Big E...Cesaro...why?

[Anybody Thrilla]

As some of you may have noticed, Big E. Langston and Antonio Cesaro have officially had their ring names changed to Big E and Cesaro respectively. I can't see how these changes can be beneficial to anyone at all. Can you? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

[ron the dial]

i'd love to hear the reasoning, too, because they both seem like ridiculous "official" moves to make when you can keep the whole damn thing and just not say it all if brevity is what you're looking for. but whatever. it guess it doesn't really change anything. just silly.

[#1-norm-fan]

A guy going by just his last name tends to add an aura to him. Goldberg made him seem like more of a badass than "Bill Goldberg". "Batista" is more badass sounding than "Dave Batista". So I guess maybe they were thinking that win Cesaro.

Big E, I don't know. Maybe along the same vein they're thinking it could add a monster mystique to him to just go by "Big E" and eliminate the more regular guy sounding "Langston".

[parkmania]

Cesaro had to forgo the first name so folks would quit confusing him with Antonio of the Heart Throbs... :shifty:

[Anybody Thrilla]

A guy going by just his last name tends to add an aura to him. Goldberg made him seem like more of a badass than "Bill Goldberg". "Batista" is more badass sounding than "Dave Batista". So I guess maybe they were thinking that win Cesaro.

Big E, I don't know. Maybe along the same vein they're thinking it could add a monster mystique to him to just go by "Big E" and eliminate the more regular guy sounding "Langston".

I can almost get on board with your Cesaro reasoning there. Especially since they're pushing him as a beast of sorts.

Big E sounds way too clunky to me. Sounds like the name of someone's sidekick at best.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Big E sounds too much like Big T. Anything that reminds me of Harlem Heat 2000 can't be good.</font>

[Anybody Thrilla]

Big E is obviously a big dude, but I'm not so sure his height justifies the nickname. He'd almost be better going by just Langston.

Well no, maybe not, but the whole name sounds weird to me. Always has, even with the surname.

[FourFifty]

Big E sold the name Langston for a segway and some 40s.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I saw that on Twitter. I'm glad he's in good spirits about it. Still sounds silly.

[FourFifty]

In all fairness to Cesaro, didn't Sheamus have a last name at one point? They dropped it, and then gave him a strap. Hopefully it'll work out for him.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Sheamus was Sheamus O'Shaunessy in FCW but never took it to the main roster. He debuted on ECW just as Sheamus.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

"Reports" say that at least with Cesaro, that Vince thought that "Antonio" wasn't a very tough name.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

More menacing than Claudio.

[ron the dial]

claudio castagnoli was a fanstastic name

the most money making man!

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

It all depends on how good Justin Roberts can say Big E and Cesaro. If he can make the names sound good it will be ok. I'm just glad it's not The Big E... yet.

[screech]

You don't get "The" until you hit the main event.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Antonio Inoki was pretty tough.

[ron the dial]

and in the same ballpark, antonino rocca.

[FourFifty]

"Reports" say that at least with Cesaro, that Vince thought that "Antonio" wasn't a very tough name.

Then how does Vince defend "Alberto"? That's not the name of a tough guy. That's the name of someone who you beat up.

[NormanSmiley]

they should both kiss their lucky stars their names weren't changed to duke droese or isaak yankem. but Cesaro sounds fine if you want him as a heel, but as a face fans are gonna wanna identify with someone by first and last name. for the record I prefer E. Langston of the new name

[Lock Jaw]

"Antonio" is good for a "classy/cocky Euro heel" type, but maybe they figured it wasn't good for "Real American tough guy"

[#1-norm-fan]

Big E sounds way too clunky to me. Sounds like the name of someone's sidekick at best.

Meh. Maybe it's something they're hoping he can grow into to where people just think of the beast with the name as opposed to really thinking about the name.

I mean... The Undertaker is a fucking silly, bush league wrestling name but it's not something people think of really.

[Lock Jaw]

I remember not liking it when they officially changed Hunter Hearst Helmsley into Triple H

[Black Widow]

This is just cause Antonio Langston is getting ready to debut.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Meh. Maybe it's something they're hoping he can grow into to where people just think of the beast with the name as opposed to really thinking about the name.

I mean... The Undertaker is a fucking silly, bush league wrestling name but it's not something people think of really.

The Undertaker also debuted in 1990. It was perfectly acceptable then. If Calloway debuted last year, I doubt that would have been his name.

[Rammsteinmad]

Cesaro dropped the "Antonio" and now gets a clean win over the WWE Champion. I'm all for it. :y:

[Shisen Kopf]

The Undertaker also debuted in 1990. It was perfectly acceptable then. If Calloway debuted last year, I doubt that would have been his name.

Plus he was Kane the Undertaker initially. Yes folks, I know everything about rasslin.

[The Rogerer]

On Smackdown, they covered up his 'Toni' jacket embroidery with a patch. This has gone too far!

[Vastardikai]

If they have to make him a face, call him Claudio Cesaro. explain it away that Antonio is his middle name, or do like they did when Steven Regal went to William Regal. Not mention it at all.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'm not infuriated with the change for Cesaro or anything like that, and I'm glad they finally seem to be behind the guy, but this is just another in a long list of things that WWE change for seemingly no reason.

How many times has someone had a really sweet theme song or something, then they start getting over, and they get a really gay version of that sweet theme song?

Big E was a victim of THAT too, now that I think about it.

[Shisen Kopf]

They should rename Big E to Big Poppa Thump as a tribute to JYD. They are both black you see.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Oh wow, you're right, didn't notice that.

[Vastardikai]

I think they're hoping that going by Big E and Cesaro helps them get more over. Keep in mind that both of them are considered "Cena's Boys."

[Anybody Thrilla]

You mean JOHN Cena? The dude with the first name? Not a particularly intimidating name, either?

[#1-norm-fan]

The Undertaker also debuted in 1990. It was perfectly acceptable then. If Calloway debuted last year, I doubt that would have been his name.

No it was a pretty silly, minor league sounding name in 1990 too. It definitely didn't scream "this guy's gonna be legendary..." The point is though that it's an awesome fucking name now and it's only when you really stop and think about it that you realize how silly it is. I can kinda see "Big E" suddenly becoming a good badass name in the same way if he were to actually get over.

[Malfeitor]

Big E >>> Big Show

[Razzamajazz]

so he's big, but what does the E stand for?

[Bobo]

Maybe just rolls off the tongue better and commentators and fans so used to referring to them by their shortened names, it just stuck. When was the last time anyone referred to big nose (Triple H) by his full name? You either hear people refer to him as Triple H or Hunter.

Maybe it's all part of an attempt to push them both which is what they need tbh.

[The Naitch]

Cesaro sounds more main event

[Ultra Mantis]

Big T and the Big O could always be brought in to form a kick ass stable with Big E.

[Droford]

Jack Swagger should become Swagger.

[Anybody Thrilla]

No it was a pretty silly, minor league sounding name in 1990 too. It definitely didn't scream "this guy's gonna be legendary..." The point is though that it's an awesome fucking name now and it's only when you really stop and think about it that you realize how silly it is. I can kinda see "Big E" suddenly becoming a good badass name in the same way if he were to actually get over.

The Berserker. Barbarian. Warlord. Earthquake. The Goon. Tons of goofy names around then, and the Undertaker was one of the least objectionable. Really not that terrible for the time, and I can't believe you'd think otherwise.

[Shisen Kopf]

Man Mountain Rock shoulda just gone as The Rock and it woulda been him in all the movies and all that.

[Droford]

Or he could have just been "man"

[Vastardikai]

Or Mountain.

[Purgatory]

They change his name to just "Cesaro" and then give him an incredible match with a win over Randy Orton.

[Anybody Thrilla]

OK, now I'm certain Fastway doesn't read threads.

[#1-norm-fan]

The Berserker. Barbarian. Warlord. Earthquake. The Goon. Tons of goofy names around then, and the Undertaker was one of the least objectionable. Really not that terrible for the time, and I can't believe you'd think otherwise.

How was "The Undertaker" less objectionable? "Really not that terrible for the time" doesn't make it not terrible. It's still campy and ridiculous and has no business being the name of a guy who goes on to be a legend. Just like "Big E". You just can't think of it objectively and see that.

[Anybody Thrilla]

The Undertaker as a name definitely did not stand out at the time. This argument will go nowhere, so I'll just agree to disagree here.

Big E, however, does sound incredibly goofy to me in today's environment. Cesaro I can deal with.

[#1-norm-fan]

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/files/2008/11/30/img-biggie_163236781150.jpg

[parkmania]

Big T and the Big O could always be brought in to form a kick ass stable with Big E.

Yeah, we could call them the Foot Clan (Big T, O, E).

[Anybody Thrilla]

*BARF*

[DAMN iNATOR]

Don't really care about Antonio Cesaro going by just his last name in-ring because I won't lie, I'm no big fan of his but that win on SD! over Orton was damned impressive...can't believe I'm actually saying it but I marked the fuck out for Cesaro when he hit the Neutralizer and got the 3 count.

Granted it may have just been a one-time deal but it could definitely send him back towards IC/US Championship contender status if the momentum from it snowballs in a huge way.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Such aspirations. Become a contender for a title that you held for like 8 months.

[DAMN iNATOR]

LOL. I just don't ever see him being more than "random occasional main event guy #662" and being @ IC/US title level. If he doesn't like that he can always request his walking papers.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'm sure he's fine.

[Vastardikai]

In all honesty, being "random occasional main event guy #662" in the WWE is higher than what 99% of guys going into the business will EVER achieve.

And Cesaro always gives off this vibe that he's level headed, so I'm sure that he's aware of his current limitations.

Even then, I mention "current limitations" as such because they are things he can work on. He's a Middle Heavyweight who is as strong as a Super Heavyweight and can get around the ring like a Cruiserweight. If he's willing to put in the work to be a good talker, he could easily go farther.

[KaosDarksol]

Then how does Vince defend "Alberto"? That's not the name of a tough guy. That's the name of someone who you beat up.

So are you saying his name should be just Del Rio...

[Tom Guycott]

More menacing than Claudio.

Funny, I was going to say exactly this in exactly the same spot yesterday, but decided against it, because Claudio would actually be at least "unique". How many wrestlers come around with the name "Antonio"? Granted, they're usually Hispanic, but still...

[Tom Guycott]

they should both kiss their lucky stars their names weren't changed to duke droese or isaak yankem. but Cesaro sounds fine if you want him as a heel, but as a face fans are gonna wanna identify with someone by first and last name. for the record I prefer E. Langston of the new name

I'd prefer Big E. Honda. Dress The Artist Formerly Known As Langston like Yokozuna, paint his face, and have him do Hundred Hand Slaps in his matches.

So are you saying his name should be just Del Rio...

Why not go all the way? Just call him "Of The River".

[Heyman]

In both cases, I think it would be easier in the long term for the fans to chant their names.

Meh.

The move is ok I guess.

[Bad News Gertner]

Big E is pretty cool.

[XL]

In both cases, I think it would be easier in the long term for the fans to chant their names.

Meh.

The move is ok I guess.

You say this like the fans are bound by some kind of code to chant the full name. Pretty sure they could still chant "Cesaro" even if he kept the first name. Can't think of a time that they've chanted anything but "Cena" (Let's go Cena/Cena sucks) at John Cena and he still keeps his forename.

Big E Langston has the same amount of syllables as Daniel Bryan so could easily be changed in the same way.

Just seems like somebody has overthought/overestimated the whole thing.

[GD]

Christian Cage became Christian

Dave Batista became Batista :shifty:

Eve Torres became Eve

Mike "The Miz" Mizanin became The Miz

Natalya Neidhart became Natalya

Lord Tensai became Tensai :)

Fucking Hunter Hearst Hemsley became Triple H

Carlito Caribbean Cool became Carlito

Kane The Undertaker became The Undertaker

Hurricane Helms became The Hurricane

[Anybody Thrilla]

Hey Guru Dave, have you ever thought of shutting the fuck up? Just asking.

[Bad News Gertner]

Christian never wrestled as Christian Cage in the WWE.

[Bad News Gertner]

Samuel Ryback became Ryback.

[Brigstocke]

BlackMan.

[GD]

Hey Guru Dave, have you ever thought of shutting the fuck up? Just asking.

You mad bro ?

Christian never wrestled as Christian Cage in the WWE.

That is correct.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Nah man, just a question.

[GD]

I don't think that the name change affects either of the two men. Was it needed? Probably not.

[Lock Jaw]

Watching Smackdown now and Big E on commentary.... Cole and JBL making a point of saying "Big E" a lot, to make sure people know his name.

Like

"Hey Big E, Do you have a preference to who you face, Big E?"

[GD]

Can't wait for "Langston" and "Antonio" signs to be confiscated.