Ongoing issue with Randy Orton’s WWE trademark

Randy Orton is set to compete at WWE Crown Jewel, but there’s an ongoing issue with a trademark associated with his name.

Earlier this year, WWE submitted a trademark application to the USPTO in July for Randy Orton’s finishing move, RKO. While the company has several trademarks for Orton’s name when it comes to merchandise, this particular one was for ‘likelihood of confusion’ with RKO Pictures, a company owned by Concord Originals.

The trademark office recently responded to the application from July and rejected the company’s plea. WWE has three months to appeal, as the USPTO asked for the Stamford-based promotion to further explain the significance of ‘RKO’ in wrestling. The company has yet to appeal again, and it’ll be interesting to see what’s next.

RKO has been synonymous with Randy Orton for two decades and has been a popular term in modern wrestling. The ongoing issue won’t prevent Orton from using his name or saying the words in promos, or the company from using the name for merchandise.

Randy Orton will compete at WWE Crown Jewel 2026

Earlier this year, Randy Orton started a feud with Cody Rhodes heading into WrestleMania 42. The Viper failed at The Grandest Stage of Them All against The American Nightmare and went on a hiatus from the promotion. In August, Orton returned at SummerSlam and cost Rhodes a shot at the title.

The two resumed their feud on the blue brand, and Randy Orton scored a win over Cody Rhodes at Sunday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. The two are still feuding on Friday Night SmackDown, and a Last Man Standing match will take place between the two at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

Official card for WWE Crown Jewel 2026:

1. Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn in a singles match for the Crown Jewel Championship
2. Chelsea Green vs. Liv Morgan in a singles match for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship
3. The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Austin Theory vs. Penta and Je’Von Evans in a tag team match for the World Tag Team Championship
4. Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes in a Last Man Standing match

Gunther vs. Finn Balor could be added to the card this week on SmackDown.

Edited by Aakaansh Sukale