Alba Fyre’s WWE name did not come out of nowhere, and it turns out she had a few ideas of her own before the company landed on the one fans saw on television.
Kay Lee Ray opened up during a conversation with the Daily Star after her return at EVE, where she explained how WWE ended up giving her the Alba Fyre name.
Fyre was asked whether she wanted to move away from the Kay Lee Ray name or if WWE came to her with the idea. She explained that she did pitch some possible names during the process, but the name that stuck was ultimately something WWE suggested.
“I’d pitched some names, but ultimately it was one that they suggested that we went with.”
That name still made sense to her once WWE explained the direction. Fyre said Alba Fyre connected directly to who she is, because it leaned into her Scottish roots while giving her something with more bite.
“Alba Fyre, it’s Scottish fire. That is what I am.”
Fyre also did not sound bitter about WWE making the final call. She gave the company credit for understanding the kind of image they wanted for her on their show.
“They know what they’re doing. They’re WWE.”
That led Fyre to explain how she viewed her role while working there. In her mind, WWE is a television product, and when the company gives a performer a character, the job is to make that character work.
“I always feel like definitely from the independents, WWE, like I’m an actor on their TV show. If they present a character to me, I’m going to play that character.”
Now that she is back outside that system, Fyre said she gets to approach things differently. WWE gave her a role to play, but the independent scene gives her the chance to show the version of herself that she wants to bring out.
“But on the independents, I’m going to play the character that I want to play.”
Fyre also admitted there is something refreshing about getting back to that side of herself now that she has returned to EVE.
“So, yeah, it’s going to be good to get the clothes back on.”
The conversation then turned to the names she suggested before WWE chose Alba Fyre. One idea was very personal to her, because it came from the place where she was born. Fyre explained that she was born in Paisley, Scotland, so she had considered using that as part of a new ring name. The idea also would have kept some connection to the Kay Lee Ray name that fans already knew.
“People from there may make fun of me for this, but Paisley was actually one that I suggested. I was born in Paisley. So, some sort of like Paisley Rae or something like that.”
WWE clearly wanted something stronger. Fyre said the company pushed away from the Paisley idea because they saw her as someone who needed a name with more fire behind it.
“So kind of went with the Kay Lee, but they were like, ‘No, you’re a badass. We need something fire.’”
That is how Alba Fyre ended up becoming her WWE identity. The company wanted something that tied into her Scottish background while giving her a tougher television edge, and Fyre seems to understand exactly why they went in that direction.
What do you think about WWE choosing the Alba Fyre name? Would Paisley Rae have worked better, or did WWE make the right call? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
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