Erik Rowan And Luke Harper Lose Their First Names

They are Luke and Erik no more.

Going forward, Luke Harper and Erik Rowan will go by their last names, Harper and Rowan it was made clear this past Tuesday on Smackdown when they were referred to by their last names only.

This isn't the first time that WWE has removed a part of a person's name they were given in developmental. For one reason or another, after someone makes their debut on the main roster their name is usually tweaked from what it was in NXT. Examples include:

– Cesaro (formerly Antonio Cesaro)

– Elias ("The Drifter" Elias Samson)

– Sheamus (he was known as Sheamus O'Shaunessy in FCW)

– Neville (Adrian Neville)

– TJP (TJ Perkins)

– Big E (Big E Langston)

– Rusev (Alexander Rusev)

– Naomi (Naomi Knight in FCW)

Harper and Rowan made an impact this past Tuesday when they defeated The Hype Bros. with little effort. They used to be associated with Bray Wyatts act for a long time, even coming up with him when Wyatt was first called up in 2013. The new gimmick looks to completely separate them from Wyatt and their past. You can read full Smackdown results here, and check out our post-show podcast here.