Jim Ross made his thoughts known on the lawsuit filed against AEW.
Back in June, former AEW broadcaster Kevin Kelly hinted that he would be seeking legal action against All Elite Wrestling after he was let go from the company. On September 4th, news emerged that Kelly had indeed filed a lawsuit alongside Brent and Brandon Tate, who were released in a round of talent cuts back in April.
The lawsuit, which was filed on August 30th, was first reported by The Wrestling News AV, who released the following statement on social media:
“BREAKING: Three former talents terminated by the company have brought a lawsuit against All Elite Wrestling, among others. The suit, brought by announcer Kevin Kelly and wrestlers Brandon & Brendan Tate, was filed on August 30 in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas by attorneys Stephen P. New & Benjamin Baer, and is seeking 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.”
Speaking about the news on the latest edition of Grilling JR, AEW broadcaster Jim Ross made it clear that he doesn’t see the suit amounting to much for the plaintiffs.
“When you sign your contract, you agree to the terms. That would include being an independent contractor. I’ll say this. The plaintiffs, Kevin Kelly and those guys, they’ll run out of money before Tony Khan does. I don’t hold out much hope they’re going to get any kind of settlement, whatsoever. Maybe I’m wrong. I’m not a judge or lawyer or anything along those lines.”
Jim Ross Calls AEW Lawsuit “Frivolous”
Continuing, Jim Ross questioned the decision to try to bring legal action against AEW.
“I don’t like those kind of lawsuits. I think they’re frivolous. You would think guys would get together and work out something before going to spend their money on a lawyer, who is probably doing it, ‘If you win, you get this. If you don’t win, no harm, no foul.’ There is harm and there is foul. You knew what you were doing when you signed your deal.
I’m not familiar with the two wrestlers. I know who they are. Kevin Kelly is an old friend of mine for years. I was sad to see him leave the way he did. He just wasn’t happy. I think he wanted a bigger role that wasn’t available to him. Then, all of a sudden, he’s gone. It’s unfortunate, it’s sad. He has a lot to offer. As far the independent contractor thing being thrown out and overruled, I don’t hold any hope for that to happen.”
In recent news, Jim Ross has called for WWE to make firings over a recent Raw photo leak.
h/t Fightful