Danhausen addresses rumors regarding Magic, The Gathering and clarifies his trademark protection strategy.
WWE superstar Danhausen recently faced unexpected backlash from fans after an old interview regarding his trademarked facepaint resurfaced online, leading some to mistakenly believe he was preparing to take legal action against the popular trading card game Magic, The Gathering.
During a 2025 appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the wrestler explained that he had already been wearing his signature makeup when he noticed a card featuring a strikingly similar design, which was later identified by fans as Juri, Master of the Revue.
The resurfaced clip sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms, prompting the professional wrestler to clarify his legal intentions and his genuine affection for the game, according to information published by E-SPORTS.
Why Danhausen trademarked his signature facepaint look
The controversy began when social media users accused Danhausen of claiming that Wizards of the Coast copied his distinct character design. The performer quickly pushed back against that interpretation on X, assuring followers that his legal protection serves a defensive purpose rather than an offensive one.
He explained to his audience that the filing was not created so he could arbitrarily try to sue people, but rather to ensure that no one else could challenge his own usage of the design. He later reinforced his stance by replying to another user to confirm that he actually loves Magic, The Gathering.
Understanding the USPTO filing details and origins
The trademark in question predates his current tenure in WWE, having been submitted under his real name, Donovan Danhausen, to the USPTO back in 2020. The official filing describes the mark as a stylized face used across various merchandise and professional wrestling entertainment properties.
During the original interview with Chris Van Vliet, the star also claimed that he was the first wrestler to ever trademark his facepaint, adding that fellow legend Sting later worked with the exact same attorney to protect his own iconic signature look.
Inspiration behind the very nice, very evil persona
Known for his comedic curses, jars of teeth, and the signature Very Nice, Very Evil persona, the wrestler draws his makeup inspiration directly from the demon Pazuzu from the classic horror film The Exorcist.
The recent clarification arrived during a notably busy week for the performer, who recently hosted a dedicated WWE YouTube special, appeared in a themed SmackDown episode, and even hosted NXT Halloween Havoc for wrestling fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did fans think Danhausen was suing Magic, The Gathering?
Fans misinterpreted a resurfaced 2025 interview clip where Danhausen discussed seeing a card with a facepaint design similar to his own signature makeup.
What did Danhausen say about the facepaint trademark?
The WWE star clarified on X that his trademark is purely defensive to protect his own usage and merchandise, stating it is not meant for suing people.
When was the trademark for the facepaint submitted?
The USPTO filing was officially submitted under his real name, Donovan Danhausen, back in 2020 before he joined the major wrestling promotion.
What inspired the signature makeup look?
The black-and-white facepaint worn by the WWE superstar is directly inspired by the demon Pazuzu from the famous horror movie The Exorcist.
