Jey Uso’s incorporation of “Yeet” as a catchphrase seems to have been sidelined, with WWE revealing that they stumbled upon a pre-existing wrestling-related trademark associated with the slang term. WWE had rolled out shirts featuring the phrase, prominently showcased by Uso on a Monday episode of “WWE Raw.” Curiously, the term was only expunged from the shirt while Uso was wearing it, swiftly replaced with a different one before the main event commenced. In a recent installment of “Strictly Business,” Eric Bischoff, a former executive of WWE and WCW, shared his perspectives on the unfolding controversy.
According to Jon Alba, co-host of Bischoff’s show, WWE encountered a hurdle in their bid to trademark “Yeet” upon discovering that a past professional wrestler had laid claim to it in 2022. The trademark had lapsed the previous year, potentially leaving the term available for WWE to seize. Bischoff then offered his insights on what the underlying issue might be.
“I’m no trademark or copyright attorney, but I’ve got some experience in that realm,” Bischoff remarked. “My inclination is that this is a highly corporate and risk-management response to the trademark hiccup, meaning they might be hesitant to invest in a comprehensive licensing and merchandising program if there’s even a slight chance of not securing it.”
While WWE stands a considerable chance of securing the trademark, Bischoff suggests that the prospect of losing a substantial amount of already-produced merchandise might have led them to exercise caution. Although not intimately acquainted with the language of the current generation, Bischoff expressed admiration for individuals like Uso and LA Knight who adeptly utilize trademarks to their advantage.
