WWE Will Vigorously Fight Wrestler’s Mistreatment Lawsuit

Former WWE star Billy Jack Haynes is suing WWE in federal court for “egregious mistreatment of its wrestlers for its own benefit, as well as its concealment and denial of medical research and evidence concerning traumatic brain injuries suffered by WWE wrestlers.” WWE and Vince McMahon filed their 10-Q quarterly report with the SEC and commented on current lawsuits against the company, including the lawsuit from former WWE star Haynes. They wrote:

“On July 26, 2014, the Company received notice of a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, entitled Warren Ganues and Dominic Varriale, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon and George A. Barrios, alleging violations of federal securities laws based on certain statements relating to the negotiation of WWE’s domestic television license. The complaint seeks certain unspecified damages. A nearly identical lawsuit was filed one month later entitled Curtis Swanson, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon and George A. Barrios. Both lawsuits are purported securities class actions subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). On September 23-24, five putative plaintiffs filed motions to be appointed lead plaintiff and to consolidate the two cases pursuant to the PSLRA. The Company joined the motion for consolidation made by the putative lead plaintiffs. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against them. On October 25, 2014, the Company received notice of a purported class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, entitled William Albert Haynes III, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. alleging, among other things, that the Company concealed and denied medical research and evidence concerning traumatic brain injuries suffered by WWE’s performers. The Company believes the claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against them. In addition to the foregoing, we are involved in several other litigations and claims that we consider to be in the ordinary course of our business. By its nature, the outcome of litigation is not known but the Company does not currently expect this litigation to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. We may from time to time become a party to other legal proceedings.”

However, Haynes is also blaming WWE for contracting Hepatitis C, which he claims to have contracted during “blood-soaked matches” with the company. He also claimed that the company encouraged cocaine and steroid use. Haynes who wrestled for McMahon from 1986-88 says the organization never warned wrestlers about the long-term health risks of the concussions they suffered in the ring … such as the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy. In the lawsuit, filed in Oregon federal court, Haynes also claims the WWE for his Hep C diagnosis. He alleges that he contracted the illness during blood-soaked matches with infected wrestlers. Haynes says the WWE is at fault for not doing a better job to protect the wrestlers from exposure. Haynes has brought the lawsuit on behalf of himself and others he’s demanding more than $5 million. Hayes is asking the court to grant class-action status to his lawsuit for what his lawyers say could be 500 people who suffered injuries while performing in the WWE ring. http://ift.tt/1uhlwCk

WWE Will Vigorously Fight Wrestler’s Mistreatment Lawsuit