WWE & MLW At Legal Odds Again Over 'Hart Foundation' Trademark

WWE and Major League Wrestling are at legal odds once again, this time over a trademark for the 'Hart Foundation.'

On June 13, WWE requested a 90-day extension to oppose MLW's registration of the "Hart Foundation" trademark, which has already been granted. They have until September 11, to file an official opposition to the trademark registration.

The Hart Foundation originally consisted of Bret Hart and Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart and the duo was managed by Jimmy Hart. Years later, the group was relaunched with Bret as the leader alongside Neidhart, Owen Hart, Davey Boy Smith and affiliate Brian Pillman. The group remained a unit until Bret parted ways with WWE in November 1997 following the Montreal Screwjob.

MLW first began using the Hart Foundation name in 2018 for a stable consisting of legacy members of the original faction. This new group consisted of Teddy Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Brian Pillman Jr. (who now works in WWE NXT as Lexis King.)

This isn't the first time that WWE and MLW have been at legal odds. MLW initiated legal action in January 2022, alleged that WWE pressured third parties against maintaining partnerships with them. More specifically, MLW alleged that WWE interfered in a deal with Vice TV that would've seen MLW content aired on Tubi before Vice backed out of the deal.

The two sides settled last year and a TKO Group Holdings report revealed that WWE paid $20 million as part of the settlement. It is unclear how this latest legal battle will go between the two sides, but it will be one fans will be following closely.