Folks, this is what we call a classic wrestling swerve—but instead of steel chairs and surprise betrayals, we’re dealing with legal loopholes and arbitration clauses.
AEW and Tony Khan have fired back at Ryan Nemeth’s lawsuit, filing a petition to move the whole thing out of court and into private arbitration. Translation? They don’t want this mess going public.
What’s Going Down?
- Nemeth sued AEW, Khan, and CM Punk (Phil Brooks) last month, claiming retaliation, blacklisting, and even assault.
- AEW & Khan responded by saying, “Uh, actually, you signed a contract saying you’d handle disputes privately.”
- CM Punk’s name? Scrubbed from AEW’s filing. (Guess they don’t want that drama either.)
- AEW now wants a federal court to force Nemeth into arbitration AND to make him pay for AEW’s legal fees. (Ouch.)
The Fine Print
Nemeth allegedly signed three separate AEW contracts, all of which contained an arbitration clause saying, “If we ever have beef, it gets settled in Duval County, Florida—privately.” (Because nothing screams ‘fair and neutral legal setting’ like Jacksonville.)
AEW’s legal stance? Nemeth broke the rules by filing in Los Angeles. Now, they’re trying to drag this case into a closed-door arbitration hearing, where no juicy details will leak to the public.
What Happens Next?
Nemeth hasn’t responded yet (probably checking his contract with a magnifying glass), but if AEW gets its way, this entire lawsuit will be handled behind a curtain thicker than MJF’s scarf.
So, will this battle stay on the record or get swept under a Florida-sized rug? Stay tuned.