Lucha Underground wrestler, Ivelisse, says she’s been in the midst of a contract dispute for over a year. She took to Twitter today to release following statement:
I’ve done everything in my power to avoid having to do this but.. at this point I literally have no other choice.. For a bit over 1 1/2 [years] now I’ve been battling LU to grant me my release. They convinced me to do S4 under the promise that I’d be released after the season concluded and was still unhappy. They currently are still refusing to do so despite having been told numerous times that they would. This has caused me an unbearable amount of grief for so long now, I really have no words to describe and don’t know what else to do.. being legally held hostage while Pro Wrestling is booming is a matter not to be taken lightly, especially coming from someone who has dedicated their life to their work, its everything to me. I am at my wit’s end, so at this point, regardless what happens from here on out, at the very least my story is told.
She doesn’t seem like the only one looking to get out of their contract with Lucha Underground. Just today, Shane Strickland announced he is officially a free agent via his Twitter account. This came off the heels, of a rumored signing with WWE this month. In addition, Joey Ryan tweeted his support for Ivelisse and implied that he empathized with her situation because he was dealing the same issues with them.
ProWrestlingSheet.com reported that there hasn’t been much communication between MGM and Lucha Underground execs regarding season five. Sources told them things are currently at a stalemate over a failure to come to a new budget.
Ivelisse has been with Lucha Underground since the first season. She also made some early appearances on NXT, as well as the fifth season of Tough Enough before that. This Saturday, she will face Sienna for the Shine Championship at Shine 56.
Diva Dirt has reached out to Lucha Underground for a comment. Chris DeJoseph replied by saying he has not worked for the company since season 4 wrapped up, worked in creative and has no knowledge of contract details, and has no comment to add.
Diva Dirt will continue to reach out to Lucha Underground for comment.
