The American Rottweiler  Club is pleased to announce that late Friday afternoon, WWE’s SVP of Marketing, Gary Davis, confirmed that the John Cena shirt which portrayed the Rottweiler as “vicious” will be pulled from the marketplace.

“The Shirt Has Been Pulled From The Licensee” - Gary Davis, WWE SVP of Communications

The decision came following a barrage of letters from club members and dog lovers, including a formal letter American Rottweiler Club.

In that  letter, ARC President, Diane Garnett, wrote, “That the WWE is profiting by deliberately protraying a negative stereotype of the Rottweiler, damaging the reputation of this noble breed, and further fueling the wave of legislation banning Rottweilers from communities across the country is an affront to every loving and responsible Rottweiler owner in the country”.

The shirts were sold in national retail chain stores, including JC Penny and Kohl’s. (See image - Front of WWE shirt) under the WWE brand.

World Wrestling Entertainment licences it’s brand and images to thousands of retail vendors and partners, including the image from the John Cena shirt.

Mr. Davis said the images has been pulled from their licensee and will not be renewed.

You Did It! Thank You!

The American Rottweiler Club says Thank You! to all dog lovers that wrote to WWE in protest - you made it happen!

We’d like to thank  Gary Davis and World Wrestling Entertainment for responding to our plea, and taking action to remove the offensive shirt from the marketplace.

Most importantly, the WWE  heard that our goal is the protection and preservation of our beloved and noble breed, the Rottweiler, thanks to you.

If you’d like to commend the WWE for their positive actions, please send your letters to:

World Wrestling Entertainment

Vince McMahon, CEO

Gary Davis, SVP Communications

1241 E. Main St.

Stamford, CT 06902

Ph) 203 - 353-2890

The American Rottweiler Club has sent a letter to World Wrestling Entertainment asking them to stop selling Tshirts which deliberately portray the Rottweiler as “vicious”.

The WWE Tshirts have spurred protests from dog lovers across the country and feature wrestling star John Cena with two snarling dogs.  The shirts are being sold in national retail chain stores, including JC Penny and Kohl’s.

(See image - Front of  WWE shirt)

“That the WWE is profiting by deliberately protraying a negative stereotype of the Rottweiler, damaging the reputation of this noble breed, and further fueling the wave of legislation banning Rottweilers from communities across the country is an affront to every loving and responsible Rottweiler owner in the country”, said ARC President, Diane Garnett in the letter.

The American Rottweiler Club, a staunch opponent of breed specific legislation, is concerned that innocent dogs

Discriminating against innocent dogs? It’s a shame that in this day and age ignorance still abounds.

Who would do that these days? World Wrestling Entertainment, that’s who.

We were so shocked and very disappointed to learn that World Wrestling Entertainment called Rottweilers “vicious” in a video trailer to promote the WWE’s magazine issue of John Cena as Top Dog.

By discriminating against innocent Rottweilers, World Wrestling Entertainment’s irresponsible approach to journalism is reinforcing the unfair and negative stereotype of the Rottweiler, and fanning the flames of shameful breed discrimination. The result is even more discrimination against innocent dogs and their owners.

The facts are that the WWE hired two highly trained Schutzhund dogs - trained to bark, bite and hold on command -  for the photo shoot, and then deliberately positioned these dogs as “vicious“. 

This does a great disservice to the thousands of responsible dog owners who face fear, irgnorance - and even threats of physical violence - each day.

Rob Bernstein, Editor of WWE Magainze, can be seen on camera in this trailer calling Rottweilers “vicious” : http://www.iwebtool.com/shortcut/10351

To address the situation, the American Rottweiler Club has written to WWE’s top management - you can download our letter here: Download arc_letter_to_wwe_030807logo.doc

Unfortunately, the WWE has yet to take action (they promised), so we’re asking for your help!   You can call or write to:

Gary Davis, SVP Communications

[email protected]
  (203) 353-5066

WWE Corporate Headquarters
1241 East Main Street
Stamford, CT 06902

Please ask the WWE to be a champ by helping to right this wrong.  Ask them to issue an apology to innocent dogs and owners, support responsible ownership and consider donating to help Rottweilers in need.

Thanks for your help in preserving and protecting innocent Rottweilers and their owners!