Earlier this year, Jey Uso started using the word “YEET” during his promos and sometimes in his matches. The catchphrase caught on, with fans yelling it during his matches, and merchandise eventually started being moved. There was one snag with Uso’s “YEET” movement, however, and that is that independent pro wrestler Kasey Huffman already had a trademark for the term for use in pro wrestling. As soon as this was discovered, Uso dropped the use of the word on TV. Fortunately, WWE was able to reach a deal with Huffman to use the term, and new YEET merchandise was drafted up, poking fun at the situation they had just been through.
In an exclusive interview on Rumor & Innuendo, Huffman’s lawyer, Stephen P New, discussed how he helped the young independent star make a deal with WWE.
“We felt good about our case,” he began. “I reached out to WWE once the shirts started being sold. And then, you know, I can’t comment on the terms or anything like that, but it’s resolved. My client’s happy for Jay that he’s going to profile this on a on a much larger scale. And, you know, it was just really good working with them on that.
“If you are an independent wrestler, or, you know, if you’ve had some success in professional wrestling, I really think that it behooves you to invest in that part of your career if you have created makeup designs, tattoos, in ring gear, merch, anything like that, invest in that and, you know, apply through the US Patent and Trademark Office to trademark that stuff. Prove that when you first started using it, and you’ve used it in commerce, and make that investment in your career, guys and gals.”
I pressed New on whether or not Uso and Huffman are the only ones allowed to use the word YEET for pro wrestling purposes.
“What I can say is that no one else can use that term now,” he replied.
If you use any quotes from this article, please give a h/t to Haus of Wrestling and credit Rumor & Innuendo