Are the Second/Third Generation Wrestlers Suffering From the Name Change?

[TCBT]

I think there's something very valuable about being the son of Mr. Perfect. There's also something in the name of IRS or Blackjack Mulligan. But the WWE has opted to give Michael McGillicutty and Husky Harris, respectively, odd unrelational names.

Do you agree on the name change? Or do you think it's taking away from a potential gimmick or faction??


Personally, I like Husky Harris, but I think Michael McGillicutty could use something closer to his dad's gimmick. Of all NXTers, I think Michael has the most overall talent and best look, mic work, and in-ring work, but the name just doesn't cut it. He might need a nickname (as long as it's not "Dashing," which doesn't necessarily scream out "main-eventer" or "merchandise-seller").

Also, with so many second-generation Superstars, do you think the WWE should finally pull the trigger on a faction? I know we had Legacy, but it didn't really do much for me, at least not compared to what I think can be done with all of them. Maybe a Nexus type of group?

What do you think??

 

[The Gribbler]

I think we should let Nexus play out before we have another faction come to battle everyone.

I personally don't like the name changes, I mean you can honor your heritage without being a ripoff of your father right? If your going to bring it up anyway, it just confuses the kiddies.

"Mummy, why does Micheal Migillicuty(sp?) have a different last name then his dad"

*Parental eyeroll*

Just kidding

 

[Aeon Mathix]

I honestly never understood this about the WWE. As to why they always give name changes to their superstars. I hate it with a passion and Michael Mcgillicutty (sp?) is stupid. I wasnt this pissed about a name change since ron killings came to the WWE and they decided to name him R-Truth. I was like wtf??? Of course i guess names do not play that much of a factor in who you are, I mean we do have a superstar named "Edge" who is a 9 time champion right now and another one is named "The Miz(wtf is a miz?)" who is on his way. Names have to look somewhat credible and catch on sooner or later, could you honestly ever see a wrestlemania headlined by someone with a stupid name? The wrestlemania main event for this year will be headlined with "Insert name here" taking on Michael Mcgillicutty!! sorry for the rant

 

[TCBT]

I honestly never understood this about the WWE. As to why they always give name changes to their superstars. I hate it with a passion and Michael Mcgillicutty (sp?) is stupid. I wasnt this pissed about a name change since ron killings came to the WWE and they decided to name him R-Truth. I was like wtf??? Of course i guess names do not play that much of a factor in who you are, I mean we do have a superstar named "Edge" who is a 9 time champion right now and another one is named "The Miz(wtf is a miz?)" who is on his way. Names have to look somewhat credible and catch on sooner or later, could you honestly ever see a wrestlemania headlined by someone with a stupid name? The wrestlemania main event for this year will be headlined with "Insert name here" taking on Michael Mcgillicutty!! sorry for the rant

I agree with you that the name is actually one of the most important elements in a wrestler. If i's not marketable, you won't see it on shirts.

But that said (and this is why I'm a it torn), some wrestlers have gone very, very far not using his heritage as a means to get ahead. Goldust comes to mind. The Rock started off as Rocky Maivia (an homage to both his grandfather and father), but once he became simply The Rock, his career skyrocketted. So I don't know.

But I definately think that McGillicutty has everything in his possesion to become a star, but he needs a gimmick or specific personality first.

 

[CorkscrewBackElbowDrop]

i honestly don't think it hurts them that much, we see someone like Ted Jr. who IMO has tarnished his father's legacy *unless they book him well SOON
it gives them a way to step out of their father's shadow and not be like Cody Rhodes where every match the announcers have to say hes nothing like his father

 

[Schizophrenic]

I don't think it destroys them but it depends on the guy. Honestly I don't know anyone who doesn't remember Mike Rotundo being IRS and see him as simply that, especially when he references it all the time almost in a manner of saying "See who I used to be?!" so for a guy like Husky it may help him and insted of being the "son of a jobber" he can be seen as an individual.

On Henng's part thought it's doesn't help. When I hear the name Michael McGuillicutty I think "hometown jobber". When I hear Joe Hennig I think "son of a lengend" and consideringhis in rings skills and flourishing mic skills that would only help him.

 

[TJ Matics]

I have Know idea where there getting these name changes from,
NEWSFLASH!!!
Randy ORTON,
One of the WWE's biggest and most popular stars kept his last name,
and look at him now,
Wind him up and watch him go.
I get that a name isn't everything,
but it damn sure is SOMETHING

 

[HBKevin]

It really doesn't make sense unless Hennig and Rotundo requested the ring names. I know that Hennig said McGillicutty was his mother's maiden name. No idea about Harris. Family lineage is a big deal in the wrestling business. Just ask Ted Dibiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes (or Orton for that matter). It's an instant way to get noticed, so why not use it? Sure it wasn't up to them that they got to be a wrestler's son, but it's a fact. Look at Dustin Rhodes. He might have gotten a lot farther if he had stayed with the straight face gimmick as Dusty Rhodes Jr. But he became sick of following his dad's footsteps and decided to form an off the wall gimmick character, Goldust. He did well as Goldust but he didn't go past the mid-card to the main event. It's odd because he and Dusty Sr. had a falling out and didn't speak for about four years, during the time of the original Goldust character. But anyway, Curt Hennig is dead and IRS was a henchman to DiBiase. The name value would help, not hurt, since Hennig is gone and IRS wasn't a major name and so the sons wouldn't be overshadowed.

 

[ThePh3nomonal1]

I was thinking the exact same thing when I watched my first episode of NXT season 2 last week, not so much for Husky Harris but Michael McGillicutty... No... Just no. My friend simply said this "The WWE have fucked it up again" I wouldn't of personally been that harsh but when I see "Michael McGillicutty" I can't help but think Joe Hennig.

 

[wewanttables]

The reason these guys are not using their family names is because Vince does not want to pay to use Hennig or Rotundo. The big problem that is see with Husky Harris is what happens if he looses a bunch of weight and becomes no longer "Husky" ? Is he still going to be called Husky Harris? The WWE should drop Micheal's last name. He doesn't need McGuillicuty. Besides the first heel turn he has he is "the son of Perfection."

 

[tRKOj]

Honestly i wouldn't buy a ppv headline by Micheal Mcgillicuty it just sounds stupid however, his real name Joe Hennig sounds a billion times better and more real, now i dont really hav a problem with Husky Harris yes it 2 sounds stupid but i can live with that 1.

Anyways i dont even like Joe Hennig on NXT (i refuse 2 call him Michael Mcgillicuty) i was lookin forward 2 the fortunate sons stable with him Ted Dibiase and Bret Dibiase but thats really 4 another thread.

 

[Prax]

Honestly, Mcgilliwhatever is the stupidest name in wrestling. No one knows how to spell it and it really doesn't fit his style or gimmick. While I don't mind that he's not Hennig, since Curt was known as Mr. Perfect when he was in WWE, but they could have at least chosen something that people could spell.

I think it's hit and miss with the names though. Some of them have proven to be above their fathers' names, like Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, while others kind of suffer because they're not as good, or they cling onto it too much, like Ted Jr. or Sim Snuka. I think it's a case by case thing.