It’s Not Clear: Conflicting Reports On WWE Changing Longstanding Policy

4 months ago 38

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BY Thomas Hall – ON July 17, 2024

Photo Courtesy of WWE

Maybe? There are all kinds of things that come together to make a wrestler into a star. Some of those things are among the basic identity that makes a wrestler themselves. One of the most important aspects is a wrestler’s name, as having the right one can make them feel like a major star. Now we have some different opinions about what a wrestler can call themselves after leaving WWE.

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Over the week, there have been differing opinions on wrestlers who leave WWE being able to own the trademarks to their name. According to Wrestling Observer Live, WWE will only own the trademarks for a wrestler’s name while they are involved in the promotion. Once they leave the company, they will own every trademark related to their name. This would be the opposite from WWE’s longstanding policy.

However, on the other hand, according to PWInsider.com by way of Cagesideseats.com, this is not the case and if WWE creates a wrestler’s name, they will own it permanently, whether or not the wrestler works for WWE any longer or not. There was no word from PWInsider.com on what happens to a trademark when a wrestler uses their name from outside WWE when they come to the company.

That would be a change. Check out some debuting WWE stars:

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Opinion: This is one of those things that is going to need some more clarification as it would be hard to fathom WWE letting wrestlers control that much about themselves. Maybe that is where things are going, but it is something that I would need to see happen. It would be nice to see wrestlers having more control, though WWE certainly likes to maintain that for themselves.