Christian Cage

[Destor]

Source: Dave Meltzer; Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Despite Vince McMahon having licenced the name "Christian" as copywrited WWE property several years ago, Christian will retain full rights to continue using the name outside of World Wrestling Entertainment.

For several years prior to entering the WWF as a member of The Brood, Christian wrestled on the independent circut as "The Canadian Rage" Christian Cage. The absolute worst case scenerio would be that he would have to use the last name Cage if he were to work outside of the WWE.

The precedent for this has already been set and enforced several times in favor of the individual performer. Vince McMahon had copywrited "The Honky Tonk Man" as his intellectual property, however the copywrite was struck down, as the former Intercontinental Champion was able to prove that he wrestled under the name "Honky Tonk Wayne" in Stampede Wrestling prior to his WWF debut, and was given full control over the name and gimmick. The Ultimate Warrior was also granted rights to the name "Warrior" as well as the character's trademark facepaint and ring attire, as Jim Hellwig was able to prove that he had used the Dingo Warrior gimmick prior to signing a WWF contract.

On a side note, it is looking entirely likely that Christian will be signing a TNA contract when he is legally able to do so. His friendship with TNA head booker Scott D'Amore dates back to their days on the Canadian independent circut. Christian is also a resident of Florida, and would only need to work a maximum of five dates a month, most of which would not require him to leave the state, as opposed to being on the road as many as 300 days out of the year.

More information will be made available in upcoming weeks.<!-- / message -->

[Xero]

I thought Warrior changed his name legally to "Warrior" so he could use the name?

Or is it just because he's crazy?

[Funky Fly]

Sexy.

[McLegend]

Sweet

[Shadow]

I thought Warrior changed his name legally to "Warrior" so he could use the name?

Or is it just because he's crazy?

Both.

[PullMyFinger]

If they do...I hope they build his debut right and exploit it. IE, consistantly talk about having a major signing from the company up north...how a huge star has shocked the world (obviously not, but make it sound like it did) by signing with TNA...hey, I mean, this is a huge signing for TNA if it happens. They should take advantage of it. Give him time to build up, a la Jericho to WWE.

Knowing TNA tho, at the PPV where he's recently signed...he'll run in during the Main Event which will be stupid.

[Nark Order]

The Captain is still in...

[The Icon of Elisim]

I don't get it, the Dudleys wrestled in ECW under that name so why couldn't they fight it like Christain?

[Destor]

I don't get it, the Dudleys wrestled in ECW under that name so why couldn't they fight it like Christain?
You see the E bought the ECW rights. So unless they competed as the Dudleys before ECW they can't use it. Christan used Christan Cage prior to the E, which means he can keep it.

[Kane Knight]

The thing is, even if this works (I'm not doubting him), think of the damage the WWE cold do to Christian via litigation.

[Nark Order]

Wait. If they both have rights to the name then doesn't that basically mean that WWE could say anything they want about him on television?

[Funky Fly]

The thing is, even if this works (I'm not doubting him), think of the damage the WWE cold do to Christian via litigation.
Wouldn't the WWE have to pay his lawyers if they lose.

[PureHatred]

Wait. If they both have rights to the name then doesn't that basically mean that WWE could say anything they want about him on television?

Even if they didn't have the rights, the WWE could say whatever the hell they wanted to say about him on TV anyway. Even if Christian sued for libel or slander, its an iffy deal proving that whatever was said was causing Christian any acytual monetary or personal damage.

But realisitcally, if Chritian were to show up on TNA, and the WWE started taking cheap shots, it would make them look gutless and probably garner more interest in TNA.

[Kane Knight]

Wouldn't the WWE have to pay his lawyers if they lose.

That's not really a universal rule or anything. It's just something that judges can opt to do. However, the WWE hasn't been above taking a hit in the past in order to stick it to someone, especially in the case of competition.

I'm not saying they will do it, but this is a tried-and-true corporate method to keep people from challenging shady trademarks. Look at what the RIAA threatened to do to that woman in Oregon if she didn't pay up immediately for gangsta rap she didn't DL...

[PureHatred]

Ona side note.... The Canadian Rage???? really? Pretty lame...I'm a little disappointed. TNA lready has The Charismatic Enigma. So how about 'The Charismatic Canadian' Christian Cage?

Everyone knows alliteration = ratings.

[kinglacoste]

tna needs christian on the mike. nobody there that works full time can talk woth shit, well maybe raven

[Kane Knight]

Even if they didn't have the rights, the WWE could say whatever the hell they wanted to say about him on TV anyway. Even if Christian sued for libel or slander, its an iffy deal proving that whatever was said was causing Christian any acytual monetary or personal damage.

But realisitcally, if Chritian were to show up on TNA, and the WWE started taking cheap shots, it would make them look gutless and probably garner more interest in TNA.

Actually, it'd be in their best interest NOT to mouth off towards someone whowent to TNA. It provokes a lawsuit that will garner attention, it provokes attention, and it acknowledges what they'd rather we ignore.

[Skippord]

tna needs christian on the mike. nobody there that works full time can talk woth shit, well maybe raven

James Mitchell,Christopher Daniels,And Abyss :shifty:

[Nark Order]

James Mitchell,Christopher Daniels,And Abyss :shifty:

Not to mention BG James, Ron Killings, Jeff Jarett, Scott Demore, AMW, Kip James, and Team 3D.

[PureHatred]

Not to mention BG James, Ron Killings, Jeff Jarett, Scott Demore, AMW, Kip James, and Team 3D.

Seriously? James is stale. Killings is only able to effectively do an 'angry black man' thing and is awful doing this whol e 'Yoiu got Served' character, Kip james has always been weak on the mic, and Scott D'Amore is just an annoying fat guy.

kinglacoste has a point. Moreso than his ringwork, Christian's contribution would be that he gives TNA another guy who can consistently cut an interesting promo. One that doesn't sound like its straight out of 1998. And only if the TNA ever gets to the point where they can do segments that go more than 45 seconds.

[TerranRich]

Vince: "We have just been informed that Christian Cage will win the TNA X-Division Championship. Yeah, that'll put a lot of asses in the seats..."

[Kane Knight]

Seriously? James is stale. Killings is only able to effectively do an 'angry black man' thing and is awful doing this whol e 'Yoiu got Served' character, Kip james has always been weak on the mic, and Scott D'Amore is just an annoying fat guy.

kinglacoste has a point. Moreso than his ringwork, Christian's contribution would be that he gives TNA another guy who can consistently cut an interesting promo. One that doesn't sound like its straight out of 1998. And only if the TNA ever gets to the point where they can do segments that go more than 45 seconds.

while he's the only guy I'll defend, BG James is a solid mic worker, even though he's a bit on the stale side. The downside is, he's not good enough to build a federation around, and he's about all they've got. Raven? Blech.

[Destor]

Stop arguing with yourself KK.

[Kane Knight]

I've got to keep the facade up.

[owenbrown]

tna needs christian on the mike. nobody there that works full time can talk woth shit, well maybe raven

Ok..... #1.....
Who let this guy back in here?

and #2... Christian + TNA = RATINGS :D

[Kane Knight]

I did. We needed someone dumber than sadistic in here, so he'd have someone to laugh at too.