Latest on Lawsuit Against Titus O’Neil & WWE Over Swerved Episode

After a long period of silence (as is normal with legal matters), a new development has popped up in the lawsuit against Titus O’Neil & WWE over an episode of Swerved. PWInsider reports that a new mediation meeting date has been set, with the two sides set to sit down on March 13th. This is a rescheduling from a January court date after the assigned mediator had a scheduling conflict.

O’Neil (real name Thaddeus Bullard) and WWE have been sued by cameraman Donald Anderson, who suffered an injured hand, fingers and wrist during a segment that involved Paige shocking O’Neil with a cattle prod. Anderson argues that WWE and O’Neil are liable for the damages suffered to his hand, fingers and wrist when O’Neil became enraged and kicked Anderson’s camera out of his hand. Anderson claims he couldn’t work due to the injuries.

O’Neil’s response has argued that he “acted out of necessity to prevent being assaulted” again by the cattle prod during the prank and that Anderson “knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risk when he intentionally conspired, planned and participated” to “film/record the assault and battery” of O’Neil, who argues that he used reasonable force to “end the threat of being cattle prodded repeatedly.” He also claims that the damages to Anderson were from his employer, Uranus Productions, and that he should get workman’s compensation from them.

If the mediation is unable to reach resolution, the case (and O’Neil’s $15,000 countersuit) will go to trial.