Ryan Nemeth Files Lawsuit Against AEW, Tony Khan & CM Punk

Former All Elite Wrestling talent Ryan Nemeth filed a lawsuit on February 14 against AEW, AEW CEO Tony Khan, and CM Punk. Nemeth is alleging assault, breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and intentional interference with prospective advantage.

Nemeth alleges in the lawsuit that CM Punk (real name Phil Brooks) "undertook a campaign to terrorize and intimidate" him, while AEW and Tony Khan did nothing to protect Nemeth or other wrestlers from CM Punk's conduct because of Khan's "deep admiration" for Punk and Brooks being the promotion's most popular wrestler. Nemeth has also alleged that AEW and Tony Khan have tried to "black ball" him from pro wrestling.

Within the lawsuit, Nemeth alleges that CM Punk "assaulted and battered" Matthew and Nicholas Jackson in early 2023, at which point Tony Khan suspended CM Punk. Whether this was a separate incident between The Young Bucks and CM Punk or Nemeth forgot when All Out 2022 took place is unknown.

Nemeth has alleged that CM Punk made it known while he was suspended from AEW that he despised Nemeth, with the former Briley Pierce claiming that Punk disliked him for no reason. On April 16, 2023, Ryan Nemeth allegedly expressed his concerns about being assaulted by Punk if Phil Brooks returned to AEW. Punk then allegedly assaulted Nemeth on June 21, 2023.

Nemeth wrote in the lawsuit:

"On June 21, 2023, following Brooks' return to the wrestling circuit, he assaulted Nemeth in the male talent locker room. In a menacing manner, Brooks shouted at Nemeth, 'Do we have a f*cking 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."

Nemeth alleges that he was contacted by Tony Schiavone and other AEW executives to explain what happened, during which he said he was attacked by CM Punk in the locker room. Nemeth alleges that AEW did not punish CM Punk, while Nemeth was "benched" by the promotion and not booked for over two months despite promises from AEW's in-house counsel and outside counsel that he would not be benched.

Nemeth then claims that he contacted AEW's legal department to complain, at which point he discovered he was not being booked because CM Punk insisted upon it, with Tony Khan agreeing because of his "deep admiration for Brooks (bordering on an obsession)."

Nemeth was then booked by AEW for a show on August 12, 2023. Upon CM Punk seeing Ryan Nemeth at the talent hotel, Phil Brooks allegedly text someone. Nemeth then received a text a few moments later from AEW producer Pat Buck about needing to speak to him when Nemeth got to the arena. Buck then informed Nemeth at the arena that Ryan had to leave immediately and travel would be arranged for him to fly home.

Nemeth has alleged the situation was engineered by CM Punk as Punk demanded Nemeth be told to leave and flown home. Tony Khan then "went along with Brooks out of his deep admiration."

The lawsuit states:

"Nemeth was embarrassed and humiliated in front of other wrestlers who witnessed him being kicked out of the arena. More importantly, fans observed him leaving the arena. Pictures were taken and the expulsion became 'viral' on social media. This humiliation caused irreparable damage the marketability and reputation of Nemeth."

Nemeth then allegedly contacted AEW's legal team on August 15, 2023 and complained about the ejection, but the lawyers didn't offer an explanation for Brooks and Khan's conduct.

After finishing up with AEW in late 2023, Nemeth alleges that he continued to follow up with AEW legal department which led to AEW attorney Chris Peck threatening legal action against him, accusing Nemeth of employing a "ghost writer" in his emails.

Following CM Punk's departure from AEW, it is alleged that Tony Khan was "heartbroken" and furious with Nemeth, with Ryan alleging that Khan believes Brooks "left AEW because of Nemeth."

The lawsuit further states:

"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."

As part of the lawsuit, Nemeth is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, and a jury trial.

Ryan Nemeth previously complained to All Elite Wrestling about alleged "abuse" he received from CM Punk. Nemeth noted in January 2025 that the issues had yet to be resolved.

Nemeth is now a part of TNA Wrestling, while CM Punk was fired by AEW following a backstage fight with Jack Perry at All In 2023. Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series later that year.

H/T Fightful

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