WWE NXT Clashes With UK Wrestling Promotion

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WWE’s decision to change their ECW show on SyFy to NXT, which is due to begin on February 23, may lead to some legal complications as the NXT name is already being used by a UK promotion. The Scottish Wrestling Alliance has been promoting NXT shows since 2006 as a means of showcasing their younger talent prior to being used on the main SWA roster. In a statement on the promotion’s official website, SWA owner Peter Murphy said “We have had no direct contact from WWE regarding this matter but we welcome any conversation or resolution they would like to put forward.” A spokesperson for the SWA added that “This could be an issue for both sides, however I’ve learned this morning by common law SWA has a right to the name, copyright and trademark NXT as it’s been used for more than six months. Whether WWE will respect that is a different matter. Considering they’ve launched ad’s for the SyFy show, it’s likely they’ll fight against our use of NXT.” This comes shortly after WWE sent a cease-and-desist legal order to another UK promotion, VPW, over alleged copyright infringement in the promotion of former WWE stars on their cards under their old WWE gimmicks.

For more information: Scottish Wrestling Alliance