Ryan Nemeth Lawsuit Against AEW, Tony Khan, & CM Punk Over Breach of Contract & Alleged Assault Update – Judge Rules AEW Can’t Fully Seal Contracts In Nemeth Arbitration

As noted before, former AEW and current TNA talent Ryan Nemeth filed a lawsuit in February of 2025 against AEW, AEW CEO Tony Khan, and CM Punk over claims of assault committed against him by Punk and breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and intentional interference with prospective advantage by AEW and Khan. AEW and Khan had filed a petition in March of 2025 requesting for the lawsuit to be moved into private arbitration. Both Nemeth and AEW had filed to voluntarily dismiss their lawsuits against each other in April of 2025. AEW filed a petition this past June accusing Nemeth of having misrepresented and misled them through his conduct in voluntarily dismissing his lawsuit.

Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that Magistrate Judge Patricia Barksdale issued a ruling on Tuesday against AEW’s motion to seal Ryan Nemeth’s three wrestler contracts from public view. Thurston reported that he had opposed AEW’s motion to seal the contracts.

Thurston reported that Judge Barksdale ruled that AEW can refile redacted versions along with a new motion to seal the contracts from the public. AEW reportedly is not allowed to fully seal the contracts as the company had requested. Thurston also reported that he is allowed to file another opposition if he believes that the redacted versions black out too much information.

AEW reportedly also has the option of withdrawing the contracts as exhibits but that would mean the judge can’t consider them as part of AEW’s effort to force the dispute with Nemeth to be handled in arbitration in Florida.

Thurston reported that if AEW wants the court to consider the contracts, then the company has to file a new motion and redacted versions within 21 days after Nemeth puts his first filing on the docket, which he has yet to do. Thurston also reported that if Nemeth continues to not to appear, then AEW has until 111 days after the date of its complaint on June 5, which would mean a deadline date of September 24.

Thurston also reported that the judge had denied his request for access to file electronically and he will have to continue to submit any future filings by physical mail.