We have previously reported about the ongoing legal problems the Hardy brothers and Impact Wrestling have had due to their Broken Hardys gimmick, and who has the right to use it. Apparently, ROH has done all they can to honor the cease and desist from Impact Wrestling.
They went as far as changing the Hardys’ music, to introducing them as Matt and Jeff Hardy at the event. ROH also didn’t have the Hardys do any “delete” or “obsolete” chants, although ROH fans in attendance did the “delete” chants anyway.
Dish Network pulled the ROH pay-per-view because they received the same cease and desist and decided that the “2,000 fans or less” who ordered the ROH 15th Anniversary pay-per-view weren’t enough to risk a lawsuit from Anthem.
WWE would have to pay for the rights to use the “Broken” gimmick which is something they’ve not only never done before, but are not likely to do either. Dave Meltzer noted in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that he has seen Impact Wrestling contracts before, and they do say anything developed for TNA programming is the intellectual property of the organization, but he also says Matt Hardy might have had a different contract as his wasn’t typical considering it left him the freedom to work for other companies.
On a comparative note, Bully Ray is allowed to use his gimmick wherever he goes because he trademarked it and TNA never opposed his claim, but obviously, this isn’t the case with the Broken Hardys.
The biggest issue with these letters is that they were sent to all recipients on the day of the show. ROH is outraged by the fact that Dish Network pulled the show, as are the Hardy brothers, although Reby Hardy is the only one who has been at all outspoken about the matter. Her Twitter updates and bold new t-shirt should be enough proof of Rebecca Hardy letting her opinion being publicly known.
It was also noted that this letter was sent out at about the same time Anthem wanted ROH and Impact Wrestling to have a better working relationship because they’re both on the Fight Network.
It’s official folks, Roman Reigns is going to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33. According to Roman Reigns he’s going to be the man that retires The Undertaker and we’re talking about whether or not it should happen on this week’s episode of Still Real Radio. You can check out the latest episode below and if you like what you hear, please subscribe to the show on iTunes.
“WWE would have to pay for the rights to use the “Broken” gimmick which is something they’ve not only never done before…”
Absolute rubbish. WWE/F paid a licensing fee to Marvel Comics for years to promote Terry Bollea as Hulk Hogan.
They also paid White Wolf Games to use the name Gangrel.
[…] Hardys’ battle with Impact Wrestling when they left the company was very entertaining. It resulted in memes and “F— that owl” shirts galore. But, due to some legal […]