All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Tony Khan, and Ian Riccaboni have responded to a legal action initiated by Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins. The core of their response is to maintain the enforcement of arbitration clauses.
Earlier, on September 6, Kelly and the Tate Twins – also professionally known as The Boys, instigated legal proceedings against AEW, Khan, and Riccaboni. The goal of their lawsuit is to challenge and invalidate the arbitration clauses found within their contracts. They’re also trying to establish the ground for a class-action lawsuit.
Through this legal action, Kelly is alleging that AEW is classifying its talent incorrectly as independent contractors, rather than actual employees. He also accuses both Riccaboni and AEW of defaming his support towards Sound of Freedom. Additionally, the Tate Twins accuse Khan of damaging their reputation by accusing them of no-shows at multiple events.
According to Post Wrestling, the accused parties have responded with a comprehensive 40-page motion to the lawsuit. This defense motion asks for dismissal on the grounds of improper legal jurisdiction and the upholding of the arbitration clause contained in their AEW contracts.
Their detailed defense argues for the lawsuit to be heard in Florida, considering it’s where the AEW headquarters and contract execution took place. Notably, the original lawsuit was filed on August 30 in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Court.
The defending parties also argue that the contract mandates all disputes to be settled in Duval County, Florida, in the form of private arbitration.
They further argue that shifting the hearing to Florida would prove beneficial to Riccaboni, considering that higher costs could potentially be incurred if he were to defend himself in Pennsylvania.