10 Worst Wrestling Name Changes

A wrestler's name might seem like a trivial issue, but it's an incredibly significant aspect of a performer's identity. Even the greats like 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin benefit from it, as the addition of 'Stone Cold', became a formative piece of Steve Austin's persona.

When it comes to becoming a star, you're going to run into a tonne of blockades if you've got a name that the crowd can't get behind. So, when a wrestler decides to - or is made to - change the name they go by, it can be a big make or break moment for them. Sadly, not everyone can have a significant change like Steve Austin, as some wrestlers get given a new identity that does not reinvent them in the right way.

The following ten renames have come from multiple companies like TNA, WCW WWE and beyond, but each of them has made massive mistakes when it comes to reinventing the identity of their wrestlers. While many of these stars got out of their poor naming, the legacy left behind will always (unfortunately) be remembered.

While it may sound slightly mundane, the name Chris Hero is a perfect moniker for this independent wrestling legend. Hero lit up the indie circuit, putting on barnstorm matches for PWG, Chikara, ROH and more, and he did it all with this now-iconic name. It's simple, catchy and paints him as a great babyface - which could become ironic when he played heel.

Then, WWE came knocking, and Hero decided to answer. When he transitioned into FCW then NXT, it was a big source of excitement, as he'd been busting his butt on the circuit for so long, and he was long overdue some reward. But, his new in-ring name was a sign of things to come.

Kassius Ohno took all the simplicity of his previous title and turned it into a jumbled mess. The name itself is hard to pronounce, which is never a good sign for a wrestler. When you hear something like Chris Hero, it's easy to picture what that star might look like - i.e. a solid everyman. But, with a name like Kassius Ohno, you don't know what to expect.

His release from WWE was tragic, but at least he can leave this awful creative decision behind.