Jinder Mahal Launches Legal Fight Against WWE Over “The Maharaja” Trademark

Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal—now going by his real name, Raj Dhesi—is going to war with WWE over one thing: the rights to The Maharaja name.

According to filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Dhesi originally applied to trademark “The Maharaja” in April 2024. But the USPTO shot it down on November 15, citing “likelihood of confusion” with WWE’s existing trademark for “The Maharajah,” which they’ve held since 2017. Undeterred, Dhesi reapplied, only for it to be rejected again on June 4, 2025. Now he’s hitting back.

On December 4, Dhesi filed a formal petition to cancel WWE’s “The Maharajah” trademark altogether. In his filing, he claims he was using the name years before WWE ever laid claim to it—dating all the way back to early 2015.

“WWE didn’t file to trademark ‘The Maharajah’ until April 2017,” Dhesi argued in the filing, adding that WWE’s claim was made “under false pretenses.” WWE has until February 3, 2026, to respond to Dhesi’s petition.

Jinder Mahal first joined WWE in 2010 before being released in 2014. After working the indies, he returned in 2016 and went on to win the WWE Championship in 2017—holding the title for 170 days. He also had a short reign as United States Champion in 2018. WWE released him again in April 2024.

Since then, Dhesi has been wrestling under the name “The Maharaja” on the independent scene, keeping the character alive outside WWE’s grip.

If this legal challenge goes Dhesi’s way, it could reshape how WWE handles trademarks around personas it didn’t fully create. But if WWE digs in, this could get even messier.