of Famer IRS (Mike Rotundo), then pray tell, why not let him use his name. Tyler Black (now WWE developmental star Seth Rollins) recently held the ROH championship after several years trying to attain that. He signs with the WWE and now he's a nobody, so to speak with a name barely recognizable.

Granted sometimes a name is plain and ordinary and when you take on a new name you make yourself greater. I remember several years ago there was a fellow by the name of "Mean" Mark Callous, but when he donned the name The Undertaker, he became the "Phenom" and now is a legend nearing the end of a spectacular career. Just as Shawn Michaels comes across the lips much easier than Micheal Hickenbottom.

Some names sound better. Bryan Danielson to me sounds more serious than Daniel Bryan. Tyler Black certainly sounds more menacing that Seth Rollins. Do you see what I'm saying here.

Sometimes WWE, TNA or whoever you may be if it ain't broken, don't fix it! Allow these gentlemen to come in to our organization, establish themselves and become great or not with their name. I would much rather hear Joe Hennig announced rather than Michael McGillicutty. Hennig is a traditional wrestling name. A family name if you will. McGillicutty sounds more like a Sunday School teacher from someone's childhood.