Jinder Mahal In Conflict With WWE Over Trademark

Raj Dhesi - who previously wrestled in WWE as Jinder Mahal - has begun a dispute with WWE over trademarks.

Jinder Mahal filed to trademark 'The Maharaja' with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in April 2024, but his application was rejected on November 15, 2024 due to the likelihood of confusion with WWE's trademark of 'The Maharajah', which has been active since 2017. The USPTO then rejected Dhesi's application again on June 4, 2025.

Dhesi is still looking to gain ownership of 'The Maharaja' term, however, as he filed a petition for cancellation against WWE's trademark of 'The Maharajah' on December 4, 2025. Within the filing, Dhesi has argued that he began using 'The Maharaja' within pro wrestling in early 2015, while WWE didn't file to trademark 'The Maharajah' until April 2017. He has also claimed WWE filed their trademark under false pretences.

WWE have until February 3, 2026 to respond to Dhesi's petition for cancellation.

Jinder Mahal first wrestled for WWE from 2010 until his release in 2014. He then performed on the independent wrestling scene until WWE re-signed him in July 2016, and he remained with the organisation until his second release in April 2024. During his second run, Mahal had a 170-day reign as WWE Champion in 2017 and an eight-day reign as United States Champion in 2018.

Despite the trademark dispute, the former Jinder Mahal has performed as 'The Maharaja' Raj Dhesi while wrestling on the indies since his second WWE release.