In a major exclusive interview scored by Simon Rothstein of THE SUN (UK), WWE super-attorney Jerry McDevitt responded to the lawsuit filed by Scott "Raven" Levy, Mike Sanders, and Chris "Kanyon" Klucsarits. You can read the entire story HERE

 

Key Excerpt:

 

Jerry McDevitt – who has been the WWE’s legal supremo for more than 20 years – says the world’s leading wrestling federation has no case to answer.

 

Speaking exclusively to SunSport, he said: “I think the key point to be made here is that every one of these people signed contracts acknowledging they were independent contractors.

 

“They contractually agreed that they would take care of their own health benefits and all the rest of that stuff.

 

“The IRS has never challenged the treatment of our wrestlers and they have audited the company several times.”

 

Jerry also noted the fact that it’s been a long while since the three men worked for the company.

Scott left in early 2003, Chris one year later and Mike never even made it out of developmental and on to WWE TV.

 

He added: “This lawsuit kind of came out of the blue in one sense, but Levy threatened us years ago and I think I know who is really behind the whole thing.”

 

Vince McMahon’s main legal representative firmly defends the company’s decision to treat their grapplers as independent contractors despite dictating match outcomes, characters and where else they can work.

He responded: “None of these things make them an employee.

 

“Wrestlers are not like normal office workers.

 

“They don’t go to the corporate headquarters and they don’t have any corporate duties.

 

“Their basic duty is to show up and perform as a highly skilled professional. That’s what they’re paid to do.

“As far as I know, in the entire history of the wrestling business, wrestlers have always been treated as independent contractors.

 

“They’re free to sign a contract like everybody is and free not to sign a contract like everybody is.

 

“There will be certain things under the contract, in terms of performance rights, they can’t do.

 

“Generally speaking when they sign a contract with WWE, they agree to perform exclusively for WWE during the term of the contract.

 

“When those contracts are over they are free to go wherever they want to and they do. They go to TNA and they went WCW.

 

“You’ve seen during the time that you’ve been watching WWE, that our talent do other things than just perform.

 

“Some of them have got involved in making movies, commercials and other things of that nature.

 

“Many of them are represented by highly skilled agents and lawyers who know what they’re doing and advise them when they sign these contracts.”

 

The entire story is a huge one, and well worth reading. Nice job done by Simon Rothstein. The Sun is also the home of THE HEYMAN HUSTLE series of video shows and blogs. Heyman's recent blog on Ric Flair has caused a lot of controversy, and it's a definite "can't miss" story. Check it out HERE