WWE Threatens Young Bucks With Cease & Desist Over “Too Sweet” Gesture

WWE has sent a cease and desist letter to the Young Bucks demanding that they stop using the “too sweet” hand gesture, Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting.

The letter was apparently received today, curiously timed after the Young Bucks and their Bullet Club stable mates jokingly “invaded” Raw on Monday. Bryan Alvarez said on Wrestling Observer Radio that he heard that Vince McMahon did not find the “invasion” very funny.

The cease and desist letter claims that WWE owns the copyright to the “too sweet” hand gesture and WWE is demanding that the Young Bucks stop using it in other companies and on any merchandise. WWE is also demanding an agreement in writing that the Young Bucks won’t use the gesture in the future.

WWE is threatening them with $150,000 or more in “damages” if they don’t agree.

The Young Bucks have consulted with a lawyer to figure out the best way to proceed.

WWE tried to trademark the “too sweet” gesture back in 2015 and it appears that they were successful. It seems fucked that a corporation can trademark a movement of the human body, but I guess they can. Diamond Dallas Page sued Jay Z in 2005 for using his “diamond cutter” gesture. That was apparently settled out of court.

The “too sweet” gesture as we know it was first used in WCW in 1996 by the nWo. The sale of WCW included their “intellectual property.”

The Young Bucks posted on Twitter:

🤙🏻my new hand gesture.

— The Young Bucks (@NickJacksonYB) September 28, 2017

🙏🏻maybe this ones more appropriate. Gonna need it 😂

— The Young Bucks (@NickJacksonYB) September 28, 2017

We're gonna be fine. Love y'all!

— The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) September 28, 2017

Update

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE’s cease and desist letter references specific merchandise that the Young Bucks sell, including their “‘Too Sweet Journey’ DVD, ‘Too sweet t-shirts,’ photos of The Young Bucks with the ‘Too sweet symbol’ and their ‘Too Sweet women’s leggings.’

WWE is threatening to sue them for $150,000 per item plus all profits made and legal fees.

The Young Bucks have since removed any merchandise referencing “too sweet” on their online store or prowrestlingtees.com.