TNA files a lawsuit against WWE, Ric Flair caught in the middle, WWE legal responds

TNA filed a lawsuit in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday against WWE and former office worker for both companies, Brian Wittenstein, according to the Nashville City Paper website. TNA alleges that Wittenstein shared contractual information that he had gathered during his time with TNA (from 2008 to 2011) with WWE, where he worked briefly in 2012.

"This wrongful disclosure and misappropriation allows WWE to effectively price TNA out of the market and cause irreparable harm to TNA’s business and profitability,” the lawsuit reads. "WWE now knows the confidential details of TNA’s business affairs including its marketing and business strategy and analysis, which leaves TNA vulnerable to WWE’s unfair position in the market. An injunction issued on Tuesday demands that WWE and Wittenstein return any confidential information he gathered during his three-year TNA employment.

WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt responded to the lawsuit. "Our reaction is that no good deed ever goes unpunished," McDevitt told the Nashville City Paper. "What the WWE did here is what you would hope any company would do in these circumstances it found itself in." To read The full story, visit Nashvillecitypaper.com.

Powell's POV: The story states that WWE waited three weeks to share the information with TNA regarding Wittenstein's actions and subsequent dismissal. It also states that Ric Flair attempted to terminate his TNA contract and failed to show for dates in May, and company officials now feels the timing is "suspect." A judge granted a temporary restraining order to block WWE and Wittenstein from destroying confidential information until the June 11 injunction hearing.
Wittenstein worked briefly as Michael Hayes's assistant. He was not a popular figure within the WWE creative department nor in several TNA circles. As for Flair, this could derail any plans he or other TNA wrestlers may have had about signing with WWE, as company officials may be leery about making deals with TNA talent until the legal matter is resolved.