So, what’s going on with this antitrust legal battle between WWE and MLW? It centers on Major League Wrestling pressing WWE for allegedly freezing them out of the Tubi deal and interfering with their VICE and FITE deals. Tubi is owned by FOX which airs WWE SmackDown while MLW Fightland had a special on VICE before disappearing from programming on the network.
The Only Forever Feud in Wrestling is the Legal Battle Between WWE and MLW
MLW’s claim was dismissed in February 2023 but the New York-based promotion has amended the lawsuit and pushed it through again. Now, both companies moved to get an extension so that theycould prepare a motion for court. If the Connecticut-based promotion has its way with a dismissal there will be no kicking out or shoulders off the mat for MLW in this legal battle.
On March 14, 2023—a day after both companies filed for extensions—a judge agreed to the extensions. WWE has until April 7, 2023 to get their story together for a reasonable dismissal while MLW has until April 8 to combat the dismissal request. Then WWE has a month—May 29—to simmer before opposing MLW’s opposition to the dismissal.
In speaking with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE’s legal bulldozer Jerry McDevitt said of the lawsuit:
“It is the same old stuff repackaged to look different. We will be moving to throw it out for good this time.” (h/t: Wrestling Inc)
The “same old stuff” refers to the claims of WWE pulling the football from MLW’s path each time—allegedly. However, Meltzer also noted that the newly amended lawsuit features some extra razzle-dazzle in form of allegations that WWE have taken action against AEW and is sniping their talent.
In short, if WWE wins this time, the lawsuit goes in the dirt but if MLW wins, it goes to court. Which way do you see this going? Let us know in the comments.
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