Basically, these three men, all former employees of WWE and WCW, are claiming that they were improperly classified as "independent contractors" and not employees. The basis of WWE's counter argument is that pro wrestlers don't have a legal claim and even if they did, those claims are barred by statute of limitations.
I'm sorry but this lawsuit reeks of "bitter ex-employee syndrome." Maybe its just me but let's consider whose bringing this lawsuit. It has been well documented that Mr. Levy (pictured below) had a near two decade drug addiction, taking up to as many as 200 pills A DAY and was released the first time by WWE in the mid 1990's as a result of his drug addiction. As a result of this reckless habit, Mr. Levy began suffering from a serious thyroid condition in 2005 that resulted in a massive weight gain and most likely has no money as a result of his drug spending habit and medical bills.
All photos courtesy of obsessedwithwrestling.com
Mr. Klucsartits (pictured below) claimed that WWE released him from his contract as a result of him being gay but he didn't come out of the closet until months after his WWE release in 2003, the same year Mr. Levy was released a second time from the company, and I don't think he has done anything since, other than hyping and making the big announcement about his sexual preference.
Mr. Sanders (pictured below) didn't even make it to the main roster in WWE during his time in the company as he was a part of a group of WCW wrestlers that included Evan Karagias, Elix Skipper, Jimmy Yang, Kaz Hayashi, Reno and Kwee Wee that were released in December 2001 without appearing on WWE television after WWE bought WCW (trainers Brian Adams and Haku were also released).
Mr. Sanders and the group of wrestlers he was released with spent their entire duration in the company in Heartland Wrestling Assocation (HWA) which was one of two developmental territories for the WWE at the time, the other of which was Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
The last anyone heard of Mr. Sanders in professional wrestling was when he was a part of Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme (S.E.X.) stable in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) wrestling from late 2002-03 and is now a stand-up comedian.
I just find it odd that these three men were so upset and distraught with their releases some five-seven years ago that they are just now bringing this lawsuit to light, especially since Mr. Levy wrestled in TNA from 2003-2006 and was the heavyweight champion at one point.
One would think that if this lawsuit had any merit or if what they claim was that big of a problem for all wrestlers, there would be more names lined-up to do something about it besides these ex-mid carders and curtain jerker.
I honestly don't see these gentlemen being successful with this lawsuit, especially given Mr. Levy's drug history and just seems like a desperate ploy by three men who have no money.
Another thing to consider is that should these men be successful with this lawsuit, this could set a precedent and slippery slope that any former wrestler who wasted their money on drugs, sex and alcohol could now ask for compensation for wasting their money on frivolous things.
I'm surprised these gentlemen haven't tabbed Charles "Konnan" Ashenoff to be a co-plaintiff in this lawsuit since he likes suing anyone who doesn't agree with him and his views.
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