David Stenken, head graphic designer at Pro Wrestling Tees, has accused WWE and Mitchell & Ness of copying artwork he created for CM Punk’s hugely successful AEW merchandise in 2021.

The original design was released following Punk’s return to professional wrestling at AEW Rampage in Chicago in August 2021. Stenken says the shirt became AEW’s highest-selling piece of merchandise that year and remains one of the company’s biggest sellers of all time.

However, Stenken noticed some very familiar artwork when WWE and Mitchell & Ness recently released a new CM Punk hoodie.

Taking to Instagram, Stenken shared images comparing the designs and accused the companies of using his work without permission.

“What a time to be alive lol. This @cmpunk design was one of my career highlights. It was the highest selling piece of AEW merch that year and one of their best selling of all time. I was there at the United Center when he came out. It was all over the building in lights. That seems like a whole lifetime ago in wrestling years – but what’s old is new again lol. @wwe and @mitchellandness have tag teamed against me and stole my art for their latest collab. Which sucks. Does anyone know a good lawyer?”

There was soon a development in the situation, with Stenken updating fans to reveal that Mitchell & Ness had removed the merchandise.

“Mitchell and Ness took the apparel down. I’m assuming there is some sort of review happening and someone is getting in trouble. I will still leave this post up for posterity.”

Neither WWE nor Mitchell & Ness has publicly responded to Stenken’s allegations at the time of writing.

What do you make of the similarities? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lord David Stenken (@biggstankdogg)