WWE Abandons Vice City Trademark: What It Means for GTA 6
WWE has officially abandoned its attempt to trademark the words “VICE CITY,” bringing an interesting trademark story to an end just as GTA 6 continues to build anticipation around Rockstar’s return to the iconic Miami-inspired location.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has now processed WWE’s express abandonment of the trademark application. The application was originally filed on August 4, 2026, before WWE submitted an express abandonment request on September 2. The abandonment was then processed by the USPTO on September 21, 2026.
No official reason has been given for WWE’s decision to abandon the application.
For GTA fans, however, the timing is particularly interesting because Vice City is one of the most recognisable names in the Grand Theft Auto franchise and will once again be a major part of GTA 6.
WWE originally filed for the “VICE CITY” trademark in August
The story began on August 4, 2026, when World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC filed an application for the words “VICE CITY.”
The application covered entertainment-related services, including wrestling exhibitions and performances, broadcasting and online entertainment.
The filing quickly caught the attention of gaming fans because of the obvious connection between the words Vice City and Grand Theft Auto.
WWE’s application was for the wording “VICE CITY” rather than a GTA-related logo or the full Grand Theft Auto: Vice City title.
At the time, there was plenty of discussion about whether the filing could create a problem because of the long-running association between Vice City and Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto series.
GTAVI Galaxy spotted the trademark story while it was still pending
This is where the story gets particularly interesting for us.
Before WWE abandoned the application, GTAVI Galaxy had already posted about the pending Vice City trademark on X.
The original post highlighted the trademark filing while it was still active and pending, meaning the story was being tracked before the latest abandonment update.
After that original post, the trademark situation changed significantly.
WWE has now withdrawn the application, meaning the pending status is no longer active.
September 2 was the key date
Although the USPTO processed the abandonment on September 21, the actual express abandonment request was submitted earlier.
According to the available trademark information, WWE filed the request to abandon the application on September 2, 2026. The USPTO subsequently processed the abandonment and the application is now listed as abandoned.
That distinction is worth mentioning because the September 21 date is the official processing/abandonment development, while September 2 is when WWE submitted its request.
The trademark record itself does not provide a public explanation for why WWE decided to withdraw the application.
What does this have to do with GTA 6?
On the surface, the WWE trademark and GTA 6 are completely different entertainment products.
But the words Vice City obviously have a long history with Grand Theft Auto.
Rockstar first used Vice City as a major GTA setting decades ago, and the location became the focus of the 2002 game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. GTA 6 is now bringing players back to a modern version of the fictional city as part of Leonida.
That is why WWE’s trademark application immediately attracted attention from GTA fans.
However, there is currently no confirmed evidence that Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive caused WWE to abandon the application.
Some fans have naturally speculated about a possible trademark conflict, but speculation should not be confused with what the USPTO record actually confirms.
What we know is much simpler: WWE applied for “VICE CITY,” later requested express abandonment, and the USPTO processed that abandonment.
The trademark record is now abandoned
The official trademark record is the best place to check the status for yourself.
The application can be found using USPTO serial number 50031923. The record shows WWE as the applicant and the “VICE CITY” wording as the subject of the application.
Official USPTO trademark record: [VICE CITY — Serial No. 50031923]
This is also useful because third-party trademark websites can sometimes take time to update. For the most authoritative status, the USPTO record is the one GTA fans should check.
WWE can still use “Vice City”
One important detail is that abandoning a trademark application does not automatically mean WWE can never use the words “Vice City.”
The abandoned application simply means that this particular trademark application is no longer active.
WWE has continued using the term in connection with Lola Vice, according to current reporting, while the trademark application itself has been withdrawn.
That makes the development more interesting than simply saying WWE “lost” the name.
The available information does not show that a final trademark dispute over the wording took place. The application was abandoned before reaching that stage.
GTA 6’s Vice City connection makes this one worth watching
For GTA fans, the timing is certainly notable.
GTA 6 is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2026, and Vice City is once again at the centre of Rockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto adventure.
Meanwhile, WWE’s attempt to trademark the same two-word phrase has now disappeared from the active application process.
Whether there was ever going to be a serious trademark conflict remains unclear, and there is currently no confirmed public explanation connecting Rockstar or Take-Two to WWE’s decision.
For now, the confirmed story is that WWE filed for “VICE CITY” on August 4, submitted an express abandonment on September 2, and the USPTO processed the abandonment on September 21.
And yes — GTA fans noticed.
What happens next?
For GTAVI Galaxy readers, this is another interesting piece of GTA 6-related trademark news to keep an eye on as we get closer to Global launch.
The original WWE application is no longer active, but the story shows just how recognisable the Vice City name remains outside the Grand Theft Auto community.
We’ll continue tracking GTA 6 trademarks, announcements, pre-orders, trailers , Global Countdown and other developments as Rockstar’s next game gets closer to release.
For more GTA 6 news and updates, visit the GTAVI Galaxy Latest News section.
