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The lawsuit brought against WWE and AEW by Plaintiff Anthony Duane Wilson, claiming plagiarism against each promotion, was officially dismissed on 10/22 by Judge Benita Y. Pearson of United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Youngstown, PWInsider.com has confirmed.
In the case of AEW, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, which means Wilson cannot resurrect the case against them in the same court. AEW had argued that Wilson had failed to prove any specific factual allegations against them and had also failed to respond to their arguments. AEW is completely free and clear from the allegations going forward.
In the case of WWE, the court noted the suit was dismissed, "for lack of personal jurisdiction." It was noted that the Court the lawsuit was filed in lacked jurisdiction over WWE and that Wilson failed to prove that anything he was alleging or arguing meant that WWE, a Delaware-based entity doing business in Connecticut, should fall under Ohio's jurisdiction. "The dismissal of WWE is without prejudice to the matter being refiled in an appropriate jurisdiction", so it is possible Wilson may attempt to bring the case back to life against WWE down the line.
Wilson had accused each company of "plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages and financial damages" and has seen to have his lawsuit paused while he is incarcerated and facing sentencing on criminal charges.
The NBC Ohio affiliate reported Wilson has been incarcerated since late March after he was found guilty on charges 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 pleaded 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 He had been released from jail after the incident but his bond was revoked and he is currently behind bars awaiting sentencing.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.
In his lawsuit, 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." 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 his lawsuit filing, Wilson claimed 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 was seeking $250,000,000 in damages, as well as, obviously, all ships and plunder.
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