TNA Files Lawsuit Against WWE Legend
TNA has launched a surprising lawsuit against one of its own Hall of Famers and a former WWE champion.
Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC, the parent company of Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, has filed a lawsuit against TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim in the Chancery Court of Tennessee, escalating a growing legal conflict between the two sides.
Filed on January 10th, 2026, the lawsuit stems from a dispute over the legal jurisdiction governing alleged claims Kim raised after her surprise departure from the company in March 2025. According to court documents reported on by PWInsider, Kim reportedly informed TNA she believed she held legal claims under Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act and other statutes following her exit.
Why Is TNA’s Parent Company Suing Gail Kim?
Anthem’s legal action argues that Kim’s contractual relationship with the company was governed by Tennessee law, not Florida law, and therefore she cannot pursue claims under Florida statutes. The complaint underscores Kim’s Services Agreement and Booking Agreement, originally signed in September 2022, which Anthem says specified that Kim was an independent contractor, not an employee.
According to Anthem, the agreements granted Kim the ability to provide services to other entertainment entities and explicitly stated she would not participate in employee benefit plans, including workers’ compensation and healthcare programs. The company also notes that Kim primarily worked remotely, was not full-time, and received tax form 1099 payments, factors Anthem argues support her independent contractor status.
The lawsuit further claims that Kim’s contract extended on a month-to-month basis after its 2024 expiration, and was ultimately terminated as part of a broader corporate restructuring that saw several independent contractors and employees depart.
Anthem is asking the court to formally declare that Tennessee law governs any disputes and to confirm Kim’s independent contractor status, potentially nullifying her asserted legal claims. The company is also seeking reimbursement of legal fees and court costs.