In the world of celebrity legal drama, few cases strike as bizarre a chord as the $3 billion lawsuit against Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, known for his roles in the Fast & Furious series and Moana. The lawsuit, which sprawled across an unimaginable roster of 1,200 defendants, including high-profile celebrities and corporations, was dismissed in the summer of 2023. Here’s a breakdown of how the Dwayne 'Rock' Johnson kidnapping case unfolded and why it was ultimately dismissed.
What Sparked the Lawsuit?
In late 2022, Trenesha Biggers, a former wrestler known in the ring as "Rhaka Khan," initiated a legal battle against Johnson and numerous other parties. Biggers, whose career included stints in WWE and TNA wrestling, alleged a widespread conspiracy involving kidnapping and other severe accusations against these figures.
@therock | Instagram | Biggers claims were that Johnson had kidnapped her child, stalked her for two decades, and even attempted to end her life.
Among her claims were that Johnson had kidnapped her child, stalked her for two decades, and even attempted to end her life. These allegations extended to bizarre levels, suggesting Johnson was acting under orders from former President Donald Trump.
The Allegations
The case against Johnson was not only notable for its high-profile defendant but also for the sheer scope and nature of the allegations. Biggers accused not just celebrities like Johnson but also an eclectic mix of public figures and organizations—from former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to major corporations like Facebook and Disney.
The lawsuit described a convoluted network of conspiracies, portraying the defendants as part of a multi-headed terrorist organization.
@welcome_to_the_awakening | Instagram | In late 2022, Trenesha Biggers, a former wrestler known in the ring as "Rhaka Khan," initiated a legal battle against Johnson and numerous other parties.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, the lawsuit struggled with procedural issues from the outset. None of the defendants were formally served, which stalled the legal process significantly. Moreover, the allegations, sprawling across hundreds of pages in the amended complaint, lacked coherent, substantiated claims, making it difficult to take the legal battle seriously.
Why Was the Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Kidnapping Lawsuit Dismissed?
On June 12, 2023, the lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The dismissal was grounded in the failure of the lawsuit to meet the basic requirements set by Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This rule mandates that a complaint must contain sufficient factual detail to make the claim plausible—a criterion not met by Biggers' filing.
Following the dismissal, Biggers attempted to file amended complaints. However, these too were dismissed for similar reasons. The appeals process extended into the second circuit, but as of now, it has yielded no fruitful results.
@therock | Instagram | Johnson remained largely unaffected in both his personal life and his bustling acting career.
The legal dismissal reflects not just on the implausibility of the claims but also on the broader implications of such lawsuits. While celebrities often face legal challenges, the scale and nature of this case put it in a league of its own. Johnson, despite the looming figure of a multi-billion dollar lawsuit, remained largely unaffected in both his personal life and his bustling acting career. The dismissal underscores the importance of factual basis in legal claims, especially when public figures are involved.
The case against Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was as dramatic as it was unprecedented. With accusations that read more like a script for a sensational Hollywood thriller than a plausible legal document, the dismissal was almost a foregone conclusion. This legal skirmish, while notable for its scale, ended with a reaffirmation of the need for substantive evidence in the courtroom.
