Judge Denies WWE’s Attempt to Dismiss Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit After SmackDown Injury

WWE is still on the hook in a brutal injury lawsuit after a Connecticut judge refused to toss the case involving a worker who says his life was changed forever while breaking down the ring after a SmackDown event.

The incident happened on March 29, 2024, during teardown at SmackDown in Uncasville, Connecticut. Teodoro Troche, working for contractor Complete Labor & Staffing, claims he slipped on debris while holding one of the ring’s massive corner posts—made of several hundred pounds of steel. As he fell, the pole smashed into his face, knocking out his teeth, and crushed his right hand.

The result? Emergency transport to a Level 1 trauma hospital, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. Troche says the injuries left him unable to work and permanently impaired his ability to earn a living.

Troche filed a lawsuit against Event Services LLC, WWE’s live event subsidiary, alleging gross negligence—including failure to clean the floor, failure to warn about hazards, and letting workers handle dangerous equipment in unsafe conditions.

WWE tried to get the lawsuit thrown out, claiming the Mohegan Gaming Disputes Court—not Connecticut Superior Court—was the proper venue, especially since Troche had already filed related claims against the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority there.

But Judge Scott Chadwick wasn’t buying it. In his ruling issued Tuesday (via Post Wrestling}, he said the Mohegan court doesn’t allow jury trials and caps damages, while Connecticut courts do not. In his words, keeping the case in state court “will best serve the convenience of the parties and the ends of justice.” Troche’s complaint paints a brutal picture of what happened:

“As the plaintiff was holding the pole upright, he was caused to slip and fall due to debris that had been deposited on the floor during the event, which made both his footing and that of the corner post itself unstable. As the plaintiff fell, the pole struck his face, knocking out his teeth, and landed on his right hand, crushing it.”

Troche’s lawyer, James Harrington, applauded the court’s decision to let the case move forward:

“It was a life-altering injury that permanently changed his ability to work, care for himself, and live without pain… We appreciate the Court’s ruling allowing this case to proceed so the full facts surrounding how this devastating injury occurred can be fairly examined.”

WWE did not respond to requests for comment.

With WWE already facing legal heat on multiple fronts—including high-profile lawsuits against top execs—this latest ruling is another legal blow the company can’t ignore.

Do you think WWE’s live event operations need tighter safety oversight? Should workers like Troche be better protected behind the scenes? Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think.