The professional wrestling business is renowned for its dynamic environment and difficulty in preserving uniqueness in plots, characters, and other creative elements. A wrestler recently sued AEW and WWE for plagiarism, claiming that the companies had stolen his ideas without his consent. Now that the lawsuit has been granted another shot after being initially dismissed, interest in the case has increased.
Serious charges of plagiarism and damages were included in Anthony Duane Wilson’s complaint against both WWE and AEW. Wilson claimed the corporations had used his creative works, including wrestling gimmicks, identities, slogans, and likenesses, without his consent. He said that these acts violated his intentions to start his professional wrestling organization and his conversations with Bullet Club members about joining him.
It has been noted that Wilson alleges that his career has been impacted by these actions, which he claims have caused market, product, personal, and financial damages. He accuses WWE and AEW of continuing to use his works without acknowledging or compensating him and argues that they intentionally derailed his career.
The lawsuit filed by Wilson, which sought $250,000,000 in damages and the return of all his intellectual property, was dismissed on November 3rd, 2023 by Judge Benita Y. Pearson.
It came to light that the dismissal of the case was due to neither defendant being served within the 90 days after filing in August. As a result, the case did not proceed further, leaving Wilson’s claims unaddressed in court. However, there is a possibility that Wilson may refile his case and ensure proper service to the defendants within the stipulated timeframe, marking the end of the legal battle. Later, the lawsuit got a second chance, and this time, both AEW and WWE were served.
As per PWInsider, Anthony Duane Wilson filed a request with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on April 10th, requesting a stay (pause) in the case because he is currently incarcerated.
This request for a stay may impact the progress of the lawsuit against WWE and AEW, as it could delay proceedings until Wilson’s situation changes or he is able to participate in the legal process.
“To the Honorable Judge of Said Court:
I, Anthony Duane Wilson, by and through self representation, respectfully asks this court to stay all further proceedings in this case until my release.
Due to my current state of being incarcerated at Trumbull County Jail, located at [deleted], I am unable to properly handle and follow the status of this case in a timely manner at this time.
I ask the court to grant my request to stay the case because I have put forth alot of my time and money to file the lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment and All Elite Wrestling, and being that I am of self representation and cannot do it properly at this time, see it necessary to file this motion.
I seek this stay not for the purpose of delay but that justice may be done.”
The dismissal was without prejudice, which allowed Wilson to re-file the lawsuit. Therefore, he has re-filed that lawsuit to give it another try. We will have to see how the case will proceed, as it seems like a fruitless endeavor at the moment.
