LayCool name originated with CM Punk's casual suggestion in WWE
Cageside Seats • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 10:00 PM
Last updated Jun 18, 2026

During an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Layla El shared how CM Punk contributed to the name of her tag team with Michelle McCool, LayCool. Layla explained that Punk suggested the name while they brainstormed ideas backstage, ultimately leading to the final choice. Originally, Alicia Fox was expected to pair with McCool instead of Layla. McCool was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year and expressed a desire for a joint induction with Layla, which could occur in the future.
- •Layla confirmed CM Punk named her tag team LayCool.
- •Punk made the suggestion backstage while brainstorming names.
- •Alicia Fox was initially set to team with Michelle McCool.
- •McCool was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year.
- •Prospects for a future joint induction for LayCool are discussed.
- 10:00 PMCageside Seats — CM Punk gets credit for giving this WWE tag team its very cool name
"Former WWE star Layla El was interviewed on the latest episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet. During their conversation, Layla confirmed that CM Punk played a key role in creating the name “LayCool” for her tag team with Michelle McCool. “Yeah, he did. He wasn’t even part of the conversation. That’s what’s so funny about it. Because Johnny or somebody, I can’t remember, was like, ‘Guys, you need a name? You’ve been together too long now, it’s getting ridiculous. You need a name.’ Punk was hanging out at the arena, and he just was like, ‘What are you guys doing?’ We had a piece of paper, and we were trying to write something. We’re like, we’re trying to think of a name. And then we were Cool-Lay, it was so stupid. And then he’s like, ‘LayCool?’ Then we’re like, yeah, that’s it. Punk just happened to be there. We were just in the corridor, I don’t know, just happened.” Layla also revealed that it was originally Alicia Fox who was planned to team with McCool, instead of her. Michelle was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year and made it clear that she wanted to go in as a team with Layla. WWE loves doubling and tripling down on repeat Hall of Fame inductions, so I’m sure that’s coming for LayCool at some point. Who knows, maybe CM Punk will be the most qualified star to induct LayCool into WWE’s bogus HOF, seeing as he’s the one who named the team. Where does LayCool rank among your favorite WWE women’s tag teams of all-time? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
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