9 Wrestlers Who Had Their Names Shortened on the Main Roster

#2 From Elias Samson to Elias

One of the hottest acts in WWE right now.

Elias has become one of the most intriguing heel acts on Monday Night Raw currently, as his 'Walk With Elias' gimmick is extremely over with the WWE Universe. However, WWE made the former NXT man lose both his name and gimmick.

Elias ran as Elias Samson back in NXT, and didn't enjoy a lot of success, as he left the developmental brand with a losing streak. He also had a gimmick as 'The Drifter' in NXT, and both had been dropped post his main roster debut. Speaking on the name change, Elias said: "It was not my call. I got up there. Got to Monday Night Raw. And, The Drifter: no longer. No longer call myself that, at least I can't refer to myself as that, and Samson dropped as well."

This name change has been fine, as everyone would agree that just Elias is a better name than adding that surname, which reportedly, no one backstage ever liked.