Legal Action for Plagiarism Served Against WWE and AEW

The world of professional wrestling is an ever-changing entity, but originality has become a rare instance in the industry. A wrestler filed a plagiarism lawsuit against WWE and AEW, which was dismissed but was then given a second chance. Now we have an update on the lawsuit once again.

In case you didn’t know a wrestler named Anthony Duane Wilson filed against both WWE and AEW, accusing each company of “plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages and financial damages.” Ultimately, the lawsuit was dismissed on November 3rd, 2023. Judge Benita Y. Pearson dismissed the case, citing that neither defendant had been served within 90 days of the lawsuit, which was filed back in August.

Most of the specifics in the original filing were written by hand, where Wilson had alleged 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.”

However, the lawsuit would then get a second chance last month. According to PWInsider, the previously dismissed lawsuit filed against both WWE and AEW in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Youngstown, by Anthony Duane Wilson, accusing each company of “plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages, and financial damages,” has been served upon both wrestling promotions, according to court records.

AEW has been granted permission by the court to extend their time to respond, with a deadline set for February 23, 2024. WWE has also received permission to delay their response until March 7, 2024.

Wilson seeks control of AEW, removal of stolen works, a public apology, and a financial settlement for damages. The initial dismissal was due to neither defendant being served within 90 days of the lawsuit being filed in August 2023.

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 if he is successful in his endeavor.

What do you think of this story? Do you feel the lawsuit has merit? Let us know in the comments section below!