A plagiarism lawsuit against WWE and AEW has been refiled, just two months after it was dismissed by the Honorable Court.
As we previously reported here on eWn, Anthony Duane Wilson filed a suit against both WWE and AEW in August 2023, alleging that they committed “plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages, and financial damages.”
The handwritten lawsuit was dismissed in November after neither AEW nor WWE were served within 90 days. However, the suit was dismissed without prejudice which meant that it could be refiled.
Pwinsider is reporting that the lawsuit was refiled earlier this month and is essentially identical to the original lawsuit.
Wilson alleges 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.”
As for AEW, Wilson has claimed that was going to launch his own promotion and had spoken with “members of the Bullet Club to join me in the venture of starting my company…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.”
Wilson is seeking $250,000 in damages.
You can check out an excerpt from the lawsuit below:
“[The matter has caused me] 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.”
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A plagiarism lawsuit has been refiled against WWE and AEW, just two months after it was dismissed by the court. The lawsuit was originally filed by Anthony Duane Wilson in August 2023, alleging plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages, and financial damages.
The handwritten lawsuit was dismissed in November because neither AEW nor WWE were served within the required 90 days. However, the dismissal was without prejudice, which meant that it could be refiled. And that’s exactly what happened earlier this month.
According to reports, the refiled lawsuit is essentially identical to the original one. Wilson claims that WWE and its contractors and employees have used his creative works without permission on multiple occasions, infringing on his wrestling gimmicks, names, slogans, and likeness.
As for AEW, Wilson alleges that he had plans to launch his own promotion and had spoken with members of the Bullet Club to join him in this venture. However, he claims that they stole his plans from his social media pages and cut him out without giving credit or the portion he is entitled to as the creator.
Wilson is seeking $250,000 in damages for the alleged infringements. He believes that these actions have caused him market damages, product damages, personal damages, and financial damages. He states that WWE and AEW are still using his infringing works without crediting him or paying for them, which has affected his career both inside and outside professional wrestling.
In the lawsuit, Wilson also mentions that he wants control of AEW and the removal of stolen works, a public apology, and a financial settlement for damages. He claims that his works and career will be affected until he retires.
It remains to be seen how this lawsuit will progress and if any resolution will be reached between Wilson, WWE, and AEW. In the meantime, fans can stay updated on all their wrestling news on eWrestlingNews.com or follow the website on Twitter and Facebook.