New Lance Storm Commentary

[Scroby 0]

The Name Game: One last time

June 16, 2004

 

I'm going to do something I seldom do, I am going to insult several of you. This does not apply to all of you and I think it will be very clear which of you I mean to insult and which I don't. This will also be the last I deal with this topic so don't bother e-mailing me about it as all e-mail on this subject will be deleted. At the end of this commentary the topic will be closed, at least for me. This commentary is about using wrestlers real names. After my dealing with this issue recently in a Q and A commentary I've received several e-mail informing me that I was wrong and then the sender going on to explained to me how and why I was wrong. It never ceases to amaze me the nerve and, to some degree ignorance, of the internet wrestling fan. (That was the insulting part I mentioned earlier)

 

This whole thing started with Raven doing an interview and explaining how he hates when fans call him by his real name. I was then asked my take on the subject and I agreed with Raven, and went on to explain how I felt that using my real name in public was rude and disrespectful. Fans know me as Lance Storm and I preferred they call me by that name. This is where I started getting bombarded by fans telling me that I was wrong and that calling me by my real name is more respectful. They then go on to point out that if they were to run into Mathew Perry or Jennifer Aniston on the street they wouldn't call them Chandler or Rachel. Why do Internet wrestling fans insist on arguing with and telling the people they respect/look up to (after all why else would you be seeking autographs and trying to speak with us in public) that they are wrong and know less about the industry they work and live in than they do? I guess the thing that has got me so upset over this is that I can't believe people can't just accept what we say and how we feel. This seems painfully obvious to me; the respectful thing to do would be to call someone by the name they wish to be called by, not send them an e-mail to explain that they are wrong and doing it your way is the more respectful method.

 

While I would agree that one would not call Mathew Perry or Jennifer Aniston, Chandler of Rachel, I think they are still missing the point. Mathew Perry and Jennifer Aniston are their respective professional names. Those are the names they use in public. When either person appears on Leno or Letterman, they do so as Perry or Aniston, not Rachel or Chandler. Furthermore if they do oblige you with an autograph the name they sign is Mathew Perry or Jennifer Aniston, that is the name they use publicly and is the name used when the credits roll at the end or beginning of the show/movie they are in.

 

Wrestling is different. When we do interviews in the media we do them under our wrestling/professional names. I did "Off the Record" several times for TSN and each time I was on the show as Lance Storm. I have never (with one exception) done anything in the public eye as Lance Evers, it is a private name. If I don't put the name out in public I don't see why anyone would think they have the right to. Further more when I give an autograph I always sign Lance Storm and without exception that is the name the autograph seeker is expecting. I think a better comparison than Perry and Aniston, would be Sting (the singer), Madonna or even The Rock. These are not their real names, they are a stage name they chose to use in the public eye. If either person does a movie their stage name is used in the credits as it is whenever they do interviews in the media. If you were to get an autograph you would expect the autograph to read Sting, Madonna or The Rock. Last week on the MTV Video Award both Mathew Perry and The Rock were on the show and those were the names used for introductions. The Rock was not introduced as Dwayne Johnson, because that is not his Public Professional name, and without his permission I would not ever use it.

 

That is my take, case closed!

Till next week,

Lance STORM

 

Credit: Stormwrestling.com

 

Honestly I gotta say, I agree with him fully.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

He's got a point. At least though his first name is the same either way. In cases like "The Undertaker" or "Triple H", I think trying to pretend you actually know them personally by calling them Mark or Paul is disrespectful.

 

BTW, what IS Ravens real name? I read it before sometime but it's not really fresh. Scott Levy or somethin? (edited to correct spelling of name)

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Scott Levy.

 

 

And Storm's right on the mark about this. I would actually be preferred to be called by my professional name than my actual name. I do get annoyed when Im called by my real name.

[Guest JMA]

Edit: Nevermind.

[Guest JacK]

So people actually emailed him argueing with him? What a bunch of retards. What, were they all 'No, you don't have a right to decide what your known as, we do! So you'll be called what I tell you to be called!'

 

Though I have to admit I would be so tempted to call Raven Scotty Flamingo . . . that is one of the best names ever right there.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I agree with him, but I can't stand wrestlers with just one stage name. I try to be respectful when I call people by their last names such as Mr. Michaels or Mr. Cena, but if I go with Mr. Edge or Mr. Rock, it just doesn't come out right.

[Scroby 0]

Speaking of Raven, anyone ever read his journal entries? Pretty damn entertaining.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Deon Dark: Ex-coose me Mr. Whock, can I have your autogwaph?

Rock: Sure Kid. How old are you? 11? 12?

Deon Dark: I'm 20 year old.

 

 

OMG, I just ripped off the Water Boy.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I don't look THAT young.

[Hektik 0]

He is right, but sometimes it is a little tricky. Sometimes wrestlers have wrestled under a stage name and their real name. In that case I usualy go with the name they wrestled under longer. That is why I use Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Curt Henning when I refer to those wrestlers. With someone like Sean Waltman I use his real name because he has used so many that it is just easier to refer to him as Sean Waltman. But with most wrestlers you should go by their stage name.

[Guest Choken One]

I completely agree with Lance Here...

 

but does that mean I can call Booker "Hey, GI Bro!"

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Well, you can't call him Mr. T, but nothing's wrong with "Booker".

 

Here's an odd one: What do you call someone who's used like 20 different names like Ed Leslie?

[Guest Choken One]

"Hey, Mr. Homeless guy, move outta the way"

[Scroby 0]

Toll Booth?

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Here's an odd one: What do you call someone who's used like 20 different names like Ed Leslie?

 

I'd just go with their most famous one. "Hey, Mr. Beefcake!"

[haVoc 0]

It all comes down to who you're meeting. Person, character, gimmick, age, etc, should all be taken into consideration.

 

If I was lucky enough to meet guys like Taker, Bret Hart and Vince McMahon I'd probably call them "Sir." But the younger guys I'd just call them by their character names, Cena, Edge, Jericho, Christian, etc,.

 

All depends on the person and where you're meeting them.

 

BTW, this was a pretty good article about Lance Storm on WWE.com.

 

Lance Storm

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

What about Charles Wright? Mr. Shango?

 

 

And I disagree with Lance...well, I don't really, but I am just severely pissed at him for quitting wrestling.

[jester 0]

Let's all bombard him with respectful email, but let's start every last one with

 

"Dear Mr. Evers,"

[Scroby 0]

And I disagree with Lance...well, I don't really, but I am just severely pissed at him for quitting wrestling.

 

What do you expect, he was hurt, wasn't happy with what he was doing which was NOTHING! He just took a job he'd like to do with the company.

[CanadianChick 0]

I agree with him, but I can't stand wrestlers with just one stage name. I try to be respectful when I call people by their last names such as Mr. Michaels or Mr. Cena, but if I go with Mr. Edge or Mr. Rock, it just doesn't come out right.

It is a bit weird, isn't it? Well, I've heard that Edge is someone who doesn't mind being called his real name, and I bet it's because his stage name isn't really, well, a name. Not that it matters, because I'd still call him Edge. In my opinion, a lot of people who call wrestlers by their real name just want to sound smart.

[Guest whitemilesdavis]

What do you expect, he was hurt, wasn't happy with what he was doing which was NOTHING! He just took a job he'd like to do with the company.

 

In that case, I guess I'm pissed at him for being hurt and unhappy. The guy is 34, and a huge talent. A little time off, and a new company, and Lance could've given us 10 years of classics. Just seems like such a waste.