On the 16 May edition of SmackDown, newly signed New Japan star Jeff Cobb was introduced as JC Mateo – a new ring name the former Olympian will now use in WWE.
This comes as little surprise, as WWE has a long-standing habit of renaming incoming talent, regardless of their past success elsewhere in the wrestling world.
Name changes are also often used to refresh or repackage characters, particularly when they move from NXT to the main roster.
Here are five WWE stars who could be next in line for a new name.
7. Karrion Kross
In the aftermath of WrestleMania, Karrion Kross caught the attention of the wrestling world with an incendiary promo, airing his real-life frustrations over WWE’s past booking of him.
Notably, he referred to himself by his pre-WWE name, Killer Kross – a name he used across the indies, Mexico, and TNA before signing with the company.
Reviving the Killer moniker could signal an attempt to cast off the baggage of failed gimmicks, stop-start pushes, and years of being overlooked.
With a renewed presence on TV, the question now is: are we finally about to witness the true arrival of Killer Kross in WWE?
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6. Lexis King
Brian Pillman is one of the most iconic performers in pro wrestling history – a legendary figure whose career and life were cut tragically short.
His legacy is unquestionable, which is why it seemed strange when his son, Brian Pillman Jr, arrived in NXT in 2023 under the new name Lexis King.
Dubbed “the gatekeeper of NXT,” if he hopes to rise beyond that label, reclaiming the Pillman name may be the next step.
Could we soon see the disappearance of Lexis King – and the re-emergence of Brian Pillman Jr —as he makes the leap to the main roster?
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5. Natalya Neidhart
Working outside WWE for the first time since joining the company in 2007, Natalya has been actively trying to reinvent herself.
Despite still being under a WWE contract, she has stated her desire to “work everywhere,” wrestling at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport over WrestleMania weekend and set to challenge NWA Women’s World Champion Kenzie Paige at the Crockett Cup on 17 May – with the legendary Gail Kim as special guest referee.
At these appearances, she’s been using her original ring name: Nattie Neidhart.
The reinvention seems to be working, but the real question is, will she bring the Nattie Neidhart name back to WWE?
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4. Charlie Dempsey
The slow breakup of NXT’s No Quarter Catch Crew has become a key storyline on NXT, with the group’s leader Charlie Dempsey showing clear signs of jealousy toward Myles Borne’s rising success.
With the faction seemingly nearing its end, a change for Dempsey could be on the horizon.
As the technically gifted son of William Regal, Dempsey may be ready for a main roster call-up – and what better time to embrace the Regal name, possibly with his legendary father in his corner as manager?
Charlie Regal has a great ring to it – could we be hearing it soon on Raw or SmackDown?
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3. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker is one of the Performance Center’s true success stories—trained from the ground up by WWE, with fans witnessing every stage of his progression.
He’s become an incredibly effective in-ring performer, with explosive energy and an aggressive style that make him stand out on the WWE roster.
Now aligned with Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins in one of WWE’s hottest groups, he’s cemented himself as an undeniable star.
The son of Rick Steiner, whose signature barking and ring mannerisms he’s adopted, and the nephew of Scott Steiner, whose intensity he channels, there’s just one thing left: it’s time to take on the family name and become Bron Steiner.
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2. Liv Morgan
Liv Morgan has been off WWE TV for a few weeks as she’s been in Japan filming for her Hollywood debut – Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo.
Morgan could come back to WWE with a renewed attitude, seeing herself as ‘above’ the rest of the roster who aren’t involved in the same outside projects that she is now getting to be part of.
As such, a name change could match the attitude change.
If she was to take that more arrogant approach of looking down on the rest of the roster, perhaps Liv Morgan could become Olivia Morgan.
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1. Jeff Cobb
This name change has actually already been made official.
Despite Michael Cole calling him Jeff Cobb when he debuted at WWE Backlash, the former NJPW star has a new moniker.
Introduced by Solo Sikoa on SmackDown as “JC”, it was later confirmed that his official new name is JC Mateo.
Also on SmackDown, Mateo was victorious in his WWE in-ring debut, defeating LA Knight.
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