AEW Files Lawsuit Against Queen of the Ring Producers Over $105,000 In Alleged Unpaid Fees

Post Wrestling and Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that AEW filed a lawsuit against Ring Production LLC on June 26 before the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Duval County, Florida claiming that the production company owes them over $105,000 in unpaid fees.

In the filing, AEW stated that they had signed a sponsorship agreement with Ring Productions in January of 2025 and had received $350,000 as part of the terms of the deal. AEW claims that they are still owed more than $105,000 in sponsorship fees that have yet to be paid to the company.

This sponsorship involved AEW actively promoted the Queen of the Ring film and hosted sponsored matches across AEW programming. This sponsorship also included cast members making ringside appearances at AEW shows, featured the movie trailer being aired at AEW events, and AEW talents promoting the film on social media.

In regards to the breakdown of the unpaid fees, AEW stated that this was $100,000 in sponsorship fees and the remainder being in contracted talent travel costs. AEW reportedly had added a 1.% interest charge to the unpaid fees for late payments penalties.

In the filing, AEW stated that they had contacted Ring Productions four times by email between September and December of 2025 and received no responses back. AEW’s outside counsel Gunster Yoakley & Stewart, then got involved and sent a formal notice on March 24, 2026, giving Ring Productions seven days to pay up. The lawsuit claims Ring Productions COO Paul Leighton acknowledged his company owed $105,262.51 but there was no further communication.

Thurston reported that Ring Productions has yet to file a response to the lawsuit and has not been formally served with the lawsuit yet based on court records. Thurston also reported that after the service is completed, Ring Productions will have 20 days to file an official response.

Queen of the Ring was released in March of 2025 in theaters and was based on the life and legacy of women’s wrestling legend Mildred Burke. Among the cast included AEW talents “Timeless” Toni Storm, Britt Baker, and Kamille and WWE talent Naomi.