WWE has abandoned its attempt to trademark the term 'Vice City,' a move that comes just ahead of the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. The initial trademark application was filed on August 8 but was declared 'dead' on September 21, according to a trademark filing.
While the exact reasons for the abandonment are not publicly stated, it is widely speculated that the trademark bid was related to WWE wrestler Lola Vice, whose name and Miami origins align with the setting of the game. It is highly probable that WWE withdrew the application to avoid potential conflict with Rockstar Games, which has utilized the 'Vice City' name for over two decades, dating back to the PlayStation 2 classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and now for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
Rockstar Games has been actively reinforcing the game's connection to its setting, reportedly spending nearly $1 million on 'Welcome to Vice City' signage in real-life Miami. The developer has also been taking steps to manage its intellectual property, recently removing footage of scrapped GTA 5 DLC and early versions of a leaked GTA 6 map. Furthermore, a new modding policy from Rockstar appears to have dashed hopes for monetized role-playing servers in GTA 6.
The impending release of GTA 6 on November 19 is expected to have a significant impact across various sectors, even influencing athletic performance. NBA star Steven Adams has predicted a "league-wide" drop in performance for basketball players and coaches upon the game's launch.
In related news, the extended gameplay trailer for GTA 6 has revealed numerous details, including nods to wrestling elements, such as John Cena's Attitude Adjustment finisher, suggesting that activities like backyard wrestling may be featured in the game.