Backstage news on HHH/Vince butting heads over Kenta's name

[Deleted]

Regarding WWE changing KENTA’s name to Hideo Itami at the NXT Takeover event last week, Triple H did not want the name change but Vince McMahon was adamant that they would give KENTA a new name. Triple H felt that it would hurt WWE’s ability to use KENTA with their expansion in Japan.

WWE has been “cold” in Japan in recent years and Triple H has been hoping that Hideo can provide a boost in that region. Triple H also didn’t want Japanese fans to feel WWE was being disrespectful by changing the name.

Triple H man....that dude just gets it...

[Deleted]

Honestly I prefer the new name, though I'd have left it as-is.

In general though, I'm pretty much inclined to side with Triple H on anything like this. Imagine six years ago or so being told he'd one day become a god among Internet fans constantly having his praises sung.

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Why couldn't they just keep it?

[Professor Chaos]

They should just put Vince in a home.

[Nikki Heyman]

At least they gave a kayfabe reason for the name change, not just "Look what the NXT Name Generator did this time!"

[keezy]

WE'RE REPACKAGING YOSHI TATSU DAMMIT!

[Hit Girl]

*sighs*

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Sept 18, 2014 17:56:04 GMT -5 Nikki Heyman said:

At least they gave a kayfabe reason for the name change, not just "Look what the NXT Name Generator did this time!"

It's still stupid. A lot of time went into hyping him as KENTA and making graphics and everything, and all that work was pissed away.

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

Maybe its because Vince wanted to own merch rights to the name

[the2ndevil]

Sept 18, 2014 17:56:04 GMT -5 Nikki Heyman said:

At least they gave a kayfabe reason for the name change, not just "Look what the NXT Name Generator did this time!"

That was honestly the best way it could have been done, because it makes it sound like it was his idea,

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 17:55:28 GMT -5 CATCH_US IS the Conversation said:

Why couldn't they just keep it?

Vince's philosophy is to create a new name so that the WWE owns it - so (IMHO) that the wrestler can't later use their real name to funnel their WWE fame into any success outside the WWE.

That said, if/when KENTA ever leaves, he'll probably still be able to do well as KENTA in Japan.

[Kevin Hamilton]

This sounds a little made up.

It's way easier to believe a name change cuz of trademarks and copyrights, rather than the ongoing narrative of Vince vs HHH.

It might be true, but it's easy to think they pulled this out of thin air.

[KobashiChop]

Gotta side with HHH on this one. Keeping him as KENTA wouldve been awesome.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 17:58:56 GMT -5 Kevin Hamilton said:

This sounds a little made up.

It's way easier to believe a name change cuz of trademarks and copyrights, rather than the ongoing narrative of Vince vs HHH.

It might be true, but it's easy to think they pulled this out of thin air.

To be fair, it is a little suspect that they spent all that time hyping him up as KENTA only to change it when he actually showed up, and to explain the change. With Bryan the closest they came to explaining that was just that weird segment where he talked about how Daniel Bryan can't beat rookies but Bryan Danielson can that went nowhere.

[Prince Petty]

It would explain why he went as KENTA during the contract signing and for a couple of interviews, prior to his official debut. Because usually, they'd try to repackage him before presenting him to the world, even if it was just via interviews.

So it's a bit Newz-y, but I can see Vince taking the trademark/merchandise point of view, and Triple H looking at it from a broader exposure perspective.

[PsychoGoatee]

There's still time for them to change their mind again, maybe even every other week.

[Mozenrath]

I don't really mind it, but maybe in part because I like the name Hideo too much.

That, and KENTA makes me think of Kenta from Initial D, and I am just picturing him bragging he can win matches in the rain.

[Deleted]

Not really sure that I believe this. Vince has turned heel again among the dirt sheets and HHH has turned face. Once HHH and Stephanie are in control they'll be public enemy #1 and someone else will supposedly be butting heads with them about things.

Not saying it's completely made up, but I'd take it with a shakerful of salt.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 17:58:15 GMT -5 Brood Lone Wolf Funker said:

Maybe its because Vince wanted to own merch rights to the name

That's probably why they did it.

In this case I'd say it's Vince and his "merchandise and owning rights" thing compared to Triple H and his "tradition and keeping the same fans" type of thing. I can understand why Vince would want the name change, I mean he wants to own the rights to the character. With that said personally, I believe tradition and owning rights goes above considering it makes Kenta's join far more of an impact considering he has a legacy behind him that people can connect to.

But that's just me.

[Pushed to the Moon]

As far as made up names go I think it's pretty cool. Could have been a lot worse.