WWE currently holds multiple trademarks for the name under different classifications

 

Yes I get that, but WWE has bought many other companies over the years. Those trademarks are just bundled inside their extensive library of IP. They aren’t listed as subsidiaries alongside Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment and their global divisions.

No one sees WCW as a subsidiary, they just see it as a bunch of trademarks under different classifications amongst the rest of WWE’s IP. I find it quite strange it would be listed alongside the other subsidiaries like it’s an active touring brand.

 

It might have had to do with how the deal was done.

WWF/E didn't buy all of WCW. They bought the WCW IP, video library, etc under a company the WWF/E formed called the "W Acquisition Company". After they did that, the WWF/E renamed their ""W Acquisition Company" to "WCW Inc" where it remains a subsidiary to the WWE to this day.

The remainder of the crap that WWF/E didn't buy stayed with Warner under the wholly owned subsidiary "Universal Wrestling Corporation" which somehow managed to hang around under the Warner umbrella till 2017.

 

Haha yeah I couldn’t believe when I came across that a few years ago that WCW was still around in some form until 2017 😂. Ironically the same year WWE revived Starrcade too.

Hearing about the Universal Wrestling Corporation blew my mind, but I have to say this Wikipedia discovery, helped by the way you have explained and broke it down - triumphs that.

WCW is officially still around that means - as a company and not trademarks. WCW never died, its just an unused subsidiary.

Pretty wild to think about. It's like an abandoned medieval castle or chataeu that is awaiting someone to use it again.

 

Keep in mind all the merchandise as well

WWE Files New Merchandise Trademark
WWE has filed a new trademark for the name WCW.
The application was filed on 3/22 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The application was entered into the database on 3/25.
The trademark was filed for merchandise purposes. WWE currently holds multiple trademarks for the name under different classifications.

INTERNATIONAL CLASS 028: Toys, namely, action figures, accessories therefor; dolls; cases for action figures; toy wrestling rings; toy vehicles; board games; hand-held units for playing electronic game other than those adopted for use with an electronic display screen or monitor; tabletop action skill games; playing cards; puzzles; stuffed toys; plush toys; toy belts; knee and elbow pads for athletic use; toy foam hands; costume masks; costume masks; novelty face masks; Christmas tree decorations

 

Also references and includes The original Trademark first use anywhere date / first use in commerce date is 11-30-1988 under the most currently filed information

 

WOW it's almost as if they are treating it internally like Tony Khan does ROH.

 

please dont bring back WCW.

 

If they haven't brought it back now they likely never will.

 

wonder is hollywood and nash are available to reform the nWo. HHHH needs to be sure to give them the creative control clause for their matches.

 

Should, or can Vince McMahon buy WCW off of the WWE? Could WCW ever potentially be up for sale?

 

This is what I would like to know. Because everyone originally thought it was complicated to buy WCW, because it's a bunch of trademarks and library. And yes it is that - but also it already being a subsidiary makes it much much easier to buy.

 

Trademarks do not expire unlike copyrights. WCW merchandise still sells as shown below:

WCW Merchandise, WCW T-Shirts, Apparel | shop.wwe.com

Browse the selection at shop.wwe.com for officially licensed WCW apparel including WCW T-shirts, hoodies and hats. WWE Shop offers WCW gear for fans of all ages.

shop.wwe.com

Thus, it is still generating revenue for the controlling company. SEC regulations require subsidiaries to be identified publicly by the holding or controlling group.

 

Wikipedia...

 

*Opens dictionary"
Subsidiary
(Noun)
A company controlled by a holding company

 

That's the thing, no one has ever seen WCW as a company post 2001. Just a bunch of trademarks and library.

So it's nice to see they are technically still around.

 

o shyt

 

That was my reaction. I’m surprised this hasn’t been picked up by news outlets. Every single wrestling fan has always assumed WCW was just trademarks and a tape library.

No one has ever thought it was a subsidiary company under WWE.

If you think about it, WCW INC is more of an independent brand than Raw and Smackdown. And they have always tried to showcase them two as separate brands, yet they are just tv shows.

WCW inc is a legit separate subsidiary. I think that’s pretty cool.