More on MLW’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against WWE

As noted before, Major League Wrestling recently filed an antitrust lawsuit against WWE. Some of the allegations made by MLW included claims that WWE illegally interfered in several of their business talks and deals with television networks causing those deals to fall apart. MLW is also claiming that WWE engaged in contract tampering with several of their contracted talent.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that MLW’s lawsuit was assigned to Magistrate Judge Kandis A. Westmore on January 12th. Johnson reported that WWE was also issued an official summons that same day and once they are served, they will have twenty-one days to officially respond.

Johnson also reported that a case management meeting for this lawsuit was recently scheduled to take place on April 12th in Oakland, California.

In regards to MLW’s allegations over WWE’s actions towards VICE TV, Johnson reported that MLW’s lawsuit stated that television cable network A&E currently owns 40% of VICE TV. The implication reportedly is that WWE was able to use A&E, who they have a deal with for WWE content, to help pressure VICE TV to drop their deal with MLW.

In regards to the legal jurisdiction for the case, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the reason why MLW decided to file their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Northern California was due to FOX’s Tubi streaming service headquarters is located in San Fransisco.

Meltzer reported that the legal team representing MLW, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, includes Marc Kasowitz, who is a former lawyer of President Donald Trump and has been named as one of the best trial lawyers in the country and the “toughest attorney on Wall Street” by CNBC.