WWE Scraps NXT 2.0 Character, Changes 5 Ring Names
This once-prominent NXT gimmick is no more after WWE's latest name changes.
Mei Ying is no more.
A new report from PWInsider's Mike Johnson indicates that Karen Yu, who performed the gimmick, is one of five NXT performers to have undergone a new name change. She'll be performing as Wendy Choo going forward.
Another wrestler, Kellie Morga, has been rebranded as Mila Malani. Three developmental referees have also had their names changed, with Aja Smith becoming Daphne Lashaunn, DA Brewer becoming Dallas Irvin, and Tom Castor becoming Derek Sanders.
WWE filed trademark applications for some of these new names last week.
As the most prominent name on this list, Yu's name change is most notable. She debuted for WWE through the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament that August, then signed with the company the following February, though she was soon struck down by a broken leg requiring multiple surgeries.
Yu was then repackaged as Mei Ying in late 2020, forming the Tian Sha group with Xia Li and Boa on NXT television. Li has since been moved to the main roster, joining SmackDown in the 2021 Draft, with Yu gradually phased out in recent weeks as Boa pushes forward as a singles act.