WWE star negotiates never-before-seen clause in new contract after stunning U-turn
WWE star R-Truth has negotiated a 'never-before-seen' clause as part of his shock new contract, it has been reported.
The 53-year-old made a surprise return to WWE at Money in the Bank over the weekend, under seven days after announcing that his contract was due to expire and would not be renewed.
The post racked up over 22 million views on Twitter, with fans calling for WWE's parent company, TKO, to reverse their decision and extend Truth's contract.
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Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported that the reaction among WWE talent made it 'the most criticised and universally disliked departure in nine years of the outlet covering WWE exits'.
Truth is now back with the company and has a new contract, though the exact length of the deal is unknown as WWE traditionally does not reveal such information.
What has been revealed is that Truth will instead use his real name, Ron Killings, on television as part of the new contract.
He formerly used the name during his run in TNA during the 2000s, before being given the name R-Truth upon his first return to WWE back in 2008.
According to the Wrestling Observer, Killings made the request to change his name so that he can use it on the independent circuit and in personal appearances if he leaves WWE at the end of his contract.
WWE have long had a rule in place which allows them to trademark ring names, so that they cannot be used outside of the company without their permission and WWE owns the intellectual property.
However, real names cannot be trademarked - which is why, when new superstars enter the company having used their real names previously, they will often be given new ring names.
The Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez reported last year that the policy has been somewhat relaxed since the TKO takeover, with it now made easier for wrestlers to use their WWE ring names in other companies if they choose to.
Ryan Smart