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Jim Ross: Kevin Kelly, Tate Twins ‘will run out of money before Tony Khan does’

Posted: Sep 5th 2024 By: Ian Carey

Jim Ross doesn’t believe the Plaintiffs in a recently filed lawsuit against AEW will have much success.

JR and Conrad Thompson posted a video on Wednesday featuring the legendary broadcaster giving his thoughts on the news that Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins have filed suit against the company.

In particular, JR was asked about the aspect of the lawsuit that asks the court to certify a class-action suit against AEW for classifying its talent as independent contractors rather than employees.

“When you sign your contract, you agree to the terms,” JR said. “And that would include being an independent contractor.”

“The Plaintiffs (Kelly & the Tates) will run out of money before Tony Khan does,” he continued. “I don’t hold out much hope they’re going to get any kind of settlement whatsoever but maybe I’m wrong. I’m not a judge or a lawyer or anything along those lines.”

“I don’t like those kinds of lawsuits. I think they are frivolous. You would think that guys could get together and could work out something before going to spending their money on a lawyer who’s probably doing it on a ‘if you win, you get this, if you don’t win, no harm, no foul.’ Well, there is harm, there is foul but you knew what you were doing when you signed your deal.”

“I’m not familiar with those two wrestlers you’re talking about (Brendan and Brandon Tate). I know who they are. Kevin Kelly’s been an old friend of mine for years. I was sad to see him leave. He just wasn’t happy, I think, he wanted a bigger role that wasn’t available to him and then all of a sudden he’s gone and it’s unfortunate and sad because he has a lot to offer.”

In addition to requesting a court-certified class action lawsuit, Kelly and Tate’s attorneys also allege that ROH commentator Ian Riccaboni defamed Kelly when he linked him to QAnon conspiracy theories during a discussion on Discord. The Tate twins allege they were defamed by Tony Khan after the AEW president stated publicly he released the brothers due to their no-showing events, something they say was a result of a miscommunication between them and management after they were booked to fly out of a different airport than they normally use.