WWE: Vince McMahon Update, More on Royal Rumble 2021 Event, New Trademarks

Vince McMahon’s Backstage Status Update

Vince McMahon has been away from WWE since the passing of his brother Rod McMahon in late January. While heMcMahon was not physically present at this past Sunday’s Royal Rumble event, he did remain in constant contact all day with other WWE officials in charge of running the show.

Fightful Select reported (via WrestleTalk.com) that McMahon made his return backstage on Friday for the taping of last night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.

---

More on WWE’s Royal Rumble 2021 Event

As noted before, Mia Yim was originally planned to be among the competitors for this past Sunday’s Women’s Royal Rumble match prior to her contracting COVID-19. Fightful Select reported (via WrestleTalk.com) that Toni Storm was not originally planned to compete in the match and was Yim’s official replacement. WWE officials reportedly also had Kacy Catanzaro backstage for the event in case anyone else needed to be pulled from the match at the last minute.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that one reason for Edge’s win at this year’s Royal Rumble event was due to him using his status as a member of the company’s creative team to make a strong push to WWE officials for him to win the match and have a main event title shot at WrestleMania 37.

Meltzer also reported in this week’s Newsletter that Angel Garza had been originally planned to compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match but was replaced with Otis at the last minute. Meltzer reported that WWE’s original plan was for Garza to enter the match and be quickly eliminated following a comedic spot involving him tearing off his pants.

In regards to the Victoria beer advertisement during the Men’s Royal Rumble match, Meltzer reported that this was a deal made between WWE and the beer company who both wanted Rey Mysterio as the face of this deal. Meltzer also reported that had Mysterio been the person who put together the deal, he would have been required to drop it following WWE’s recent rules against talent having sponsorship deals on their own.

---

WWE Files Several New Trademarks

WWE recently filed several new trademarks to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

A trademark for “Dante Rios” was filed on January 28th for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes. This was the name used by indie wrestler Daniel Garcia for his match against Tyler Rust during the January 27th episode of NXT.

Trademarks for “NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day” and “TakeOver: Vengeance” were filed on February 1st for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes.