Candy Cartwright Sues Matt Riddle, WWE, EVOLVE & Gabe Sapolsky Over Alleged Sexual Assault
Professional wrestler, Candy Cartwright is suing Matt Riddle, WWE, Gabe Sapolsky, and EVOLVE. Cartwright, whose real name is Samantha Tavel, is seeking $10 million each for actual damages, damages from emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and costs.
The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Illinois Circuit Court on Thursday. Stated in the lawsuit are Carwright’s claims that Riddle began sexually assaulting her in April of 2017 in a parking lot after an EVOLVE live event. She claims Riddle bragged about it to Gabe Sapolsky, and that Sapolsky, EVOLVE, and WWE knew and even “approved” of the allegations.
Candy would go on to claim that on or around May 19, 2018, Riddle forced her to perform oral sex on him in a parking lot. She says she refused, and Matt then grabbed her by the throat and saying, “What if I made you?”. She would then allege that it was done in front of other members of the EVOLVE roster who were on a bus leaving the site of EVOLVE 104.
The lawsuit also alleges that the misogynistic culture created by the defendants encouraged Riddle’s behaviour and she would even accuse WWE of condoning sexual assault in the workplace for over 30 years.
The claim does not end there, Cartwright also claims that this alleged assault affected her professionally as well, she says she had bookings with both WWE and EVOLVE on or around January 31st of this year. Cartwright also claims Riddle had previously forced her to perform sexual acts on him and told her that she would lose bookings if she didn’t do so. She would then claim that when she refused to comply with the request, Matt Riddle would tell WWE and EVOLVE officials that he didn’t want her working with them. She then says the booking were cancelled, and she was told it was due to “issues with talent”.
Cartwright’s lawyer would issue the following statement
“The lawsuit was filed against each defendant seeking $10 million each. There’s an issue with each defendant and it needs to be addressed within professional wrestling. WWE has profited from toxic misogyny since its inception. We can only hope the state’s attorney’s office will do the right thing and open an investigation into this matter and press charges against Matt Riddle.”
WWE also issued a statement, saying:
“WWE has not been served with a lawsuit by Ms. Tavel. However, if served, we will vigorously defend ourselves and contest it.”
There are some very serious allegations being made here, which all came out courtesy of the #speakingout movement. I would not like to comment at all on these allegations, but I will say the #speakingout movement it’s self is a very good thing, and hopefully it will lead to women and all talent feeling safer in the world of professional wrestling.
Thanks to Fightful for the quotes.
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