Folks, just when you thought the CM Punk vs. AEW saga was in the rearview mirror, Ryan Nemeth slammed on the gas, bringing us a fresh wave of backstage drama. It’s got everything: alleged harassment, unreturned emails, and a plot twist involving NDAs that’d make even the Succession writers jealous. Let’s dive in.
The Nemeth Complaint: A Timeline of Tension
Back in September, Ryan Nemeth—a man known for his quick wit and quicker bumps—filed a formal complaint against CM Punk and AEW’s handling of their backstage spat. According to Fightful Select, Nemeth’s complaint is as detailed as a tax audit, featuring emails, texts, phone logs, and possibly some handwritten notes on a napkin.
Nemeth accuses Punk of threats, harassment, and wielding executive-level influence to make his life difficult. He also claims AEW ignored his cries for help and, in one instance, encouraged him to cut an anti-Punk promo. Yes, you read that right: AEW allegedly wanted him to air his grievances on live TV. Because nothing says “healthy work environment” like public feuds with someone who might be your boss.
Nemeth vs. Punk: The Rundown
The drama reportedly began in June 2023, when Punk confronted Nemeth over a spicy tweet. Things escalated quickly, with Nemeth alleging that Punk threatened him during the encounter. Fast-forward a few months, and Nemeth was mysteriously absent from AEW programming. He was eventually reassured he still had a job (thanks to Megha Parekh), but his bookings remained nonexistent—until August, when Punk allegedly had him removed from a Collision taping.
Adding fuel to the fire, Nemeth claims AEW flew him out for a Dynamite taping, only to pitch a promo aimed at taking shots at Punk. To paraphrase: “You’ve been harassed—now go talk about it in front of millions.”
The Aftermath: Lawsuits, NDAs, and a Whole Lotta Shrugs
Nemeth’s issues didn’t stop there. He found himself looped into AEW’s investigation of Punk after the infamous All Out incident with Jack Perry. Nemeth claims he was scapegoated as one of the reasons Punk was let go, with AEW brass allegedly holding him responsible for the fallout.
Then there’s the NDA bombshell. Nemeth says AEW offered him a settlement with strings attached: sign the NDA or no deal. But before Nemeth could decide, the offer mysteriously vanished like a wrestler mid-match after a surprise beatdown.
Nemeth’s Goals: Change and Closure
Despite the chaos, Nemeth isn’t just looking for financial compensation. He’s also calling for a cultural overhaul in AEW, advocating for a safer and more transparent environment for its roster. Nemeth even acknowledged that Punk wasn’t the sole problem, placing more blame on AEW exec Chris Peck for stonewalling his concerns.
Interestingly, Nemeth met with AEW boss Tony Khan earlier this year to discuss the situation. Khan reportedly floated the idea of bringing him back, but Nemeth declined, likely still holding a grudge over the whole “Punk drama” chapter.
As of now, AEW has yet to comment on Nemeth’s claims, leaving fans to speculate and wrestlers to… well, wrestle.