Kevin Kelly, a veteran commentator with experience in WWE, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, made headlines after his exit from AEW. Reports noted that his departure followed a heated outburst just before the AEW Revolution event. In the aftermath, Kelly filed a lawsuit against AEW. In response, AEW has now filed to compel arbitration in the case, seeking to handle the dispute outside of court.
Kevin Kellys sudden departure and eventual return to AEW led to widespread speculation among fans. The situation escalated when Kelly accused fellow commentator Ian Riccaboni of defamation, while also emphasizing his own contributions leading up to AEW Revolution. It was later revealed that Kellys absence was tied to legal matters, and he has since been exploring other opportunities in the pro wrestling world.
On August 30, Kelly, along with former AEW wrestlers Brandon and Brendan Tate, filed a lawsuit against AEW and others in a Pennsylvania court. Represented by attorneys Stephen P. New and Benjamin Baer, they are contesting the arbitration clause in their contracts and are seeking to transform the lawsuit into a class-action case. The suit claims that AEW wrongly categorizes its wrestlers as independent contractors instead of employees. Additionally, Kelly is seeking financial compensation, accusing AEW of breaching his contract and damaging his future career opportunities.
Brandon Thurston has reported that in the Kelly v. AEW lawsuit, both parties have agreed and requested that the judge allow the defendantsAEW, Tony Khan, and Ian Riccabonito submit their response by tomorrow. In their request, the defendants have also asked to exceed the usual 20-page limit, aiming for a 30-page response. This is because they plan to address three major motions within the same filing.
The first motion will argue that the case should be dismissed due to improper venue, as the lawsuit was initially filed in state court, which AEW claims is inappropriate. If the judge refuses to dismiss the case on venue grounds, the second motion will ask for the case to be transferred to federal court instead.
Lastly, the third motion seeks to move the case from public court to private arbitration. The defendants will argue that arbitration is required based on the contracts of Kevin Kelly and the Tate brothers, which include arbitration clauses. However, the plaintiffs have challenged the fairness of these clauses and are likely to continue contesting their enforcement in court.
The outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain as the case moves forward in the coming months. Tony Khan is expected to mount a strong defense on behalf of AEW, which could lead to either a quick resolution or a prolonged legal fight. Much will depend on how both sides arguments are received by the court and how the case develops, particularly with the arbitration dispute and venue issues still in play. As the proceedings continue, fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how it unfolds.
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