Folks, if you thought the wrestling ring was the only place for body slams and suplexes, think again. This time, AEW is getting ready to lock horns not with chairs and tables—but in a courtroom! That’s right, we’ve got a lawsuit flying off the top rope, and it’s coming courtesy of Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins.
Let me break it down for you. In a twist that could make any soap opera jealous, AEW owner Tony Khan, along with AEW announcer Ian Riccaboni, are being sued. And not for breaking kayfabe, folks—oh no, this one’s about defamation, travel money, royalties, and some good old-fashioned feelings.
According to our dear friends at PWInsider, Brandon and Brent Tate, better known as The Boys in Ring of Honor, are pretty miffed. After being cut loose from AEW and ROH back in March, Khan reportedly told the world that they no-showed events. Oof, right? But the Tates aren’t having it. They claim they showed up and now want their money, travel reimbursements, and whatever else makes this lawsuit seem juicier than a summer blockbuster. And get this: they allege Khan’s comments have tanked their careers, with promoters now treating them like they’re the wrestling version of the Bermuda Triangle.
Now enter Kevin Kelly. The former AEW announcer’s got his own beef. Apparently, Riccaboni made some comments on a Discord server—because what says professional like airing dirty laundry on Discord, right? Riccaboni reportedly referred to Kelly’s support for the movie The Sound of Freedom as backing a “QAnon movie.” Kelly, in full denial of any ties to QAnon (or conspiracy theories in general), tried to settle this backstage drama privately. Riccaboni ghosted him harder than an unreturned text from your ex.
As a result, Kelly says his mental health took a nosedive, with bonus points for his marriage also getting piledrived. Oh, and let’s not forget—Kelly was left off the AEW Revolution card in March, and by April, he was no longer part of AEW. So naturally, he’s suing for back pay, royalties, and the treatment he says he never got.
Both Kelly and the Tate Twins are pushing for a class action lawsuit, claiming they’ve been misclassified as “independent contractors” rather than employees. November 15 is shaping up to be the case management hearing of the year, folks. It’s not WrestleMania, but it’s sure to be one heck of a showdown.