"Sounds like a stripper name" - Vince McMahon wasn't a fan of six-time WWE Champion's in-ring name

Vince McMahon wasn't a fan of a six-time WWE Champion's in-ring name. During his lengthy tenure as WWE's owner, Vince had his say in how a superstar would be presented, and it included a lot of things, even their name.

Many stars have seen changes in their gimmicks and names changed once called up to the promotion's main roster. This is also what happened with veteran star Mickie James.

James debuted in WWE in 2005 after spending three years in the developmental Ohio Valley Wrestling under the ring name Alexi Laree. During an appearance on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, the TNA Hall of Famer said that as she was preparing for her main roster debut, Vince McMahon wanted to change her developmental name.

"I was Alexis Laree in OVW. I just love the name Alexis, and Laree is my legit middle name, so that's how that name came about. But I'm about to debut this crazy stalker character, and Vince is like, 'What's her name? Alexis Laree? I don't like that name. It sounds like a stripper name.' And I'm like, Oh, guess it does, doesn't it?" she revealed.

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This allowed her to pitch her real name, Mickie James, and Vince approved it, making it a rare instance where a WWE star got to keep their real-life name on their programming.

"He's like, 'Well, got anything else? Got any other names?' And I was like, 'Uh, Mickie James?' [He said] 'I love it.' I didn't say, 'Oh, it's my real name.' I was like, 'Oh, okay, great.' So I was able, and probably one of the last few people, to actually be able to use their real name. I was able to use my real name. And how grateful I am for that," she added.

You can watch the interview below:

Vince McMahon then put his faith in Mickie James, as she would go on to have a memorable program with Trish Stratus. She eventually found immense success on the main roster, winning the WWE Women's Championship five times and being a one-time Divas Champion.

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Vince McMahon had to step in for major SummerSlam match go through

Recently, speaking on his YouTube channel, former WWE star Nick Dinsmore, aka Eugene, revealed that Triple H didn't want to wrestle him at SummerSlam in 2004.

Eugene said The Game wasn't convinced that there would be a payoff, but Vince McMahon stepped in. He told them that this match was the payoff and ensured it went ahead.

The 14-time WWE World Champion came out on top in the contest and later put Eugene over in a match on RAW.

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If you use quotes from this article, please credit INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.

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Edited by Sherjeel Malik