AEW and WWE have both received extensions on their deadline to respond to the plagiarism lawsuit filed against them. As reported, Duane Wilson refiled his lawsuit last month against both companies accusing them of “plagiarism, market damages, product damages, personal damages and financial damages.” PWInsider reports that both companies have been served with the lawsuit and have filed extensions to their deadline to respond. Those requests were granted and AEW now has until February 23rd to respond, while WWE has until March 7th.
As noted previously, the refiled lawsuit is essentially identical to the original lawsuit. Wilson alleges 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.”
He also alleged that in regards to AEW, he was going to start his own promotion and had spoken with “members of the Bullet Club to join me in the venture of starting my company.” Instead, he said that “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.” He did not list any specifics for either claim.
Wilson is seeking $250,000 in damages and claims that in the suit:
“[The matter has caused me] 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.”
