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Former NXT Wrestler Files Lawsuit Amid Speaking Out Allegations
James Edward Smith II, better known to wrestling fans as Bull Dempsey and Bull James has filed a lawsuit following serious allegations made against him last year during the Speaking Out movement.
Court documents reveal Smith filed a lawsuit against four parties at the Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn, NY on 3/26.
The lawsuit alleges the defendants made false accusations via social media posts that “caused irreparable harm” to Smith’s “personal and professional reputation, putting the future of his business and career in jeopardy as well as his ability to defend his reputation”.
Last summer, a number of social media posts surfaced, one alleging Smith stalked a woman, as well as abused his influence in the wrestling world to stop another independent wrestler from being booked.
Smith says he was in a relationship with this woman in the past, and she made false claims about him on social media in 2017.
Later that year, he and the woman entered into a settlement agreement in open court. The agreement states she “would not mention the Plaintiff (Smith) in any form of social media, or in any way defame his reputation”. He says she breached those conditions, posting allegations last summer, and now has “suffered damages”.
Another post alleged he made a 17-year old girl, who was training to be a pro-wrestler, send him inappropriate photos.
According to court documents, Smith claims one of the defendants created and sent fabricated text messages posing as an underage girl. These texts were then sent to another defendant, who posted them on social media. He claims he had no contact with the woman who allegedly created and sent the fabricated messages.
The above posts and others created by the Defendants caused others to join in a viral smear campaign of the Plaintiff.
As a result of the Twitter posts, the New York Wresting Connection posted the following on Twitter: “In response to the recent allegations against Bull James, NYWC management has decided to suspend and remove Bull James indefinitely without pay as the head Trainer of the NYWC Training Academy and as NYWC in-ring talent and booker of Outlaw Wrestling”
As a result of the Defendants defamatory statements, Plaintiff’s career in the
tight-knit wrestling community, as well as related fields, has been greatly injured.
He is seeking exemplary and punitive damages “in an amount appropriate to punish Defendants”, as well as “an order of protection”, and “Defendants to undertake such remedial efforts as the Court deems necessary to restore Plaintiff’s reputation, including, but not limited to a public apology and retraction”
He is also seeking attorney’s fees and costs permitted by law.
Smith worked for WWE under the name Bull Dempsey from 2013-2016. Following his release from WWE he continued to work on the independent scene, as well as promote shows for Outlaw Wrestling in New York.