AEW and their current World Champion, Jon Moxley, are being sued by a production crew member.
Christopher Dispensa, a contracted worker who was not employed by AEW, has filed a civil lawsuit against both AEW and Moxley for a situation which occurred on AEW Dynamite in 2023, reports SI’s The Takedown.
On that episode, Kenny Omega faced Moxley in a cage match. When the match went to the floor Dispensa was knocked to the ground by Moxley. Dispensa states that was not part of the script, wasn’t supposed to happen. Dispensa’s lawyers claim “allegedly deviating from the script, Moxley either showed intent to harm Dispensa, or at a minimum a complete disregard for whether harm was a result.”
In the suit Dispensa claims that he communicated his injuries to ringside physician Dr. Michael Sampson.
SI writes: “Dispensa claims Sampson was upset over the situation, saying that all stunts or interactions outside of the ring must be approved by Sampson beforehand. Sampson was near Dispensa when the incident occurred. He said Sampson asked him to go see the training staff. Dispensa’s representation told The Takedown on SI that he was eventually told he would not be treated any longer by the AEW athletic training staff, and that the incident was never acknowledged again. It also said Dispensa and Moxley never discussed the incident beyond briefly after the segment.”
Dispensa is suing for negligence and assault and battery. He alleges that because of what happened he was required to undergo cervical fusion surgery, shoulder surgery and treatment for other unspecified injuries.
The lawsuit also alleges that Moxley has “a history of disciplinary issues before this incident involving other people while under [AEW’s] employ, agency and/or contractual relationship” and that “past disciplinary offenses by [Moxley] include a documented history of unpredictability as well as a lack of control by Defendant AEW, all of which were known or should have been known to Defendant AEW at the time of this assault.”
AEW sources told SI that they aren’t aware of any such issues involving Moxley.
The suit also holds AEW responsible for Moxley’s alleged actions stating: “By going off-script and violently shoving Plaintiff, who was only a crew member, to the ground, [Moxley] demonstrated a substantial lack of concern for whether a severe injury would result to a production crew member at the event. In taking no precautions or preventative measures to protect production staff, Defendant AEW’s actions likewise show a reckless disregard for the safety of production staff which goes beyond simple inadvertence.”
SI reports that the damages Dispensa is suing for are “injuries suffered due to actions of the wrestler and the company he worked for,” and the filing says the “amount in controversy exceeds $25,000.” It claims he incurred damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, disability, permanent and serious disfigurement, wage loss and lost earnings capacity, pain and suffering, eexmplary damages for mental and emotional anxiety, humiliation and/or indignity, diminution to business reputation and opportunities, other economic and noneconomic damages not yet known, and all other damages available under Michigan Law.”
