In January, MLW filed a lawsuit alleging that WWE interfered with potential streaming/television deals with Tubi and Vice TV. In addition, the lawsuit accused WWE of attempting to poach MLW talent while they were still under contract with the company.
Judge Edward J. Davila held a conference on Tuesday to discuss a trial date for the case between MLW and WWE, according to court documents obtained by PWInsider.com. The conference will take place on September 7, 2023, in San Jose, California. All amended pleadings in the lawsuit are also due on February 13, 2023, according to the ruling.
Last week, MLW laid out the materials they were seeking in discovery, which usually happens after the amended pleadings are submitted. An excerpt from the court documents is available here:
“Plaintiff anticipates taking discovery with respect to its claims, including, among other information: (1) the relevant antitrust market; (2) documents related to VICE, Tubi and FITE; (3) WWE’s employment agreements, event venue agreements and distribution agreements; (4) WWE’s poaching of talent from MLW, AEW and other competitors; (5) WWE’s interference with booking arenas; (6) the impact of WWE’s conduct on entry into the market for broadcasting of professional wrestling programming and related consumer harm; (7) documents related to Jerry S. McDevitt’s appearance in the Dark Side of the Ring program; and (8) damages. Defendant anticipates taking discovery with respect to its defenses in the case, including but not limited to, Plaintiff’s attempts to obtain broadcasting rights from the hundreds if not thousands of other potential buyers, Plaintiff’s efforts to start its own streaming service (which it acknowledges that WWE and Impact have started), and Plaintiff’s recent successes in obtaining broadcast agreement(s), such as its agreement with Pro Wrestling TV, which demonstrate the frivolous nature of its antitrust claims. The Parties are not proposing to conduct discovery in phases or to limit discovery to particular issues.”
WWE has attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed numerous times since it was filed.
