AEW Responds to Kevin Kelly’s Lawsuit with Official Statement

Kevin Kelly, known for his work with WWE, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, found himself embroiled in controversy following his departure from AEW. Reports suggest his exit was connected to a heated rant just before AEW Revolution. Since then, Kelly has taken legal action against AEW. In response to the situation, AEW has released a statement addressing the matter.

Kevin Kelly’s sudden absence and eventual return to AEW stirred up significant buzz among fans, with many speculating about the reasons behind it. The situation escalated when Kelly openly accused Ian Riccaboni of defamation, pointing out his own importance to AEW in the lead-up to the AEW Revolution pay-per-view. It was later revealed that Kelly’s absence was tied to a legal matter, and he has since moved on to other wrestling-related projects.

In a broader legal battle, Kevin Kelly, alongside wrestlers Brandon and Brendan Tate, filed a lawsuit against AEW and other parties on August 30 in a Pennsylvania court. The lawsuit, led by attorneys Stephen P. New and Benjamin Baer, challenges the arbitration clause in their contracts and seeks to have the case certified as a class-action lawsuit.

The plaintiffs argue that AEW has been wrongly classifying its wrestlers as independent contractors rather than employees. Additionally, Kelly, whose real name is Kevin Foote, is pursuing financial compensation, alleging that AEW breached his contract and hindered his ability to secure other employment opportunities.

In a statement provided to Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown, AEW’s Public Relations team stated that the company does not comment on the pending litigation.

“AEW does not comment on pending litigation.”

Jim Ross also doubts that Kevin Kelly’s lawsuit will succeed in the end. We’ll have to see how this legal battle progresses in the months ahead. With Tony Khan likely to mount a strong defense on behalf of AEW, this case could either be resolved quickly or turn into a lengthy legal struggle.

Do you believe Kevin Kelly’s lawsuit has any merit? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!