The court has made a Case Management ruling in the WWE and MLW lawsuit.
MLW filed a motion with The United States District Court in June requesting that the court shorten the time for the Initial Case Management Conference between WWE and MLW, moving it up to September 29.
MLW's argument cited, "MLW will suffer substantial harm and prejudice without the Court’s intervention because, under WWE’s interpretation of the Federal Rules, the Rule 26(f) conference would not be required to be held until October 6, 2022, more than four months after the motion to dismiss has been fully briefed. During this time, the parties will be foreclosed from conducting discovery." MLW also argued, "Moving the Initial Case Management Conference from October 27, 2022 to September 29, 2022 – the same date that the Court is set to hear oral argument on WWE’s motion to dismiss – would promote judicial efficiency and enable the parties to proceed with discovery more expeditiously."
WWE argued against the movement.
Judge Edward J. Davila gave the following ruling (via PWInsider):
The Court, having considered Plaintiff MLW Media LLC’s (“MLW”) Motion To Shorten UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA DENIED
[PROPOSED] ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO SHORTEN TIME FOR THE INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
Time For The Initial Case Management Conference, the Declaration of Jason S. Takenouchi (“Takenouchi Declaration”) and Defendant’s response, GRANTS Plaintiff’s Motion.
The Initial Case Management Conference is reset for September 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
The case schedule is amended as follows:
September 8, 2022 – Last day for Parties to (1) Meet and Confer re: initial disclosures, early settlement, ADR process selection, and discovery plan; and (2) file ADR Certification signed by Parties and Counsel
September 15, 2022 – Last day for Parties to File Stipulation/Motion for Order Changing Time re Initial Case Management Conference
September 19, 2022 – Last day for Parties to file Joint Case Management Statement, pursuant to the Court’s Standing Order for Civil Cases IV(B)
September 22, 2022 – Last day for Parties to file Rule 26(f) Report and complete Initial Disclosures or state objection in Rule 26(f) Report
September 22, 2022 – Last day for Parties to File and Serve Administrative Request to Appear Telephonically at Initial Case Management Conference
September 29 – Initial Case Management Conference
In January, MLW filed a lawsuit against WWE over alleged attempts to monopolize the wrestling market and undermine the competition. WWE was officially served with the lawsuit on January 14.
Fans can keep up with the lawsuit history by clicking here.
