The Wrestling News reports that Kevin Kelly and The Boys (aka the Tate Twins) have filed a lawsuit against AEW. The suit was filed on August 30 in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas by attorneys Stephen P. New & Benjamin Baer.
Kelly and the Tates are hoping to void the arbitration clause of their talent contracts and want the court to certify a class-action suit against AEW. They claim the company is misidentifying its talent as independent contractors instead of employees.
Back in April, AEW released the Tate Twins from their contracts after CEO Tony Khan claimed they no-showed multiple bookings. The Boys denied this but Khan said he stands by what he said. The two are also suing Khan for defamation in response.
Meanwhile, Kelly was fired back in March. This stemmed from an incident with Ian Riccaboni and comments Kelly made on social media. Kelly said that Riccaboni was “libelous” after Riccaboni accused him of spreading Q’Anon beliefs. Kelly is looking for monetary damages. He said that AEW breached his contract and have prevented him from finding more work. He is also wanting damages from Riccaboni for defamation.
New said in a statement: “I applaud the bravery of these Plaintiffs in bringing this long-overdue action, challenging the mis-classification of pro-wrestlers as independent contractors instead of employees. We know we are in for a long, hard fight, but in the end, I believe justice always prevails.”
He added on Twitter: “How fitting and appropriate that on Labor Day weekend a lawsuit is filed seeking to correct, among other things, the abhorrent practice of misclassification of pro wrestlers as independent contractors and not employees. All AEW wrestlers are now members of this putative class.”
How fitting and appropriate that on Labor Day weekend a lawsuit is filed seeking to correct, among other things, the abhorrent practice of misclassification of pro wrestlers as independent contractors and not employees. All AEW wrestlers are now members of this putative class https://t.co/lEARTPAhBt
— Steve New (@StephenPNew) September 4, 2024
