WWE Faces Legal Battle as Fan Seeks $15,000 in Damages for Injuries, Disputes Arbitration Clause

Richard Bryant, a fan suing WWE over injuries allegedly sustained during a Friday Night Smackdown taping in Orlando, Florida, in July 2022, has taken legal action to prevent WWE from moving the case into arbitration.

Bryant filed a motion on July 24th before the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, attempting to stay the lawsuit until the arbitration process is completed.

WWE has argued that Bryant’s claims fall under Ticketmaster.com’s terms and conditions, which stipulate that disputes arising from event attendance must be resolved through arbitration. In their motion filed on July 3rd, WWE asserted that they have not waived their right to arbitration, and thus Bryant must follow this process.

In response, Bryant contends that WWE lacks standing to enforce Ticketmaster’s arbitration agreement, as he was a guest who received the ticket from a friend and never physically possessed it. He argues that he was not provided “reasonable notice” of any arbitration agreement.

The lawsuit centers on Bryant’s claim that WWE’s negligence led to his injuries, which include a “traumatic rupture of his right ear drum, bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss in his right ear, and psychological harm.”

Bryant alleges that WWE failed to adequately warn of the dangers of pyrotechnics, test their effects, and properly train and supervise staff. Additionally, Bryant claims he incurred medical expenses and may require future treatment.

Interestingly, Bryant’s lawsuit also includes an allegation of being “non-weightbearing” for a time, using crutches and a boot to promote healing in his left foot—an assertion that appears unrelated to the ear injuries. This inclusion has raised questions about the accuracy of the filing.

Bryant is seeking $15,000 in damages, with the court setting a trial date of August 18, 2025, if the case is not resolved beforehand.

WWE faced a similar lawsuit from Marvin Jackson, who claimed hearing loss from pyrotechnics at Wrestlemania 38. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a lower court’s decision that Jackson’s claims must go to arbitration, as he had implicitly agreed to this condition by using the ticket purchased by a relative.

Jackson’s case sought over $1,000,000 in damages but was dismissed with prejudice, preventing him from pursuing the lawsuit further in the same court. The case was sent to private arbitration, and there has been no update on its resolution.

With Richard Bryant’s legal action against WWE, what are your thoughts on the responsibilities of event organizers regarding attendee safety, especially concerning pyrotechnics? Do you think WWE should address these safety concerns more transparently? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below!