Names don’t win wrestling matches. They don’t win championships, either. But a good name makes a difference when you do win.

Given the nature of wrestling – a combat sport that prides itself on toughness – a name can enhance victory.

A good wrestling name should be simple – four to six letters are best – and easy to pronounce. It should also allude to something tangible, something everyone can relate to.

Metals, precious or non-precious, are valuable wrestling names. Barry Gold was a two-time All-American for Wilkes while Luke Silver was a starter at Oklahoma State. The Finesilver brothers (Josh, Matt, Mitch, and Zach) take second to no one with their last name.

Scott Steele wrestled heavyweight at Navy and Mark Ironside was a two-time NCAA champion for Iowa. An Ironside singlet with his last name on the side would hit the Mark with wrestling fans.  

Anything solid, or any weapons work, too.

Dave Marble of Bucknell and Mike Cannon of American would have been great marketing opportunities at their respective institutions.

Mack LaRock was a four-time All-American for Nebraska-Omaha, Bill Stonebreaker was an All-American for Pacific Oregon, Steve Hammers was a two-time All-American for North Dakota State, and Jon Reader was an NCAA champion for Iowa State in 2011.

Yes, Jon Reader. Because knowledge is power.

Speaking of which, Rich Powers is a commanding name. He was a three-time All-American for Northern Iowa at 190 pounds.

Tom Firestack is a searing name. He was an All-American for Wayne State in 1969. Mike Mann – four-time All-American for Iowa State – is a man. He beat Iowa’s Ed Banach (an eventual three-time NCAA champion) three times his senior year.

Names with wrestling terminology are quite the predicament.

There is 1996 Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle. Rick Stahl is an official from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mike Funk was a four-time All-American for Northwestern.

There are others but the names escape me.

Then there are names so amazing you wish you could have them. Tony Champion was a champion. He won three NCAA Division II titles for Portland State.

But there’s one name higher on the names podium. Michael Grandchamp was an All-American for Scranton in 1999.

There are benefits that come from royalty. Corry Royal, NCAA champion for Nebraska-Omaha, knows that. Four-time NAIA champion Turk Lords from Montana State-Northern knows it, too. So does Edinboro’s Jarrod King, NCAA champion at 165 pounds in 2009.

Think if those two wrestled: Lords versus King. That would sell tickets.

Another intriguing match would be Brandon Slay (2000 Olympic champion) versus Matt Dragon. Both are Quakers (meaning both wrestled for Penn).

The headlines are built into the names.

If Slay wins: “Slaying the Dragon”

If Dragon wins: “Dragon Slayer”

Chris Mondragon, seventh-place finisher at the NCAA wrestling tournament in 1983, takes it to another level.

There is a majestic quality to the name Knight. Steve and Dan Knight – former Iowa State wrestlers – come to mind.

Former wrestlers Conrad Calendar (Michigan State), Josh Holiday (Minnesota), and Kenny Monday (Oklahoma State) have dates with Destiny. Monday was an Olympic champion, which means most of his opponents were allergic to Mondays.

Iowa State’s Nate Carr and his son, Nate Carr, Jr., were the fastest Carrs in the nation for a spell. And Minnesota’s two-time All-American Mike Thorn is a thorn in Mark Ironside.

Sarah Savidge, a 2023 NAIA championship finalist for Life, and Kayleigh Savage of Mississippi would like a word with you.

Joe Moon deserves special mention. Moon was a two-time NCAA champion for Augsburg. Even he agrees his last name is pretty sweet.

Three wrestling names trump all other wrestling names.

Matt Burns, Matt Furey, and Matt King.