More News on TNA and Lucha Underground’s Contract War With Hernandez

As noted earlier in the week on Wrestling Rumors, TNA was recently hit with a cease and desist letter regarding former talent Hernandez, who had recently been brought back to the company, by Lucha Underground. The promotion claimed the talent was still under contract, and thus, could not appear on television for “IMPACT WRESTLNG.” This means TNA will have to severely edit multiple angles involving Hernandez, severely messing up storylines and matches going forward.

In an update to the report, PWInsider has gone more in-depth just at what happened. Mike Johnson elaborates:

“Hernandez was hired by TNA after being strongly touted and pushed by MVP as a good addition to the BDC.  TNA management (one would assume John Gaburick) made the decision to sign Hernandez based on MVP’s suggestion.

TNA sources have indicated that before he was signed, Hernandez stated that he was free and clear of any contractual obligations with any other promotion, had a release from Lucha Underground and was legally able to sign with the company.  TNA included a clause in Hernandez’ contract, which I am told he signed after his attorney signed off on it, that included that Hernandez was presenting himself as such.  TNA filmed Impact Wrestling episodes and when they aired, the company was hit with the aforementioned cease and desist.”

Johnson notes Lucha Underground had been working on releasing Hernandez after he requested it, but it was not set to be official until Aug. 5, when the season finale of the show airs. He continues:

“TNA sources contend that Hernandez insisted he had a verbal release from LU and provided proof that there was communication between himself and LU that a release was in the works.  TNA informed Hernandez that if he wanted to go after LU legally over the situation, they would be happy to use his footage and gave him a deadline (I believe this past Monday) to file something in court in California against Lucha Underground that would at least, provide a temporary restraining order against his LU contract and allow him on TNA TV.” 

The rest of Johnson’s extensive report can be read here.

Editor’s Note

I still believe this is on both parties (Hernandez and TNA). He clearly jumped the gun, and TNA did not do what it needed to in order to ensure it had the rights to use him.

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