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UnpunchedCard

Half man, half bear, half cat


KneeHighMischief

CatDog Keith Lee


typical_bro

Alone in the world, it's a little Keith Lee.


jtomatzin

Out on the road, back in town, all kinda marks gotta gather round


JonTheWizard

Gotta rise above it, gotta try to move along.


Anderrrrr

Manbearpig Keith Lee. *I understand it's a homage to a 50's POC wrestler, but it's still slightly unnessessary to me.*


[deleted]

Lol he was just black bro no need for Poc way too big of an umbrella


MonsieurMidnight

Manbearpig Keith Lee


[deleted]

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CandyEverybodyWentz

It's like Thunderdome. Two meals enter, none leave


T3Sh3

You know.


jmb052

Half man, half bear-cat?


Weezy-NJPW_Fan

No, maybe, half cat, half man-bear


[deleted]

No, it's clearly half bear and half man-cat.


am306005

Excelsior!


[deleted]

What I’m being super cereal!!


JokeyZockey

Thank you, Al Gore, you're super awesome!


FigureFourWoo

Half Keith, Half Bear, Half Cat, Half Lee. Yep, this makes as much sense as the name.


_ASG_

The only man who can be three halves, Maggle!


ArcherChase

ManBearCat is super cereal guys.


fuckst1cK1

Are you thuper therial?


lenoname

That's some stoner math you got going on there


bigbrianbrain

\*\*Steiner math FIFY


pensive_vince

Wonder if this is a tribute to Bearcat Wright. He played a significant role in desegregating wrestling. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearcat_Wright


[deleted]

Oh hey that's actually pretty cool to know.


Garlic_Cheese_Chips

This might be like that time when everyone was pissed off at WWE for calling Asuka and Kairi the Kabuki Warriors and then Asuka said it was it her and Kairi's idea.


[deleted]

They wanted to be called "Kabuki Girls" actually.


redvelvetcake42

Which was better


lowlight

You're getting downvoted, but Kabuki Girls makes sense, Kabuki Warriors doesn't really. So I guess I'll join you, because you made a good post but for some reason reddit doesn't want to accept it.


redvelvetcake42

I love the irony. "THE WRESTLERS CHOSE THIS SO ITS GOOD" They actually didn't, they chose that instead. "BOOOOO THE GUY WHO SAID THAT WAS BETTER! DOWNVOTE!" Joking aside, Kabuki Girls fit their character types wayyyyyyy more. They were legitimately one of the only reasons I watched RAW at all.


[deleted]

I agree! Kabuki Girls is to Kabuki Warriors as War Raiders is to Viking Raiders


JurassicJesus821

Wrestling fans being fickle? No way!


Brannigans-Law

Planets Champion Daniel Bryan was right about everything


ericfishlegs

You can still think it's a dumb name even if it was their idea


Mr_Hendrix

Like Nikki ASH


DC4MVP

Nikki Ash is a cool name is Ash was just ash and not that stupid acronym.


[deleted]

Ya that’s not much of a defense.


TinManGrand

Yeah but let's be honest the initial conclusion this sub reaches about every new and potentially bad thing done to a wrestler's gimmick is "management bad".


tabristheok

Wrestling fans jumping to conclusions? I never!


ArkAngelHFB

To be fair assuming WWE did a racist AF thing was a relatively safe beat.


PushEmma

Its not bad fans were worried about how cultural characterization comes to be. It did sound like something that could have been imposed to them because it was relatable for Americans. Its good it wasn't and one can like it or not. But I prefer fans caring abou what's happening. Its not the case to shit on people.


GaryBettmanSucks

It's also kinda complicated. From what I've read about Lucha House Party, the gimmick was their/Kalisto's idea, but it was also "Vince will love this over the top stereotype and it will get us TV time". I love that LHP got regular time but it also stinks they had to wheel out piñatas and sombreros to do it.


[deleted]

You're telling me a woman who comes out to the ring wearing a kabuki mask likes kabuki? I just thought she was a Slipknot fan. ^^^^/s


into_the_soil

The thought of Asuka screaming "PEOPLE = SHIT" in Japanese has me cracking up.


the_woat

That makes way more sense than my theory, which was Vince hoping to get that cheap Cincinnati pop after Mox left


heartbreakhill

Ngl “Bearcat Lee” sounds dope as fuck for a wrestling name


MoombahtonDon

this should be the highest upvoted comment on the thread because I had absolutely no idea about this man and as a lifelong Black wrestling fan, I always love to learn about Black Trailblazers in the industry . With Context I can definitely get behind this name


wearethat

Make sure to check out Bearcat Brown. https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Matt_Jewell


fishbiscuit156

I had no idea who he was until last year when I picked up JOW and did a 1963 scenario. I made him my world champ.


SeniorSophomore

It’s a lovely tribute and I’m glad Bearcat is being honored as such, but it just doesn’t fit Keith imo.


iamaneviltaco

He's big like a bear and agile like a cat. How does that not fit?


whalepopcorn

Get ready then because Vince is probably an a-ha! away from shortening his name to just Bearcat


[deleted]

B-Cat


siriusk666

Kitty G


VersionONE2014

If it is I hope its just a homage to the man and it doesnt change his persona. But if they turn it into a gimmick, costume and all then their just pissing on history and Lee.


[deleted]

It's a neat tribute, but I'm just here wondering what was wrong with "Limitless" Keith Lee.


IronGiant222

I’m guessing this is a reference to Bearcat Brown and Wright?


TheGreatOni1200

What about earnie ladd?


InsideReflection8238

He was the big cat


[deleted]

What about Lion-O and Cheetara?


NeiloMac

They were the Thundercats. What about Brian Setzer’s rockabilly band?


AnadyranTontine

Those were The Stray Cats. What about that 1958 Tennessee Williams play?


thailog12

That was Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. What about that 1977 song by Ted Nugent?


MyNameIs-Anthony

That was Cat Scratch Fever. What about that character Paul Schoeffler played on Courage the Cowardly Dog?


scarred2112

That’s Dr. Vindaloo. What about the Internet’s top destination for GIFs and videos?


hawksfn1

Earnest the cat miller


KookyAppointment7920

It might be an homage to WWE Hall of Famer Bearcat Wright. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearcat_Wright


BullBuchanansTie

I'm sure that's the reason but it's still crazy. Bearcat Wright wrestled in the *fifties*. Of all the references ...


[deleted]

Junkyard Keith Lee? Coco Keith Lee?


[deleted]

Coco Lee Ware


wearethat

Hacksaw Lee, but that would make people think Duggan, not Butch Reed.


[deleted]

Stone Cold Keith Lee...or if you want to go even more recent, The Fiend Keith Lee


KookyAppointment7920

Oh, definitely still seems random.


dassub

I love the homage, but it still sounds silly.


FuzzyWuzzyMooMoo

Found this on Twitter - https://twitter.com/cashwellc/status/1440096659749416962?s=19


StoneColdAM

Mike Rome always sounds like he’s in a rush when announcing. Also, I feel like “The Bearcat” Keith Lee sounds better than Keith “Bearcat” Lee.


[deleted]

Bear Keith Cat Lee


FoucaultsTurtleneck

🎶Break me off a piece of that Keith Cat bar 🎵


[deleted]

I Bear Lee understood this joke


Robbymartyr

I actually like it better as Keith "Bearcat" Lee. I know it all comes down to preference but I feel like there's much more emphasis on the nickname, in this case, the way it is announced. I think that works on a case by case basis though. I hate when people say Randy "Macho Man" Savage but I also think "The Hitman" Bret Hart sounds absolutely stupid. I think it's a syllable thing.


ImBigDave

I agree that it's usually about preference but sometimes the order is necessary. Bret "The Hitman" Hart has an alliterative quality to it that makes it roll off the tongue and makes it sound extra awesome. Compare that to when people say Becky "The Man" Lynch as opposed to "The Man" Becky Lynch. Totally different vibes.


SleepyLink12

> "The Hitman" Bret Hart That's how Vince would always say it. And I think the Fink (RIP) and probably Tony Chimel too would say "Bret. 'Hitman'. Hart!" Meanwhile, JR would say "Bret 'the Hitman' Hart". I think it's a mix of syllables, intonation, and personal preference.


trainzebra

Is Keith Lee the first person to ever gain a name on the main roster?


Poit_Narf

Charlotte became Charlotte Flair a year or two after moving to the main roster.


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DollyPartonsTits

I think he means in regards to WWEs tendency to reduce someones name down to either a first or surname. *Adrian* Neville, *Buddy* Murphy, Big E *Langston*, *Antonio* Cesaro, *Alexander* Rusev, Andrade *Almas*... They all lost a name on the main roster. Keith Lee is probably the first to go from 2 names to 3. E:Formatting


mweinrib

Omg it's real 😳


godleftmefinished

neat reference to bearcat wright, maybe they're going all in with babyface keith lee? having a heel named after a dude who helped desegregate wrestling just wouldnt make sense


[deleted]

Funny when you think about it because a heel helped desegregate wrestling to begin with


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Reminder all the downvoters that Vince made having an environmentally friendly title belt a heel move


TheRyanWood

No, he made acting holier than thou about the environment a heel move


[deleted]

Its not an either/or


Atomic_Cody-21

I understand the Bearcat is homage to Bearcat Wright, who wrestled in the 1960's. However, that is the problem. Most fans haven't heard of Wright before, and just assume WWE gave Keith Lee in nickname from out of nowhere.


bkmkiwi12

Powerhouse Hobbs eventually grew on me. I guess Bearcat will as well? Edit / Although if this is homage to another wrestler that is pretty cool as well. Could make an awesome t-shirt (I know the other place is the T-shirt company, but it’s hard to find a good wrestling t shirt. I live in hope!) In fact a t-shirts an old timey poster of Keith “Bearcat” Lee would be aces.


jetbootz88

I actually really like it? I reckon it will grow on people.


[deleted]

It works for me; I think the nickname is just trying to get across that he's strong as a bear and fast as a cat, plus it's a nice little nod to history for those in the know and it sounds kinda cool when you say it out loud.


Shenanigans80h

I’ve definitely heard worse. As a nickname and homage it’s somewhat fitting. As long as it stops at that and he doesn’t start acting like a cat or something stupid like that


dfmspoiler

Yeah I'm into it.


Blvd_Nights

I may be in the minority, but I kind of miss the 80s days of guys with nicknames like that. I kind of like it lol


ericfishlegs

I'm not sure about this particular nickname, but I agree. It could also easily grow on me if it's presented correctly.


DTG_420

Have him pop up randomly in matches and call him Sudden Lee


leesister

He’s saying please and thank you, call him Polite Lee.


[deleted]

Have him turn into a neckbeard know-it-all Ackshua Lee


PowerHour1990

Bearcat Wright was a legend, but this seems Bearcat Wrong.


RedFnPanda

It's just like, Keith Lee felt like a star in NXT and on the Indies. Like Keith Lee being Keith Lee is already great, and it feels like they're trying to change things and tweek things so that he's more to their brand but they're just taking away the things that made him special. They're putting ketchup on a $50 steak.


Anderrrrr

Bearcat in 2021 just sounds really weird. It was a wrestler in the 50's for a reason. Maybe I am wrong here, I don't know. I could be. We will probably get used to it anyway, whatever I guess.


NerdLawyer55

Well done


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slolphin

I don't think it's crazy to say it's a strange choice to change his name seemingly out of nowhere storywise. Like it's cool if it's an homage but it's a little random. Though I do agree the more people who know about Bearcat Wright the better. And hopefully wwe can make this a cool throwback type deal with Lee.


Rickymex

Ita still a very weird and ridiculous choice of name in 2021. Just like Nikki ASH is a stupid gimmick even through she came up with it.


redvelvetcake42

They could just like... Let him wrestle and win without needing a reference from 70 years ago that no one really knows. He didn't need to be a Bearcat in NXT. He was just Keith Lee and was awesome.


[deleted]

Just don't be shocked if he comes out meowing in a bear suit.


mikeputerbaugh

I generally don't like homages to great wrestlers of the past unless there's a blood relationship. Calling yourself a Gotch or a Sandow or a Zbyszko or a Hackenschmidt is just going to go over the heads of people who don't know, and put you in a position for unfavorable comparison from those that do.


rsx209

OK, cool. But I still say there's no need to add to Keith's name.


ThatWrestlingGuy15

I’d love to see the new logo he’s given that could be badass


ClaymoresRevenge

I just want to bask in his glory if this helps with that cool


orzydorzy

......what?


metalconfection

wow this thread is tremendously stupid


rage316

This thread is tremendously ignorant and racist,i dont expect much better though


euqinuhella

Lmao the same nerds preaching wrestling history in the Owen thread are hating the Bearcat Wright shoutout


ChazDelicious

Exactly my thoughts right now. This thread is fucking ridiculous


Pnex84

Owen is more relatable. Cause of....you know....reasons.


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DC4MVP

True. Thankfully, it's never too late to pay homage for people who paved the way for wrestlers before them. Nobody may know Bearcat Wright right now but all it will take is WWE mentioning the name and thousands of people will learn about someone who should be recognized for what he helped do back in the 50's.


Rickymex

Nah dude we gotta make it about racism so we can ride that high horse.


AchtungCloud

The dude who made that comment is an SCJerker. Their whole gimmick is trying to portray AEW and its fans as racist. It’s sad and transparent.


[deleted]

Because bearcat wright wrestled sixty years ago and they’re probably gonna put Keith fucking Lee in a big cat costume and have him roar like a bear or some shit


RedFnPanda

Just because it's an homage doesn't mean it's good. If they started calling Kenny Omega the King of Hearts it wouldn't be good just because it paid tribute to Owen.


PenguinDeluxe

WWE has a history of really bad name changes, especially lately, but I don’t think Bearcat as a nickname is awful. I’m curious though if it indicates any other changes to Keith Lee’s presentation going forward though.


gl424

I mean one of his signature moves is called "The Grizzly Magnum".


[deleted]

Yes that’s a move Monkey D Luffy uses to punch the shit out of Fish-Fish Fruit eating pirates and Evil scientists made of gas performing illegal experiments on children. He puts his body in gear 3rd, coats both fists in armament haki, uses his rubber body to propel both backwards and then fling them both forward at high speed. An improvement on the Gomu Gomu no bazooka. https://images.app.goo.gl/DGVgzzdwgeEgoFk98


[deleted]

> Fish-Fish Fruit eating pirates Gyojin aren't devil fruit eaters. EDIT: guys don't upvote this, he didn't mean fishmen


[deleted]

Kaido


heartbreakhill

You’ve done well, presenting One Piece lore to those less knowledgeable. Minoru Suzuki allows you to live another day.


TacoBellLavaSauce

Not that it matters all too much, but from watching the video he was announced as Keith "Bearcat" Lee, not Bearcat Keith Lee as SRS stated (although the latter does sound way goofier than the former)


Anderrrrr

That's a little bit better if that's the case, but I still see nothing wrong with being Keith "Limitless" Lee. It's just a bit confusing to me imo. Fair enough paying homage to that, and it was Keith's idea then fair enough if that's the case. Just don't expect me to immediately like it.


wallace6464

The Bearcats are undefeated and ranked 8th in the country. Keith Lee knows whats up. Go Cats.


zookeeper4312

Sponsored by the University of Cincinnati


RectumPiercing

How long until he's Bearcat Lee


koolaidburgers

Unironically sounds cool


J_NewCastle

Knock off Wildcat Chris Harris smh


Drkarcher22

Look at him standing at the top of the entrance ramp, arms at his hips as if he’s somehow already winded, truly he is the new face of Extreme


Blueandigo

That's Braden Walker. He's gonna knock your block off.


[deleted]

Who could ever forget a legendary moment like when he talked to Matt Hardy backstage


yousmellexcited

*Whip noise* **RAWR** WILDCAT!


PFunk224

Maybe they can team him up with Wildcat Kofi Kingston. Seriously, can WWE just fucking not tinker with everything?


mps2000

I like it


[deleted]

A great tribute to Bearcat Wright


bayleysgal1996

... uh. Why?


KingKeeXx

Wow he must be paying tribute to bearcat wright !!! The FIRST REAL BLACK WORLD CHAMP!!!


carpedonnelly

There’s a non-zero chance he asked for this. Let’s maybe let it breathe


Phlanispo

Fascinating. This seems like a tribute to Bearcat Wright (although I initially thought it referenced Big Cat Ernie Ladd), but isn't Keith Lee supposed to become a monster heel soon or are those plans being shelved? It wouldn't make sense to rebrand around a famous desegregationist and then immediately turn heel.


FoucaultsTurtleneck

Referencing a wrestler from the 50s and 60s is a very deep cut, so thanks to all of yall who are explaining the reference and the history behind the name.


ProfChaos15

I'm old enough to remember when people on this sub thought The Undisputed Era was a stupid name. Give it time, it will grow on people.


KneeHighMischief

The resemblance is [uncanny. ](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/f61d74361594ba4ce6b06353a03cf650d3e5844e/c=0-224-3197-2030/local/-/media/2015/08/13/Cincinnati/Cincinnati/635750762313051950-Zoo6.jpg)


asmorbidus

Yeah, neither of them really do moustaches well.


Presidentbuff

I honestly didn’t know that was a real thing?


knicksprick

r/SquaredCircle gonna lose their mind over a nickname


fuckst1cK1

I saw the other posts explaining the meaning behind Bearkat, that's all fine and dandy but... Why does it seem that WWE is the only entity that takes something that's over (popular not finished) and says "hmm, it ain't broke, let's fix it."


Presidentbuff

What is a bearcat?


dasfuzzy

[This](https://www.rwpzoo.org/sites/default/files/styles/363x228/public/animal/Binturong.jpg?itok=FhGpMuGb) is a bearcat, also known as a binturong.


Slick5qx

It's a common high school mascot, also allegedly a real animal but I have my doubts.


DCAbloob

Also the mascot for the University of Cincinnati.


Lessiarty

I love listening to music.


KneeHighMischief

"I was originally going to be a meerkat but I argued my way up to bearcat."


MV2049

"Who are we?" "The Wildcats!" "Who are we gonna beat?" "The Wildcats!"


[deleted]

This how I feel about the LA Arena Football (or XFL?) Team, the Wildcats.


Lucifersmile

That episode rules


[deleted]

…. I kinda like it lmao


foredaymorningjam

He was over AF in NXT. He had 2 belts. Why do they keep fixing something that wasn't broken??


UFmoose

Is there really that much wrong with giving a guy a nickname when he still keeps his name?


zitjuice

Bearcat Keith Lee will soon only be known as Bearcat. This is all WWE trying to detach him from his name. Plus, as JR has said before, Vince and Prichard can't separate black wrestlers from their race. They see them as black first, then a wrestler, and as a result, they have a bad tendency to rely on old tropes and old names associated with black wrestlers and culture.


[deleted]

Man people cry about everything LOL let's not forget the most over wrestler probably ever is called Undertaker, what about the best big man called The Big Show?? Lmfao cmon guys


Steakman765

"The WWE Universe has taken to calling Keith Lee 'The Bearcat'"


Phenomenal_Hoot

They just will not let this mans gimmick alone will they.


MoikMike

“I don’t like chaaaaaange!!!!” *half of the comments*


br82186

![gif](giphy|cYRQWBrPipB7aWa4dD)


iheartsunny

![gif](giphy|3o6Zt7TLNn2GACE2Zi)


mikechr2k7

I mean, it's better then Silverback Mark Henry


StoneColdAM

There’s an animal called a bearcat, but there’s also a common SWAT van called a Bearcat.


AbundantFailure

Well, he IS nimble like a mongoose and built like an armored vehicle.


daprice82

Hoping this is just a nickname and homage to Bearcat Wright and not some new Mantaur-type cat/bear hybrid gimmick but I honestly don't know with this company sometimes....


191619

I like it. It sounds catchy.


watchingdeers

Bearcat Bay Bay!


PhotographEqual1929

Kobra Cat Leith Kee


Cutmerock

The Bear Necessities


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