Former AEW Talent Ryan Nemeth Sues AEW, Tony Khan, and CM Punk Over Alleged Assault and Breach of Contract.
Former AEW talent Ryan Nemeth, 40, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against All Elite Wrestling (AEW), AEW owner Tony Khan, and former AEW star CM Punk. The lawsuit includes several serious allegations, such as assault, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and intentional interference with prospective advantage.
Nemeth claims that the root of the dispute started in June 2023, when an altercation occurred between him and Punk in the male talent locker room. According to the lawsuit, the incident stemmed from a tweet that Nemeth had posted, in which he referred to Punk as “the softest man alive.” Nemeth asserts that the comment was intended to enhance his heel character, but Punk took issue with it.
Reports indicate that after the tweet, Punk confronted Nemeth in an aggressive manner, shouting, “Do we have a f***ing problem? Do we need to step outside and handle this like men?” The lawsuit details that Nemeth felt cornered by Punk, despite his efforts to de-escalate the situation. Nemeth reached out to AEW executives the following day to report the incident, but he claims that no consequences were placed on Punk for his alleged actions.
Following the confrontation, Nemeth alleges that AEW sidelined him, with the legal team telling him that Punk “insisted” on his being benched, even though Nemeth was not the aggressor in the situation. This claim of mistreatment continued when, in August 2023, Nemeth showed up for a match in Greensboro, North Carolina, only to be told by AEW supervisor Pat Buck that he needed to leave the arena immediately. According to Nemeth, travel arrangements were made for him to return home the same day, and he was unable to perform.
Nemeth’s last match for AEW took place on November 18, 2024, after several failed attempts to return to the ring. Punk, the individual at the center of this lawsuit, was unexpectedly let go by AEW in September 2023 following a backstage incident at AEW All In. However, just two months later, Punk made his comeback to WWE.
Following his time with AEW, Nemeth has since been working alongside his brother Nic in TNA wrestling. The lawsuit brings to light ongoing tensions in the AEW locker room, with Nemeth seeking justice for the alleged mistreatment and damages caused by the company and its former star, CM Punk.
Ryan Nemeth is a former professional wrestler and actor best known for his time with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Born on November 4, 1984, in Cleveland, Ohio, he is the brother of popular WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler (Nick Nemeth). Ryan began his wrestling career in the mid-2000s and worked on the independent circuit before joining AEW in 2020.
In AEW, Nemeth made his debut as part of the promotion’s growing roster. He initially appeared on AEW Dark and later on Dynamite, where he was involved in several storylines. His character often played the role of a cocky, arrogant heel, and he was known for his involvement in comedic segments and backstage skits.
Nemeth also pursued a career in acting and film, working on various projects outside the wrestling ring. After his time in AEW, he became more active in his collaborations with his brother, Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler), in other wrestling promotions, including TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling).
Claressa Shields Accuses Laila Ali of Jealousy