Nashville, TN – TNA Wrestling’s parent company, Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC (AWE), has filed a lawsuit against wrestling veteran and Hall of Famer Gail Kim, escalating a dispute stemming from her departure from the company in March 2025. The lawsuit, filed in the Nashville Chancery Court in Davidson County, Tennessee on , centers on Kim’s potential legal claims and her classification as an independent contractor.
According to court filings, the legal action was initiated after Kim informed Anthem that she believed she had grounds to pursue claims under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act. While the specific nature of these alleged violations remains undisclosed in the lawsuit, Anthem is proactively seeking a legal determination that Tennessee law, rather than Florida law, should govern their professional relationship. This move suggests Anthem aims to limit the scope of any potential legal challenges Kim might pursue.
A central argument in Anthem’s case revolves around Kim’s employment status. The company asserts that Kim was consistently classified as an independent contractor throughout her tenure, despite her significant role in talent relations and match production. A Services Agreement signed in outlined her responsibilities, encompassing talent relations, match production, and identifying new revenue opportunities for AWE. This agreement expired at the end of , transitioning to a month-to-month basis before her eventual departure.
The lawsuit highlights specific language within the Booking Agreement, stating that Kim “will at all times be an independent contractor (and not an employee or agent of [AWE]); [Kim] will not participate in any benefit plans or programs that [AWE] provides or may provide to its employees.” This contractual language forms a cornerstone of Anthem’s argument, aiming to establish that Kim was not entitled to employee benefits or protections under Florida state statutes.
Further supporting their claim, Anthem points to factors beyond the formal agreements. The company notes that Kim primarily worked remotely, without dedicated office space, and simultaneously engaged in outside projects, including appearances on “The Amazing Race Canada” and “The Traitors Canada.” Compensation was issued via 1099 forms, a standard practice for independent contractors, rather than W-2 forms typically used for employees.
The lawsuit also contextualizes Kim’s departure within a broader restructuring initiative undertaken by Anthem in . This restructuring involved the non-renewal of contracts for Kim and two other contractors, as well as the termination of five employees. The changes also included the resignation of Anthony Ciccione as President of the Sports Group for AWE Sports & Entertainment in .
Anthem is requesting that the court officially declare Kim an independent contractor. Such a declaration would effectively prevent her from asserting claims under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The company is seeking to recover attorneys’ fees and court costs associated with the legal proceedings.
As of , reports indicated that Kim had declined an offer to return to WWE. However, as of , court records do not show whether Kim has been formally served with the lawsuit, and no hearing dates have been scheduled. The case remains in its early stages, with the outcome potentially setting a precedent for how TNA classifies its talent and handles future disputes.
This legal battle marks a significant development in the wake of Kim’s departure from TNA, a company where she enjoyed a celebrated career spanning nearly two decades. Inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in , Kim was a seven-time TNA/Impact Knockouts Champion and played a pivotal role in elevating the women’s division. Her contributions extended beyond the ring, as she also held a prominent position in talent relations and match production, making her departure and the subsequent lawsuit all the more noteworthy.
