Released WWE Star Teases New Ring Name
A former WWE superstar could be using a new name when he wrestles in other promotions.
It was announced in November 2024 that WWE informed Baron Corbin that he would not be re-signed by the promotion and he would become a free agent. It wasn’t technically a release because it was a case of WWE letting his contract expire rather than giving him a new one.
Baron Corbin worked for WWE for 12 years after a brief NFL career. He started in NXT, had a lot of success, won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in 2016, and became a fixture on the main roster after that.
During his time on the WWE main roster, Corbin won the United States Title once while also winning the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2017. Corbin was also King of the Ring in 2019. One of his greatest accomplishments also was beating Kurt Angle in the Hall of Famer’s final match at WrestleMania 35. In his final year in WWE, Corbin was also a NXT Tag Team Champion with Bron Breakker.
Since departing WWE, Corbin has wrestled once and that was at the GCW The People Vs. GCW 2025 PPV against Josh Barnett in a Bloodsport Match. Corbin used his real name Tom Pestock for the match and Barnett won the match.
It has been revealed that Pestock has filed a trademark for the name Bishop Dyer, which is likely going to be his new wrestling name. The description of the trademark filed on January 21 is below:
Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Shirts; Hats; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts
Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
Baron Corbin Admitted Life As A WWE Superstar Could Be Difficult
In the days after his WWE career ended, the 40-year-old superstar who used to be Baron Corbin admitted that sometimes the life of a WWE superstar isn’t so glamorous.
It can get you a little bit because you just want to be – as lame as it is, you just want to be appreciated for that [in-ring ability]. Do you understand how hard this is to do, on everything in your life? It is the TV, the social media, the home.
It can be frustrating to go out there and just get treated like dirt, and then get beat more than you win and so people assume you’re just not good, or something like that. That’s tough to walk around with. So, yeah, it can be difficult.
While Baron Corbin may be Bishop Dyer moving forward, it’s always possible that he will return to the company one day since many superstars have done that as well.
The former Baron Corbin was backstage at AEW’s Worlds End PPV in Orlando in late December, so perhaps that could be his next stop in pro wrestling.