Widow of Nelson Frazier, Jr. (Mabel/Viscera) files wrongful death suit against WWE

Cassandra Frazier, widow of the man who worked the gimmicks Mabel, King Mabel, Viscera and Big Daddy V, Nelson Frazier, Jr., has filed a lawsuit in Shelby County Circuit Court in Memphis, Tennessee against WWE.  The suit is requesting damages due to Frazier's death resulting from the company's negligence and wrongful actions as it relates to "the long term consequences of multiple concussions and other serious, permanent and disabling injuries" he suffered throughout his years in Vince McMahon's employ.

This is the third concussion-related legal claim against WWE in the past few months.  Keith Harris previously brought us reports of the cases brought by Billy Jack Haynes in October of 2014 and by Vito LoGrasso & Evan Singleton just last month.

Frazier is the most prominent and closely associated with WWE former contractor to be named in such an action, however.  Over the course of his years with the Stamford, Connecticut-based corporation (on and off from 1994 - 2008), Frazier worked more than 400 matches and held several titles, including the WWF Hardcore championship and Tag Team title.

During this month's Black History Month features online at WWE.com and on television, he was touted as being the first African-American to win WWE's King of the Ring tournament, an honor that lead to the King Mabel gimmick.

The suit was filed on February 18, 2015, the one year anniversary of Frazier's death by heart attack.  A heart attack that the suit also alleges was caused by "WWE's willful, wanton, reckless, and grossly negligent" practices.

According to the courthouse website, the suit is in the initial phases of processing and as such has not been served to WWE.  Once that occurs, it's expected that the company will issue a statement.

We'll have that as soon as we get it, along with more details and analysis on this developing story.