In a move that adds a layer of reality to one of the weekend’s match, WWE has officially moved to secure the intellectual property rights for a new nickname associated with Gunther. On January 26, the company filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the term “Career Killer.” The filing covers the standard realm of entertainment services, including wrestling exhibitions, broadcast performances, and merchandise, signaling that WWE intends to heavily monetize this moniker moving forward.
It comes just days before Gunther is set to take on AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The stakes for that match could not be higher: if AJ Styles loses, his in-ring career is over. By trademarking “Career Killer” less than a week before the event, WWE seems to be leaning heavily into the narrative that “The Ring General” is not just a dominantstar, but a reaper of wrestling careers.
Gunther has been using the “Career Killer” moniker in recent weeks to describe his intentions for Styles. The filing description is comprehensive, covering “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service.”
It also extends to “providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network” and “fan club services.” Gunther previously beat Goldberg and John Cena in their retirement matches last year.
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