Top WWE Star Gets First Name Back On Raw

Rumors of wrestlers having full names restored gets first confirmation.

by Scott Carlson
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WWE

Look out, the rumors of wrestlers regaining their surnames or forenames are true, at least in one case.

The Original Bro was introduced to the Raw audience as Matt Riddle Monday night, complete with chyron to solidify that it wasn't just Corey Graves misspeaking. Match graphics and social media posts further solidified that this is an official name change for Riddle.

Called up to the main roster in May 2020, Riddle had his first name lopped off that October, presumably at one of Vince McMahon's whims. Fans have seen this happen countless times through the years, with some of the changes turning out to be positive. But chopping off Riddle's actual first name - combined with making him a goofy stoner character - set him back as a performer. It wasn't until his RK-Bro tag team with Randy Orton caught fire that Riddle really began to be taken seriously.

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Currently embroiled in a deadly serious feud with Seth Rollins, Riddle has all but ditched the good vibes goofball in favor of a laser-focused bro hellbent on getting revenge on Rollins.

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Riddle is one of several superstars on the roster who has had their name shortened, including Ciampa, Angel, Humberto and Theory, but he's the first of the bunch to officially (according to WWE.com) have his full name restored.

Contributor
Contributor

Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fondly remembers watching WrestleMania III, IV, V and VI and Saturday Night's Main Event, came back to wrestling during the Attitude Era, and has been a consumer of sports entertainment since then. He's written for WhatCulture for more than a decade, establishing the Ups and Downs articles for WWE Raw and WWE PPVs/PLEs and composing pieces on a variety of topics.