Kevin Kelly Fires Back At Jim Ross Over AEW Lawsuit
Kevin Kelly and AEW have both issued further comments after the fired announcer along with two former talents launched legal action against Tony Khan’s company.
Kevin Kelly was fired by AEW after going public with his frustrations with the company and comments made by fellow AEW announcer Ian Riccaboni online. The former WWE and NJPW commentator has previously vowed that the company “will get theirs” and now it seems he’s taking legal action alongside two other fired AEW talents.
On April 1st 2024 several AEW and ROH talents were released from their contracts. Among the releases were The Boys who regularly appear alongside Dalton Castle. Bret and Brandon Tate sometimes known as The Tate Twins have been part of Castle’s act on and off for almost a decade before being released.
Tony Khan had publicly claimed that the Tates had failed to show up for work on several occasions but they hit back at those allegations, sharing screenshots of texts with office staff in the company to share their side of the story.
Now The Wrestling News has reported that Kevin Kelly and the Tate brothers have launched legal action against AEW. The suit was said to be filed on August 30th in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas by attorneys Stephen P. New & Benjamin Baer.
Kevin Kelly “Left No Choice” With AEW Lawsuit
Taking to social media, Kevin Kelly acknowledged the comments about his lawsuit and responded to Jim Ross’ assessment that the legal action was frivolous:
Lots of comments on our lawsuit and we will see what happens. I had hoped to settle this fairly and quietly with AEW but they left us no choice. And to my friend JR, this is not “frivolous” in the least. We look forward to what comes next. Thank you all very much.
Lots of comments on our lawsuit and we will see what happens. I had hoped to settle this fairly and quietly with AEW but they left us no choice. And to my friend JR, this is not "frivolous" in the least. We look forward to what comes next. Thank you all very much.
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) September 4, 2024
AEW issued a brief response to Stephen Muelhausen of Sports Illustrated addressing the situation:
AEW does not comment on pending litigation.
The suit is looking to void the arbitration clause of their talent contracts but it is also looking to do something that could have far-reaching consequences beyond All Elite Wrestling. The suit is said to be requesting that the court classify a class-action lawsuit over claims the company is misclassifying talent as independent contractors rather than employees.