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WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair filed documents with the The United States Patent and Trademark Office for “The Man”.
Documents obtained by HeelByNature.com reveal an affidavit signed by Richard Morgan Fliehr stating he has been utilizing the name “The Man” as a professional and business name since at least January 1, 1976.
The trademark filing included links to Ric Flair’s website, which included “The Man” used to describe him for booking inquiries.
Flair filed two trademarks on August 26, 2019. The first trademark was filed for entertainment services, more specifically for live appearances and performances by a professional wrestler. The second trademark was a goods and services registration to sell clothing.
Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions, live appearances and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media, namely, 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; Fan club services; organizing and staging entertainment events with wrestling fan club members; Providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; Online journals, namely, blogs, in the fields of sports entertainment.
WWE has been using “The Man” as a nickname for Becky Lynch, and has been selling merchandise using that term. WWE can oppose the trademark within 30 days of it going live.
Ric Flair provided the following website links showing his use of the term.