WWE drops its Vice City trademark application after one month

WWE tried to register the name “Vice City” as a trademark. The wrestling company filed the application on 8 August. On 21 September it was marked as “dead”, which means WWE has dropped the attempt.

This is shown by the application in the database of the USPTO, the American trademark office, IGN writes. Why WWE dropped it is not known. It is therefore also unclear whether an objection or another legal issue lies behind it.

Probably about Lola Vice

The application probably had nothing to do with a game of its own. The most obvious explanation is Lola Vice, IGN writes. The wrestler was recently moved up to the main roster of WWE. Her ring name already contains “Vice”, and she comes from Miami, Florida.

That city is the model for Vice City, the fictional city of the GTA series. WWE may have had plans for an event, merchandise or another project around Lola Vice. What exactly was planned is not known.

A name tied to GTA for almost thirty years

The timing stands out, because Vice City has been linked to Grand Theft Auto for almost thirty years. The city first appeared in the first GTA in 1997, alongside Liberty City and San Andreas. In 2002 it became the setting and the title of GTA Vice City.

The city returns as the setting of GTA VI, and the marketing for the game is in full swing. In Miami a giant “Welcome to Vice City” sign now stands on the roof of the arena of the Miami Heat. Rockstar reportedly pays 975,000 dollar for it.

GTA VI is due on 19 November for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.