WWE: Triple H’s New Corporate Title Seen as Demotion, PPV Talks Update, Trademarks Update

Triple H’s New Corporate Title Seen as Demotion of Power Within WWE

In a recent filing to the SEC, WWE revealed that Paul “Triple H” Levesque has been named as the new Executive Vice President of Global Talent Development & Strategy for the company. This new title replaces his previous role as the Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events & Creative.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the current feeling by some within WWE is that Triple H’s new corporate position is a “quiet demotion.”

Meltzer also reported that despite his new title making it seem like he is still in charge of talent, that is no longer the case and instead his duties revolve mainly around the NXT brand and expanding NXT globally. Brad Blum, WWE’s Chief of Staff, reportedly has taken over Triple H’s other duties as Executive Vice President of Operations and all departments that were previously under Triple H’s charge.

It was also reported that WWE’s Vice President of Talent Relations, Mark Carrano, no longer reports to Triple H and instead now reports to Blum for all talent related matters.

While on commentary on SmackDown on Friday, Triple H joked about the report, saying, “I’m the only guy who can get demoted but get busier.”

WWE PPV Deal Talks Update

As noted before, Vince McMahon revealed in last month’s investor’s meeting that WWE is considering plans to move pay-per-view events away from the WWE Network and sell the rights to air them on a different streaming service. Among those interested in airing WWE events was ESPN for their ESPN+ streaming service.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE is still in talks with interested providers for a potential pay-per-view deal. WWE announcing that WrestleMania 36 would air on the WWE Network – assuming the event still goes on as planned – likely means that WWE is not close enough on signing a deal to make an official announcement. It was reported that WWE has been seeking a very high monetary amount for any deal to be made.

ECW and WCW Trademarks Update

As noted before, WWE filed a batch of ECW and WCW related trademarks this past November and December to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson noted that WWE’s trademarks for “Cyberslam” and “Hardcore Heaven” were approved for opposition phase starting on March 17th. Trademarks for “Barely Legal” and “Massacre on 34th Street” were also approved for opposition starting on March 24th.

WWE’s trademarks for Beach Blast, Mayhem, Uncensored, Greed, Road Wild, Capital Combat, Hog Wild, New Blood Rising, Souled Out, Sin, CHI-Town Rumble, World War 3, Anarchy Rulz, Heat Wave, and Living Dangerously were recently given an initial refusal by the USPTO due to issues found with the filings.