Backstage News On Why Will Ospreay Was Able To Bring United Empire Name To AEW
Throughout 2026, Will Ospreay has brought the stable he formed in New Japan Pro Wrestling, the United Empire, over to AEW. The likes of Francesco Akira, HENARE, and even the new group leader Callum Newman have appeared in All Elite Wrestling, but the question of how Ospreay is able to use the name, logo, and theme song for the group due to the fact that it is a NJPW entity.
The answer to that question is simple, NJPW doesn't own the United Empire trademark, Will Ospreay does.
According to Fightful Select, sources in AEW confirmed that Ospreay actually trademarked the name himself back in April with the help of patent attorney Michael Dockins. The sources stated that because Ospreay is now the owner of the trademark, he can use it however he pleases, hence it has been featured more prominently on AEW TV this year. "Speedball" Mike Bailey was recruited to the faction by Ospreay in September, and Andrade El Idolo, who technically joined the group at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, has also grown closer with Ospreay on television as part of the American branch of the faction.
This situation was originally compared to when "Switchblade" Jay White and Juice Robinson formed Bullet Club Gold in 2023, with Bullet Club being a faction founded in NJPW. They were made to formally change their name from Bullet Club Gold to the Bang Bang Gang the following year due to NJPW owning the Bullet Club trademark.
Despite Ospreay owning the United Empire trademark, NJPW still uses the name, though it wasn't confirmed if the company had to agree a deal with Ospreay for that to happen. Ospreay will be back in NJPW on October 12 for the King of Pro Wrestling event in Tokyo defending the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championships with his United Empire brothers HENARE and Great-O-Khan against the Knockout Brothers and a mystery partner. Ospreay, Khan, and HENARE won the titles back in May, but have yet to defend them due to Ospreay's busy schedule in AEW.