5 WWE Superstar names and backstage stories behind them

#1 The Prototype (John Cena)

The Prototype

Before sticking with the moniker of John Cena, the WWE legend was known as The Prototype. This robotic character was used by Cena in his early days in Ohio Valley Wrestling, and it's clear as day that keeping it for long wouldn't have fared well for him. While talking about The Prototype, Cena once stated that one wants to find a gimmick that makes fans notice them, and thus he decided to try it out with The Prototype.

Oh, it was awful. You wanna find a gimmick so when you walk out, people notice you. It's trial and error with a lot of errors. My first try was The Prototype which was half man and half machine...and 100% c**p. I used the ability to talk rather monotone, and would say things authoritatively. And when things like, 'I will kick your a** at the Fairgrounds on Sunday,' I rewound and went, 'yadnuS no sdnuorgriaF eht ta **a ruoy kcik lliw I. I will kick your a** at the Fairgrounds on Sunday.'

Cena used the name for almost two years, before finally donning the moniker of John Cena. He wrestled under this name is his debut match on WWE SmackDown against WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. Today, Cena is one of the biggest names in pro wrestling, as well as Hollywood.