Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 2, 2024 – WWE is signaling a potential shift in branding with a newly filed trademark for the phrase “career killer,” a nickname increasingly associated with current star Gunther.
Gunther’s Rise and the Trademark Filing
The move comes just days before Gunther is scheduled to face AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a match speculated by many to be Styles’ potential retirement bout.
- On Monday, WWE filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the trademark “career killer.”
- The filing encompasses a broad range of entertainment services related to professional wrestling.
- Gunther has recently gained notoriety for “retiring” established wrestling veterans.
WWE submitted the application to the US Patent and Trademark Office, describing the trademark as covering “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; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment.”
What does this mean for Gunther? The timing of the trademark filing, coupled with Gunther’s recent in-ring accomplishments, suggests a deliberate effort to solidify his persona as a dominant force capable of ending careers.
Recent Victories Fueling the Narrative
Over the past year, Gunther has established himself as a formidable competitor, notably “retiring” Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event. He followed that up by defeating John Cena at another Saturday Night’s Main Event this past December, further cementing his reputation. These high-profile victories have positioned Gunther as a serious threat to established stars, and the “career killer” moniker appears to be gaining traction among fans and within the wrestling world.
The Royal Rumble, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, will be a crucial event for both Gunther and AJ Styles, potentially marking a significant moment in Styles’ storied career.
The upcoming match against AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble is particularly noteworthy, given the speculation surrounding Styles’ potential retirement. A victory for Gunther in this bout could further amplify the “career killer” narrative and solidify his position as one of WWE’s top stars.
