$250 Million WWE & AEW Lawsuit Thrown Out
WWE and AEW have seen a bizarre nine-figure lawsuit launched against both companies thrown out of court.
Anthony Duane Wilson had launched a lawsuit against both WWE and AEW accusing the pro wrestling companies of “plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages and financial damages.”
The suit contended that “WWE, its contractors, and employees have on multiple dates used my creative works without permission, infringing on my wrestling gimmicks, names, slogans and likeness.”
While there were few specifics mentioned by Wilson in the handwritten filing, he did claim to have spoken to “members of the Bullet Club to join me in the venture of starting my company.” Instead of joining Wilson in his pursuit to be the next Vince McMahon or Tony Khan “They stole the plans from me and my social media pages and cut me out without giving credit or the portion I am entitled to as the creator” the suit alleged.
PWInsider has now reported that on the 3rd of November, the lawsuit was thrown out of the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Youngstown by Judge Benita Y. Pearson as neither of the defendants had been served within 90 days of the suit being filed.
AEW & WWE Both Accused In Absurd Lawsuit
Wilson had been seeking $250 million in the suit – that was riddled with errors – as the situation had caused him:
Market damages, product damages, personal damages, financial damages. WWE an (sic) AEW are still using infringing works of mine, claiming they created these things and are not crediting me or paying for them, Many of which are not for sale. This will follow me my entire career. This has cost me work outside of professional wrestling and inside professional wrestling. These things have cost me fans an (sic) income.
Several of these infringements were done maliciously to damage my reputation an (sic) career, attempting to embarrass me or waste my time. I’m a writer an (sic) professional wrestler, my creative works are my livelyhood (sic). From my research, I was informed if you cut out an original partner or the creator control of the company belongs to the exiled party.
I’m seeking control of AEW an (sic) removal of stolen works, a public apology an (sic) a financial settlement for damages, my works an (sic) career will see until I retire. WWE Board Chair, WWE Stock for freelance work an (sic) business tactics of mine. Return all ships and plunder.
As a result of the suit being thrown out, it is unlikely Wilson will at any point receive either control of AEW or “WWE Board Chair.” Although it was noted the suit was dismissed without prejudice meaning he is free to re-file again in the future.
Vince McMahon is no stranger to lawsuits having settled a case in late 2022 as a result of rape allegations made by a former WWE referee.