WWE Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Issued by the Late Eddie Gilbert’s Estate

WWE Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Issued by the Late Eddie Gilbert’s Estate

According to a new report from PWInsider.com, WWE has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed against them by the estate of the late “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. TMZ reported that Gilbert’s family was suing WWE on April 19.

Tommy Gilbert, the father of the late wrestling legend, sued WWE over the use of Gilbert’s likeness on WWE programming and future products. Doug Gilbert, another representative from the estate, claims that the family is not trying to bar WWE from using footage of Gilbert, but they just want “proper” royalties.

Gilbert, who passed away in 1995, was known as a WWE (then WWF) superstar from 1982-84. PWInsider explains what footage of Gilbert WWE has in their library from other promotions over the years,

“Gilbert footage would also be in the WWE library based on their acquisition of the Mid-South/UWF library and the NWA/WCW library as Gilbert work those promotions from 1986 until 1989. Gilbert would also be seen in footage from ECW in 1993, when he was a top star and the booker of the promotion.  WWE is also utilizing footage of Gilbert in their forthcoming Jerry Lawler DVD as they have acquired material from the Memphis territory library for that release.”

The motion WWE issued to dismiss the case claims that the company “invested heavily” in gaining access to and producing footage of Gilbert, saying,

“without which the works alleged in Plaintiffs’ Complaint would not exist.”

WWE also refers to previous lawsuits they had dismissed for the same reasons from former superstars Doug Somers and Steve Ray.

Editor’s Note:

Some people just want to mooch off of anyone they can, anyway they can.