5 Superstars who changed names after their WWE release

Unlike other sports, pro-wrestling needs a wrestler to have a unique in-ring name that sounds catchy and marketable. In a few rare cases, Superstars' names remain unchanged, as their original names sound good enough.

For instance, WWE legends Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. In most of the cases, the Superstar in question gets an in-ring moniker that suits their character. The Undertaker, Kane, Big Show, and Stone Cold are just a few examples of names that suited the gimmick to the T.

When Superstars get released by WWE or when they leave the company on their own volition, they sometimes want to start afresh. In many instances, these Superstars are forced to change their names or adopt their real names in order to compete elsewhere, as their WWE moniker can't be legally used in other promotions.

In the following slideshow, we will take a look at 5 WWE Superstars who revealed new names following their release.

---

#5 Rusev

Rusev

After being a mainstay on RAW/SmackDown for six years, Rusev was released by WWE in April 2020 along with several other Superstars. These releases came amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which forced WWE to severely cut costs wherever possible. Rusev wasn't happy with his standing for a while and was removed from WWE TV earlier this year in the middle of his feud with Bobby Lashley.

Soon after his release, Rusev started a YouTube channel as well as a Twitch channel. He regularly posts videos on his YouTube channel and talks about his time in WWE. Rusev and Lana went on to confirm in a YouTube video that he will be going by the moniker of 'Miro'.

Rusev later stated that he's done with wrestling, but fans are still holding hope that this is just a swerve and they will get to see Rusev compete somewhere else in the near future.

#4 Enzo Amore

Enzo Amore

Enzo Amore is a unique case, as he didn't resurface for a long time after his WWE release and revealed his new name around a year after he was let go by WWE. His stint in WWE lasted for around six years. He wasn't a technical genius when it came to in-ring action, but he made up for it with his gift of gab.

Amore was incredibly entertaining on the mic, and his "How you doin'?" catchphrase soon became quite popular among the WWE Universe.

He was released by WWE in early 2018 amidst some serious allegations. The charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence against him. Amore returned to action more than a year later and revealed 'nZo' as his new in-ring name.

He made his debut for Northeast Wrestling in June 2019, accompanying his former WWE Tag Team partner Big Cass, who competed in singles action against Jon Moxley. Enzo made his in-ring return at the Prison Break event a few weeks later, defeating Brian Pillman Jr. in the process.

#3 Luke Harper

Luke Harper and Erick Rowan as The Bludgeon Brothers

As a member of The Wyatt Family, Luke Harper did well for himself in WWE. Harper later had a stint with former Wyatt Family associate Erick Rowan, with the duo dubbing themselves "The Bludgeon Brothers". During his WWE run, Harper won a string of mid-card titles, including Tag Team title runs with Rowan, Bray Wyat, and Randy Orton.

Following WrestleMania 35 last year, Harper requested his WWE release, but Vince McMahon denied the same. Harper was finally granted his release in late 2019.

He had filed a trademark for the moniker of "Brodie Lee", mere days before his release. He had used the name in various promotions long before he made his way to WWE. Harper made his All Elite Wrestling debut in March, and was revealed as the leader of The Dark Order, named "The Exalted One".

Lee went on to win a bunch of matches and his undefeated streak was finally broken by AEW World Champion Jon Moxley at the Double Or Nothing 2020 PPV.

#2 Christian

Christian

Christian made his WWE debut in the late 90s during the peak of the Attitude Era. Initially, he made a name for himself as a member of The Brood, along with Edge and Gangrel. Soon after, Edge and Christian rose up the ranks in the Tag Team division and had numerous classics against The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz.

Their TLC match at WrestleMania 17 is still regarded as one of the greatest bouts in the history of pro-wrestling.

Christian never managed to become a main event star during his first WWE run, unlike his partner Edge, who won multiple World titles and became one of the biggest heels in the business. Christian didn't renew his contract after it expired in late 2005.

He made his way to TNA in November 2005 and used one of his early in-ring names, thus becoming "Christian Cage". In TNA, Cage won the NWA World title on two occasions. Upon his return to WWE in 2009, he soon became ECW World Champion and went on to win the World title twice.

#1 Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose

By the time 2019 came around, Dean Ambrose had gotten tired of the way he was being used in WWE and had made up his mind to leave the company. He went on to reunite with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins during his final few weeks in WWE, and the trio faced Drew McIntyre, King Corbin, and Bobby Lashley on several occasions.

The Shield defeated the villains at "The Shield's Final Chapter", which was Dean's last WWE match. He remained inactive for a while before posting a teaser for his in-ring return as "Jon Moxley", the notorious character that he used to portray before he made it big in WWE.

Moxley made his huge debut at AEW's first event, Double Or Nothing in May last year, and attacked both Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega. Moxley has been dominating the AEW roster ever since then. He defeated Chris Jericho for the AEW World title at AEW Revolution, thus becoming the promotion's second-ever World Champion.

Moxley is still holding the belt and it seems like he isn't regretting his move to AEW one bit.