Wardlow Files for Trademark on Ring Name Amid Ongoing AEW Absence

AEW fans still don’t know when Wardlow will be back on television, but the former TNT Champion just made a major move behind the scenes. On May 1, 2025, Wardlow officially filed to trademark his ring name—potentially signaling long-term plans either inside or outside of AEW.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the application covers a wide range of uses, including wrestling performances, personal appearances, and online interviews. The filing specifically notes it is for “entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer” and “providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network.”

This move comes as Wardlow remains sidelined with a knee injury that has kept him off AEW programming since his March 13, 2024 match against Samoa Joe on Dynamite. Though no official recovery timetable has been announced, It was previously reported that Wardlow was backstage at AEW Revolution, even though he wasn’t used. He’s reportedly been spending time in Los Angeles while working on other projects.

Wardlow was also pulled from Pandemonium Pro Wrestling’s The House Always Wins event, originally scheduled for April 17. The promotion announced his absence on March 10, citing “circumstances outside of our control.” Former WWE star Duke Hudson—now wrestling under the name Duke—replaced him in a six-man tag match.

While AEW hasn’t said anything publicly about Wardlow’s status, fans and insiders continue to speculate about his return and what the future holds. Filing for a trademark could be Wardlow’s way of taking control of his brand before any major next steps.

Wardlow’s absence has left a gap in AEW’s roster, and his next move—whether back in the ring or elsewhere—remains a question mark. With this new filing, though, it’s clear he’s thinking ahead.