Prior to departing WWE in March of this year, Nikki Garcia was expecting to talk with WWE about using her ring name (Nikki Bella) outside of the company. Instead, she received a legal letter.
Speaking on the latest edition of her “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast, the former WWE “Diva” said WWE refused to talk to her about any potential arrangement for her and Brie to continue to use the “Bella” name. She said,
“There was never even a conversation. I think a lot of us, we thought, ‘Oh, maybe there will be a conversation because we have such a huge brand,’ and we were actually making WWE a lot of money. So we actually thought there was gonna be a conversation of, ‘Okay, you guys aren’t re-signing. Let’s talk about the name. Maybe when you do future projects, we take a percentage, you keep the name.’”
She continued, “I’ll be honest, I got a lawyer letter four hours before my contract was ending. They were seizing it all. I keep that letter in my office so I can always see it and just know that, as I enter this new chapter, it’s like I get to see what wasn’t even talked about [with] something I built for 20 years, but I know that I have the power as a woman to build something else for the next 20 years. It was upsetting because we were attached, but also I get a business, like, ‘Hey, this is our platform.’ I get it, I’m very understanding in that way. That is their IP. But we would have continued to have built that if there was a talk.”
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Nikki Garcia, also known as Nikki Bella during her time in WWE, recently revealed that she received a legal letter from the company instead of having a conversation about using her ring name outside of WWE. This news came as a surprise to Garcia, who expected WWE to discuss potential arrangements for her and her sister Brie to continue using the “Bella” name.
During an episode of her podcast, “Not Skinny But Not Fat,” Garcia expressed her disappointment at the lack of communication from WWE regarding the use of her ring name. She mentioned that she and her sister had built a huge brand and were making WWE a lot of money. They believed that there would be a conversation about the name and the possibility of sharing future projects while still keeping the name.
However, just four hours before her contract with WWE was ending, Garcia received a lawyer’s letter stating that WWE was seizing all rights to her ring name. Despite feeling upset about the situation, Garcia acknowledged that WWE has the right to protect its intellectual property. She also expressed her determination to build something new for herself in the next chapter of her career.
This incident highlights the complexities of intellectual property rights in the world of professional wrestling. Wrestlers often develop their characters and ring names over many years, and these identities become an integral part of their brand. However, when wrestlers leave a company, they may face challenges in using their established ring names outside of that organization.
In recent years, several wrestlers have faced similar situations where they were unable to use their ring names after leaving WWE. This has led to discussions about the ownership of wrestlers’ intellectual property and whether they should have more control over their own identities.
While WWE’s decision not to allow Garcia to continue using the “Bella” name may seem harsh, it is important to remember that WWE is a business and has the right to protect its assets. Wrestlers sign contracts that often include clauses granting the company ownership of their ring names and characters. This allows WWE to maintain control over its brand and prevent confusion among fans.
However, this incident also raises questions about the fairness of these contracts and the treatment of wrestlers as independent contractors rather than employees. Many argue that wrestlers should have more say in the ownership and use of their ring names, especially considering the significant contributions they make to the industry.
As Nikki Garcia embarks on her new chapter outside of WWE, she serves as a reminder that wrestlers have the power to build something new and successful even when faced with challenges. It will be interesting to see how she navigates this situation and continues to make a name for herself in the wrestling world.
In conclusion, Nikki Garcia’s revelation about not being able to use her ring name outside of WWE sheds light on the complexities of intellectual property rights in professional wrestling. While WWE’s decision may seem harsh, it is a reminder of the business nature of the industry. Wrestlers like Garcia continue to inspire others with their resilience and determination to succeed despite facing obstacles.