Hearing On WWE's Motion To Dismiss MLW's Amended Lawsuit Moved Up

The hearing concerning WWE's motion to dismiss the amended lawsuit filed against them by Major League Wrestling has been moved up to June 15, according to PWInsider Elite. The hearing had been penciled in for July 20, but the U.S. District Court California Northern District has now altered the date. Court Bauer's organization had initially filed a complaint against WWE in January 2022. MLW has maintained that the Stamford-based promotion interfered with their business dealings, which cost them potential rights fees and television exposure. 

It has been claimed that WWE sabotaged MLW's deal with FOX-owned streaming service Tubi, which saw the plug be pulled on an agreement between the two parties just hours before it was due to be announced. It's alleged that Stephanie McMahon was personally involved in that decision. Additionally, WWE supposedly derailed MLW's relationship with VICE TV. It's said that WWE's executive chairman Vince McMahon had ordered the network to stop dealing with the promotion after airing an MLW special and various older MLW shows. MLW also says that WWE engaged in unfair practices that affected other promotions. 

The case was dismissed earlier this year, but Bauer revealed that his legal team was already working on amending the complaint, in which they had a 21-day window to submit following the dismissal. MLW submitted its amended lawsuit in March. WWE filed a motion to dismiss the following month. In the amendment, MLW alleges that WWE violated the Sherman Antitrust Act because of their "exclusivity agreements" in the United States pro wrestling media market.