Joey Ryan Files Lawsuit Against Impact Wrestling

Joey Ryan Files Lawsuit Against Impact Wrestling

Former Impact Wrestling talent Joey Ryan has filed a lawsuit against the promotion’s parent company Anthem Wrestling LLC.

In the lawsuit – filed in the Circuit Court of Davidson County on September 15 as per PWInsider – Ryan is alleging that the company breached his contract when it released him following a number of sexual assault allegations having been made against him.

Ryan stated in the lawsuit that his contract was set to run until August 31, 2021, but the contract was breached when he was informed on June 22, 2020 by Scott D’Amore that the company would no longer be booking him.

He received a formal release note the same day stating that his contract had been “amended” to end on June 22, 2020 thereby releasing him that same day. The company then issued a public statement declaring he had been terminated.

The lawsuit alleges that the company breached his contract via the following:

  • Anthem Wrestling “failed to perform as guaranteed in the express language of the Contract by failing to follow and abide by the terms prescribed in Article VIII.  Term and Termination.”
  • Anthem Wrestling “failed to perform as guaranteed by failing to adhere to the express terms prescribed in Section 8.03 (a)-(i)

A copy of Ryan’s contract was included in the filing. Included within it is: “Promoter shall have the right, in its sole discretion to terminate this Agreement, or suspend this Agreement for up to 3 months, both as to services and compensation.”

In the same section of the contract – titled “Termination by Promoter in the Event of Breach” – the following were listed as potential reasons for the company to take action against a talent:

  • Wrestler commits any act with Promoter believes, in its reasonable business judgment, would damage Wrestler’s or Promoter’s reputation and/or that of its affiliate, licensees, or assigns or otherwise damages the value or integrity of the Programs, the Works or the Merchandise of which could subject Wrestler to criminal prosecution;
  • Wrestler commits any act (other than in character in accordance with direction provided to Wrestler by Promoter’s Creative team) which places or could place Wrestler or Promoter (or any of its affiliates) in a patently negative light; or
  • Any instance of a violation for which Wrestler has already received a warning, reprimand or notification therof, provided, however, that in the case of a breach under paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (g),or (h), Promoter shall provide Wrestler with written notice of breach and a 5 day cure period.  If the Wrestler is unable to cure such breach after the expiration of the foregoing cure period despite the exercise of diligent efforts to cure same, then the Parties shall make good faith efforts for a period of not less than thirty (30) days to work together in good faith to resolve the matter, failing which Promoter shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement upon the expiry of such additional thirty (30) day period.  In the event of the suspension and/or termination of the Term of this Agreement (or promoter’s obligations hereunder) Promoter shall have no further obligation to Wrestler hereunder (during such suspension and/or following such termination, as applicable) subject only to Promoter’s obligation to pay royalties and to compensate Wrestler for services fully performers prior to the date of termination.  Promoter shall not be deemed to be in breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement unless and until Promoter shall have received written notice from Wrestler (specifying in detail the alleged breach and making specific reference to this paragraph and shall have failed to cure such alleged breach within thirty (30) days thereof.

That third bullet point is noteworthy as follows – Ryan’s lawsuit is thus seemingly claiming that if Impact believed he had breached his contract, the company should have provided him with a written notice and five-day period to cure the breach. If the breach couldn’t be cured in that five-day period, both parties would then have 30 days to resolve the issue, and after that 30 days the company would then have the right to terminate him.

Ryan is claiming this has led to “substantial monetary damage to his income, as well as damage to his reputation”. He is seeking a judgement of $10 million against Anthem Wrestling LLC due to “damages he has suffered, which were caused by the defendant’s actions”.

He’s also requesting to be “awarded reasonable attorney fees for the prosecution of this cause” and that all costs be covered by the defendant, as well as any “further and general relief” the court may rule he is entitled to.

Anthem Wrestling was served with the lawsuit on September 24 in Nashvile, Tennessee and have 30 days as of that date to file their response.

Ryan has filed five defamation lawsuits recently against women who accused him of sexual assault in which he denies the claims and seeks monetary damages.

3 years ago by Liam Winnard

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