The website TheWrestlingNews.com is reporting that former AEW commentator Kevin Kelly and former ROH/AEW stars Brandon and Brendan Tate, better known as The Boys, filed a lawsuit against AEW in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.
The lawsuit was filed by attorneys Stephen P. New and Benjamin Baer. New represented CM Punk and Ace Steel following the Brawl Out incident in October 2021.
The lawsuit “seeks to void the arbitration clause of their talent contracts, as well as requesting the court certify a class-action suit against AEW over claims the company is misclassifying its wrestling talent as independent contractors, rather than employees.”
AEW, just like WWE, lists their stars as independent contractors rather than employees, something that has been in contention for decades within the business.
Kelly was fired in March, just 10 months after he started working there, following a public bust-up with his former commentary colleague Ian Riccaboni. He later expressed frustration with AEW which did not help his case.
The Tate brothers were released from their deal in April of this year due to budget cuts but AEW President Tony Khan later said that the two brothers no-showed several events, something that both of them deny.
