WWE’s push to lock down broader trademark rights for Randy Orton’s RKO just ran into a wall. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a nonfinal refusal on November 3, 2026, pointing to possible confusion with existing trademarks owned by RKO Pictures. WWE’s July application specifically seeks protection for wrestling performances and related entertainment services. The company has until February 3, 2027, to respond to the objections, though it can ask for more time. The application hasn’t been permanently rejected.
The USPTO Finds WWE’s RKO Trademark Too Similar to Existing RKO Pictures Registrations
Honestly, the issue isn’t how popular Orton’s finishing move is. It’s the legal rights already sitting on those three letters. RKO Pictures owns six trademark registrations that the examining attorney thinks could conflict with WWE’s application.
The USPTO laid out its position in the filing:
“Applicant’s and registrant’s marks all share the sole or dominant literal element ‘RKO,’ one of registrant’s marks is in typed form and is identical to applicant’s mark.”
So the office believes that using the same wording across entertainment-related services could confuse consumers. It also asked WWE to explain whether RKO carries any particular meaning within professional wrestling. WWE filed the latest application on July 6, 2026, and it covers wrestling exhibitions and performances broadcast through television, radio and online platforms, plus wrestling news and information provided through the internet.
WWE Already Owns RKO Merchandise Trademarks but Its Earlier Wrestling Application Also Faced Rejection
This isn’t WWE’s first try at getting the wording approved for wrestling-related services. The company filed an earlier application in November 2024, and that one also hit objections involving RKO Pictures. A final refusal came in January 2026, and WWE then sent in another application in July.
There’s a difference between what WWE already holds and what it’s chasing now. It has existing RKO trademark registrations covering merchandise, including products tied to Orton’s finishing move, but the new application is meant to stretch that protection over wrestling performances and entertainment services.
The RKO has been part of Orton’s WWE career for more than two decades. Its reach also spread into internet culture through the popular “RKO out of nowhere” meme.
WWE now has to get its response in by February 3, 2027. It can ask for a three-month extension by paying the required fee.
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