Former pro wrestlers sue WWE over claims of neurological damage

[Swift]

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is being sued by dozens of former professional wrestlers who claim that the company is responsible for neurological problems they suffer.

The lawsuit announced Tuesday names notable wrestlers such as Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, 73, and Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff, 66, as being among its more than 50 plaintiffs, some of whom had performed as early as the 1970s.

It claims that the WWE and Vince McMahon, the company’s chairman and the brand’s public face, listed wrestlers as independent contractors rather than employees so they couldn’t be held liable under worker protection laws.

Came across this while lurking through the news.
Don't want to copy+paste the whole thing, read the rest here - Former pro wrestlers sue WWE over claims of neurological damage

 

[¡Tranquilo!]

Here are a list of all 50 people allegedly sueing:

Over 50 wrestlers listed in concussion lawsuit filed against WWE - Wrestling News

This is crazy.

 

[Prince Bálor]

Fuck Snuka.

 

[Majour]

Fuck Snuka.

His wife is representing him in this, apparently.

 

[Stopspot]

The list of people involved in this suit is massive. From guys like Heidenreich to guys who literally worked under Vince Sr. Oldest guy that's part in this is 85

 

[MrEdzhuks]

Jimmy Snuka just basically fucked up his daughters career

 

[¡Tranquilo!]

Jimmy Snuka just basically fucked up his daughters career

What career?

 

[Mr. Roman Empire]

What a bunch of jobbers

 

[MrEdzhuks]

What career?

:bayley:

 

[SWAGSUKE]

The lawsuit is a joke. WWE's lawyers will have a field day with this. The lawyer leading the charge has had several of these. You tell me that as an independent contractor you will let dudes beat the shit out of you and hit you with a chair, and then come back and try to blame WWE for making you do it? You CHOSE this career bud. You could've gotten a job as a mail clerk, but you became a pro wrestler. Jimmy Snuka jumped off cages and snorted cocaine by the bucket load... you think THAT might have contributed to his dementia? Who knows what that dude's done to himself?

Anyway, getting off track. The entire premise that WWE is responsible for this is a joke. You can't wrestle for 30 years and then blame the company that provided you the opportunity and paid you a hefty paycheck to wrestle for letting you wrestle. Personal responsibility is a good thing.

 

[Snowman1]

Lmao. They'd have better luck making a quick buck chasing actual ambulances

 

[The Gipper]

Sabu and Shane Douglas, two ECW Stars, are in the list lol

 

[Krendall]

The lawsuit is a joke. WWE's lawyers will have a field day with this. The lawyer leading the charge has had several of these. You tell me that as an independent contractor you will let dudes beat the shit out of you and hit you with a chair, and then come back and try to blame WWE for making you do it? You CHOSE this career bud. You could've gotten a job as a mail clerk, but you became a pro wrestler. Jimmy Snuka jumped off cages and snorted cocaine by the bucket load... you think THAT might have contributed to his dementia? Who knows what that dude's done to himself?

You'd think that, but it's already causing hell in the NFL. Of course, the NFL contracts are quite different, but still, it's a case where "what did you expect to happen" should be a valid response. Besides, it seems like the focus of the lawsuit is the "independent contractor" policy. It'll be hard for the WWE to deny that the policy is in place to avoid being responsible for the wrestlers' well-being, since that's exactly why they hire people that way.

 

[Roadster]

Sabu and Shane Douglas, two ECW Stars, are in the list lol

Shane Douglas had 2 stints in the WWE, and Sabu had 1 stint in WWE.

Also, this case will go to nothing but loss for the people involved. Many of them, if not already, will be blackballed from the WWE. And WWE has these guys listed as Independent Contractors, something that these guys, agreed to.

 

[The Gipper]

Shane Douglas had 2 stints in the WWE, and Sabu had 1 stint in WWE.

Also, this case will go to nothing but loss for the people involved. Many of them, if not already, will be blackballed from the WWE. And WWE has these guys listed as Independent Contractors, something that these guys, agreed to.

yea I know that but you would think major stars from the most dangerous company in the 90's would not be blaming WWE for Neurological damage.