As we’ve been reporting here on eWn, WWE is currently the subject of a lawsuit filed by a fan who claims to have suffered hearing damage after attending a SmackDown TV taping in 2022.

The plaintiff, Richard Bryant, filed the lawsuit in March, alleging that WWE’s “negligence and carelessness” caused his injuries.

Bryant claims that his injuries, which include a traumatic rupture of his right ear drum, bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss in his right ear, and psychological harm, may be permanent. Additionally, he alleges that he incurred expenses for medical treatment and is seeking damages amounting to $15,000.

Bryant filed a motion on July 24 before the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, attempting to stay the lawsuit until the arbitration process is concluded.

WWE has argued that Bryant’s claims are subject to Ticketmaster.com’s terms and conditions, which mandate that disputes arising from event attendance be resolved through arbitration.

WWE filed a motion on July 3 asserting that they have not waived their right to arbitration, and therefore, Bryant must adhere to this process.

In response, Bryant contends that WWE needs authority to enforce Ticketmaster’s arbitration agreement. According to the plaintiff, he received the ticket as a guest from a friend and never possessed it physically. Bryant argues he was not given “reasonable notice” of any arbitration agreement.

Bryant’s lawsuit also includes an assertion that he was “non-weight bearing” for a period, requiring crutches and a boot to facilitate healing in his left foot—a claim seemingly unrelated to the ear injuries. This addition has raised questions regarding the accuracy of the latest filing.

If the matter is not resolved beforehand, the court will schedule a trial date of August 18, 2025.