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Two independent wrestlers are ready for legal action against the former Revival if they continue to use the name “The Revolt”.
According to PWInsider, Caleb Konley and Zane Riley, collectively known as The Revolt have been using that name for five years on the independent scene, and are current PWX Tag Team Champions.
Konley and Riley’s lawyer sent a 10-page cease and desist letter to Michael E. Dockins, the attorney representing Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler’s trademark filings.
The letter stated, “The Revolt are well-known in the independent professional wrestling circuit and are the current PWX World Tag Team Champions. Mr. Burnett and Mr. Riley sell a range of Revolt-branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, and DVDs, as shown in Exhibit B. The Revolt has been their passion for years and they have literally put their blood and sweat into building The Revolt brand and connecting with their fans.”
The letter states that all Konley and Riley attempt to contact the Harwood and Riley, as all four know each other from working in the same wrestling circles in North Carolina.
Following the report, Michael E. Dockins issued a statement, indicating Harwood and Wheeler are not known as The Revolt, but simply ‘FTR’.
“Our clients do not intend and have never intended to call themselves FEAR THE REVOLT. They have at all times and in every way made it clear that their tag team name would be FTR, and that FTR can and would mean different things depending on their storyline and creative. They are not responsible for and cannot be held responsible for dirt sheets and others incorrectly attributing to them a name other than the name they have chosen, FTR. In fact, when your client reached out to my clients “as friends” to resolve this matter they were informed that the tag team name is, was, and will be FTR and not REVOLT or THE REVOLT or FEAR THE REVOLT.”
Dockins also claims that Harwood and Wheeler are willing to finance the filing of “The Revolt” for Konley and Riley, citing that over the years similar names have existing in pro-wrestling, referencing The Rock N’ Roll Express and Midnight Express.
He also revealed that FTR was willing to do an angle with Konley and Riley on an independent show, as it could benefit them.
“Would have discussed and been willing to work an angle with them on an independent show or two of their choosing. However they did not proceed in a manner benefiting friends and such accommodations are now off the table. At best, only uncertain results and legal fees are ahead.”
Konley took to Twitter to issue a statement on the report from PWInsider.
Sooo these guys steal our identity, then pull the victim card and ask for an apology… ahhh NO!#Revolt https://t.co/7579CxRipW
— Caleb Konley (@CalebKonley) May 17, 2020
As of this writing, the Fear The Revolt trademark is pending with the United States Patent and Trademark office, and no opposition to the name has been filed.
Konley and Riley want an official response to their cease and desist by May 18, or legal action could be taken.