WWE and Montez Ford will have to deal with an unexpected legal issue. An agent from the Cook County Sheriff's Office named Noel Lucas filed a lawsuit on October 14th in the Cook County Circuit Court against the company and the wrestler for an incident that occurred at the Raw brand show held in Chicago last July.
The events took place during The Street Profits' entrance. Ford and his partner Angelo Dawkins decided to access ringside through the seating area to interact with the fans. At that moment, Ford wanted to have fun with Lucas, who was working as a security guard along the protective barrier.
The wrestler performed an "erotic dance" (lap dance) in front of Lucas that was highly celebrated by the fans (and even brought a smile to the plaintiff). The video was shared by the company through its social media, becoming one of the most entertaining moments of the night. However, Lucas did not see it the same way.
Lucas alleges a total of 14 charges, including assault, injuries, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the Illinois Gender Violence Act, as reported by the POST Wrestling. So far, the company has not commented on the matter. The incident also does not appear in the Raw episode available on Netflix.
Lucas claims that Ford started dancing in front of him without his consent. He adds that, due to the incident's repercussion, he became publicly recognizable. According to his account, the next day some people recognized him and began to mock him by imitating what the WWE superstar had done. Lucas also states that his children have been subjected to teasing and ridicule at school because of what happened.
The plaintiff claims to have suffered humiliation, shame, and emotional distress. He also points out that WWE and Ford used his image for commercial purposes, which, he alleges, violates the Illinois Right of Publicity Act.
POST Wrestling has obtained an excerpt from the lawsuit, which you can read below:
"The defendant (Kenneth) Crawford then began to perform a sexually provocative dance right in front of the plaintiff (Lucas) and on him, repeatedly thrusting the hips and pelvis towards the plaintiff and performing an 'erotic dance'. (Crawford) brought his body closer and closer (to Lucas) and continued with the erotic dance. The inner face of (Crawford's) left thigh repeatedly rubbed against the plaintiff's leg."
Lucas asks the court to order the defendants to pay an unspecified amount of economic compensation, punitive damages, and legal costs. He also requests that WWE and Crawford be ordered to stop using his identity. The court hearing for the case is scheduled for December 10th.
ES
US
