We reported on the WWE filing a trademark for “Gunther Stark” following WALTER stating he’s now called Gunther the other day, and we mentioned the WWE will probably let it fade into nothingness.
It took them two days after the news broke, but they’ve taken the extra step by reportedly abandoning or withdrawing their trademark for the name after global controversy arose.
Whether intention or not, WWE changed WALTER’s name to Gunther Stark, who happened to be a Nazi U-Boat commander.
Out of all their gimmicks over the years, they’ve never did one on the Nazis, with Heidenreich being the closest. Even then it was more hinted than openly stated.
This could have been one completely different in their mind, but fans and news sites pointing out the link to the Nazis was too much even for the WWE.
Pulling the plug
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the trademark was to be used for:
“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.”
That was field on January 13, and the WWE’s efforts lasted a week before they changed their mind and the database now has the application listed as “DEAD/APPLICATION/Withdrawn/Abandoned.”
Since the idea has been shelved, it looks like Gunther will go back to being WALTER now, especially given fan reaction to the name change before the Nazi connection was made.
The WWE finally listening?
If there’s a silver lining here it’s the WWE appears to finally be listening to fans. It started when fans showed their displeasure at Jeff hardy chasing the 24/7 Championship and it’s moved on from there.
Of course, this name change appears to have come more from controversy than changing the name when the change was defended by Shane Helms and others.
The power of a name can make or break a wrester, and WALTER’s name is close to iconic for many fans, so we hope the WWE won’t try to change his name again.
At the moment, we’re thinking the WWE will forget the name change happened and was even discussed and in the next few weeks it’ll be forgotten and we can move on.
This isn’t the first gaffe a wrestling company has made and it won’t be the last, and we’re glad this is in the rearview mirror.
Though we’d love to hear the conversation where this was okayed by Vince McMahon. Talk about an interesting moment.
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