3-time champion was approached about suing WWE but refused

More than 50 wrestlers attempted to sue WWE in 2016 over complaints about the company's lack of protection and treatment for concussions. Maven Huffman, the winner of the inaugural Tough Enough reality series, recently explained why he refused to be part of the lawsuit.

Maven worked for WWE between 2001 and 2005. The 47-year-old won the Hardcore Championship three times and feuded with The Undertaker in a memorable 2002 storyline. He often shares stories about his career on his YouTube channel.

In a new video, Maven said he was approached about joining the list of wrestlers on the lawsuit. After serious consideration, he decided against it because he did not want to betray the company that gave him his big break:

"When you join forces with a lawsuit, in my mind that immediately almost makes you the enemy," Maven stated. "I figured that, if I did join, the WWE might view me almost like stabbing them in the back. Another con would have been definite time I would have had to put into it. Obviously, I would have had to met with an attorney. I might even be called to take a deposition." [4:15 – 4:46]

Maven added that he was trying to move into the business world in 2016 and did not think suing a former employer would have been well received.

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How Maven feels about the WWE lawsuit eight years on

Several high-profile names were part of the lawsuit, including Hall of Famers Jimmy Snuka, Paul Orndorff, and Road Warrior Animal.

On reflection, Maven is glad he did not have anything to do with the legal complaint against WWE:

"Let's say they would have gave me five thousand dollars, that five thousand dollars would have been long gone at this point, but I still would have had to have lived with knowing that A, I put a number on my health and wellbeing, and B, I didn't live up to the standard I set for myself years ago, which was just taking ownership for my own actions." [8:45 – 9:07]

In 2018, the lawsuit was dismissed after Connecticut Judge Vanessa L. Bryant ruled WWE did not knowingly expose wrestlers to potential long-term brain damage. A federal appeals court also dismissed the lawsuit in 2020.

What are your thoughts on the 2016 concussion lawsuit? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

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Please credit Maven Huffman's YouTube channel and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.