Former WWE superstars accuse local wrestling promotor of failing to pay them
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The tight-knit world of independent professional wrestling is no stranger to high-stakes drama. Fans pack small venues to cheer on their favorite performers, while promoters work behind the scenes to coordinate talent and logistics. Lately, however, the biggest spectacle lately hasn’t been in the ring—it has been playing out across social media and public forums, with local promoter Dillon Hines and World Classic Professional Big Time Wrestling at the center of a growing storm of allegations.
From accusations of financial misconduct to claims of forgery, Hines and the promotion are facing scrutiny from wrestlers, colleagues, and even fans.
Who Is Dillon Hines?
Dillon Hines has spent the last several years carving out a reputation as an independent wrestling promoter, booking talent, managing event logistics, and cultivating loyal relationships with fans. Promoters like Hines are viewed as crucial to the wrestling ecosystem, often acting as the bridge between performers and the paying public. However, recent months have seen Hines’s name more associated with controversy than with his local events.
Social media platforms have become a battleground where Hines’s detractors allege everything from financial wrongdoing to forging autographs, while Hines steadfastly denies any misconduct. At stake, say insiders, is not only the credibility of one promoter but also the broader trust within the independent wrestling community.
The Allegations: Forgery and Financial Misconduct
Numerous claims have been leveled against Hines, but two stand out:
Forgery: Hines is accused of selling forged autographs during meet-and-greet sessions. While no definitive evidence has been made public, the accusation alone has tarnished Hines’s credibility with some fans and performers. Non-Payment of Talent: Wrestling legends Rob Van Dam (RVD) and Terry Brunk (Sabu) have publicly asserted that Hines failed to honor financial commitments for their appearances. Hines, however, calls these accusations part of a “smear campaign” and has posted screenshots of alleged payments in his defense.
Speaking to critics who suggest he doesn’t pay talent, Hines has repeatedly stated that many of these claims arise from personal grudges rather than facts.
RVD Speaks Out
One of the most prominent voices against Hines is former WWE Superstar Rob Van Dam, known as RVD, who shared his grievances on his 1 of a Kind podcast. RVD accused both Hines and his father, local wrestling legend Bobby Fulton, of unprofessional behavior and pointed to several incidents that he says demonstrate a troubling lack of financial integrity. The following is a transcript of portions of the podcast shared by ringsidenews.com.
RVD: “How do you call yourself professional? When you ripped me off at WrestleMania weekend in Philly, made me fight and do my own investigation to prove you owed me money, and then promised to pay me over the next several weeks but instead shorted me again and again?”
RVD noted that Hines and Fulton did not use contracts or require deposits, practices he believes are crucial in preventing disputes:
RVD: “When I asked Bobby—his dad, Bobby Fulton—for a deposit, he said the same thing he says about contracts. He says, ‘No, I don’t do them, but you never have to worry about me.”
He then detailed having to investigate missing funds:
RVD also referenced a December 14th wrestling show in Waverly, warning others to be cautious if Hines uses RVD’s name to attract talent or attendees:
RVD: “I feel obligated to let everyone know: hey, if you’re taking bookings from this guy because he’s saying that he booked Rob Van Dam and that’s making him a big shot, and that’s why you want to work with him, then I gotta tell you the rest of the story. I don’t work with him because he screwed me over, then his dad screwed me over, and then they said they’re quitting. Instead of paying me, they’re quitting.”
Sabu’s Claims
In addition to RVD, Terry Brunk, better known to wrestling fans as Sabu, has also come forward. Sabu has accused Hines of not paying him for appearances and mishandling meet-and-greet proceeds. Hines, however, disputes Sabu’s version of events, describing one of Sabu’s bookings as a “mercy booking” and alleging that Sabu failed to fulfill certain obligations:
Hines: “We helped Sabu out of situations many times. I spoke to Sabu earlier today and he asked to be booked for future events, which at this point we will not work with him due to the issues that he has ongoing.”
Hines claims he has receipts to prove the payment was made, but Sabu’s accusations have added more heat to an already volatile situation.
The Matt Riddle Controversy
Hines’s troubles don’t end with wrestling veterans. He also finds himself embroiled in a bitter dispute involving Matt Riddle, a former WWE superstar. According to Hines, Riddle and his manager made last-minute demands, leading to financial chaos and broken agreements.
Hines: “On Saturday morning, December 14th, at 6:32 AM, an individual under the name of Michelle Grey reached out to me. She stated that for Matt Riddle to get on his flight, he’d need to receive $2,000.”
After confirming Grey’s connection to Riddle, Hines says he sent the money. From there, Riddle allegedly increased his fee, causing what Hines describes as significant losses:
Hines: “In our industry, a promo is as good as a contract. He did the promo; he chose not to perform to the contractual agreement.”
Hines claims the fiasco resulted in a drop in ticket and meet-and-greet sales, prompting him to publicly declare he would never work with Riddle again.
Zombie Hideout and the Kurt Angle Dispute
Outside of the wrestler-promoter feuds, Zombie Hideout, a pop culture store in Springfield, Massachusetts, has its own claims against Hines. The store says it was never reimbursed for a Kurt Angle meet-and-greet that Hines failed to deliver:
Zombie Hideout: “Good old Dillon Hines is at it again, causing more drama as usual. On our phone call, he promised he’d come by on January 14 to see me, but guess I missed him—big surprise there.”
They allege fans who paid for the event have yet to receive refunds. The store posted about a recorded phone call suggesting that Hines allegedly promised to rectify the situation but never followed through. The recorded phone call can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/5gPv5Se7cgE?feature=shared
A Fractured Community
As these feuds continue to unfold, social media has become a hotbed of impassioned debate. Memes mocking Hines are met with posts defending him, and fan pages are rife with speculation. Some in the wrestling world see this as a tipping point, calling for stricter contracts, clearer payment structures, and more transparency across independent promotions.
For now, the future of Dillon Hines and the promotion itself remains in flux. Both legal actions and public opinion could determine whether Hines and World Classic Big Time Professional Wrestling can maintain their foothold in a business where reputation is everything.