Over the years, several professional wrestling contracts have become public information either through SEC filings or lawsuits. Titan Sports/WWF/WWE Chronological1985: Matt Osborne 1987: Jim Hellwig (Ultimate Warrior) 1992: Jim Hellwig (Ultimate Warrior) 1992: Matt Osborne (Doink the Clown) 1993: Scott Levy (Johnny Polo) 1993: Nelson Frazier (Mabel) 1996: Jim Ross 1996: Owen Hart 1996: Ultimate Warrior 1999: Nelson Frazier (Viscera) 2000: Vince McMahon 2000: Shane McMahon 2000: Linda McMahon 2000: Scott Levy (Raven) 2000: Russ McCullough 2001: Mike Sanders 2001: Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2002: Chris Kanyon 2003: Brock Lesnar 2003: Rene Dupree 2004: Matt Weise (Luther Reigns) 2004: Ryan Sakoda (Sakoda) 2004: Nelson Frazier (Big Daddy V) 2004: Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2005: Vito LoGrasso (Big Vito) 2006: Andrew Martin (Test) 2006: Chris Benoit 2007: Nelson Frazier (Big Daddy V) 2010: Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2011: Vince McMahon 2011: Evan Singleton 2012: Paul Levesque (Triple H) 2013: Stephanie McMahon Public FilingsVince McMahonAs an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:
Paul Levesque (Triple H)As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:
Stephanie McMahonAs an officer of WWE, her contract has been published in SEC filings:
Shane McMahonAs an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:
Jim RossAs an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:
Linda McMahonAs an officer of WWE, her contract has been published in SEC filings:
LawsuitsBrock LesnarBrock sued WWE in 2005 about his "non-compete" clause which was preventing him from competing worldwide. A lot of documents, including his contract, were released.
Chris KanyonIn October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Kanyon was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.
Mike SandersIn October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Sanders was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.
Scott Levy (Raven)In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Levy was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.
Konnan/TNAKonnan sued TNA in 2008 over "bodily injury claims", "racial discrimination claims" and trademark claims. His 2004 & 2005 TNA contracts were included as part of this lawsuit.
Matt Hardy/TNAMatt Hardy & Anthem Wrestling (TNA) had a dispute in 2017 over ownership of the "Broken Matt Hardy" gimmick.Ultimate WarriorJim Hellwig and Vince McMahon & WWF sued and counter-sued each other numerous times, especially over the "Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior" DVD. Included in the lawsuits were Ultimate Warrior's Booking Contracts for 1987, 1992 and 1996. For more information, I recommend checking out David Bixenspan's article in Issue 104 of Fighting Spirit Magazine.
Owen HartMartha Hart sued the WWE over "wrongful use of Owen's name and likeness" and sought (among other things) alleged unpaid royalties in June 2010.Owen's 1996 Booking contract was included in the filing. Evan SingletonDevelopmental wrestler Evan Singleton sued World Wrestling Entertainment - related to CTE claims."Under the guise of providing entertainment, the WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused created latent conditions and long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage"
Big VitoBig Vito sued World Wrestling Entertainment - related to CTE claims."Under the guise of providing entertainment, the WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused created latent conditions and long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage"
Nelson Frazier (Mabel / Viscera / Big Daddy V)Frazier's widow, Cassandra Frazier, sued the WWE in 2015 in TN. (See filings.) The case was later combined with the other concussion lawsuits in CT. WWE included Frazier's four contracts when they were arguing venue and noted his annual earnings while employed with WWF/WWE.
Nelson Frazier, Jr., a famous international professional wrestler better known by his ring
names "Mabel," "King Mabel," "Viscera," and "Big Daddy V." action, predicated on the WWE's wrongful conduct giving rise to the long-term consequences of multiple concussions and other serious, permanent, and disabling injuries suffered during Nelson Frazier, Jr.'s approximately fifteen-year WWE career. Plaintiff, as the sole surviving spouse and next of kin of Nelson Frazier, Jr., is the successor in interest to Nelson Frazier, jr. and is the personal representative of the Estate of Nelson Frazier, Jr. Mr. Frazier died February 18, 2014 at the age of 43 as a result of injuries he sustained as a result of wrestling for the WWE. Plaintiff seeks compensation and such further relief as justice may require for accumulation of long-term chronic injuries, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), financial losses, pain and suffering, expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and intangible human losses suffered by the Plaintiff as a result of WWE's willful, wanton, reckless, and grossly negligent and other conduct and omissions, which resulted in Mr. Frazier suffering repetitive serious head injuries, brain trauma, concussions, other serious injuries, and eventually the heart attack which took his life.
Sonny OnooAs part of a racial discrimination case against WCW filed by Sonny Onoo (and others), these contracts were included in the lawsuit:
Hulk HoganFiled as a random exhibit in the Easterling racial discrimination case (Easterling v . World Championship Wrestling, Inc . and Turner
Sports, Inc . and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc . , Civ .
File No . 1 :00-CV-1715-CC), Hulk Hogan's full 1998 contract was included.
Ranger RossRanger Ross (Robert Ross, Jr.) sued WCW in 1993 for racial discrimination. Filings from this case, included Ranger Ross' 1991 contract and 1989-1991 pay statements were included in later racial discrimination cases filed by WCW wrestlers such as Bobby Walker.
Matt Osbourne (Doink the Clown)Matt Borne had two contracts with WWF: one in 1985 and one in 1992.
Russ McCulloughFiled in California, "Big" Russ McCullough's WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.
Luther ReignsFiled in California, Luther Reigns (Matthew Wiese)'s WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.
Ryan SakodaFiled in California, Sakoda's 2004 WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.
Bobby WalkerRene DupreeRene Dupree sued WWE for WWE Network Royalties in April 2016. His 2003 contract was included in the initial filing.
Chavo Guerrero Jr.Chavo Guerrero's contracts from 2001, 2004 and 2010 were submitted as part of a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon with 50+ plaintiffs.
Buff Bagwell filed suit against WWE in August 2016 for royalties payment from the WWE Network.
See also Buff Bagwell payroll records from the WCW Racial Discrimination lawsuit.
Chris BenoitUncovered by David Bixenspan during communication with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), here is a redacted version ofMarcial DavisWCW Trainee who later sued World Championship Wrestling for racial discrimination. Signed a contract in April 1999 and was released in September 1999. Contractor Nostalgia AgreementsRoad Warrior AnimalIn January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis).
SabuIn January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Sabu (Terry Brunk).
KamalaIn January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Kamala (James Harris).
One Man GangIn January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Akeem / One Man Gang (George Gray).
Jimmy SnukaIn January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (James W. Snuka).
Paul OrndorffIn January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Paul Orndorff.
Bryan ClarkBryan Clark's 2015 Contractor Nostalgia Agreement was included as part of a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon with 50+ plaintiffs. Mostly Redacted DocumentsAxl RottenMantaurBoris ZhukovKamalaMark JindrakRoad Warrior AnimalJimmy Snuka
Shane DouglasBlack BartWarlordJazzBerzerkerAhmed JohnsonBill EadieRandy ColleyRodney MackMark CanterburyBryan ClarkMohammad HassanMike EnosMarty JannettyGov't FilingsCM PunkFollowing his departure from WWE, the WWE reassigned rights of CM Punk from WWE to Phillip Jack Brooks on 10/24/14 Andrew Martin (Test)Andrew Martin's USCIS alien file contained a copy of his 2006 WWE contract.
Entertainment Services TrademarkSeveral portions of WWE wrestler's contracts were submitted as part of the WWE trademark application for their names.
Randy Orton
Chuck Palumbo
Ashley
Layla
Gregory Helms
Elijah Burke
Gene Snitsky
Jillian Hall
Shad Gaspard
Mark Henry
Ted DiBiase Jr
Paul Birchall
Melina
CM Punk
DH Smith
Mickie James
David Otunga
OTHERThanks to Daniel Schwartz's CT Employment Law Blog, David Bix and many others. This is always a work in progress. |
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