Gunther Stark trademark abandoned by WWE
WWE has abandoned their trademark filing for the controversial name Gunther Stark.
PWInsider first reported the news Thursday, saying they abandoned their registration on Wednesday.
WWE was planning on using the name for NXT star WALTER, but instead, he is simply going by Gunther which he announced to the world on Tuesday’s NXT show.
The ring isn't big enough to hold a brawl of this magnitude!! #Imperium #DiamondMine#WWENXT @WalterAUT @Marcel_B_WWE @FabianAichner @roderickstrong @JuliusCreedWWE @BrutusCreedwwe pic.twitter.com/FLEQUtLsY5
— WWE (@WWE) January 19, 2022
The assumed reason for the abandoned trademark first filed on January 13th with the United States Patent and Trademark Office was the realization that the name was also shared with a Nazi U-Boat commander in World War II. When news of the trademark registration first came to light, fans Googled the name and brought it to light on social media.
WWE never released any statement regarding the name despite the online controversy.
The 34-year-old WALTER recently wrapped up his run in WWE NXT UK and is making his presence felt full time with Imperium in NXT.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.