Johnny Retro, aka John Morrison in the WWE, is the star of the latest RetroMania Wrestling footage. Do not worry, the developers (Retrosoft Studios) are already working on slowing that animation down a bit. Johny Retro is just one of several athletes making the launch roster for this upcoming wrestling game.
Johnny Retro more than comedic effort
While it is fun to poke at the constant last name changes, they mean something. As most fans know, promotions like to make new merchandise for athletes under contract. Some are bigger than their name – go ahead, attempt to change Hulk Hogan’s name. Those guys often get new merchandise created with new graphics.
What is in a name?
Some, like John Morrison, have fun with it. It seems each promotion he worked for got a unique integration to his ring name. While in Impact Wrestling his name was Johnny Impact. While in Lucha Underground and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide he was Johnny Mundo. He started in WWE as Johnny Nitro, now wrestling as John Morrison. Now he is also in RetroMania Wrestling as Johnny Retro.
How to circumvent WWE licensing
You may be wondering how this magic was done. Usually when under contract to WWE they control your business efforts. Such as being in a video game.
The agreement to star in RetroMania Wrestling apparently occurred a long time before his return to WWE. That is how a smaller studio such as Retrosoft can use the likeness of a current WWE performer. It is not illegal, nor immoral, it is just business.
Anyone that watched Total Divas when Eva Marie was on the show knows, WWE’s legal department is tough. She attempted going outside the company while signed with the company. That is a big no-no. Morrison did it before returning which means WWE can not do much about it.
Remember when Rick Rude appeared on Monday Night Raw and WCW’s Monday Night Nitro at the same time? A similar effect could happen here with the “Johnny” character in video games. The difference is Vince McMahon probably will not be furious over it.
RetroMania Wrestling launches in July 2020 for Nintendo Switch, Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Pre-orders are open for the Switch and Steam versions. PlayStation and Xbox fans, you will have to keep an eye on your respective digital stores for this one. For more wrestling games head over here.
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