The branding vs mfg of mowers like many tools will spin your head around. I know my ‘94 Wizard (Western Auto)was very near identical to the Craftsman at the time and made by AYP. Was just reading that Craftsman at Sears or Lowes is still MTD. Others are new models by Stanley /B&D
Heck, MTD even makes John Deere's cheap line. (sold at the big box stores) I thought it would tick off the dealers who are forced to do warranty work on the cheapies. They often trade the customer out of it and into a JD Horicon Wisc. built unit.