Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins have filed a lawsuit against AEW, among others, following the circumstances of their respective departures from the company.
As first reported by The Wrestling News, Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins, also known as The Boys, have brought a lawsuit against AEW. Kelly, who had been on the AEW Collision commentary team, was fired by the company in March after he made heated remarks online about the company and commentator Ian Riccaboni, who commented on Kelly’s support for “Sound of Freedom” film, which some have tied to the QAnon movement.
Kelly is seeking monetary damages from both Riccaboni and AEW, as he alleges defamation and claims that his termination was in breach of his contract. He also claims that the situation has caused him to struggle to find work.
Likewise, The Tate Twins, who were released in April, also allege that Tony Khan’s comments about how they no-showed bookings are defamation, as they denied his remarks. Khan said that he stood by his comments following The Tate Twins’ response.
Additionally, the lawsuit aims to void the arbitration clause of the talent contracts Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins were under. Plus, they are requesting the court to certify “a class-action suit against AEW over claims the company is misclassifying its wrestling talent as independent contractors, rather than employees.”
Attorney’s Statement
Attorney Stephen P. New, who filed the lawsuit on August 30 alongside Benjamin Baer, in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, shared the following statement, per The Wrestling News:
“I applaud the bravery of these Plaintiffs in bringing this long-overdue action, challenging the mis-classification of pro-wrestlers as independent contractors instead of employees. We know we are in for a long, hard fight, but in the end, I believe justice always prevails.”
Additionally, New shared the following statement with The Takedown on SI.
“I am proud to represent Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins in this lawsuit,” New said in an email statement. “‘I am looking forward to them having their day in Court and the truth coming out about their situations. Finally, I hope this lawsuit is the genesis of a change in the pro wrestling industry wherein we can make pro wrestlers the employees they are instead of “independent contractors” which they are not and never have been.”
Update: The Takedown on SI provided the following statement from AEW PR:
“AEW does not comment on pending litigation,” AEW PR told The Takedown.
Following his termination, Kevin Kelly said that he planned to take legal action and sue AEW.
WrestleZone will monitor the situation and provide more information as it becomes available.
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