Rumour Killer On WWE Allowing Talents To Use Their Ring Names After Leaving

Despite chatter on social media, WWE have not changed their policy over ownership of a talent's in-ring name. 

After joining the company, WWE opted to trademark Ethan Page's in-ring name and a discussion around the trademark filing led to the suggestion that WWE were now allowing talents to use their ring names after leaving the organisation. WWE's policy has not changed, however, and Fightful Select noted that WWE simply do not have the power to stop talents who used their ring name before joining WWE from using the same name after they exit the company. 

Talents who have been able to continue using their ring names after leaving WWE include Adam Cole, Eric Young, Samoa Joe, Chris Jericho, Kyle O'Reilly, Toni Storm, Mercedes Martinez, Roderick Strong, Mustafa Ali, and Sting. This is because the wrestlers used their respective monikers before signing with WWE. 

WWE can also not do much about partial names, hence why Christian Cage can use the name after being 'Christian' on WWE TV for many years. It is also why Cody Rhodes was 'Cody' during his time in Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and AEW before he made a deal with WWE for the 'Rhodes' portion of his name. Malakai Black would be another example after he was Aleister Black within WWE.

Full names produced by WWE and not used before a talent signed with the company can only be used within WWE, however. This is why Jinder Mahal has become Raj Dhesi since leaving the company and AJ Francis has used his real name as opposed to continuing with his 'Top Dolla' moniker.