$250 Million Plagiarism Lawsuit Against WWE and AEW Dismissed

The professional wrestling industry is always changing, making it challenging to keep storylines and characters original. Recently, a wrestler filed a plagiarism lawsuit against WWE and AEW, claiming they used his intellectual property without permission. However, it appears the lawsuit has now been dismissed.

Anthony Duane Wilson filed a lawsuit against WWE and AEW, making serious claims of plagiarism. He accused both wrestling companies of using his creative ideas—like wrestling personas, names, slogans, and images—without his consent. Wilson argued that this misuse disrupted his plans to launch his own wrestling promotion and negatively impacted his talks with Bullet Club members about joining his project.

He stated that WWE and AEW’s actions harmed his business, reputation, and finances. Wilson claimed they exploited his work without giving him credit or payment, intentionally hindering his career.

On November 3, 2023, Judge Benita Y. Pearson dismissed the case because the legal papers had not been properly served to either WWE or AEW within the required 90 days after he filed in August 2023. Although the lawsuit was closed, Wilson had the option to refile it with the proper legal procedures. He initially sought $250 million in damages and wanted the return of his intellectual property. After the dismissal, Wilson chose to refile the lawsuit and ensure that both companies were properly served this time. AEW would eventually file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit earlier this year.

PWInsider reports that Anthony Duane Wilson’s lawsuit against WWE and AEW, alleging plagiarism, was officially dismissed on October 22 by Judge Benita Y. Pearson in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Youngstown.

For AEW, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning Wilson cannot bring the case back to court against them. AEW argued that Wilson failed to provide specific factual allegations and did not adequately respond to their arguments, leaving them completely cleared of the accusations.

Regarding WWE, the court dismissed the suit due to “lack of personal jurisdiction.” The court determined that it did not have jurisdiction over WWE, as Wilson did not demonstrate that WWE, a Delaware corporation operating in Connecticut, should be subject to Ohio’s jurisdiction. However, the dismissal was without prejudice, meaning Wilson could potentially refile the lawsuit in a court with appropriate jurisdiction in the future.

The inmate also sought five-year prison sentences for AEW and WWE, but clearly, none of that will be happening anymore as the lawsuit has been dismissed again, and it is likely he won’t be filing another lawsuit anytime soon.

Do you believe the lawsuit will get filed again in the future? Let us know in the comments section below!