On January 10, 2026, Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC (AWE), the parent company of TNA Wrestling and a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, filed a lawsuit against TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim in the Nashville Chancery Court in Tennessee. The legal action follows a dispute regarding Kim’s employment classification and her intent to pursue claims against the company under Florida state law.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict originated after Gail Kim was released from the company in March 2025. According to court documents, Kim notified Anthem that “she believes she holds legal claims against AWE for violations of the Florida Private Whistleblower Act.” While the specific nature of the alleged violations was not detailed in the filing, Anthem’s preemptive lawsuit seeks to establish that Tennessee law, rather than Florida law, governs their professional relationship.
Kim’s history with the promotion is extensive. She first debuted for the company in May 2005 and, following a tenure with WWE, returned in October 2011, remaining until 2022. In June 2016, she became the first woman inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame. Following her 2025 departure, Kim addressed her exit on social media:
“Just wanted to say thank you to the fans, friends, and especially my peers for all the support you have given me over the last few days. I’ve received such an enormous amount of love and it really has helped process this change for me. More than anything I am grateful for all the years and opportunities I was given to help build something I always dreamed of. The KO division is and will always be my heart and all the women who were a part of it. Thanks to the incredibly hard working and passionate TNA talent & crew that I have had the pleasure of working with. This will not end my passion or my love for wrestling and this is not the end of Gail Kim in the wrestling world. You don’t put in 17 years in one company and stop when you are this passionate. I look forward to sharing my journey and am taking some time for myself and prepare for what’s ahead. Looking forward to the future.”
Contractual and Employment Status
A central component of Anthem’s lawsuit is the classification of Kim as an independent contractor. The company cites a Services Agreement entered into in September 2022, which covered “talent relations, match production, and performer services.” This agreement expired in late 2024 and transitioned to a month-to-month arrangement.
The lawsuit highlights specific language from the Booking Agreement:
“[Kim] will at all times be an independent contractor (and not an employee or agent of [AWE]); therefore, [Kim] will not participate in any benefit plans or programs that [AWE] provides or may provide to its employees, including, but not limited to, pension, profit-sharing, medical, dental, workers’ compensation, occupational injury, life insurance and vacation or sick benefits.”
Anthem contends that Kim worked primarily from her home, was not provided an office, and engaged in outside “independent projects,” such as The Amazing Race – Canada and The Traitors Canada. They further state she was paid via 1099 forms rather than as a W-2 employee.
Corporate Restructuring and Legal Objectives
The termination of Kim’s working relationship was described by Anthem as part of a “strategic decision to restructure.” This restructuring resulted in the non-renewal of contracts for Kim and two other contractors, as well as the termination of five employees. The filing also noted:
“In connection with AWE’s restructuring, the former President of the Sports Group for AWE Sports & Entertainment, Anthony Ciccione, stepped down from his role in May 2025.”
Anthem is requesting that the court declare Kim an independent contractor, which the company argues would negate her ability to bring claims under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They are also seeking “reasonable: attorneys’ fees and court costs.”
As of December 2025, Kim indicated she had declined an offer to return to WWE. Court records do not yet confirm if Kim has been officially served with the lawsuit, and no dates are currently listed on the case docket.
PWInsider.com was first to report about the lawsuit.
