Rene Dupree's Lawyers Pull Former Star's Suit Against WWE
Class-action lawsuit falls apart quickly.
Last week, former WWE superstar Rene Dupree filed a class-action lawsuit against WWE alleging that he and other former employees haven't been properly compensated for use of their likenesses and matches on the WWE Network.
Today, The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Dupree's lawyers have sent a note to the U.S. District Court in Connecticut to voluntarily dismiss the suit.
Dupree's claims, which could have potentially had a huge impact on WWE's business, centered on a booking contract he signed with the company in 2003. According to the contract, Dupree was guaranteed 25% net receipts for licensed products such as videotapes, DVDs, and "other technology, including technology not yet created." Dupree claimed that the wording encompassed the WWE Network, and was seeking restitution for himself and every other man and woman who had signed a booking contract with WWE - or a promotion whose video library WWE owns - dating back to 1980.
WWE lawyer Jerry McDevitt was optimistic about any legal proceedings, telling The Hollywood Reporter that another contract Dupree signed in 2011 prevented him from legally being able to file such claims. Dupree's lawyers were not aware of the second contract prior to the filing, and The Observer mentions that it was likely said contract that led them to drop their suit.