Reason Why WWE Added ‘Bearcat’ to Keith Lee’s Ring Name

For over a month now, the WWE has been making a big monster heel out of the former NXT Champion, Keith Lee, and lately, Lee was seen working a few dark matches after the show ran out.

During these matches, Lee displayed some heel characteristics which slightly hinted at his gradual heel turn, but on tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw on the USA Network, we saw a different Keith Lee.

Keith Lee answers Akira Tozawa’s challenge

After a swift match between WWE 24/7 Champion, Reggie, and Ricochet, we witnessed the match which ended via DQ.

After the match, R-Truth and Drew Gulak attacked Ricochet, and Reginald somehow escaped the ring. However, Akira Tozawa came down the aisle to get his hands dirty, but Reggie hit him with a crossbody before fleeing.

This rubbed Tozawa the wrong way, and he grabbed the mic to cut a promo where he demanded to face former WWE 24/7 Champions.

“I demand a match tonight. A match with R-Truth. I demand a match with Drew Gulak. With Drake Maverick. I don’t care who it is…” Akira Tozawa said.

It looks like Akira Tozawa got more than he bargained for after harping at the 24/7 Champion Reggie to come back out for a proper match, which ultimately led Keith “Bearcat” Lee to answer the call.

WWE used the name “bearcat” last week when Raw went off the air. However, seeing this name on TV means the WWE is sticking with the name and is a part of Lee’s heel turn.

Lee came down in the ring with a stale look on his face, but he never took his eyes off Akira. Eventually, the bell rang, and the two got right into it.

Lee took down Tozawa with a lariat before throwing him across the ring like a pile of papers and eventually pinned him for the victory.

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What is the significance of the name “Bearcat”?

As we noted last week, the name “Bearcat” is a tribute to Bearcat Wright, a popular African American pro wrestler from the 1950s and 1960s. He also became the first-ever Black World Champion in the professional wrestling business.

With this recent name change, we can expect that the WWE is planning on pushing Keith Lee to the moon. With the Hurt Business back in the game, maybe we will see Lee in the faction. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

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