WWE: Talent Scouting Plans Update, Becky Lynch Return & Heel Turn Update, New Trademarks

WWE Talent Scouting Plans Update

As noted before, WWE recently made several changes to their talent signing policies starting with this past weekend’s tryouts in Las Vegas. These new changes were part of larger changes being made by the company for their NXT brand and developmental system going forward.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources within the company stated that Vince McMahon recently issued a new edict demanding that the company no longer focus their scouting on established indie talent and does not care if AEW gets all the indie talent for themselves.

Meltzer reported that WWE’s scouting is now back to its old ways of focusing on looks and not if talent have gotten over elsewhere with the goal to teach people their way of how to look like a wrestler.

Meltzer also reported that the current plan is to focus primarily on people with athletic backgrounds and to hold more tryouts similar to their recent tryouts in Las Vegas.

---

Becky Lynch Return & Heel Status Update

As noted before, Becky Lynch made her return to WWE at SummerSlam 2021 earlier this month and defeated Bianca Belair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. The nature of Lynch’s title win was meant to be the start of a heel turn for her.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources within the company stated that Lynch came up with the idea of turning heel after being inspired by Roman Reigns, who did the same for his return a year ago, and his current top heel run on SmackDown.

In regards to the backstage reaction to Lynch’s heel turn, Fightful Select reported that it was a mixture of some being genuinely shocked and others who were not surprised that it happened. Several talent spoken to stated that Belair appeared to have been in good spirits after her match despite the online backlash it generated. WWE officials reportedly applauded Belair’s positive attitude over the issue and her quickly getting ready for WWE’s red carpet after party and media interviews after her squash loss with a smile on her face.

---

WWE Files Several New Trademarks

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

Two trademarks for “WWE Brawl” and “WWE Universe” were filed on August 23rd for video games-related purposes. In regards to WWE Brawl, this was the name of a cancelled WWE-based fighting game project that had been in development by THQ during the early 2010s.

Two trademarks for “WWE Extreme Rules” and “AWA” were filed on August 23rd for merchandise-related purposes.

A trademark for “House of Monet” was filed on August 24th for wrestling and entertainment-related purposes.