TNA Wrestling’s parent company files lawsuit against Gail Kim

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com, Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC (a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment) filed a lawsuit in Tennessee against Gail Kim on January 10th 2026. Johnson noted the following…

“The lawsuit stems from Kim informing the company that after she was let go in March 2025, ‘she believes she holds legal claims against AWE for violations of the Florida Private Whistleblower Act.’ What those alleged violations may be are not listed in the lawsuit. However, Anthem brought the lawsuit forward as they are alleging that based on the nature of Kim’s contract with the company, that all issues between the two should be governed by TN law.”

Anthem argues that Kim’s 2022 Services Agreement — which covered talent relations, match production, performer services, and business development — requires any disputes to be governed by Tennessee law, not Florida law. Although her contract expired at the end of 2024, she continued working month-to-month until the company restructured in 2025 and chose not to renew her deal. Anthem says Kim was a non-exclusive independent contractor, not an employee, noting she received 1099 tax forms, worked from home, had outside projects, and was not eligible for employee benefits.

The company is asking the court to declare that Tennessee law governs the dispute, that Kim cannot pursue claims under Florida statutes or federal civil rights laws, and that she was legally an independent contractor. Anthem is also seeking attorneys’ fees and court costs.