TNA parent company AWE [Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions] has launched legal action against Gail Kim, who was previously a part of the company as a wrestler and producer.
As reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the lawsuit was filed on January 10 and stems from the former Knockouts Champion informing the company after she was let go in March 2025 that “she believes she holds legal claims against AWE for violations of the Florida Private Whistleblower Act.” Details on the allegations are not listed in the lawsuit. It is also noted that the lawsuit was brought forward as per the nature of Kim’s contract, all issues between both parties should be governed by Tennessee law.
Details from the lawsuit obtained by Johnson are as follows:
- The company and Kim entered into a Services Agreement contract in September 2022 that included “talent relations, match production, and performer services. Kim also agreed to identify and support new revenue, business, and growth opportunities for AWE.” The agreement expired at the end of 2024, at which point the two sides agreed to continue on a month-to-month basis. The lawsuit claims their Booking Agreement for Kim was non-exclusive and that she had the right to provide wrestling and other entertainment services “to other customers” based on certain limitations, including an agreement not to provide wrestling services to any competitors.
- The document claims the Booking Agreement stated that Kim “will at all times be an independent contractor (and not an employee or agent of [AWE]); therefore, [Kim] will not participate in any benefit plans or programs that [AWE] provides or may provide to its employees, including, but not limited to, pension, profit-sharing, medical, dental, workers’ compensation, occupational injury, life insurance and vacation or sick benefits.”
- Anthem states Kim worked primarily in talent relations and production, but did wrestle on one occasion, worked from her home, was not provided an office space and did not work for the company full-time, as she continued to engage in other “independent projects”, including The Amazing Race – Canada and The Traitors Canada reality series. They also stated she received a 1099 for all payments and would receive another for her work that ended in 2025.
- Kim’s working relationship with the company ended after a “strategic decision to restructure”, which led to Kim and two other independent contractors not having their contracts renewed as well as the termination of five employees. It also noted, “In connection with AWE’s restructuring, the former President of the Sports Group for AWE Sports & Entertainment, Anthony Ciccione, stepped down from his role in May 2025.”
- Since Kim was an independent contractor, she does not have any “legally cognizable claims” against them based on Florida law.
Anthem is also asking the court to declare that all disputes are governed by Tennessee law as Kim can “not assert claims against them for alleged violations of Florida state statues.” It is also noted that they want to recognise Kim as an independent contractor as it would “negate any of her claims that she has threatened to bring under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
Gail Kim Had A Legendary Career In TNA
With 7 reigns as Knockouts Champion, Kim is regarded as one of the greatest female pro wrestlers in TNA history. A pioneer of women’s wrestling, Kim’s matches stood out during a period when the division was not taken as seriously, especially in other companies. With 2 runs as an active talent, Kim wasalso the first female inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame, being recognised in 2022. Following her retirement from in-ring competition, Kim went on to serve as a producer in the company until her release, which saw multiple backstage names let go as part of the promotion’s restructuring.
Featured image: TNA
