Whose the 7th man?

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 3, 2022 14:59:05 GMT -5 @mattyphatty said:

Mar 3, 2022 14:24:53 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

I suppose it’s possible but I can’t imagine WWE letting him out just in time to appear on an AEW PPV for the type of money I imagine AEW would offer, but crazier things have certainly happened.

Without getting into the legal minutia, the way the whole arrangement appears to me, Jeff Hardy could probably just breach the contract and show up on March 6, but would then be liable for damages for the 3 days that were left on the contract (or, even, however much time was actually left on the contract when Jeff was "released"). I think that Tony Khan would gladly pay whatever amount that is if it meant being able to debut Jeff Hardy a little early in a ladder match on PPV, and WWE would probably accept it with the knowledge that it's all the damages they'd be legally entitled to for breach of contract, anyway.

That presumes that there truly isn't an actual noncompete, and it really is a "we are going to terminate your contract in 90 days" arrangement (i.e. more of a notice period). But, that's what I've always heard, and it makes sense because I really do think WWE would be loath to put actual noncompete agreements in their "independent" contracts. That would make it far easier for disgruntled ex-"independent contractors" to argue in court that they were employees the whole time, which could blow up the entire WWE system.

It wouldn’t just be Jeff breaching his contract tho, Tony Khan/AEW would also be liable for contract tampering. Legally, TK can’t discuss numbers or offer a contract until Jeff is free and clear. Even talking to him about coming in when his contract is up is technically tampering

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Mar 4, 2022 12:15:57 GMT -5 lildude8218 said:

Mar 4, 2022 10:31:12 GMT -5 YAKMAN is ICHIBAN said:

Then Dustin comes out as Seven and Syxx is terrified of him

Because Seven ate Nine?

[Deleted]

Mar 4, 2022 12:27:04 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 3, 2022 14:59:05 GMT -5 @mattyphatty said:

Without getting into the legal minutia, the way the whole arrangement appears to me, Jeff Hardy could probably just breach the contract and show up on March 6, but would then be liable for damages for the 3 days that were left on the contract (or, even, however much time was actually left on the contract when Jeff was "released"). I think that Tony Khan would gladly pay whatever amount that is if it meant being able to debut Jeff Hardy a little early in a ladder match on PPV, and WWE would probably accept it with the knowledge that it's all the damages they'd be legally entitled to for breach of contract, anyway.

That presumes that there truly isn't an actual noncompete, and it really is a "we are going to terminate your contract in 90 days" arrangement (i.e. more of a notice period). But, that's what I've always heard, and it makes sense because I really do think WWE would be loath to put actual noncompete agreements in their "independent" contracts. That would make it far easier for disgruntled ex-"independent contractors" to argue in court that they were employees the whole time, which could blow up the entire WWE system.

It wouldn’t just be Jeff breaching his contract tho, Tony Khan/AEW would also be liable for contract tampering. Legally, TK can’t discuss numbers or offer a contract until Jeff is free and clear. Even talking to him about coming in when his contract is up is technically tampering

Yeah, tampering is tortious interference...which, while the damages probably wouldn't be too high under the circumstances, a protracted legal battle would delay Jeff being able to come in, so I ultimately agree with you all. Probably not worth the headache, red tape, and moving parts to make it happen when he can just come in next Wednesday, anyway.

But, I didn't mean to hijack the thread with legal talk. I'll amend my answer to Johnathan Gresham. Makes sense to bring in a high profile ROH star in this spot, he'd shine in a ladder match setting, and he's around the level of guys like Ethan Page who have debuted under similar circumstances in AEW previously.

[Kalmia]

Mar 4, 2022 12:27:04 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 3, 2022 14:59:05 GMT -5 @mattyphatty said:

Without getting into the legal minutia, the way the whole arrangement appears to me, Jeff Hardy could probably just breach the contract and show up on March 6, but would then be liable for damages for the 3 days that were left on the contract (or, even, however much time was actually left on the contract when Jeff was "released"). I think that Tony Khan would gladly pay whatever amount that is if it meant being able to debut Jeff Hardy a little early in a ladder match on PPV, and WWE would probably accept it with the knowledge that it's all the damages they'd be legally entitled to for breach of contract, anyway.

That presumes that there truly isn't an actual noncompete, and it really is a "we are going to terminate your contract in 90 days" arrangement (i.e. more of a notice period). But, that's what I've always heard, and it makes sense because I really do think WWE would be loath to put actual noncompete agreements in their "independent" contracts. That would make it far easier for disgruntled ex-"independent contractors" to argue in court that they were employees the whole time, which could blow up the entire WWE system.

It wouldn’t just be Jeff breaching his contract tho, Tony Khan/AEW would also be liable for contract tampering. Legally, TK can’t discuss numbers or offer a contract until Jeff is free and clear. Even talking to him about coming in when his contract is up is technically tampering

This is a genuine question because I honestly don't know the answer, but would this then open the whole can of worms over wrestlers' "independent contractor" status? Contract tampering is contract tampering, but would preventing someone from doing a "one-off" and uncontracted appearance elsewhere (which AEW could argue it would be) lead to bigger questions about WWE contracts?

Like, I don't think for a second that AEW will do this and poke the bear for the sake of three days, especially as it has a high chance of backfiring on them badly. It's just interesting as a hypothetical thought exercise.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 4, 2022 12:57:56 GMT -5 Kalmia said:

Mar 4, 2022 12:27:04 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

It wouldn’t just be Jeff breaching his contract tho, Tony Khan/AEW would also be liable for contract tampering. Legally, TK can’t discuss numbers or offer a contract until Jeff is free and clear. Even talking to him about coming in when his contract is up is technically tampering

This is a genuine question because I honestly don't know the answer, but would this then open the whole can of worms over wrestlers' "independent contractor" status? Contract tampering is contract tampering, but would preventing someone from doing a "one-off" and uncontracted appearance elsewhere (which AEW could argue it would be) lead to bigger questions about WWE contracts?

Like, I don't think for a second that AEW will do this and poke the bear for the sake of three days, especially as it has a high chance of backfiring on them badly. It's just interesting as a hypothetical thought exercise.

It’s a can of worms I doubt AEW would want to open as I presume their contracts are worded incredibly similar. If TK wanted to he could absolutely kibosh AEW wrestlers appearing in other promotions, they require his approval. I imagine WWE contracts state something similar, even if WWE never approves of them appearing elsewhere.

TK may be a lot looser with what he allows his contracted talent to do, but no way in hell do I see him pulling a move that could potentially weaken his contract exclusivity. And the independent contractor status being challenged would absolutely affect him negatively

[Deleted]

Mar 4, 2022 12:57:56 GMT -5 Kalmia said:

Mar 4, 2022 12:27:04 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

It wouldn’t just be Jeff breaching his contract tho, Tony Khan/AEW would also be liable for contract tampering. Legally, TK can’t discuss numbers or offer a contract until Jeff is free and clear. Even talking to him about coming in when his contract is up is technically tampering

This is a genuine question because I honestly don't know the answer, but would this then open the whole can of worms over wrestlers' "independent contractor" status? Contract tampering is contract tampering, but would preventing someone from doing a "one-off" and uncontracted appearance elsewhere (which AEW could argue it would be) lead to bigger questions about WWE contracts?

Like, I don't think for a second that AEW will do this and poke the bear for the sake of three days, especially as it has a high chance of backfiring on them badly. It's just interesting as a hypothetical thought exercise.

It would be an enormous can of worms, which was my original point. And is the reason that there is no actual "noncompete" clause in the WWE contracts. It means less than you would think, and is very jurisdiction specific, but I do contract law (insurance specifically), and looking at it from 10,000 feet I could see WWE and AEW reaching some kind agreement to buy out the last 3 days of Jeff Hardy's notice period to avoid opening that particular can.

But, as we've talked about it, I agree now that it's not a fight worth picking.

[eJm]

Mar 4, 2022 13:08:46 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 4, 2022 12:57:56 GMT -5 Kalmia said:

This is a genuine question because I honestly don't know the answer, but would this then open the whole can of worms over wrestlers' "independent contractor" status? Contract tampering is contract tampering, but would preventing someone from doing a "one-off" and uncontracted appearance elsewhere (which AEW could argue it would be) lead to bigger questions about WWE contracts?

Like, I don't think for a second that AEW will do this and poke the bear for the sake of three days, especially as it has a high chance of backfiring on them badly. It's just interesting as a hypothetical thought exercise.

It’s a can of worms I doubt AEW would want to open as I presume their contracts are worded incredibly similar. If TK wanted to he could absolutely kibosh AEW wrestlers appearing in other promotions, they require his approval. I imagine WWE contracts state something similar, even if WWE never approves of them appearing elsewhere.

TK may be a lot looser with what he allows his contracted talent to do, but no way in hell do I see him pulling a move that could potentially weaken his contract exclusivity. And the independent contractor status being challenged would absolutely affect him negatively

Basically, if you’re someone with the resources to challenge it, you aren’t going to use your resources to challenge it unless, like,
you were haunted by three ghosts the previous night.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Mar 4, 2022 13:28:48 GMT -5 eJm said:

Mar 4, 2022 13:08:46 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

It’s a can of worms I doubt AEW would want to open as I presume their contracts are worded incredibly similar. If TK wanted to he could absolutely kibosh AEW wrestlers appearing in other promotions, they require his approval. I imagine WWE contracts state something similar, even if WWE never approves of them appearing elsewhere.

TK may be a lot looser with what he allows his contracted talent to do, but no way in hell do I see him pulling a move that could potentially weaken his contract exclusivity. And the independent contractor status being challenged would absolutely affect him negatively

Basically, if you’re someone with the resources to challenge it, you aren’t going to use your resources to challenge it unless, like,
you were haunted by three ghosts the previous night.

Pretty much. Even guys who have successfully challenged WWE, like Punk and Lesnar, only challenged it with regards to themselves. They didn’t try and take on the bigger issue of WWE contracts in general, just unfair rules that were applied specifically to them

[Oh Cry Me a Screwball]

Mar 4, 2022 11:36:29 GMT -5 chrom said:

Mar 4, 2022 5:28:09 GMT -5 eJm said:

…I didn’t even think of Josh Alexander.

Adding him to the list.

Doesn't he have to sort out a work visa first?

Admittedly, I don’t know too much about the process, but AEW would be actively working on it if they are signing him. I was thinking along the lines of that it being done and neither AEW or Josh told anyone it was done so the debut could be a surprise. But I also don’t know how long it would take these days either.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Mar 3, 2022 4:48:38 GMT -5 chrom said:

Jay White, I'm calling it that it's him

God I hope not.

I would be delighted by almost anybody else, though.

Swerve would be great. Bray might get my partner back into pro wrestling. Cesaro might just get my dick hard, frankly

I hope it isn't Jeff Hardy but mainly for his own sake

[A Platypus Rave]

Mar 4, 2022 13:08:46 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

Mar 4, 2022 12:57:56 GMT -5 Kalmia said:

This is a genuine question because I honestly don't know the answer, but would this then open the whole can of worms over wrestlers' "independent contractor" status? Contract tampering is contract tampering, but would preventing someone from doing a "one-off" and uncontracted appearance elsewhere (which AEW could argue it would be) lead to bigger questions about WWE contracts?

Like, I don't think for a second that AEW will do this and poke the bear for the sake of three days, especially as it has a high chance of backfiring on them badly. It's just interesting as a hypothetical thought exercise.

It’s a can of worms I doubt AEW would want to open as I presume their contracts are worded incredibly similar. If TK wanted to he could absolutely kibosh AEW wrestlers appearing in other promotions, they require his approval. I imagine WWE contracts state something similar, even if WWE never approves of them appearing elsewhere.

TK may be a lot looser with what he allows his contracted talent to do, but no way in hell do I see him pulling a move that could potentially weaken his contract exclusivity. And the independent contractor status being challenged would absolutely affect him negatively

Yeah. not to mention as I've said every time it comes up... if someone challenges the WWE's treatment of Independent Contractors... expect a ton of money from other sources also coming in to help the WWE.

A lot of business abuse the hell out of the idea behind the ICs, hell the WWE might not even be the most egregious example.

[Von Wagner's Brownies]

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Mar 4, 2022 21:51:53 GMT -5 Von Wagner's Brownies said:

So... 7th person is a mystery, and PVZ is just casually signed lol

[Celexa Bliss 54]

Looks like there is no seventh man.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

The 7th man are the friends we made along the way

[sunnytaker]

cody returns

[Ash Kingston]

Bray would be nice, but it might be Swerve or Claudio.

Now, in case there is no seventh participant... the answer is obviously the 1987 Denver Broncos.

[Tiffany Stratton's Daddy]

CESARO! PLEASE CESARO!