TNA’s Ryan Nemeth has launched a law suit claiming assault and breach of contract. He has named CM Punk, AEW and Tony Khan in that suit.
The complaint stems from an altercation he had with CM Punk backstage.
Nemeth claims that Punk “undertook a campaign to terrorize and intimidate [him], including physical assault” and claims AEW, Khan breached their “covenant of good faith and fair dealing and intentional interference with prospective advantage.”
He alleges that “AEW and Tony Khan did nothing to protect Ryan Nemeth and other wrestling performers from despicable conduct on the part of Brooks. AEW turned a blind eye to Brooks’ conduct because of Tony’s deep admiration for Brooks and because he was their most popular wrestling performer.”
He also accused Punk of having an “uncontrollable temper and often lashes out in violent tirades against others.”
Nemeth ushers in his complaint saying: “In early 2023, Brooks assaulted and battered two fellow wrestlers known by the stage names Matt and Nick Jackson. Brooks is known to have an uncontrollable temper and often lashes out in violent tirades against others. Thus, Defendants were on notice regarding Brooks’ violent proclivities.”
Nemeth believes that Collision was created to satisfy Punk. “Beyond his deep feelings for Brooks, Khan represented to AEW executives and wrestlers that the TBS network had produced the “AEW Collision” show contingent upon Brooks involvement as the show’s star. This was all the more reason for Khan to keep Brooks, in spite of his violent propensities,” states the suit.
The infamous situation with Punk calling The Elite and their fans “soft” on AEW television as part of a promo. Nemeth then wrote on X: “Literally the softest man alive.”
The suit though maintains: “Nemeth did nothing to Brooks whatsoever, but Brooks made it well-known that he was angry with Nemeth.”
It is alleged that Punk confronted Nemeth about his comments backstage. Nemeth and several wrestlers were sent home from AEW Collision.
“He assaulted Nemeth in the male talent locker room. In a menacing manner, Brooks shouted at Nemeth, “Do we have a f—–g problem? Do we need to step outside and handle this like men?” Nemeth was cornered by Brooks and did everything he could in order to de-escalate the situation,” he suit alleges.
Nemeth filed a complaint with AEW. He claims to have been written off TV because of the incident.
“Because Tony Khan had such a deep admiration for Brooks (bordering on an obsession), Khan went along with Brooks’ desires to ruin Nemeth’s career,” alleges the filing.
He also accuses Punk of convincing AEW to send him home from other events he was initially booked for.
“Nemeth continued to follow-up with AEW’s legal department, in the hope of trying to resolve this situation and to avoid further conflict. In a bizarre email, AEW attorney Chris Peck reached out and threatened legal action against Nemeth and accused him of employing a “ghost writer” in his emails,” stated Nemeth.
According to Nemeth: “Khan was heartbroken by the departure of Brooks, his idol and that he adored in every way. Khan was furious with Nemeth. Khan believes that Brooks left AEW because of Nemeth. The Defendants have embarked upon a campaign to “blackball” Nemeth from professional wrestling. Specifically, Tony Khan blames Nemeth for Brooks leaving AEW and has used his significant resources to make sure that Nemeth can never again make a living in wrestling. The conduct of each of the Defendants was malicious in that Defendants intended to cause injury to the Plaintiff. Defendants acted willfully and with a conscious disregard for the rights of the Plaintiff.”
Nemeth also takes issue with Tony Khan in the suit. He says that Khan “alienated” everyone in the Jaguars organization and “mismanaged Fulham” which led to multiple lawsuits against the organization.
“The Khan family formed AEW to provide Tony with something to do, safely away from the family’s other ventures,” the suit states.
Nemeth wants a jury trial and is suing for varied damages.
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