Various: Dark Side of the Ring Season 3 Update, WWE Files Trademark for GCW-Based Term, Indies

Season 3 of Dark Side of the Ring Update

As noted before, VICE recently ordered a third season for their Dark Side of the Ring wrestling documentary series. This upcoming season is currently planned to be fourteen episodes in total and include episodes based on Brian Pillman, Grizzly Smith and the Smith wrestling family, and the WCW & NJPW co-promoted Collision in Korea event from 1995.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that another episode currently in production for the upcoming new season will be based on indie deathmatch wrestler Nick Gage. Johnson reported that a crew was sent to Philadelphia on Friday to tape content and interviews at the 2300 Arena for this upcoming episode.

Johnson also reported that research and some work has been recently done for a potential episode based on Atsushi Onita’s FMV promotion in Japan. It is currently not known if this episode will be part of the upcoming third season.

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WWE Files New Trademark for GCW-Related Term

WWE recently filed a new trademark to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

A trademark for “The Collective” was filed on December 15th for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes. This is the same name used by Game Changer Wrestling since 2018 for their series of indie events that are usually held during WrestleMania weekend.

Trademark attorney Mike Dockins stated on Twitter that he will be representing GCW in their legal action against WWE. Dockins also stated that WWE likely does not know GCW already owns the trademark and WWE unlikely will be able to prove prior usage with their WWE Network like they did against AEW and Cody Rhodes’ trademark filings.

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Impact Wrestling recently announced that the Super X Cup tournament will be making its return at their upcoming Genesis 2021 event on January 9, 2021. This will be the fourth time this tournament will be held in Impact Wrestling history, which were previously held in 2003, 2005, and 2017.

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that they will be airing a “Best of NJPW Strong” special on December 25th for free on New Japan World, FITE TV, and NJPW’s official YouTube channel.

Superstar Billy Graham was recently hospitalized due to an infection according to his wife Valerie on Facebook. Graham’s wife stated that he contracted an infection in his big toe that also included some of the toe’s bone. A GoFundMe fundraiser was recently launched to help financially assist the couple with Graham’s medical costs.

Ring of Honor is currently expected to make an announcement this Sunday regarding the company’s plans and events schedule for the month of January 2021, according to PWInsider.

Major League Wrestling recently announced a new match for the card of their Kings of Colosseum 2021 television special for MLW Fusion on January 6, 2021:

• National Openweight Championship – Mads Krugger vs. Alexander Hammerstone (c)