The trademark battle over one of wrestling’s most recognizable monikers is far from over. A new filing has extended the timeline in the “American Nightmare” lawsuit involving Cody Rhodes, WWE, and Fanatics.
According to PWInsider, musician Wesley Eisold submitted a motion last week in the U.S. Court for the Central District of California, requesting more time to respond to the defendants’ motion to dismiss. Eisold asked for the deadline to be pushed to November 14.
If approved, the adjustment would reset the schedule: the defendants’ reply would be due by December 5, with a hearing on the dismissal motion potentially set for December 19. The move signals that the dispute will continue well into the winter, delaying any swift resolution.
The lawsuit traces back to a 2021 agreement that allowed Rhodes to use the “American Nightmare” name for merchandise under strict terms. The contract required that at least 75 percent of any design clearly include Rhodes’ name, likeness, or wrestling imagery. Eisold claims WWE and Fanatics violated that deal by selling merchandise featuring only the “American Nightmare” text, creating confusion between his music brand and Rhodes’ wrestling merchandise.
Eisold is demanding a jury trial, $900,000 in damages, and a court order to stop the sale of any products that break the agreement.
The legal fight unfolds as Rhodes prepares for one of his biggest challenges in the ring. The Undisputed WWE Champion returned on SmackDown last week to rescue Randy Orton from an attack by Drew McIntyre, immediately issuing a challenge that set up a title defense against McIntyre this Saturday at WrestlePalooza in Indianapolis. While Rhodes’ focus is on the match, the lawsuit lingers in the background, with potential implications for his brand at a pivotal moment in his career.