Nintendo sent Cody Rhodes cease and desist over Zelda Triforce boots
WWE champion Cody Rhodes reveals Nintendo politely asked him to stop wearing Zelda's Triforce symbol on his wrestling boots. The gaming giant sent a cease and desist over the trademark, though Rhodes called their approach respectful and professional.
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes received a cease and desist letter from Nintendo for wearing the Triforce symbol from The Legend of Zelda on his wrestling boots, according to revelations on his recent podcast. Rhodes described Nintendo's approach as 'polite' and noted he wasn't the first person to face such action over the iconic gaming symbol.
Key Takeaways
- Nintendo sent WWE champion Cody Rhodes a polite cease and desist letter for wearing the Triforce symbol on his wrestling boots.
- Rhodes wore the Zelda symbol during his first WWE run in the late 2000s and early 2010s to represent power, courage, and wisdom.
- The WWE champion has a Triforce tattoo and replays A Link to the Past every year as personal motivation.
- Rhodes described Nintendo's legal notice as 'very kind' and 'polite' rather than aggressive enforcement.
Why Cody Rhodes wore the Triforce symbol
Rhodes explained his connection to the Zelda symbol during his podcast 'What Do You Wanna Talk About', revealing a deeply personal motivation. 'I thought about the principles of the Triforce, which are power, courage, and wisdom,' Rhodes told fellow wrestler Kit Wilson. The WWE champion even has a Triforce tattoo on his ring finger, joking 'I live that shit, dog' when showing it off.
According to Rhodes, the three virtues represented by the symbol applied perfectly to professional wrestling. 'I just liked the idea of thinking and leaning towards your own wisdom, or what you've learned and applying it, of being ambitious and wanting to be powerful, if you can, in a world that's competitive, of sports and sports entertainment, and then having the courage to do it,' he explained.
In a 2008 WWE Magazine interview, Rhodes revealed he replays A Link to the Past every year like others might reread a favourite book. 'In the game, the Triforce symbolized power, wisdom and courage. I thought I could apply those qualities to my life,' he said at the time.
Nintendo's polite intellectual property enforcement
Despite Nintendo's reputation for strict IP protection, Rhodes emphasised the respectful nature of their legal approach. 'I also got a cease and desist from Nintendo,' he revealed during the podcast. 'It was very kind, they weren't... it was polite, they weren't coming after anybody, I'm not the first guy to have the Triforce.'
The cease and desist came during Rhodes' first WWE run in the late 2000s and early 2010s, when he occasionally displayed the Triforce on his wrestling boots. Nintendo's action demonstrates their consistent approach to protecting intellectual property whilst maintaining professional courtesy with infringers.
This incident reflects Nintendo's broader strategy of safeguarding their gaming symbols and characters, even when used in non-gaming contexts by public figures. The company's measured response suggests they prefer education over litigation when dealing with unauthorised use of their trademarks.
Wrestling meets gaming philosophy
Rhodes drew unexpected parallels between professional wrestling and Nintendo's Zelda development, particularly regarding fan influence. 'Twilight Princess is a story about wrestling,' he explained, referencing how both industries respond to audience demands.
The WWE champion compared fan reactions to Wind Waker's art style with wrestling audience preferences. 'Wind Waker's a great game. They just weren't ready for how it looked,' Rhodes said, explaining how fan feedback led to the darker Twilight Princess. 'Fans like what they like, and when they get vocal enough, the whole world can change, and I know this first-hand – my whole world changed because of fans being vocal enough.'
Rhodes' perspective highlights the intersection between gaming culture and sports entertainment, where both industries adapt to satisfy passionate fanbases seeking specific experiences and aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nintendo send Cody Rhodes a cease and desist?
Nintendo sent Cody Rhodes a cease and desist for using the Triforce symbol from The Legend of Zelda on his wrestling boots, as it is their intellectual property that requires protection from unauthorised use.
What is the Triforce symbol?
The Triforce is a sacred relic from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series, representing the virtues of Power, Courage, and Wisdom. It appears as three golden triangles arranged in a triangular formation.
When did Cody Rhodes wear the Triforce boots?
Rhodes wore boots featuring the Triforce symbol during his first WWE run in the late 2000s and early 2010s, before receiving Nintendo's cease and desist letter.
Was Nintendo aggressive about the cease and desist?
No, Rhodes described Nintendo's approach as 'very kind' and 'polite', emphasising they weren't aggressively pursuing legal action but simply protecting their intellectual property rights.
Does Cody Rhodes still play Zelda games?
Yes, Rhodes revealed in a 2008 interview that he replays The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for Super Nintendo every year, treating it like others might reread a favourite book.
Written by
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates and news
Member discussion