Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahalnow going by his real name, Raj Dhesiis going to war with WWE over one thing: the rights to The Maharaja name.
According to filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Dhesi originally applied to trademark The Maharaja in April 2024. But the USPTO shot it down on November 15, citing likelihood of confusion with WWEs existing trademark for The Maharajah, which theyve held since 2017. Undeterred, Dhesi reapplied, only for it to be rejected again on June 4, 2025. Now hes hitting back.
On December 4, Dhesi filed a formal petition to cancel WWEs The Maharajah trademark altogether. In his filing, he claims he was using the name years before WWE ever laid claim to itdating all the way back to early 2015.
WWE didnt file to trademark The Maharajah until April 2017, Dhesi argued in the filing, adding that WWEs claim was made under false pretenses. WWE has until February 3, 2026, to respond to Dhesis petition.
Jinder Mahal first joined WWE in 2010 before being released in 2014. After working the indies, he returned in 2016 and went on to win the WWE Championship in 2017holding the title for 170 days. He also had a short reign as United States Champion in 2018. WWE released him again in April 2024.
Since then, Dhesi has been wrestling under the name The Maharaja on the independent scene, keeping the character alive outside WWEs grip.
If this legal challenge goes Dhesis way, it could reshape how WWE handles trademarks around personas it didnt fully create. But if WWE digs in, this could get even messier.
Should Raj Dhesi have the rights to The Maharaja nameor did WWE own it the moment they put it on TV? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
