10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Jan 11)

4. Shawn Michaels Suggested Test's Ring Name

Test 1999 Promo Shot
WWE.com

Test was not short for 'Testicles'. Let's nip that rumour in the bud right now.

Ex-WWE creative mind Bruce Prichard said so on his 'Something To Wrestle With' show, and then followed up on his comments by revealing exactly who was behind Test's ring name. Surprisingly, it had a lot to do with one Shawn Michaels, a guy who wasn't exactly having the best of times in 1999.

Although the then-WWF Commissioner was struggling with heavy substance abuse issues that'd soon come to a head, HBK was sharp enough to marry the young wrestler's kayfabe role as a bodyguard for Mötley Crüe with his in-ring work. When Test said, 'Test, Test, Test' over the mic instead of 'Testing', Shawn suggested that be his name.

The company didn't have any better ideas, and so they went with Michaels' pitch. Overnight, Test was born, partly because it sounded cool (for the late-90s, at least) but mainly due to his faux-roadie role for the Crüe on Raw.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.