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"The lawsuit arises after Kim informed the company that, after being fired in March 2025, 'she believes she has legal claims against AWE for violations of the Florida Private Whistleblower Protection Act.' The lawsuit does not detail what these violations would be. However, Anthem filed the legal action claiming that, according to the nature of Kim's contract with the company, any dispute between the two parties should be governed by Tennessee law," wrote Johnson.
"The lawsuit indicates that the company and Kim signed a Services Agreement in September 2022 that included 'talent relations, match production, and services as a wrestler.' 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 both parties agreed to continue on a month-to-month basis. The lawsuit maintains that Kim's Booking Agreement was not exclusive and that she had the right to provide wrestling and entertainment services 'to other clients', with certain limitations, including not offering wrestling services to competitors."
"According to the lawsuit, the Booking Agreement stated that Kim 'would at all times be an independent contractor (and not an employee or agent of AWE); therefore, (Kim) would not participate in any benefit plan or program that (AWE) offers or may offer to its employees, including, among others, pensions, profit-sharing, medical and dental insurance, workers' compensation, occupational injury insurance, life insurance, or vacation and sick leave benefits'."
"In the lawsuit, Anthem claims that Kim primarily worked in talent relations and production, although she wrestled on one occasion. They also point out that she worked from home, was not provided with office space, and did not work full-time for the company, as she continued to be involved in other 'independent projects', including reality shows The Amazing Race Canada and The Traitors Canada. They also indicated that Kim received 1099 forms for all payments and would receive another one for her work completed in 2025."
"The lawsuit states that Kim's employment relationship with the company ended after a 'strategic restructuring decision', which resulted in Kim and two other independent contractors not having their contracts renewed, as well as the dismissal of five employees. It was also noted that, in connection with AWE's restructuring, the then-president of the sports group of AWE Sports & Entertainment, Anthony Ciccione, left his position in May 2025. Anthem also argues that, since Kim was an independent contractor, she has no 'legally recognizable claims' against the company under Florida law."
What does Anthem request in the lawsuit?
"Anthem asks the court to officially declare that all disputes between the company and Kim be governed by Tennessee law and that she cannot bring claims for alleged violations of Florida statutes. They also request that the court declare that Kim was effectively an independent contractor, which would invalidate any claim that she 'has threatened to bring under the Florida Private Whistleblower Protection Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act'", Johnson explained.
"In the filing, Anthem claims that the company 'has a real and legally protected interest at stake, specifically its rights under the Services Agreement and Booking Agreement it negotiated and paid Kim for'. They also request compensation for 'reasonable attorney fees and court costs'. Court records do not yet indicate if Kim has been formally notified of the lawsuit. There are currently no scheduled hearing dates for the case," wrote the PWInsider journalist.
Gail Kim and TNA Wrestling
Gail Kim is, without a doubt, one of the most prominent women in the history of TNA Wrestling, a company she joined in 2005. Considered the first major female star of the company, Kim quickly returned to it after a brief stint in WWE (2008-2011). This second stint in TNA kept her with the company until 2022. During that time, she was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, becoming the first woman to achieve this.
After a successful wrestling career, Kim began to take on executive roles while getting involved in the Knockouts division. The legend had her final match on the 1,000th special episode of IMPACT, where she teamed up with Jordynne Grace, Awesome Kong, Trinity, and Mickie James in a tag team match. In March 2025, she left the company as part of a wave of layoffs.