Gunther and 6 WWE stars who are in desperate need of a name change

Name changes are common in WWE, but it feels like they are happening more frequently in the current era than ever before. This includes shortening superstars' names, outright changing them to something random, unsuitable and different, or more.

It's no secret that the company prefers having trademarks over superstars' names, with only a few stars in WWE owning the rights to their ring name. For those who don't, they could always be at the mercy of the company. Here are seven examples of superstars who are currently in desperate need of a name change:

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#7. Doudrop - Is WWE set to change her name?

Before her debut on Monday Night RAW, Doudrop was called Piper Niven. Before she signed with WWE, she was simply known as Viper. It seemed to be largely agreed upon that Piper Niven was the best name for her, but when she debuted, she got a bizarre new name.

Debuting with Eva Marie as her manager, the now-released superstar labeled her 'Doudrop'. Post-release, she set off on her own and declared that she would keep the name, indicating that she learned to like it.

It seems as though Doudrop has been a direct Nia Jax replacement, but be that as it may, her name hasn't been something that has stuck with fans well. However, fans who never saw her in NXT UK may only know her as Doudrop.

However, unlike other cases on this list, the company could potentially be planning to revert Doudrop's name back to Piper Niven. A report from PWInsider's Steven Fernandes revealed that WWE filed a lot of trademarks in December 2021, with Piper Niven being one of them:

"They also reapplied to trademark the following recently abandoned trademarks Ivy Nile, Odyssey Jones, Piper Niven for G & S: Entertainment services," - Fernandes (h/t PWInsider)

Admittedly, this doesn't confirm that Doudrop could have her name changed back to Piper Niven. It's always possible that the company is keeping the trademark for a potential name change in the future, but that may not be immediate.

Either way, Doudrop is in desperate need of a name change. She is all set to face RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble. She isn't expected to win the match, but it's a good position to be in this early into her main roster career.

#6. & #5. Angel and Humberto - A classic case of WWE shortening names for no reason

Los Lotharios were a force to be dealt with in the WWE tag team division until they cooled down recently. Angel and Humberto are cousins who seem to be finding more success together, but the company has taken away their last names from them.

As you may know, Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo were their original names, both of which were suitable. However, the company hasn't capitalized on Angel [Garza] as they should have, despite his natural charisma and reports that he was viewed as the next Latino superstar to be pushed.

Angel is more of an all-rounder, while Humberto lacks a strong character but has exciting in-ring skills. Neither are old, and they can still find success in the company. However, it's harder to take them seriously when their names are shortened for no reason. It was exactly like when Mustafa Ali became Ali, and Apollo Crews became Apollo.

Thankfully in both cases, their full names were restored and the company seemed to realize that it suited them better.

#4. Nikki A.S.H. - Time for WWE to acknowledge a failed character?

Although Nikki A.S.H. was popular in 2021, her Money in the Bank victory seemed to be a random decision by WWE. Given how it played out, it was clear that the company had no long-term plan for her championship run.

Liv Morgan seemed to be the sentimental favorite of the WWE Universe, and it would have been the perfect time to pull the trigger on her. However, the company seemed pleased with the reactions that Nikki A.S.H. was getting and decided to capitalize on her momentum by making her Ms. Money in the Bank 2021.

She would cash in only a night later on Charlotte Flair to become the RAW Women's Champion - a moment that was well-received as the final segment of the night. As we mentioned, there was no long-term plan for her whatsoever. Charlotte Flair and former RAW Women's Champion Rhea Ripley faced Nikki A.S.H. at SummerSlam, with Flair getting another women's title win - regaining it a month after she lost it.

Following that, Nikki A.S.H. would successfully team up with Rhea Ripley to win the Women's Tag Team titles, but there was no plan there either. She recently turned heel, which hopefully means the return of Nikki Cross and the end of the A.S.H. character.

Although she had some momentum with the character at first, it's clear that it hasn't worked out as hoped, and for the majority of the last five months, Nikki A.S.H. has been made to look bad.

#3. Shotzi - A valuable addition to the WWE Women's Division

Shotzi was previously known as Shotzi Blackheart, but WWE cut out her last name in yet another of many cases where superstars lose a part of their ring name. Shotzi is a bit of an edgier character in the women's division, and she is a valuable asset on either roster.

SmackDown is the right spot for her, and WWE has made some slow progress. She was in a tag team with Tegan [Nox], but they were abruptly split, and the latter was released by the company.

Shotzi has enjoyed a good deal of TV time on SmackDown, but she is in desperate need of bringing the "Blackheart" name back, as it's far more suited to her character.

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#2. Harland - A bad name for a potential monster?

Harland (real name Parker Boudreaux), is turning 24 in two months. He represents the overhaul of NXT into NXT 2.0 and is a symbolic signing of the change in approach. The company is now more interested in recruiting young athletes outside of wrestling, preferably in their early 20s.

Jim Ross once said that WWE wants to keep getting younger, and the push of Boudreaux represents that. However, the name "Harland" and the change in look didn't seem to suit him. Boudreaux's athletic background and look before signing instantly drew comparisons to Brock Lesnar.

While Boudreaux has been clear that he wants to be the first of his name and not the second Brock Lesnar, a name change would be a good step to get him taken more seriously.

#1. Gunther - One of the worst name changes in WWE history?

Perhaps the most controversial WWE name change on this list is the most recent one. Former NXT UK Champion WALTER defeated Roderick Strong on NXT 2.0 and declared that his new name was Gunther.

The company reportedly filed a trademark for Gunther Stark, a name with Nazi connotations. It was met with instant backlash online, and his name is now simply "Gunther."

It's not surprising to see that there has been an overwhelmingly negative response to the name change. Former superstar Keith Lee reacted by saying "Poor Walter."

However, two other former superstars defended the decision to change his name. Lance Storm was one of them, while Hurricane Helms reminded fans of the sudden changes he had to endure overnight:

Regardless of those justifying the decision to change WALTER's name, the majority are against it. Unlike some other superstars on this list, WALTER always had a single name and nothing was taken from it.

However, the company decided to change his name to Gunther in a controversial move. Gunther, more than anybody on this list, needs to change his name back.