WWE Sheds Black Writer’s Lawsuit Over ‘Racist’ Scene Scripts

A former writer for World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has dismissed her civil rights suit alleging the company discriminated and retaliated against her for objecting to “racist and stereotypical jargon” in the scripts of Black wrestlers.

Plaintiff Britney Abrahams agreed to dismiss the case in a notice filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The Oct. 13 filing provided no explanation for the dismissal, and counsel for the parties didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Abrahams alleged that WWE pretextually fired her for taking a WrestleMania 38 branded chair, which she said was a common practice that brought no punishment for White male writers.

• Abrahams began writing for WWE SmackDown! and WWE Monday Night RAW in 2020, according to the complaint
• She complained of racial and gender stereotypes in scripts, including ones instructing Black wrestler Bianca Belair to say “Uh-Uh! Don’t make me take off my earrings and beat your ass!” and wrestler Apollo Crews to speak with a “stereotypical and exaggerated Nigerian accent,” but was rebuffed, she said
• The complaint alleged that Abrahams continued to oppose racist, sexist pitches, and was fired in retaliation in April 2022
• Abrahams previously voluntarily dismissed claims against then-WWE President Vince McMahon and other executives without prejudice. She dismissed those claims with prejudice in her latest filing. McMahon is currently executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings, which owns WWE
• The complaint alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and sought declaratory, injunctive, and equitable relief, as well as monetary damages

Cochran Firm represented Abrahams. O’Melveny & Myers LLP represented WWE.

The case is Abrahams v. World Wrestling Ent. Inc., E.D.N.Y., No. 23-cv-03109, notice of dismissal 10/13/23.