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The United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Youngstown ruled on 4/19 that Anthony Duane Wilson, who is suing AEW and WWE, accusing each company of "plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages and financial damages" can have the lawsuit amended with a new filing. Therefore, the companies' respective attempts to have the lawsuit dismissed have been denied as they would instead have to file motions related to the new version of the lawsuit.
Wilson's lawsuit was re-filed on 1/10, just a few weeks after the initial lawsuit was dismissed on 11/3/23. Wilson has 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."
Wilson also alleged that he was going to start his own promotion and spoke with "members of the Bullet Club to join me in the venture of starting my company." Instead, without breaking down specifics, Wilson alleges, "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."
In the lawsuit filing, Wilson claims the situation has caused him "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."
Wilson has seeking $250,000,000 in damages, as well as, apparently all ships and plunder.
Wilson recently asked that the lawsuit be paused as he is currently incarcerated. NBC Ohio affiliate reported has been incarcerated since late last month when he was found guilty of harassment by an inmate. WFMJ noted, "According to the county prosecutor’s office, the case involved an incident on Jan. 29, 2023, where a Trumbull County Jail correction officer was splashed with urine that Wilson had thrown from a milk carton through an opening in the discipline pod of the jail."
Wilson plead not guilty by reason of insanity but the court ruled he was competent to stand trial. He had been released from jail after the incident but his bond was revoked and he is currently behind bars awaiting sentencing. He could face up to a year of incarceration.
The court is allowing WWE and AEW to respond to his request for a pause (stay) in the lawsuit before issuing a ruling on Wilson's arrest.
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