7 WWE Superstars whose career took off after changing their name

#6. JBL - A change in name and a record-breaking WWE title reign

JBL entering his final WWE title defense at WrestleMania 21

Around eight or nine years into his WWE run, JBL was officially done with Farooq and The APA. While he had competed outside of APA for a while as well, it largely defined his WWE career. That was, of course, until 2004, when his spot on SmackDown was given a lot of importance. Brock Lesnar had left WWE, Kurt Angle and Big Show were injured - leaving a major vacancy in the "top heel" spot.

Bradshaw had a major gimmick change and became a wealthy Texan Cowboy named "JBL" (John Bradshaw Layfield). His success was almost instant, and he dethroned Eddie Guerrero to win his one and only WWE Championship.

But it was a significant reign, as he was able to hold onto it from June 2004 until April 2005. He set a record and had the longest WWE title reign in a decade at that point. It was a worthwhile reign that started due to a name change, circumstance, as well as Bradshaw stepping up his game.

John Cena received his coronation at WrestleMania 21 by defeating JBL, and it would kickstart his decade-long run as the face of WWE. This name change was a historically significant one when you look back at it.

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#5. Triple H - WWE's "Connecticut Blueblood" became The Game

Triple H

When it comes to accolades in WWE, very few superstars are as decorated as The Game Triple H. With 14 World Championship victories and seven WrestleMania main events, not many Superstars have had the impact of tenure that Triple H has.

It wasn't smooth sailing from the start in WWE for Triple H, however. He debuted as "Hunter Hearst Helmsley", and his career needed a while to take off. Helmsley was part of the most powerful WWE backstage group The Kliq - featuring Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.

It's hard to deny that the influence got him to a higher level in WWE, but it seemed to pay off. Helmsley was reportedly set to win the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, but the infamous "curtain call" moment in Madison Square Garden saw The Kliq members break character after their match in a farewell to Scott Hall and Kevin Nash - who were leaving WWE for WCW.

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin won instead, and that was where he cut the "Austin 3:16" promo that eventually skyrocketed his career. Triple H won the KOTR tournament a year later, and as he joined DX, his character, name, and personality changed.

Triple H became "The Game", and from there on, it was an upward trajectory. The rest is history.