World Wrestling Entertainment has filed a motion to dismiss a suit brought against the WWE over attempts to monopolize the wrestling market. The new complaint argues MLW failed to please “a facially sustainable relevant market, monopoly power or anticompetitive conduct, or antitrust injury.” WWE also argued, “MLW’s claim for intentional interference with contractual relations is unsupported by factual allegations, and what allegations MLW pleads are entirely implausible.”
In January, MLW filed a lawsuit against WWE over alleged attempts to monopolize the wrestling market and undermine the competition. WWE was officially served with the lawsuit on January 14.
In a new filing WWE argues that MLW has failed to provide any evidence that WWE has “monopoly power” over the professional wrestling industry. The filing also states the allegation of WWE interfering with MLW’s contract negotiations are not supported by facts.
WWE also asked the court to prevent MLW from being able to adjust and update their lawsuit, citing, “MLW requests leave to amend its Complaint if dismissed. The Court should not grant this request. Even if MLW could tailor its allegations to address the Complaint’s many current deficiencies, MLW can never plausibly plead that WWE has market power over networks, cable, and streaming services, some of the wealthiest and largest corporations on earth, all with the means and ability to produce their own professional wrestling content or buy it from the myriad or other content creators. Accordingly, any amendment to the federal antitrust claim is futile and, as explained, the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the remaining state law claims.”
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