Back on September 4, 2024 former AEW commentator Kevin Kelly and former AEW/ROH talents The Tate Twins (Branden and Brent) filed lawsuits against AEW.
According to Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, the Judge in the lawsuit against AEW has approved the sealing of their talent contracts (which are submitted as exhibits) and the redactions in their complaint that references their contracts. Thurston also notes that it would have otherwise been the first time any AEW talent contracts were made public.
Kelly’s lawsuit alleges defamation from Ian Riccaboni and AEW, resulting from Riccaboni making disparaging comments on a discord channel regarding Kelly being involved with QAnon conspiracies. Kelly is seeking monetary damages, claiming that AEW breached his contract and that the situation has made it difficult for him to find work elsewhere. AEW fired Kelly this past March.
The Tate Twins were fired by Tony Khan back in April. Khan publicly stated Brandon and Brendon were released because they no-showed events. The brothers later said they no-showed due to miscommunication between themselves and management after they were booked to fly out of a different airport than what they would normally use. The twins claim they no-showed events is at the center of their defamation suit against Khan and AEW.
In addition, Kelly and the Tate twins are also requesting the court certify a class-action suit against AEW over the company misclassifying its talent as independent contractors rather than employees.