The Martha Hart vs. WWE Lawsuit
Partial Source: Pwinsider
Portions of Martha Hart’s lawsuit against WWE and the McMahons over the use of Owen Hart’s likeness were dismissed in court within the last couple of weeks. On November 16th, the judge in the case threw out parts of the lawsuit against WWE, though exactly what was dismissed and what remains is not confirmed. The portions of the lawsuit that were remaining before the partial dismissal were the following claims:
* That Owen’s name would have reverted back to strictly his usage after his passing
* That his legal name would not be considered his character’s name (i.e. that WWE did not have the rights to use, market and promote him as Owen Hart)
* That WWE released several DVDs other products such as the WWEEncyclopedia without giving Hart’s estate proper payments per his booking contract
* That WWE used “original intellectual property” (e.g. family photos) without the permission of Owen’s estate
* That the Owen Hart Foundation has been hurt by the unwanted association with WWE due to WWE’s usage of Owen Hart’s name and likeness
In addition, a motion to dismiss Martha’s copyright infringement suit against against Vince McMahon personally was partially approved as it was ruled that Martha had “failed to present sufficient evidence of McMahon’s vicarious liability for copyright infringement.” It was noted that in order to establish liability, Hart had to prove that McMahon had “the right and ability to supervise and an obvious and direct financial interest in the exploitation of copyrighted materials” and that she failed to do that since the only proof presented was that Vince is WWE’s President and majority shareholder.
Linda McMahon was not mentioned in any of the rulings, meaning that the lawsuit against her may still be proceeding. The McMahons did not get their requested sanctions against Hart’s lawyer to pay for legal fees approved, nor their request to have certain remarks made in Hart’s latest amended lawsuit stricken.
TNA Plans
two TNA PPVs will be cut from TNA’s 2013 lineup. The Against All Odds (February) and No Surrender (September) will be cut, meaning that there will be two months between Genesis and Lockdown and then two months between Hardcore Justice and Bound For Glory.
This would change the 2013 Bound for Glory series, as the semi-finals and finals were held at No Surrender and the matches would likely take place on Impact instead. This would allow them to have a big episode ofiMPACT! to set up their main PPV in BFG.
With Lockdown being announced for March, TNA is reportedly planning for the show already. Currently the plan is to have Jeff Hardy face Austin Aries for the TNA World Title unless there is a big change in direction or someone else who becomes super-hot between now and then. Hardy is being featured in the advertising for Lockdown, which seems to suggest that TNA is confident that Hardy will re-sign with the company. TNA is said to be very high on Austin Aries.
The other big match is Lethal Lockdown, which is reportedly planned as aTNA vs. Aces and 8s match. Wes Brisco is said to be planned as an Aces and 8s member and the storyline would be that Brisco “earned” his contract because of D-Lo Brown, who would be revealed as a member of the stable. This would be the reveal for the storyline where management is trying to figure out who the “mole” is. The idea is that the match would feature Hulk Hogan, Sting, Kurt Angle, Bully Ray and Joseph Park/Abyss vs. Devon, D.O.C., Wes Brisco, Garett Bischoff, and a fifth member (potentially D-Lo unless he plays a Team Captain role).
Ex-WWE Talent Goes Absolutely Nuts On Bill DeMott
Former WWE developmental wrestler Kevin Matthews posted a multitude of vitriolic messages on Twitter (account located at twitter.com/2CockyKM) Friday and Saturday blasting his former Deep South Wrestling superior, Bill DeMott. Over the years, Matthews has shown great disdain for DeMott through online mediums, with the New York native alleging mistreatment on the part of the two-time WCW United States Champion towards him and other talent during his time in WWE’s developmental system in 2006. The 29-year-old claims that DeMott continues to be abusive towards WWE’s aspiring stars after being rehired as a developmental trainer in May.
Here is Matthews latest exposé of DeMott, “Some1 said r there perks 2 training w DeMott? I overheard him& got excited til I realized he didnt mean pills. I got him fired. #DeMottcracy.
“1 day I saw Ice Train in the shower @ WCW the same time creative asked what I want my gimmick 2b. I said THATS A HUGE ERECTION. #DeMottcracy.
“Remember my run as WCW US Champion? The company went out of business shortly after my first title run. #DeMottcracy.
“One of my favorite sayings to the students is “do as I say not as I do” what it means is I’m the drizzling fn shit. TrueStory #DeMottcracy.
“My word is gold. WHEN @billdemott gets fired from WWE which should be soon he has a personal invite from me to do me vs him live at PWS.
“I love the WWE, I enjoy watching there show I enjoyed my matches w them and even like Johnny Ace. My hatred for DeMott has zero to do w WWE.
“Some ppl claim Im a great trainer,those ppl still have jobs w WWE. Its called politics.If they speak up,I make sure there fired #DeMottcracy.
“Buy my book its a great fairytale to read to your children before bed time. #DeMottcracy.
“I made Angel Williams do 40 up and overs till she snapped her Patella tendon in half and was out for 9months. TrueStory #DeMottcracy.
“WWE hired Khali solely 2 feud with Taker.they needed him 2learn how to work. I made him run miles. They were pissed. TrueStory #DeMottcracy.
“This just keeps getting better! NXT talent just texted me that Bill DeMott is asking talent NOT to report injuries 2the office. #DeMottcracy.
“Did the Tough Enough cameras stop rolling? I can’t tell the difference. Torn ACL? Walk it off and get back in there. #DeMottcracy.
“Scott Dawson is nursing an injury he got training with me, under my watch doing my drill. Its completely his fault. #DeMottcracy.
“Anyone want to take a guess how long till I’m back in McDonough GA working for FedEx again? I say March. #DeMottcracy.
“I print out negative reports off the internet that blame me &hang them up in the lockerroom 4the boys 2c & then I yell at them. #DeMottcracy
“After Kevin Matthews tore his bicep & had sugery I asked him if he had a lot of pain killers. I needed my candy. TrueStory #DeMottcracy.
“How many more pills do I have to take till I drop dead already? #DeMottcracy.
“Ur right u obese cocksucker @billdemott in the end I will win. Because in the end u will b unemployeed, w no friends & no power JUST LIKE B4.
“Ur a washed up bitter pill popping drug addict bi polar cunt. Must feel good knowing the business will celebrate the day u die. @billdemott.
“Hey @billdemott remember when u tried to shoot on me twice & laid on me. Remember how easily I threw you off like hot garbage? Id love 2 cu.
“I have several NXT/FCW students who are leaking shit to me left n right. I will expose every wrong step this fat cunt @billdemott makes.”
DeMott responded to Matthews on Saturday, writing, “Hey @2CockyKM didn’t realize you are on Social Media. Glad to see things are going well for you, would like to catch up some time. Judging by your tweets you know where I am. Stop by sometime let’s catch up, Happy Holidays.#DEMOTTCRACY.”
Matthews responded, “u want me to drop by and catch up @billdemott ? Just moved back to jersey. Were running 4/5 and 4/6 you’ll be in town. Let’s link up scumbag.
“U didnt no I was on twitter yet u have me blocked? @billdemott afraid Im the only 1 w balls big enough 2 say the truth bout u miserable cunt.
“@billdemott u want us 2 meet up. By all means come by our show mania wkend. Ill get u a comp ticket.Ill also bitch slap u through the floor
“Still the same old @billdemott glued to the internet like the fat scumbag mark he is.ur a shit trainer & a worse human being. #betteroffdead.
“Must be nice to no that YOUR students, guys I dont even know from a hole in the wall r hitting me up burying u. @billdemott goodjob asshole.”
More Later!
