Jim Ross comments on Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins filing a lawsuit against AEW.
News of the lawsuit became public when The Wrestling News reported about it on September 4. In the suit, Kelly and The Tate Twins both allege defamation related to their AEW releases. In the lawsuit, they also seek to void the arbitration clause of the talent contracts they were under, and they aim to have the court certify “a class-action suit against AEW over claims the company is misclassifying its wrestling talent as independent contractors, rather than employees.”
Speaking on Grilling JR, AEW commentator Jim Ross was asked to share his thoughts on the lawsuit. (H/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription).
“When you sign your contract, you agree to the terms. That would include being an independent contractor. I’ll say this. The plaintiffs, Kevin Kelly and those guys, they’ll run out of money before Tony Khan does. I don’t hold out much hope they’re going to get any kind of settlement, whatsoever. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m not a judge or lawyer or anything along those lines. I don’t like those kind of lawsuits. I think they’re frivolous. You would think guys would get together and work out something before going to spend their money on a lawyer, who is probably doing it, ‘If you win, you get this. If you don’t win, no harm, no foul.’ There is harm and there is foul. You knew what you were doing when you signed your deal. I’m not familiar with the two wrestlers.”
Jim Ross On Kevin Kelly
Jim Kelly has worked with Kevin Kelly in the past, and they have been friends for years. He said that he was sad to see Kelly leave AEW leave the way he did. Ross stated that it was unfortunate.
“I know who they are,” Jim Ross said. “Kevin Kelly is an old friend of mine for years. I was sad to see him leave the way he did. He just wasn’t happy. I think he wanted a bigger role that wasn’t available to him. Then, all of a sudden, he’s gone. It’s unfortunate, it’s sad. He has a lot to offer. As far the independent contractor thing being thrown out and overruled, I don’t hold any hope for that to happen.”
WrestleZone will monitor the lawsuit and provide more information as it becomes available.
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