Professional wrestling fans, particularly those who remember the “Monday Night Wars” of the 1990s, may do a double-take upon hearing this news. World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the iconic rival promotion to WWE, appears to be making a return of sorts – though not quite in the way many might expect.
According to recent trademark filings, WWE has secured the WCW name for a wide range of paper products. This includes hangtags, stickers, collector albums, photos, calendars, posters, trading cards, and more. While this doesn’t signal a full-fledged WCW revival in the ring, it does mark an interesting move by WWE, potentially capitalizing on the nostalgia factor associated with the WCW brand.
For those unfamiliar with wrestling history, WCW was founded in 1988 and quickly rose to prominence, becoming a major competitor to Vince McMahon’s WWE (then known as WWF) throughout the 1990s. The “Monday Night Wars” era saw WCW briefly surpass WWE in the ratings, thanks to iconic stars like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and Sting. However, a series of missteps and financial difficulties ultimately led to WCW’s downfall, culminating in its acquisition by WWE in 2001.
The recent trademark filing comes on the heels of a popular documentary series, “Who Killed WCW?” which premiered on Vice TV earlier this year. The docuseries delved into the complex factors that contributed to WCW’s demise, featuring interviews with key figures from the wrestling world.
Whether this trademark filing signifies a larger plan for the WCW brand or is simply a strategic move to protect intellectual property rights remains to be seen. Regardless, it’s sure to spark conversation among wrestling fans, particularly those with fond memories of WCW’s heyday.
