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quote:World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. was sued on behalf of Jimmy �Superfly� Snuka and dozens of other retired wrestlers who claim the company hid
the long-term effects of neurological injuries from years of being pounded in and out of the ring.
The suit makes the Stamford, Connecticut-based company the latest professional sports organization to face litigation over head injuries, following
the National Football League and the National Hockey League.
The WWE is accused in the lawsuit of failing to care for wrestlers� repetitive head injuries "in any medically competent or meaningful manner" and
misrepresenting and concealing the nature of long-term neurological injuries they suffered as a result of their careers.
WWE "placed corporate gain over its wrestlers� health, safety and financial security, choosing to leave the plaintiffs severely injured and with no
recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies," the athletes said in the lawsuit.
Matthew Altman, a spokesman for WWE, didn�t immediately return a phone message seeking comment on the suit, which was filed in federal court in New
Haven, Connecticut, on Monday.
A few things that I take from this regarding Snuka:
1) Snuka would most likely be in jail for murder right now if it weren't for Vince, and this is how he repays the man? What a total piece of
shit.
2) He doesn't seem to care much for how this could affect the career of his daughter Tamina who, while currently out with injury, is still
employed by the WWE.
And of most importance to me:
3) For a man who was supposedly not mentally fit enough to stand trial this year for murder, he seems to have no problem with filing a lawsuit against
his former employer.
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
batsnumbereleven
And I am AWESOME
Posts 112
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Mood: Auburn
posted on 7-18-2016 at 11:01 PM
A thing I take from this:
It's taken this long for people to realise that repeatedly banging your head against a solid object isn't good for you?
anglefan85
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1034
Registered 12-6-2005 Location Long Island, New York Member Is Offline
Mood: Relaxed
posted on 7-18-2016 at 11:08 PM
I know, you'd think it'd be obvious by now?
The WWE: Where no one wins, unless you like Cena, in which case you are a sad little fanboy who will never get laid, but we are happy to take your
money away-Moosehead Jack
"She is an estrogen molotov cocktail. It'd be in your best interest not to piss her off."- My thoughts on Firewoman
"Kurt Angle is like a living vortex of the surreal. On the off chance he's not doing, saying or thinking crazy things, people connected to him
act crazy by association, caught in the gravitational pull of his insanity."- Ringout from FAN Forums
salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be
Posts 11410
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline
Mood: Authoritized
posted on 7-18-2016 at 11:36 PM
Can he sue a posthumous Roddy Piper for smashing that coconut on his head?
Sam Is Neat
Fella
Posts 311
Registered 2-21-2013 Member Is Offline
Mood: Moody
posted on 7-19-2016 at 12:08 AM
Have you guys seen the list of names attached to this? It is staggering. And Snuka is taking shit, but I doubt he is even aware of this lawsuit,
really. The suit even outlines that Carole Snuka is suing on his behalf.
*Joe Laurinaitis (Road Warrior Animal)
* Jimmy Snuka (through his guardian, Carole Snuka)
* Paul Orndorff
* Chavo Guerrero Sr.
* Chavo Guerrero Jr.
* Bryan Clark
* Ahmed Johnson
* James Harris (Kamala)
* Dave Hebner
* Earl Hebner
* Chris Pallies (King Kong Bundy)
* Ken Patera
* Terry Michael Brunk (Sabu)
* Bill Eadie (Ax)
* Barry Darsow (Smash)
* John Nord (The Berzerker)
* Terry Szopinski (The Warlord)
* Stone Havea Vailahi (The Barbarian)
* Jonathan Hugger (Johnny The Bull)
* Jim Brunzell
* Shane Douglas
* Marc Copani (Muhammad Hassan)
* Mark Canterbury (Henry Godwin, Mideon) (Sam's note: Mideon, he was NOT, but close enough)
* Mark Jindrak
* Marty Jannetty
* John Heidenreich
* Michael Halac (Mantaur)
* George Grey (One Man Gang)
* Susan Green
* Angelo Mosca
* Jim Powers
* Mike Enos
* Butch Reed
* Carlene Moore-Begnaud (Jazz)
* Rodney Begnad (Rodney Mack)
* Sylvain Grenier
* Omar Mijares (Omar Atlas)
* Don Leo Heaton
* Victoria Otis (Princess Victoria)
* Judy Hardee (Judy Martin)
* Bernard Knighton (Axl Rotten, through his estate)
* Bobbi Billiard
* Larry �The Crippler� Oliver
* Timothy Smith (Rex King)
* Tracy Smothers
* Rick Jones (Black Bart)
* Ken Johnson (Slick)
* Ferrin Jess Barr (JJ Funk)
* Lou Marconi
* Rod Price
* Donald Driggers
* Ronald Scott Heard (Outlaw Ron Bass)
* Boris Zhukov
[Edited on 7-18-2016 by Sam Is Neat]
merc
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1046
Registered 2-23-2006 Location New England Member Is Offline
Mood: Really FN bad
posted on 7-19-2016 at 12:27 AM
quote:Originally posted by batsnumbereleven
A thing I take from this:
It's taken this long for people to realise that repeatedly banging your head against a solid object isn't good for you?
Hasn't been awarded in a while , you win the Internet, Congrats!
merc has attached this image:
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." D.
Adams
CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
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posted on 7-19-2016 at 12:39 AM
This is certainly an interesting development. At the very least it can double as a list of 50+ Wrestlers who won't be receiving Hall Of Fame
inductions. A lot the names listed probably have some legitimate claims, but what's got me posting here are some of the names like Sabu, Shane
Douglas and Axl Rotten (posthumously of course.) It strikes me as more than a bit odd that there are so many names on this list who have only had a
cup of coffee with WWF/WWE and spent the majority of their careers in ECW and other renegade promotions that used blunt force trauma to the head as a
major selling point. I kind of feel like the vetting process for co-plaintiffs could have been a little more strict as some of these names cheapen the
validity of the others more justifiable claims.
Twitter and Instagram: WatkinsAGoGo
Flash
The Rowdy One
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Mood:
posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:54 AM
That's the first thing that jumps out at me; most of these guys only spent a bit of time in the WWE with years in the ring before and after.
I'm also struck by the whole independent contractor thing, and that I think the WWE has only really started employing full time doctors in the
last few years.
Vince will fight this; and probably with glee*... In his third book Jericho tells the story about some guy who tried to sue him and Vince said that
he'd rather spend tens of thousands of dollars fighting a bullshit claim than paying one cent.
*It would not surprise me though as a PR/Goodwill gesture to see the WWE set up something like they did with the rehab clinic thing they did a few
years ago.... although they already do all that impact testing and stuff now, and Daniel Bryan is a great example of about them not putting business
before safety.
merc
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1046
Registered 2-23-2006 Location New England Member Is Offline
Mood: Really FN bad
posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:57 AM
I'm intrigue by the Hebner Brothers... Refs got it tough too
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." D.
Adams
punkerhardcore
American Dream
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Mood: Lickable
posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:58 AM
A lot of the names on the list are still wrestling in the indies or other various promotions. That seems like it would hurt their claim.
Is everyone mad here?
Of course they are, and you are too... otherwise, you wouldn't have come here.
First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1891
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Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
posted on 7-19-2016 at 04:28 AM
Virgil not being on the list made me laugh. Either he refused to burn his bridges with WWE or they didn't even think of contacing of him, but it
still earns a chuckle out of me.
Also there's this particular nugget, "(Ken) Patera was regularly asked to demean himself �to put over� (to make an opponent look good) lessor
talents to promote WWE chosen stars or wrestlers, �they had me job all over the place� using wrestling terminology for being required to
lose.'' That is such an asshole thing to do, so being a jobber is so insulting and violating that it's worth suing over? Wait to
insult a good portion of the whole business.
This might have amounted to something had they stick to certain guys who might have been pressured to do big spots everyday but this big group of
misfits kinda takes away their credibility. I always felt that Hayes's story of having to personally intervene when Russo was pressuring the
Hardyz to kill themselves every show was a peak at how easily guys in management took advantage of newbies with no clout. Hayes managed the Hardyz and
was the agent in charge of their matches, so he stood up for his boys. How many wet behind the ear guys didn't have the same luck and were
forced to go beyond their limits?
salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be
Posts 11410
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline
Mood: Authoritized
posted on 7-19-2016 at 04:56 AM
Lead plaintiff is Road Warrior Animal and the case is Laurenitis vs WWE. Wonder how Johnny Ace feels about this.
Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 5765
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posted on 7-19-2016 at 04:57 AM
The Hebners already got paid in full from the proceeds of their illegal t-shirt sales.
You know, everyone says it's not supposed to make sense, like that's the whole point, dude. And I'm just saying, you know,
that's like an excuse for lazy storytelling. Just don't sell me shite and tell me it's gold, all right? I might be stoned, but
I'm not high. You know what I mean?
- Cassidy from Preacher, commenting on The Big Lebowski and/or professional wrestling
BBMN
HAVES A CROOKED DICK!! !
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posted on 7-19-2016 at 05:15 AM
quote:Terry Michael Brunk (Sabu)
You have let the wrestling gods down, Sabu.
"Put the chicken wings down n come to Jihad bro."
kiez
Fella
Posts 462
Registered 10-23-2002 Location Nottingham, England. Member Is Offline
Mood: Bitchin'
posted on 7-19-2016 at 06:36 AM
Homocidal, genocidal, sue-icidal maniac.
Like others have said, I saw a lot of names on the list and thought, this is bullshit. Most must be witness's? To what? Chair shots?
Half of these people did zero to little with the WWE.
Seems like these people just want some retirement money.
CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1217
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Elsewhereville, Whogivesashittington...Alberta, Ca Member Is Offline
Mood: Berried
posted on 7-19-2016 at 06:40 AM
quote:Originally posted by First 9
Virgil not being on the list made me laugh. Either he refused to burn his bridges with WWE or they didn't even think of contacing of him, but it
still earns a chuckle out of me.
Actually I think Virgil's probably tied up right now in a lawsuit against Olive Garden and the legitimacy of their "Never-Ending Pasta Bowl."
This is probably chump change compared to the fuck money he's hoping to get from that.
Twitter and Instagram: WatkinsAGoGo
williamssl
Steers and Queers
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posted on 7-19-2016 at 06:47 AM
Apparently the lawyers doing the representing don't have a former OOer in their ranks Look at #7.
Also, does Heidenreich know this case isn't about being forced to rape Michael Cole? Or is his doing so an effect of the head trauma, hence
his involvement?
Don't Mess With Texas
janerd75
The Rowdy One
Posts 2574
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posted on 7-19-2016 at 08:19 AM
quote:Originally posted by punkerhardcore
A lot of the names on the list are still wrestling in the indies or other various promotions. That seems like it would hurt their claim.
Indeed. This is Sabu (vs. Sandman) from a few weeks ago at a show I went to. Despite his gimpy leg, he was otherwise none the worse for wear (i.e.
mostly coherent and walking upright) for a dude that mutilated himself 99% of the time outside of a WWF/E ring.
One would think if he were going to sandbag VinnieMac, as a wrassler he should know how to fabe it better. Same with Ax and Smash as I believe
they continue to grind it out there in Poolhallville.
Fuck Everybody
Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8663
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline
Mood: #BROKEN
posted on 7-19-2016 at 05:46 PM
quote:Court documents in the current brain-injury lawsuit against WWE have revealed the health problems of various WWE legends that are plaintiffs in
the lawsuit:
* MARC COPANI, a.k.a. Muhammad Hassan
Page 39-40: Plaintiff Marc Copani, a.k.a. Muhammad Hassan ("Copani") is 34 years old and resid. in Liverpool, New Yoric He wrestled for WWE from
2004 to 2005, wrestling at least four days a week for most of that time. Copani, an Italian, became one of the most hated "heels" in the WWE being
cast as an Arab-American Muslim who had hooded henchman at-tend to him. His career ended with the July, 2005 London Terrorist bombings when it became
politically unpopular for the WVVE to continue this gimmick He was told he would be "taking time off" before he was finally released. He sustained
numerous injuries while at WWE, including hitting the back of his neck when he went through the stage as part of a storyline. Copan' was knocked
in the head with closed fist punches and was knocked out at least twice with little to no intervention by WWE medical staff who were in attendance.
Copan' states that you "wrestled through injuries.' at WWE otherwise you would "lose your spot' and be "subjected to ridicule."
Copan' has suffered routine, repeated, and chronic head trauma resulting in long-term neurological injuries and cognitive difficulties from his
tenure at WWE, including, but not limited to, depression, headaches, dizziness, loss of memory, and fatigue.
Page 137: A case in point is Plaintiff Mark Copani (scripted as Muhammad Hassan). He was given a "push" as a Muslim American (he is Italian) and
scripted for a match with the "Undertaker" then WWE's biggest star on 6/28/05. His character was introduced with the Muslim "call to prayer"
and he wore a Middle Eastern costume appropriate to his character, including a prayer rug. Mr. Copani was accompanied by several "henchmen" supplied
by VVWE in black hoods who attacked other wrestlers as a part of the show. The WWE established Hassan as a ha. figure in order to sell tickeu.
However, in July of 2005 after the terrorist bombing in London which killed 52 people, Mr. Copani's character became politically incorrect and
he was told byWWE that he was being put on leave. He was terminated several months later, and his career ended - all at the control of the WWE.
* PAUL ORDNDORFF, a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful
Page 23-24: Plaintiff Paul Omdorff, a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful COrndorfli is 66 years old and resides with his wife in Fayetteville, Georgia. Orndorff
headlined Wrestlemania I and wrestled with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. He was a major figure during the "Golden Era" of 1983 to 1988 and was Hulk
Hogan's primary opponent into the 1990s. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, Orndorff was a famous wrestling instructor, both well-known
and well regarded. He alleges that he was "pressured to work injured" and that despite his loyalty to WWE, the company has "treated him like
nothing, He has three hemiated discs in his back, neck injuries, requires knee surgeries, shoulder and hip replacemenu. After a long and fabled career
with WWE, Orndorff suffers from severe cognitive difficulties, including, but not limited to, difficulty sleeping, confusion, headaches, dizziness,
severe loss of memory, and fatigue resulting from the routine head trauma sustained during his WWE career. Omdorff also gets easily confused, is
clinically depressed, paranoid, repeats himself constantly and has severe mood swings. Omdorff at the height of his career was one of the most
successful performers in wrestling and was one of a fortunate few wrestlers that could afford and purchased long term disability insurance, the poll,
however expired at age 65. He is now on disability and Medicare.
Page 75 footnote: See also World Wrestling Entertainment Bloodbath Wrestling's Most Incredible Steel Cage Matches", WWE Home Video, DVD ("The
steel cage: Its used as a barrier and as a weapon. It keeps the competitors inside and the interference outride. The steel cage match is the most
brutal form of sports entertainment..." The box case features matches by named Plaintiff Paul Omdorff who are thrown against steel bars often
resulting in Injury).
"New Yoric. WVVE. VVWE." What is with these weird spelling errors? Translation/copying issue or are the errors in the original statement?
"Sustained numerous injuries, including hitting the back of his neck." Says he sustained numerous injuries, then gives an example of something that
is not necessarily an injury.
"He was given a push as a Muslim American (he is Italian)." Who cares?
"He was terminated several months later, and his career ended - all at the control of the WWE." That's how businesses work. They can get rid
of you if they no longer need you.
"The box case features matches by named Plaintiff Paul Omdorff who are thrown against steel bars often resulting in Injury" Really reaching for
something here.
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
DKBroiler
SpeciASSl CUMedian
Posts 1271
Registered 1-25-2008 Location One Inch Right of Philly on a Map Member Is Offline
Mood: Old
posted on 7-19-2016 at 09:32 PM
This is pure garbage.
I've has 6 fully diagnosed, serious concussions. The first 3 of which were from playing football. Two in 8th grade (1994) and one in 10th
grade (1996). I was fully aware of the risks I was taking IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL! But, because I stopped playing after 10th grade (partially due
to acumulating too many injuries) I have no recourse for a lawsuit. And even if I did, am I suppose to be the bag of shit that brings down Pop Warner
Football? No thanks.
For anyone to say that didn't know slamming your head into something was a bad idea they are either an idiot, a liar or (most likely) a lying
idiot. Pure money grab.
Get off my lawn.
Kareem Ofweet
rOOkie
Posts 30
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Mood:
posted on 7-20-2016 at 08:31 PM
quote:Originally posted by DKBroiler
For anyone to say that didn't know slamming your head into something was a bad idea they are either an idiot, a liar or (most likely) a lying
idiot. Pure money grab.
We would've thought common sense like this would prevail when the "Big Tobacco" lawsuits happened. Look how that turned out. Don't
underestimate a jury of 12 idiots.
merc
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1046
Registered 2-23-2006 Location New England Member Is Offline
Mood: Really FN bad
posted on 7-20-2016 at 09:50 PM
quote:Originally posted by williamssl
Apparently the lawyers doing the representing don't have a former OOer in their ranks Look at #7.
Wow...just wow..
That's why a poster with less than 325 posts shouldn't be allowed to cut and paste.
Tex fix it before he becomes Sam is Banned
[Edited on 7-20-2016 by merc]
denverpunk
The Rowdy One
Posts 2414
Registered 6-27-2007 Location Mile-Hi Member Is Offline
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posted on 7-20-2016 at 10:08 PM
What pisses me off most about this are the guys that are still wrestling. Are we to believe that Mark Jindrak and Chavo Guerrero aren't in
danger of head injuries where they currently wrestle?
A lot of these plaintiffs left WWE on bad terms, and are probably just looking for a paycheck. For example, Marty Jannetty's own shitty life
decisions are almost certainly more to blame for his impaired mental capacities than any bump he may or may not have taken. Hell, Jake the Snake took
a guitar shot from Honky Tonk Man that he claims helped cause his downward spiral, yet he's no nowhere to be found here.
Matte
"Family Man"
Posts 8663
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline
Mood: #BROKEN
posted on 7-20-2016 at 11:01 PM
quote:Originally posted by denverpunk
Hell, Jake the Snake took a guitar shot from Honky Tonk Man that he claims helped cause his downward spiral, yet he's no nowhere to be found
here.
Ditto with Val Venis. Here's the story he posted about a particular chair shot that he says he still suffers from today.
"THE CHAIR SHOT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
It was a November 2005 match against HHH where I took one of the most vicious chair shots to the head the wrestling industry had ever seen. This chair
shot was a humbling and very scary experience. Prior to that chair shot, I felt indestructible. After that chair shot, I realized I was mortal. I
never said anything to the staff, trainers, medics or any of my colleagues as I wanted to continue performing on the road and knew I would be pulled
off the road if I mentioned anything about the chair shot rattling my brain into a heavy concussion. I did not even tell Lourdes at the time as I knew
she would have called the office and spilled the beans. I spent almost 1 full year with one pupil dilated wide open while the other pupil was the size
of a pin hole. I experienced nausea for about a month but it soon subsided. Ringing in my ears was the norm for quit a few months after this chair
shot. I had many sleepless nights, found reading difficult as my focus was drastically reduced. Remembering spots or finishes became noticeably
difficult for a few months after that chair shot. I remember feeding HHH and getting my hand up followed by looking up at the ceiling of the arena not
knowing where I was or even what I was doing there. I�m guessing it took about 10 seconds or so before I realized I was performing in a match and I
needed to finish out this segment. I do not recall taking the pedigree afterwards or even being back in the ring after said chair shot. My ears rang
at a constant level for quite some time afterwards. Needless to say, in March 2010, I was joyful over the fact the WWE banned chair shots to the head.
I would like to see all wrestling companies ban chair shots to the head. It�s just not worth fucking up your brain or your life. I can honestly say
that chair shot to my head began one of the most difficult years of my life and I could not tell anyone. Brain injuries take a long time to heal if
the brain ever does actually heal. I had taken many chair shots to the head prior to that one November 2005 match with HHH. None caused me any grief
or noticeable injuries. That said, it only takes one heavy blow to the head where you feel the lasting, annoying and extremely frustrating effects
that will throw a monkey wrench into everything that defines you as a human being. WWE absolutely did the right thing banning chair shots to the head.
Performers who cling to the old school mentality of �if your not tough enough to take a chair shot, you should not be in the business� are putting
their lives in serious jeopardy. It�s extremely difficult to put into words how it feels to have a severe concussion. It�s life changing. I do regret
not speaking up and seeking treatment at the time and if I could go back in time, I would have sought treatment and not have worried so much about
losing a spot on the roster. I appauld the WWE taking the initiative to ban chair shots to the head. The company did a tremendous favor to the current
crop of WWE Superstars. Let�s hope other wrestling companies around the world follow the WWE�s lead and adopt the same policy. Hopefully, in the
future I can appauld the WWE for changing their policy in regards to cannabis. Cannabis absolutely helps brain injuries. But that is another rant for
another time."
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 5765
Registered 1-19-2008 Location Scarsguard Member Is Offline
Mood: Finally Deleted
posted on 7-22-2016 at 06:29 AM
Coach adds his ten cents in on this bullshit lawsuit.
You know, everyone says it's not supposed to make sense, like that's the whole point, dude. And I'm just saying, you know,
that's like an excuse for lazy storytelling. Just don't sell me shite and tell me it's gold, all right? I might be stoned, but
I'm not high. You know what I mean?
- Cassidy from Preacher, commenting on The Big Lebowski and/or professional wrestling
Same with Ax and Smash as I believe
they continue to grind it out there in Poolhallville.
