Cody filed application to trademark “Cody Rhodes”

Cody files for the trademark “Rhodes” on the day WWE’s trademark expired

WWE had received a notice on October 13, 2018 letting them know that the “Cody Rhodes” trademark was set to expire in one year should they not re-apply. They would also be given a six-month grace period, meaning the trademark would expire on April 13, 2020.

April 12, 2020 came and went without WWE re-filing for the trademark. And on April 13, Cody filed to trademark.

WWE has had the trademark for “Cody Rhodes” since June 2007 when Cody made his debut.

In October 2019, Cody said he could use the Rhodes name without an issue.

“I can use it, I won’t use it, though. This is not the romantic Game of Thrones answer everyone wants. The reason I don’t use it is because I got so used to being ‘”The American Nightmare” Cody’ in Japan. I love that. I love the idea of trying my damndest to get a single name over. I got the rub off Dusty and my family long enough. I don’t mind not using it. You’ll see it every now and then. Some people, they already know. By no means is WWE holding that name hostage. That is not a real thing. If I was to walk out tomorrow lower thirded as ‘Cody Rhodes,’ announced as ‘Cody Rhodes,’ nobody’s going to sue us. Nobody’s coming after us. There’s a lot of respect between the families that are involved here. I just like using my first name.”