Broken Matt Hardy has taken his first legal step to own the name … because Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed that he filed a trademark to officially lock it down.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the wrestler filed for a trademark last week on “Broken Matt Hardy” for “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.”

As we previously reported, sources close to Matt tell us his Impact deal gave them the ability to profit off of anything already filmed having to do with ANY gimmick he used throughout the course of his contract … but, once that’s over, he retains ownership of his name and characters.

Our Impact Wrestling sources, however, tell us that’s not the case. They claim the current deal specifically states that their company owns all IP creations.

If that’s the case, Impact’s legal team still has time to oppose.