Tommaso Ciampa files for two new trademarks amid WWE exit
Amid his exit from WWE, Tommaso Ciampa has filed for nicknames that he could potentially be using outside of the company.
Ciampa confirmed on Wednesday that he will be departing WWE in the “very near future.” He also made two trademark filings that same day, applying for the terms “Psycho Killer” and “Psycho King.” The first of those is a moniker that Ciampa has already used — with his entrance song on the indies being “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads.
The filings list Tommaso Whitney (Ciampa’s real name) as the owner. He intends to use the trademarks for goods and services related to merchandise and wrestling performances:
- Posters made of paper; Printed postcards; Printed picture postcards; Stickers; Collectible printed trading cards; Printed sports trading cards; Collectable printed trading cards
- Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts; Hats; Bandanas; Socks
- Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
News first broke earlier this month that Ciampa was opting not to renew his WWE contract when it expired. While confirming that decision yesterday, he thanked everyone in the company, the fans, and his wife and daughter for their support. The 40-year-old Ciampa noted that he is accepting bookings for appearances, signings, photo ops, seminars, movies, TV appearances, fitness collaborations, sponsorships, and more.
“I spent the first decade of my career traveling the world on the independent scene. I spent the second decade of my career traveling the world with WWE,” he wrote. “I have one decade remaining and I’m beyond excited for whatever challenges lie ahead.”
In his WWE career, Ciampa is best known for the time he spent as champion in NXT. He had most recently been featured on SmackDown with his DIY tag team partner Johnny Gargano. Ciampa was also in the United States title picture prior to his departure. He unsuccessfully challenged for the belt last month during Ilja Dragunov’s reign.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.