The initial debate only had effect overseas(where the world wildlife fund for nature is located), they were being sued by the panda company in Britain, not the U.S. The issue was over the website, WWF resued the WWE in 2000, in 2001 WWE was appealing, but then decided to change their name ending 20 years of branding. WWE could have continued to be WWF in the U.S. had they just changed the URL of their website. I hate patent and trademark cases especially international ones where 2 companies own trademarks in different countries.
We all know the names of the companies are not officially WWF, and that they were World Wildlife Fund for Nature and World Wrestling Federation, their trademarked logos looked nothing alike, so it should follow that the company should be able to abbreviate their name whether spoken in context or by logo without litigation. Its just pisses me off that instead of following through with their appeal they bitched out last minute and change their name to the stupid name that is WWE. The company is supposed to represent toughness, and that's just not what it was articulating. Screw the UK courts and their Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, Lylat Wars, and WWF.
and I miss WCW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXnT8QkZbB8the problem with kayfabe is when something really bad does happen. I remember when Owen Hart died I was watching the pay-per-view with a scrambled signal (audio was fine, video was distorted), and they were like Owen Hart has just died and that was crazy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVqa_G__gQ0