Wrestling: The Revival need to apologize and find a new name

The pro wrestling tag team formerly known as The Revival revealed their new name, Revolt. There’s just one problem–there’s already a tag team that’s been using that name for five years.

“What’s in a name?” 

Fair Juliet pondered the age old question in Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet. 

In 2020, that question relates to pro wrestling as the tag team formerly known as The Revival need a new name now that they’re finally free of WWE.

Their chosen name? Revolt.

There’s just one small problem. There’s already a tag team called Revolt.

Zane Riley and Caleb Konley (also seen on IMPACT Wrestling & NWA) have been using the name Revolt since 2015. They are the current Premiere Wrestling Xperience tag team champions. One of their first matches as Revolt was against the Young Bucks. They have wrestled Jushin “Thunder” Liger TWICE as Revolt. Riley and Konley have wrestled at WrestleCon, Wrestling Revolver and BAR Wrestling, among others. This isn’t just some small indie tag team in a little town.

The duo formally called The Revival, now known as Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, respectively, are playing on the FTR moniker given to them by the Bucks. It’s also similar enough to their former tag team name. A simple search would have let them know that the Revolt was taken. According to Konley’s Twitter, he and Riley have known Harwood and Wheeler for more than a decade.

Since word got out that Harwood and Wheeler had trademarked “Fear The Revolt”, Konley and Riley have been defending their name on social media. The former have acknowledged Konley & Riley on social media. When Riley tweeted that they had five years of merch ideas “boppin’ around”, Wheeler quote tweeted it:

Wheeler and Harwood took things a step further when they released a hype video that had music that sounds very similar to Revolt’s theme music. As the situation gets bigger, these shots will probably continue. It appears this situation won’t be going away anytime soon. Harwood and Dash fought and fought for their freedom from WWE only to immediately go into another battle with another tag team. Now, Riley and Konley are in their own fight.

The argument has been made that Konley and Riley should’ve trademarked their name. How many indie wrestlers trademark their name? Although we don’t know for certain if Revolt have trademarked anything, they have half a decade of merch and matches using the name.

Revolt began as a duo that were standing up to authority. They evolved into a group that stood up for acceptance of all. Fans have felt seen and understood. In five years, they have connected to their fans on an intimate level.

This is not to say that Harwood and Dash have not connected to their own fanbase. Revolt has their own identity and following. Although a name doesn’t define them (just as the Revival isn’t defined by their name as they forge their new path), it is part of their identity. It is an identity that Harwood and Dash do not have. For them, it’s nothing more than a gimmick. It’s a way to sound cool and keep a name similar to what they were in another company. They have no personal connection to it.

In a fair world, Harwood and Cash would see that this is a mistake and that they are not only harming the livelihood of other wrestlers, but hurting the fans of the Revolt. They would apologize and come up with something else. This is business, but it’s still personal for so many. Alas, this doesn’t appear like it will end amicably.

To answer my first question, what’s in a name? It’s so much more than letters.