• WWE Hit With Lawsuit Over Alleged Deceptive Marketing for ESPN Launch
A significant legal challenge has been launched against WWE, as fans have filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. The lawsuit, which was first reported by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics and POST Wrestling, centers on allegations that WWE and its media partners engaged in deceptive marketing practices during the recent move of Premium Live Events (PLEs) to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer platform.
According to the legal filing, plaintiffs Michael Diesa of New Jersey and Rebecca Toback of New York claim that WWE used a “bait and switch” tactic. The core of the complaint focuses on an August 6, 2025, press release which stated that WWE content would be available to fans who watch on the ESPN app “whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package”. However, when the service launched in September 2025, many customers with providers like Xfinity found they still had to pay an additional $29.99 per month for the “ESPN Unlimited” tier to access WWE events like Wrestlepalooza.
The lawsuit points to specific comments from WWE President Nick Khan, who previously stated on the Varsity podcast that there would be “no upcharge” for fans following the move to ESPN. Thurston notes that the lawsuit strategically names WWE as the sole defendant, intentionally omitting ESPN and its parent company, Disney. This move is reportedly designed to bypass the strict arbitration and class action waiver clauses found in Disney’s standard subscriber agreements, which often prevent consumers from taking such matters to a public court.
The plaintiffs are seeking to represent all U.S. customers who were forced to pay for the direct-to-consumer service while already being traditional ESPN subscribers. While the individual damages for a single month’s subscription (roughly $30) are small, the total exposure for WWE could be substantial given the size of the affected audience. Neither WWE nor ESPN has yet issued an official comment on the pending litigation.
• Former WWE Star Is Coming Out Of Retirement
The “Ravishing Russian” is officially coming out of retirement. During an appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, CJ Perry aka Lana confirmed that she is re-entering the world of professional wrestling, with a specific focus on the independent circuit. The announcement marks a major shift for the star who had recently suggested she was stepping away from the ring for good.
Perry told TMZ that while she isn’t looking for a full-time in-ring role, she is “hitting the indy scene” to find the next generation of superstars. Drawing inspiration from Paul Heyman, whom she called her “spirit animal,” Perry plans to lean heavily into her strengths as a manager and promo artist. To prepare for this new chapter, she revealed she is enrolling in stand-up comedy classes to ensure her microphone work is sharper and more “iconic” than ever before.
While she aims to be a powerhouse manager, Perry warned that she won’t shy away from physicality if needed. “If someone has an issue with me… you better believe I’m gonna be ready,” she noted during the interview.
This move follows her signing of a WWE Legends deal in 2025, which keeps her connected to the company while allowing her the freedom to explore these independent opportunities.
