3 Former Wrestlers Launch Class Action Lawsuit Against WWE

Suit alleges the WWE has been covering up evidence of traumatic brain injuries.

Three former WWE employees have launched a class action suit against the professional wrestling promotion, claiming that the world's largest pro wrestling organization, has been engaging in "egregious mistreatment" of its workers and that "the WWE has known for years ...the brutality in the ring has resulted in dementia, Alzheimer's disease and a lot more." Further claims state that the WWE has withheld medical research and other evidence related to traumatic brain injuries suffered by WWE wrestlers. The suit, filed by Russ McCullough, Ryan Sakoda, and Matt Wiese (Luther Reigns), represents workers past and present, and as with the recently filed class action lawsuit against the UFC, it's possible that other professional wrestlers past and present could join in. For those who aren't familiar with the initial three names attached to the suit, who are represented by Michael McShane and Jonas P. Mann of Audet & Partners LLP, Luther Reigns might stand out the most. He came out of the Power Plant in the late 90s and quickly joined WCW before spending four years in AWA and joining the WWE in 2004. Initially, he found himself part of Team Angle along with Kurt Angle and Mark Jindrak (he had defeated Charlie Haas, with whom Angle had been feuding, in his debut). However, by 2005 Reigns was having creative differences with Paul Heyman and requested his release from the promotion. After a brief stint in the indies, he retired, and has dabbled in acting since. Ryan Sakoda, who sometimes wrestled as Keiji Sakoda among other names, signed a developmental deal with the WWE in 2003, and spent a bit of time jobbing on SmackDown! and Velocity before being released in August 2004. In 2007 he appeared in MTV's Wrestling Society X, and went to the local circuit sometime after. "Big" Russ McCullough, meanwhile, was with OVW and the WWF in the early 2000s, but didn't last long, and hasn't appeared for any notable promotion in some time. The timing of the lawsuit is interesting, given CM Punk's much publicized criticism of the WWE's head doctor and a lawsuit stemming from it. The class action, obtained by TMZ, states "the WWE coerces its wrestlers to work while they are injured by, among other methods, threatening to strip them of their position within the organization if they refuse." One wonders how many past and present workers might decide to join in, knowing they would be forever exiled from the WWE. That is precisely the issue with the class action currently ongoing against the UFC over fighter pay - fight the man, and risk being blacklisted. This case could also drag up ugly memories of the Chris Benoit incident. Benoit, the former WWE champion who murdered his wife and child prior to taking his own life, was found to have severe CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) and damage to all four lobes of the brain and brain stem. Julian Bailes, head of neurosurgery at West Virginia University, stated that Benoit's brain "resembled that of an 85 year old Alzheimer's patient." Although many suspect dementia brought on by repeated concussions suffered in the ring played a large part in the murders, the WWE at the time dismissed the idea as "speculative." Depending on the outcome of this class action, they may regret not treating the matter more seriously.
Contributor
Contributor

Primarily covering the sport of MMA from Ontario, Canada, Jay Anderson has been writing for various publications covering sports, technology, and pop culture since 2001. Jay holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Guelph, and a Certificate in Leadership Skills from Humber College.