Backstage News On Stings Contract Status With WWE,Why They're Selling New Merchandise

[Slayer_X]

It appeared this week that Sting had reached a deal with WWE other than the video game deal as the company began selling new Sting merchandise once the game announcement was made. The Wrestling Observer reports that there is still no deal signed as of Wednesday but both sides are still working towards getting it signed.
The Sting likeness used on the new merchandise was considered intellectual property of WCW, which WWE purchased in 2001, and WWE believes they have the rights to merchandise it now.

[Will]

That's actually exactly what I was thinking when I saw what the game character looks like. Both versions are wcw versions and look nothing like sting looks now.

[the madscotsman]

I would have thought that WWE could have sold his merch since they bought WCW in 2001. Maybe they didn't want to sell it if he was working for another company.

[Will]

I would have thought that WWE could have sold his merch since they bought WCW in 2001. Maybe they didn't want to sell it if he was working for another company.

The weird thing with the sting situation is wwe owns the library and content of wcw from his career there but he owns the trademark to his name, so maybe, as you mentioned for the last 13 years,they could use his stuff from wcw but not produce new merchandise or use his name.