Former Intercontinental Champion Returning To WWE? - Trademark Application Filed

Shelton Benjamin could be returning to WWE as the sports-entertainment organization recently applied to trademark "Shelton Benjamin" for the purpose of merchandise.

This is according to a page on 4-Traders.com, which notes that Lauren A. Dienes-Middlen, WWE's Vice President of Intellectual Property, made the application. It is noted below the article that trademark applications were also filed for "AWA American Wrestling Association," "Beyond The Ring," "Crush Couture," "Crush Wear," "NXT," "Skull King," "The Miz" and "Total Divas."

Benjamin, now 39-years-old, performed for WWE from 2002 through 2010; he was released from his contract on April 22, 2010 along with Jimmy Wang Yang, Kung Fu Naki, Slam Master J, Mickie James and Katie Lea Burchill. Following his departure from the company, he wrestled for Ring of Honor (ROH) for two years, and currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling under the ring name Shelton X Benjamin. During his tenure with WWE, he won the Intercontinental Championship three times, the United States Championship once, and the WWE Tag Team Championship twice with Charlie Haas.

Last week, he responded to fan question on Twitter asking him why he left WWE and responded, "So you could watch a guy in a bunny suit instead."