USPTO Rejects WWE's RKO Trademark Bid
The trademark office cites similarities with RKO Pictures marks, and WWE has until February 2027 to respond.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Wrestling
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a nonfinal office action on November 3, 2026, rejecting WWE's application to trademark 'RKO' for wrestling purposes. The examiner stated that the marks share the sole or dominant literal element 'RKO.'
Why it matters
The rejection affects WWE's efforts to protect a signature wrestling move name and related merchandise under a federal trademark. Because one registrant's mark is identical in typed form to WWE's application, the outcome could shape how the phrase is protected across the United States.
WWE already owns several trademarks surrounding the RKO phrase and merchandise, yet the office cited similarities with RKO Pictures marks. The source does not say whether WWE will file arguments, evidence, or the extension.
The players
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
WWE is a major professional wrestling company that owns the RKO trademarks and is seeking federal protection for the phrase in wrestling.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The USPTO is the federal agency responsible for reviewing and granting trademark registrations in the United States.
The details
The examiner cited a registrant's mark that is in typed form and identical to WWE's application. WWE also planned to file to trademark two different ring names on November 3, 2026, the same day the rejection was issued.
Timeline
July 6, 2026: WWE filed its RKO trademark application.
November 3, 2026: The USPTO issued the nonfinal office action rejecting the application.
February 3, 2027: Deadline for WWE to respond with arguments and evidence.
Industry Dynamics
The dispute over the RKO name echoes the long-running competition among entertainment companies to control legacy brand names. WWE's bid to claim the phrase for wrestling runs up against the RKO Pictures trademarks that the examiner cited as similar.
If the rejection stands, WWE may have to change or narrow how it uses the RKO name on wrestling merchandise and ring names. Fans buying RKO-branded products should watch whether the company's naming and merchandise lines shift after the response deadline.
The takeaway
Trademark disputes over short, recognizable names like RKO can take months to resolve, and the response deadline is the next concrete checkpoint. Readers following the wrestling business should watch for WWE's filing or extension request before February 3, 2027.
What happens next
WWE must respond to the USPTO office action by February 3, 2027, or pay for a three-month extension.
Further reading
For more on the wrestling business and its brands, see Wrestling coverage on Wisevoter.
