WWE Star Montez Ford Sued Over Alleged 'Sexualized Lap Dance' on Security Guard

An Illinois security guard has filed a lawsuit against WWE star Montez Ford, whose real name is Kenneth Crawford, and the WWE, alleging assault and battery. The suit claims Ford performed a "sexualized lap dance" on the guard, Noel Lucas, during a live broadcast of "Monday Night Raw" on July 6.

Lucas, who was working off-duty security at the event as an officer with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, alleges Ford approached him without warning and began dancing in a "sexually provocative" manner. According to the lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Ford repeatedly thrust his hips and pelvis towards Lucas, performing a "sexualized 'lap dance,'" with his thigh repeatedly rubbing against Lucas's leg.

The lawsuit, which includes 14 counts, also alleges violations of the Illinois Gender Violence Act, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. Lucas is seeking unspecified monetary damages, punitive damages, and legal fees.

Fan footage of the interaction shows Ford dancing over Lucas, who appears uncomfortable before smiling. The lawsuit states that after the incident, footage of the encounter spread widely on social media, drawing hundreds of thousands of views. Lucas claims he was subsequently recognized by members of the public at his full-time job at a courthouse, where individuals mocked him by imitating the dance moves. Furthermore, Lucas alleges that his children were ridiculed at school due to the circulating videos.

The episode of "Monday Night Raw" where the alleged incident occurred drew an estimated 12,500 fans and recorded 2.5 million global views on Netflix over seven days. However, the current version of the episode available on Netflix appears to have edited out the interaction described in the lawsuit.

Lucas also claims that the WWE and Ford used his image for commercial purposes without authorization. A case management hearing for the lawsuit is scheduled for December 10.

Ford joined WWE in 2015 and, as part of the tag team The Street Profits with Angelo Dawkins, has won multiple tag team championships.