5 wrestlers who have sued WWE

WWE is a huge company, with a turnover of billions, and is considered as the biggest wrestling company in the world. It has pocketed accolades after accolades, and it has also created several new records. The company has signed multi-million dollar contracts with countries across the world to promote wrestling, and also, to increase the profit for the company. It thousands of people working for them, and that includes hundreds of wrestlers in all their brands.

Every company has its conflicts with its employees. While some of them are resolved quietly in an amicable manner, some end very ugly. The lawsuits, trials, tribulations, damages, compensation etc. make it complicated and chaotic. But, the company needs to satisfy its employees along with its customers.

Here are five wrestlers among the few who were/are unhappy enough with the company that they took the step of suing.

#5 The Ultimate Warrior

The Ultimate Warrior aka Jim Hellwig had a very tumultuous relationship with the company. But, his undeniable charm and charisma outweighed his wrestling talent. Hellwig left the company on several occasions, and he thought that changing his name to Warrior will help him change the game.

During his absence from the wrestling scene, he opened a wrestling school. Several lawsuits were thrown back and forth between him, and the wrestling company, and he ended up wrestling in WCW in 1998.

After a disastrous run, he disappeared till WWE decided to release a humiliating documentary on him called 'The Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior' in 2005. It infuriated Hellwig and he sued the company for libel. In 2009, the lawsuit was dismissed, and he disappeared again.

WWE tried to bury the hatchet by inducting him to the Hall of Fame in 2014 which led to him appearing on RAW. He passed away the next day due to an unexpected heart attack.

#4 King Kong Bundy

King Kong Bundy passed away recently, and we would like to pay heartfelt condolences to his family.

This legend main-evented the second instalment of WrestleMania, but WWE is yet to induct him in the Hall of Fame. The only explanation we can come up with is that maybe it is because Bundy sued the company a few years back.

In July 2016, Bundy joined a lawsuit which claimed that wrestlers who work in WWE incur 'long term neurological injuries' and the company doesn't care for them adequately. Also, that the company conceals the nature and extent of these injuries.

The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. The case was dismissed by US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant in September 2018.

#3 Bruno Sammartino

Bruno Sammartino was a legend. He reigned for more than 11 years across two periods, of which the first one was the longest reign in the history of the promotion as it lasted for 2,803 days.

He was famously known as the 'Strongest Man in the World', and he also earned the title of a 'Living Legend'. But, despite all these achievements, he still had a couple of issues with the company that employed him.

Sammartino was the favourite of Vince Kennedy McMahon Sr. for several years. Despite being very successful, he decided to take some time off. But when his business was running low, he made his return to produce some sell-out matches. He later realised that he has not been paid what he owed. The issue was aggravated because the company was in the hands of Vince McMahon Jr. and the issue ended up in the court of law. McMahon Jr. settled the lawsuit by in part adding him to the colour commentary team. This meant that he earned a lot of money and lots of days off.

But, the bitterness remained. Maybe, because of the lawsuit or because his son, David was not pushed enough. Sammartino's virulent assault on the company continued with McMahon Jr. in particular. He bashed the company in front of the press, and he even appeared against McMahon as an expert witness in the Charles Austin case.

They finally buried the hatchet when Sammartino agreed to join the 2013 Hall of Fame class for his wrestling career.

#2 Sable

Sable entered the company as Triple H's valet, but she ended up accompanying real-life husband, Mark Mero. Sable was considered as one of the hottest divas of Monday Night RAW. Her segments were quite sultry and involved a lot of PG content. But, her segments brought in a lot of ratings, and also, got her a chance to feature in the Playboy magazine which meant a lot of money.

However, the diva accused McMahon's company of sexual harassment, and for having unsafe work conditions. In short, she accused the company of asking her to do the things which made her famous. McMahon counter-sued her, and the matter was solved in the court.

Sable returned to the ring in 2003, and now she is married to Brock Lesnar.

#1 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is known for doing what he likes, and apparently, he hated the so-called 'WWE lifestyle'. He wanted to leave WWE in 2004, but his contract was still running. WWE agreed to his exit, but on one condition; that he couldn't do pro-wrestling for six years. Lesnar wanted to leave so bad that he agreed to the clause.

Lesnar joined the NFL where he failed miserably. Lesnar then sued WWE to get rid of his contract. Meanwhile, he had started wrestling for NJPW. WWE counter-sued the Beast. In 2006, both the sides decided to drop all charges against each other.

He joined the Octagon in 2008, returned to WWE in 2012, and now he is the most sought after star in WWE.

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Edited by Tobi Amoo