Judge Edward J. Davila of the U.S. District Court, California Northern District (San Jose) has dismissed the MLW vs. WWE anti-trust lawsuit.
Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston tweeted excerpts from the ruling:
“The judge in MLW v. WWE antitrust lawsuit dismissed MLW’s initial complaint today, allowing MLW 21 days to submit an amended complaint. WWE has been seeking to avoid the case going to discovery.”
“The Court finds that MLW has not included sufficient facts to plausibly allege a relevant antitrust product market.”
The judge wants to hear an argument for why other kinds of content aren’t acceptable substitutes for wrestling content, citing ongoing UFC lawsuit, Le v. Zuffa.
The judge notes MLW’s claims that WWE has monopoly power and has caused MLW antitrust injury, are unlikely to survive unless improved in the amended complaint.
UPDATE: Court Bauer issued the following statement to the media:
“Our legal team is already at work on amending the complaint. We have every intention to continue pursuing our case against WWE.”
-Court Bauer, Founder of Major League Wrestling
“The Court finds that MLW has not included sufficient facts to plausibly allege a relevant antitrust product market.”
The judge wants to hear an argument for why other kinds of content aren’t acceptable substitutes for wrestling content, citing ongoing UFC lawsuit, Le v. Zuffa. pic.twitter.com/DUARoHuoWb
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) February 14, 2023
The judge notes MLW’s claims that WWE has monopoly power and has caused MLW antitrust injury, are unlikely to survive unless improved in the amended complaint. pic.twitter.com/c0dZbmS4jb
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) February 14, 2023
