WWE boss Vince McMahon accused of ‘fraudulent scheme’ in class action lawsuit questioning ties to Saudi Arabia
WWE boss Vince McMahon and his wrestling brand are reportedly being accused of using a"fraudulent scheme" in a new lawsuit.
And shareholders are also calling into question the company's ties with Saudi Arabia.
WBC heavyweight king Tyson Fury fought Braun Strowman in the Middle East country last October.
And a portion of the 44-page filing is said to relate to an alleged "hostage situation" regarding wrestlers at the Crown Jewel event where Fury competed.
WWE have denied any stars were held against their will.
But shareholders Ryan Merholz and Melvyn Klein have named McMahon, Paul Levesque - AKA Triple H - and his wife and Vince's daughter Stephanie McMahon in a new claim, say Forbes.
The claim relates to an allegation that McMahon delayed the live feed of the event until he received money for the show.
The filing reads: "WWE held the Crown Jewel live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"After the event ended, shocking news reports surfaced claiming that the Saudi government was effectively holding a number of WWE wrestlers ‘hostage’ in retaliation for McMahon's decision to delay a live broadcast of Crown Jewel until the Saudis made tens of millions of dollars in past due payments.
"Estimates for the amount outstanding ranged from $60 million (£48m) to as much as $500m (£401m).
"Several wrestlers detailed their experience during the ordeal on social media platforms."
Another filing alleges McMahon "misled" shareholders by attributing viewing figure declines "to the absences of WWE Superstars largely due to injury".
The filing, which draws another link to Saudi Arabia, reads: "On April 25, 2019, WWE reported that for first quarter 2019, revenue declined year-over-year, notably in the live events and consumer products segments.
"Though the Company attributed the decline to the absence of certain “Super Stars,” several analysts connected the results to difficulties securing a media rights deal for the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
WWE did not respond to a request for comment.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund is set to complete a £300m takeover of Newcastle - but Premier League clubs want it blocked.
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This is just the latest legal work McMahon has been hit with.
The wrestling chief was last week sued for wrongful dismissal by XFL commissioner Oliver Luck.
And also last week, WWE denied allegations a member of staff was forced to work during the coronavirus pandemic under fear he would be fired if he refused.