This week, Twitter user @reneiscursed wrote “love how he was catching strays for this like we weren’t all thinking the same thing at this time .” Here was Lee’s response…

“According to the ones who run this, I ‘still catch strays.’ Willful ignorance of people who created their own narrative of that tweet. It is…. odd… that people seem to die on the hill of believing I’d tweet about a name change…. in an industry littered with them lol.”

According to the ones who run this, I "still catch strays." Willful ignorance of people who created their own narrative of that tweet.

It is…. odd… that people seem to die on the hill of believing I'd tweet about a name change…. in an industry littered with them lol. https://t.co/DXkAV3dDqd

— Excellent Lee (@RealKeithLee) October 27, 2023

The post Keith Lee addresses his “poor Walter” tweet from 2022 that ended up going viral appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

“To be honest, it seems like from what you see, he’s been around WWE,” he said. “And from what you hear, it seems to be like a cool guy and a pretty laid-back person. He’s one of the best of all time in his sport. I’m not a big boxing fan, but Ludwig is into boxing, he boxed himself in his youth. Sometimes I talk to him about it, and then I pick things up.

“Actually, we watched the fight in the locker room the other day, massive crowd, really crazy. It’s great because he’s so unorthodox I think, he doesn’t look like the best athlete in the world, but in his sport, he is. If I will get the chance to wrestle him in WWE, I will definitely be very open to that.”

If Gunther was to get into the ring with Tyson Fury, he thinks he would have one disadvantage. The reach of the British boxer is something that would potentially nullify his chops.

“It might be tricky with the chops though, he’s got a long reach, he’s got long arms himself,” Gunther pointed out. “I should not try to get that close. I might need to go to the legs more than that.”

Speaking of Gunther’s chops, he was asked whether or not Vince McMahon has ever wanted to receive one. But the former NXT UK Champion has made it clear that isn’t the case, although Vince would be fine.

“He hasn’t, but nobody ever asks me for one, to be honest, it hasn’t happened. I think he can take it, he’ll be fine, he’s a tough man.”

(Credit to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.)

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The post WWE’s Gunther describes game plan on how he’d wrestle Tyson Fury appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

“It’s interesting that they’re going with them as a tag team and not Gunther as a single, which surprises me greatly. Especially because the original plan was separate brands. And then, the other one is if they were going to do the tag team they kind of like aced out Eichner. I think that Barthel and Eichner are the better idea of the team…Yes, it probably is a size thing. Maybe an idea that they don’t have faith in Gunther as a singles guy yet… I think that, you know, he can be a top singles guy, although I think the loss of weight hurts him a lot. I know he was told and he listened unlike other people who thought that being big was really good and were told and didn’t listen and now is somewhere else, which is Keith Lee, I’m not beating around the bush on that.

Vince wants slim people on TV. I could see from the Vince perspective, telling the guy, ‘Hey, drop 30 pounds,’ right? I thought what made him special was the idea that he’s a 290-310 pound guy who can fly around and can move and hits really hard and looks like a powerhouse and now he’s just a 6’3” guy.” (quote courtesy of RingsideNews.com)

The post What is being said about Gunther’s debut on the WWE main roster appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

Gunther lost to Bron Breakker during this past Tuesday’s NXT episode in his final match with the brand.

Welcome to #SmackDown, @Gunther_AUT! pic.twitter.com/RyXp0QhYEm

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 9, 2022

Welcome to #SmackDown @Gunther_AUT… pic.twitter.com/gqR8ogoz9v

— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2022

The post Gunther and Marcel Barthel (with new name) debut on WWE Smackdown appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

“If it would be the other way around, and it would be Gunther before and Walter now, it would have been the same uproar. A lot of people react negatively to change. Change is normal in life, and it’s part of it, and we have to go with it.”

Gunther also commented on his physical transformation…

“I guess I eat less. I always worked out a lot, but for the first time, I have really focused on my nutrition. These guys really pushed me. I’ve got to say, when I was a wrestling fan, I always liked the look of the solid heavyweights in Japan who had a little bit of a gut carrying around, just brawls and stuff like that. But, at the end of the day, you’ve got to go with the times, and evolve a little bit, and that’s what I did.”

The post Gunther addresses his name change and physical transformation appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

As previously noted, WWE had initially trademarked the term “Gunther Stark” but Stark was dropped after there was public backlash.

The post Video: Gunther explains why he changed his name from WALTER appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

It took me exactly one tweet to be blocked by NODQ_Virtue (after being called a “snowflake” no less). Damn, girl. 

AEW Dynamite Thoughts

Did everyone watch Dynamite? A much improved show. Better pacing, good storytelling, and lots to look forward to. Perhaps TK listened to his fanbase, as well as columnists, when it comes to booking and improving his product.

-Moxley looks about 10 years younger and was rewarded with dropping an F-Bomb on live television. No, AEW will not get fined for that — cable networks aren’t FCC regulated. They can technically say whatever they want.

-Serena Deeb is slowly becoming the biggest women’s heel in AEW. DMD may have some competition…

-STING IS 62 YEARS OLD AND IS STILL DIVING INTO TABLES. Legend.

-Malakai Black vs. PAC is going to be a future Match of the Year contender.

-Cody actually dropped some truth bombs last night during his promo. More on that in another column…

-We (technically) got TWO women’s matches on a single Dynamite. AND a Leyla Hirsch heel turn.  <3

Keep it up! AEW is starting to build momentum again…

What’s In a Name?

Quick: Name me every wrestler that has main evented Wrestlemania who goes by ONE name. There’s only three.

Yokozuna, Batista and Edge.

And no, I’m not counting THE Undertaker or THE Rock, because marking a proper noun IS part of a name. Truth is, fans have every reason to be upset at the most recent controversial name change with WALTER (now known as Gunther).

I know what WWE was likely intending to do. Stark translates to “strong” in German. Gunther Strong has a decent ring to it, and somebody in their copyright department failed to do a very simple Google Search on the name in question.

But not only do I just think of Gunther from FRIENDS when I hear the name, but it is a name doomed to NEVER headline a Wrestlemania.

And isn’t that the potential you want to give every one of your wrestlers?

Names ARE important, and more notably, SINGLE names are often left behind when it comes to professional wrestling success. Here’s why.

Personal Connection

While countless numbers of stories with single-named characters exist, it’s still rare by today’s standards (sans Superhero movies). And even then, these Superheroes have real-life names that the viewer is usually made aware of.

Upon meeting a new friend, you may refer to them by their first name, but in general, you don’t just know them as just that. Last names exist for a reason. It’s the difference between Austin Jenkins (Adam Cole), Austin Sopp (Austin Gunn) and Austin Matelson (Lucharsaurus).

If you have two friends named Brittany, and somebody asks you the clarify who you’re talking about — you’re not going to say “THE Brittany”. You’re going to simply mention their last name to identify them.

Fans have a personal connection to pro wrestlers more than they do actors or musicians. Many fans get to meet their favorite wrestlers, and if you see them live, you see them up close and personal. These wrestlers aren’t a mysterious corporate enigma — they’re human beings — and as such, one-word names often don’t connect as well.

This personal connection is important, and why from a marketing standpoint, something as simple as changing a name to Gunther is a bit laughable and sad.

Success Rates of Single-Named Wrestlers

Historically, you have your outliers: 

Sting, Edge, Yokozuna, Kane, Rikidozan, Asuka, Diesel? (Maybe?) — But aside from those, there isn’t many industry greats with single-named characters.

When we go back to the example of WALTER, I question why he simply isn’t referred to by his real name: Walter Hahn. Hell, Walter Stark would have been fine in this case.

And if you comb through the roster now, there aren’t many high-profile talents with single-names.

Asuka, Bayley, Edge, Sheamus, and Riddle (I guess — because “Matt” is too hard). The rest are usually hovering around the mid-card. Names like Ricochet, Elias, Aliyah, Naomi, Angel, Boa, Kushida, Mansoor, Cesaro and now Saurav (or is it Veer? Do they even know?).

Hell, at LEAST Ricochet is representative of his wrestling style and makes some level of sense. How long before Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins simply goes by “Seth” and then soon after dropping Seth, just goes by ‘Freakin’?

Overall, when you view it through a success rate, single-named wrestlers rarely fare well.

People or Property?

Actors can take a role and be called whomever the story calls for. However, it’s one role, and they go by their real names off-stage. It’s different for professional wrestlers, but the question I have is this:

Aside from pure greed of licensing for profit, do wrestlers need to be “named”?

To my knowledge, I don’t believe anyone in AEW has been “renamed”. What you see is what you get. It makes me wonder: Did Walter Hahn getting his name changed because he WILL be eventually released in a year and McMahon simply doesn’t want others to capitalize on the name “WALTER”?

From ridiculous “no-compete” clauses to anti-union practices, is this a microcosm of how McMahon actually views his talent?

As property?

I honestly hope not, and I’m probably wrong there. But I have to imagine that McMahon sees his talent through the lens of some level of ownership.

That’s simply not what professional wrestling has to be in 2022.

Going Home

You could play it safe and applaud the efforts of a wrestling conglomerate and trust that this is not a big deal. OR that perhaps Vince simply knows best. Who cares about Gunther? Whatever.

OR you could see that this is a larger problem of a lack of creative freedom within the company. Something tells me that Sarray didn’t sign up to be a re-branded typical Japanese schoolgirl when heading to NXT. (As if they’re sort of ripping off Su Yung’s characters from Impact…)

I get that WWE is a publicly traded company, and there is a large amount of necessity for control over all aspects of your talent.

But is that truly best for the wrestling business? 

Pro wrestlers have to live almost every aspect of their career through their persona. If it’s not theirs, in which they personally crafted, then how authentic of an experience are you getting from them?

Keep in mind that Ric Flair,  Dusty Rhodes, Jerry Lawler, The Rock, Steve Austin, and even Chris Jericho — these larger-than-life personas were just parts of their own personality turned up to 11. They weren’t crafted under a microscope by WWE creative. They were mostly, if not solely, responsible for creating their character.

Bottom line is this: Changing a wrestler’s name is essentially changing their identity; and if it’s without their true consent, is that for the greater creative good?

I don’t think it is. But I’m old school and believe artists should be able to create freely.

Until next time, don’t be a dick to others, and remember to watch Rampage on Fridays

-JDB

Hate Mail: abachalypse@yahoo.com
Twitter (new account, barely use): @theabachalypse

The post What’s in a Name? Everything. appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

During the January 18th 2022 edition of WWE NXT, WALTER announced that his new name is Gunther. The name change was met with criticism from fans and the name change also received mainstream publicity in Germany. On January 19th, the trademark filing for ‘Gunther Stark’ was updated with the following information: Status: Abandoned because the applicant filed an express abandonment.

WWE’s official website has WALTER’s name changed to “Gunther” without a last name. An old tweet of Kyle O’Reilly referring to WALTER as Gunther from late 2019 recently resurfaced…

Ha, that’s assuming between now and then GUNTHER doesn’t get distracted by a chocolate river, falls into said river and the Imperiumpa Loompas do some weird German dance number. Highly likely scenario. https://t.co/HdHkmJoRfm

— Kyle O'Reilly (@KORcombat) December 26, 2019

The post ‘Gunther Stark’ trademark abandoned by WWE appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

“WALTER” and “Gunther” became trending topics on Twitter as the name change was met with criticism. Former WWE star Keith Lee was among those that commented on the name change…

“Man….if what I’m hearing is real….

Poor Walter.”

Man….if what I'm hearing is real….

Poor Walter.

— Selective Lee (@RealKeithLee) January 19, 2022

Here were some other reactions to the name change…

I remember when “Finn Balor” was the end of the the world as we know it

— Brian G. James (@BrianRDJames) January 19, 2022

For all of my fears about what WWE would do to Walter once he left NXT UK, I must admit, naming him after a fucking NAZI is something I hadn't thought of. These people are imbeciles in every sense of the word.

— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) January 19, 2022

I’m still calling him WALTER

There was absolutely no need to change it

— Samster203 サミー・カラフ (@KhalafSammy) January 19, 2022

Those who dunked on Dave Meltzer for making a Holocaust joke about WWE's Saudi dealings this past week, are they keeping the same energy with Vince McMahon giving Mustafa Ali and now WALTER insensitive stereotypical gimmicks that reek of racism?

— Drain Bamager #HangmanWorldChamp (@DrainBamager) January 19, 2022

HBK: Bruce, I don't think a name change is needed

Bruce: WALTER doesn't sound MAIN EVENT enough PAL! We need something MORE!

HBK: We got it right for 3 years…

Bruce: How about a NAZI U-Boat Commander named GUNTHER. IT LITERALLY PRINTS MONEY…

HBK: Bruce…

Bruce: pic.twitter.com/fHvwTfAsCZ

— JDfromNY (@JDfromNY206) January 19, 2022

There is literally no wrestler in the world that is easier to book than WALTER. You just leave him be himself – big and mean and imposing and one of the best wrestlers in the world. He will make every babyface he wrestles a star.

And these goons call him Gunther.

— Garrett Kidney (@garrettkidney) January 19, 2022

The post Keith Lee and others react to the news of WALTER’s name change appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.

During the January 18th 2022 edition of WWE NXT, WALTER defeated Roderick Strong in the main event. After the match ended, he grabbed the microphone and proclaimed that the winner of the match was Gunther.

Yuh-Uh pic.twitter.com/wfvP9bsNMO

— Dani's Cunci† (@DaniCunci) January 19, 2022

The post Video: WALTER’s name has seemingly been changed to Gunther appeared first on NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW Coverage.