Blake Monroe: Former AEW Star Mariah May Gets WWE Rebrand After NXT Debut

The wrestling world got its first official confirmation of what many suspected when former AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May surfaced on NXT programming. After quietly appearing on WWE’s developmental brand following her contract expiration, the British sensation has officially been rechristened as Blake Monroe.

WWE Makes It Official: Blake Monroe Era Begins

WWE confirmed tonight that the former Timeless Toni Storm rival will compete under the Blake Monroe moniker moving forward. The name change comes as no surprise to industry insiders who understand WWE’s preference for owning talent trademarks.

The rechristening follows a familiar WWE playbook. When wrestlers sign with the company using their real names, trademark complications often arise since legal names prove more difficult to protect as intellectual property.

Personal Touch Behind the New Identity

Monroe’s new ring name carries significant personal meaning beyond WWE’s business considerations. Sources indicate the “Blake” portion honors her niece, while “Monroe” pays homage to Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe.

Given that her birth name is Mariah May Mead, WWE’s decision to create a completely new identity makes perfect business sense. The company now owns the Blake Monroe trademark outright, protecting their investment in the talented performer.

Keeping “The Glamour” Alive

While her name has changed, Monroe will continue using “The Glamour” nickname that defined her AEW tenure. This continuity helps bridge her previous work with her WWE future, maintaining connection with fans who followed her championship pursuits.

Her AEW run concluded at Revolution in early February, where she dropped the Women’s World Championship to Timeless Toni Storm in their highly-anticipated Hollywood Ending match. The loss marked the end of a memorable chapter before her WWE transition.

WWE’s Name Change Pattern Continues

Monroe joins a growing list of recent signees who’ve undergone similar rebranding. Ricky Starks experienced identical treatment when he became Ricky Saints upon joining NXT, establishing a clear pattern in WWE’s talent acquisition strategy.

The company’s approach reflects modern wrestling business realities where intellectual property protection takes precedence over name recognition. Monroe has already updated her social media handles to reflect the Blake Monroe brand, signaling full commitment to the new identity.

Blake Monroe’s NXT journey officially begins with a fresh identity but familiar charisma that made her a champion elsewhere. Will “The Glamour” translate into WWE gold, or does Stamford have different plans for their newest acquisition?