Just when you thought WWE and MLW had buried the hatchet after settling a $20 million antitrust lawsuit last December, they’re back in the ring—this time, trading legal jabs over the “Hart Foundation” trademark. Five days ago, WWE filed a motion with the United States Trademark and Patent Office for a 90-day extension to oppose MLW’s attempt to trademark the name. The motion was granted, giving WWE until September 11 to make their case.
Most wrestling fans instinctively associate the Hart Foundation with WWE, given its storied history. The Hall of Fame tag team of Bret Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart popularized the name in the 1980s. It was later revived in 1997 as a stable featuring Bret Hart, Neidhart, Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, and Davey Boy Smith during Bret Hart’s legendary feud with Steve Austin.
However, the Hart Foundation name has also seen life outside WWE. The tag team of Jack Evans and Teddy Hart adopted the moniker “Hart Foundation 2.0,” and the New Era Hart Foundation—comprised of Hart, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Brian Pillman Jr.—was active in MLW from 2018 to 2020. With Smith continuing to work in MLW since his 2022 return, it seems MLW’s trademark attempt aims to build a new Hart Foundation around him.