10 Dumbest Wrestling Name Changes
1. Michael McGillicutty
If you had to choose just one descriptor when selecting a sports entertainment epithet, 'intimidating' is probably it. If you can't be cool, if you can't be charismatic, if you can't be witty, if you can't be world class, at the very least, make sure you (sound like you) belong in a wrestling ring.
To be fair to Curtis Axel, he didn't choose the name that stigmatised him forevermore. It was the brainchild of Vince McMahon, who according to the son of Mr. Perfect always harboured a desire to bestow one of his talents with a "strong, Irish name". Which would be fine, if it was a strong Irish name. But no: Joe Hennig was rechristened as 'Michael McGillicutty', the phonaesthetic translation of comedic weakling. Instantly, the mechanically proficient third generation wrestler was essentially ruined beyond repair. As his later career all but confirmed, there was no coming back from that. He was more plucky boy scout than professional wrestler.
'Curtis Axel,' borrowed from his bloodline, was only a marginal improvement - and the desperation behind it ("he must be a good wrestler; his dad and grandad were!") was only underscored by his sudden and forced push.