WWE has locked down two trademarks, including one for Steve Austin.
The company filed for “Austin 3:16” and “Shotzi Blackheart” on September 16 under the entertainment services classification with The United States Patent and Trademark Office. Here is the description for all of the trademarks:
Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment
Shotzi had the last name before WWE shortened her name years ago. There have been no reports about the Blackheart name returning.
Austin coined the Austin 3:16 catchphrase during a promo that became famous and put Austin on the map in 1996 after beating Jake “The Snake” Roberts following the King of the Ring tournament. WWE has held the trademark rights to the term for decades. It’s unclear exactly why they filed for it again, but perhaps it had expired, and they renewed the rights to it.
Austin has talked about being open about making an appearance at WrestleMania 41. For more on that, click here.
