STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) – The World Wrestling Federation, famous for musclebound stars like The Rock and Undertaker, is changing its name after losing a bout to a nature charity with the same initials.
The Stamford, Conn.-based company announced Monday it is changing its name to World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE).
“Our new name puts the emphasis on the ‘E’ for entertainment, what our company does best,” CEO Linda McMahon said.
The World Wildlife Fund won an injunction last year preventing World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc. from using the logo it adopted in 1998 and the letters WWF in specified circumstances.
London’s Court of Appeal denied the wrestling group’s challenge of the injunction in February. The injunction gives the wrestlers limited rights to use the initials in the United States.
The charity – best known for its efforts to protect the giant panda and other endangered species – registered the initials WWF as a trademark in 1961. It changed its name to World Wide Fund for Nature outside the United States in 1989, but uses the WWF initials and its panda logo around the world.