WWE Takes Legal Action Against Texas Attorney General

WWE have taken legal action against the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to stop an agreement between the company and the City of San Antonio from being released, Wrestlenomics has reported. 

WWE's lawsuit was filed with the 345th Civil District Court in Travis County, Texas. WWE are looking for a county court judgment and an injunction to prevent the release of the bidding contract for Royal Rumble 2023. WWE are represented by Holland & Knight LLP. 

The lawsuit has been filed after Wrestlenomics requested records from the City of San Antonio in relation to the 2023 Royal Rumble that emanated from the Alamodome. City officials were granted an exemption by the Texas Attorney General in April 2023 which allowed them to withhold the bidding contract but the Attorney General revised his decision on January 17, 2024 following a second records request. 

A letter written by Texas Assistant Attorney General Michelle Garza stated: "WWE has failed to provide specific factual evidence demonstrating the information at issue is confidential under Texas's public information law."

WWE are arguing the bidding contract should remain undisclosed as it is a trade secret. WWE Senior Vice President of Communications Chris Legentil stated in a sworn declaration form: 

"If this information was made publicly available and Brandon Thurston was permitted to publicize our financial information and negotiated terms on Wrestlenomics, WWE would lose our bargaining power in negotiating all of our live events and much of the value of a bidding process for venues."

WWE have looked to receive site fees for shows since Nick Khan joined the company in 2020. The Puerto Rico government paid a substantial sum to WWE for Backlash 2023 and WWE recently received a $1.6 million tax break from Ohio in a deal believed to be in connection with SummerSlam 2024.