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Writer's pictureCarlos Astorga

WWE Officially Files Motion To Dismiss MLW’s Lawsuit


WWE has filed to dismiss Major League Wrestling‘s lawsuit against the company.


On January 14, WWE was officially served with MLW’s lawsuit, which alleged that the promotion has attempted to form a monopoly in the wrestling world and hinder its competitors.


On March 15, WWE officially filed a motion to dismiss the suit by arguing that MLW did not successfully plead “a facially sustainable relevant market, monopoly power or anticompetitive conduct, or antitrust injury.” Additionally, WWE claimed that “MLW’s claim for intentional interference with contractual relations is unsupported by factual allegations, and what allegations

MW pleads are entirely implausible.”


Plus, in the motion for dismissal, WWE argues that MLW’s argument that WWE allegedly interfered in its negotiations for an agreement with a third-party platform was insufficient because “MLW does not allege that WWE knew about MLW’s negotiations to sell a third party first-run programming, nor does MW plausibly allege that WWE’s alleged single communication with the third party influenced its decision not to purchase MLW’s content.”


Finally, WWE moved to dismiss the complaint about the lack of personal jurisdiction because the suit was filed in California, and neither party is a resident of the state.


The summary, courtesy of Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, is as follows:


NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO DISMISS COMPLAINT


PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on September 29. 2022. or as soon thereafter as this matter


may be heard, either in Courtroom 4 of this Court, located at 280 South 1st Street, San Jose.


California 95113, or by videoconference or teleconference (if the Court prefers), Defendant World


Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE”) will and hereby does move the Court for an order granting


Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff MLW Media LLC’s (“MLW”) Complaint with prejudice.

The grounds for dismissal are as follows:


First, WWE moves pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) to dismiss MLW’.


federal antitrust claim because MW failed to plausibly plead (1) a facially sustainable relevant


market, (2) monopoly power or anticompetitive conduct, or (3) antitrust injury. WWE further


moves to dismiss MLW’s remaining state law claims pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure


12(b)(1) because the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over them if the federal antitrust claim

is dismissed.


Second, WWE moves pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(bY6) to dismiss all


state law claims should this Court exercises jurisdiction over them. MLW’s claim for intentional


interference with contractual relations is unsupported by factual allegations, and what allegations


MW pleads are entirely implausible. MLW’s claim for intentional interference with prospective


economic advantage fails because MLW does not allege that WWE knew about MLW’s


negotiations to sell a third party first-run programming, nor does MW plausibly allege that


WWE’s alleged single communication with the third party influenced its decision not to purchase


MLW’s content. Finally, MLW’s unfair competition claim fails because (1) it is not tethered to


some other viable antitrust or tort claim, and (2) MW lacks Article III and statutory standing to

assert such a claim.


Finally, WWE moves pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(5) to dismiss


MLW’s complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction because neither party is a resident of California,


no harm specific to California is alleged, and none of the alleged misconduct took place in

California.


Indy Pro Wrestling will provide more information as it becomes available.

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