What's in a Name?
Let's take a look at the events that lead up to this struggle, noting the progression of the events that take place and the overall nature of Yaakov's behavior:

Up until this point, Yaakov's life was characterized by his need to employ trickery to acquire what was rightly his. During his life, Yaakov has become the expert at survival, but he lacked experience in 'frontal combat,' the trait that Eisav was best at.

It was for this very reason that Yitzchak had originally intended to bless Eisav, for he understood that in order to establish a nation, the traits of an "ish sadeh" are essential, i.e. the qualities necessary to provide leadership in worldly matters (see shiur on Parshat Toldot). During his youth, Yaakov, the "ish tam," lacked this character. Once it had been determined that Yaakov was to be the only chosen son, it became necessary that he himself develop those traits as well.

Now, as Yaakov finally returns to Eretz Canaan, he must confront Eisav. However, from Yaakov's strategy (see 32:13-21), it becomes quite clear that he is still not ready to confront Eisav as an "ish sadeh."

[One could even suggest that his plan attempts to show Eisav that in reality, he never received the blessing of prosperity and power which he had tried to steal. By bowing down to Eisav, Yaakov wishes to show his brother that the 'stolen blessing' of power and dominion over his brother ("hevei gvir l'achecha, yishtachavu l'cha bnei iy'mecha..." 27:29) was indeed awarded to Eisav. Ironically, Yaakov is using trickery once again, this time to show his brother that his original trickery used to 'steal' the brachot was meaningless.]