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Nashville Chancery Court records in Tennessee indicate that TNA parent company Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC (a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment) and TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim will be entering mediation on 6/24 to attempt to resolve the issues between the two sides. Kim has been given an extension on responding until after the mediation, in case the two sides can resolve the issue.
Anthem filed the lawsuit against Kim back in January. The suit stemmed from Kim informing the company that after she was let go in March 2025, "she believes she holds legal claims against AWE for violations of the Florida Private Whistleblower Act." What those alleged violations may be were not listed in the lawsuit. Anthem brought the lawsuit forward as they alleged that, based on the nature of Kim's contract with the company, any issues between the two should be governed by Tennessee law.
The lawsuit stated that the company and Kim entered into a Services Agreement contract in September 2022 that included "talent relations, match production, and performer services." Kim also agreed to identify and support new revenue, business, and growth opportunities for AWE. The agreement expired at the end of 2024, at which point the two sides agreed to continue on a month-to-month basis. The lawsuit claims their Booking Agreement for Kim was non-exclusive and that she had the right to provide wrestling and other entertainment services "to other customers," based on certain limitations, including an agreement not to provide wrestling services to any competitors.
The lawsuit claimed the Booking Agreement stated that Kim "will at all times be an independent contractor (and not an employee or agent of [AWE]); therefore, [Kim] will not participate in any benefit plans or programs that [AWE] provides or may provide to its employees, including, but not limited to, pension, profit-sharing, medical, dental, workers’ compensation, occupational injury, life insurance, and vacation or sick benefits."
In the lawsuit, Anthem stated Kim worked primarily in talent relations and production, but did wrestle on one occasion. She worked from her home, was not provided an office space, and did not work for the company full-time, as she continued to engage in other "independent projects," including two reality series - The Amazing Race Canada and The Traitors Canada. They also stated she received a 1099 for all payments.
The lawsuit stated Kim's working relationship with the company ended after a "strategic decision to restructure," which led to Kim and two other independent contractors not having their contracts renewed, as well as the termination of five employees. It also noted, "In connection with AWE’s restructuring, the former President of the Sports Group for AWE Sports & Entertainment, Anthony Ciccione, stepped down from his role in May 2025."
They are also stating that since Kim was an independent contractor, she did not have any "legally cognizable claims" against them under Florida law.
Anthem previously asked the court to officially declare that all disputes between the company and Kim will be governed by Tennessee law and that she may not assert claims against them for alleged violations of Florida state statutes. They are also asking the court to declare that Kim was indeed an independent contractor, which would negate any of her claims that she "has threatened to bring under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."
Anthem stated in the filing that their company "has a real legally protectable interest at stake, namely its rights under the Services Agreement and the Booking Agreement, which it negotiated and for which it paid Kim."
Anthem is also seeking an award of "reasonable" attorneys' fees and court costs.
Kim is routinely and rightfully celebrated as the first star of the company's Knockouts division, with her feud against Awesome Kong truly putting it on the map. She debuted for the company in May 2005, exiting in late 2008. After several years with WWE, Kim returned to TNA in October 2011; she remained with the company through 2022. Kim was inducted into the company's Hall of Fame in June 2016, the first woman to receive that honor.
After her departure from the company, Kim commented on her Twitter account: "Just wanted to say thank you to the fans, friends, and especially my peers for all the support you have given me over the last few days. I’ve received such an enormous amount of love, and it really has helped me process this change. More than anything, I am grateful for all the years and opportunities I was given to help build something I always dreamed of. The KO division is and will always be my heart, and all the women who were a part of it. Thanks to the incredibly hardworking and passionate TNA talent and crew that I have had the pleasure of working with. This will not end my passion or my love for wrestling, and this is not the end of Gail Kim in the wrestling world. You don’t put in 17 years in one company and stop when you are this passionate. I look forward to sharing my journey. I am taking some time for myself to prepare for what’s ahead. Looking forward to the future."
Kim has noted on social media that she has since turned down a WWE offer, writing in December 2025 during a fan Q&A: "I had to decline the offer unfortunately…. Sucks, but had to."
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