TNA Files Lawsuit Against WWE, Ric Flair Mentioned In Suit

PWInsider.com reports that TNA filed a lawsuit against WWE and former TNA and WWE employee Brian Wittenstein. According to another report on the site, neither WWE nor Brian Wittenstein have officially been served with the lawsuit.

According to the report, that lawsuit is claiming interference with existing contracts, conversion, breach of contract, civil conspiracy, unfair competition and violation of the Tennessee Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Wittenstein is also being sued for breach of duty of loyalty.

The lawsuit claims that Wittenstein gave WWE inside information on TNA contracts while he worked for WWE earlier this year as an assistant under Michael Hayes. Wittenstein had worked for TNA handling third party bookings and other talent-related duties for several years before leaving in 2011.

WWE apparently approached TNA to inform them that Wittenstein was openly discussing when contracts were expiring, which led to his departure from WWE. TNA claims that WWE did not let them know about this until several weeks after Wittenstein was let go.

TNA claims that WWE is now using the knowledge obtained from Wittenstein to their advantage, and is trying to "poach contracted talent" from the company. TNA stated that WWE has used this information in talks with Ric Flair, who wants to go back to WWE and approached TNA about getting out of his contract. They also stated that Flair has been no-showing dates since indicating his desire to be released.

TNA filed for an injunction asking for Wittenstein and WWE to return all confidential material Wittenstein had from his time working in TNA, and for none of the material to be destroyed. A request for an expedited discovery in the case was filed yesterday by TNA, and an affidavit signed by TNA CFO/COO Dean Broadhead was filed as well regarding what he knew about the situation.

A hearing for the case is apparently scheduled for June.

Source: PWInsider