WWE Files Trademark For 'Spike Dudley' Following Dispute

WWE and Spike Dudley (real name Matthew Hyson) are no longer in a trademark dispute over the former Brother Runt's attempt to trademark "Spike Dudley" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Hyson filed to abandon his trademark application for "Spike Dudley" on November 1 and WWE filed their own entertainment services trademark for the in-ring name on November 6 with USPTO, signalling the two sides have resolved their issues.

Matthew Hyson filed to trademark "Spike Dudley" on May 13, 2026, with plans for the trademark to be used for action figures. The filing was published in the Trademark Official Gazette on August 25, suggesting the application had passed an initial examination and been approved. Publication in the gazette, however, opened a 30-day window where third parties could oppose the trademark and WWE requested an extension to file their opposition to the "Spike Dudley" trademark application on September 24, with the request being granted one day later by USPTO.

Matthew Hyson wrestled as Spike Dudley prior to joining WWE in 2001, performing under that name in Extreme Championship Wrestling. Hyson then continued to perform on the indies as Spike Dudley following his WWE release in 2005 but he competed as Brother Runt for his TNA appearances between 2006 and 2013. He was identified as both Brother Runt and Spike Dudley for the Dudley Boyz retirement match at Bound for Glory 2025.

Hyson originally attempted to trademark "Spike Dudley" in 2005 but the request was rejected by USPTO due to its similarity to WWE's trademark for "Dudley Boyz," which has been active since 2003.