WWE Hall of Famer Shares How One Small Change Ended Up Costing Vince McMahon Millions

WWE has changed its name multiple times over the years. Initially, Vince McMahon Sr. started the company as the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). It was his son Vince McMahon Jr. who later shortened the name to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) after buying the company from his father.

Under the name WWF, The CEO made a lot of money and took the company to its pinnacle in the 80s. In the 90s too, the attitude era happened under the brand WWF. However, in 2002, WWF was changed to WWE due to the ‘WWF’ trademark dispute with the World Wildlife Fund.

It costed millions to Vince McMahon to take the ‘F’ out

Recently, on the latest episode of Grilling Jr. podcast, current AEW commentator Jim Ross shared it cost millions for Vince McMahon for the name change.

Ross said, “Thanks to World Wildlife Fund. That was such a joke. It wasn’t a joke for Vince and the company because of millions of dollars that they had to reinvest to rebrand their company, over something as frivolous as the World Wildlife Fund.”

He added, “I’m not against the World Wildlife Fund or taking care of animals and things of that nature. Their intent is good but did it confuse the marketplace? You got to be kidding me. H*ll no. Well, the English court thought so. But as you know the World Wildlife Fund is based in England, home-field advantage”

Vince McMahon had to change the name to WWE after the company lost a lawsuit initiated by the World Wildlife Fund over the WWF trademark. The World Wildlife Fund had a dispute that McMahon’s company was using WWF as an entertainment mark.

WWE had to spend millions to rebrand themselves all over the world. The movement to take the ‘F’ out was launched by the company in order to rebrand and introduce the new name and product of WWE to the fans.

This move did not impress the wrestling world by the World Wildlife Fund. WWF was the childhood for many wrestling fans. Although WWE became a bigger brand; fans still miss the era when it was WWF.

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Mr. McMahon came out to congratulate Theory

On the latest episode of RAW, Theory defeated Finn Balor to win the US Championship for the first time. After the match, WWE superstars came out to celebrate with the protégé of Vince McMahon.

However, there was one more special appearance on the show. Vince McMahon himself came out to congratulate Theory and also took a victory selfie with him.

Theory is considered a major WWE superstar in the near future by Vince McMahon. This is the reason the Boss himself is showing up on RAW to make Theory like a star.

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