Credit Wrestleview.com
According to a new report from Fightful Select, back in September 2023 now former AEW star Ryan Nemeth filed a formal complaint to AEW Executives against CM Punk. Nemeth alleges that Punk abused him, harassed him and threatened him. Nemeth also claimed his allegations went unaddressed by AEW management. Nemeth claims that AEW “silently fired” him over his issues regarding Punk.
Fightful Select also notes there is a document from Nemeth they obtained that outlines a timeline of events with his interactions with Punk and AEW’s lack of internal response regarding his concerns.
Nemeth said he first contacted AEW’s legal department in April 2023, telling them that he feared he would be targeted by Punk. Nemeth also said that he was threatened by Punk during an encounter in the locker room which took place in June 2023. Nemeth also claims despite support from some of the AEW talent, Jon Moxley, the Matt and Nick Jackson, Tony Schiavone, along with the assurance his career in AEW would be just fine, Nemeth went on to further say that he felt ostracized by the company, especially after not been booked for television shows for two months. Nemeth claimed Moxley had stated the situation “didn’t sit right with him.” Furthermore, Nemeth also said he believed his contract with the company would be allowed to expire without being renewed, which he further claimed he feared as punishment for not keeping quiet about Punk.
The situation became more serious in August 2023 when Nemeth was removed from the lineup from an AEW show (the report did not identify if it was Dynamite or Collision) at Punk’s request. Nemeth also claims that he was told to cut a promo which would have antagonized Punk, who at the time was the company’s World Champion. Nemeth further claims that even though he reached out to AEW’s legal team and Human Resources for support, AEW took no action against Punk. In addition, Nemeth added that AEW’s legal representative Megha Parekh’s departure from the company left him (Nemeth) with having to deal with new representatives within the company who basically ignored his concerns. After Punk’s backstage altercation with Jack Perry at the All In PPV in London, Nemeth’s concerns worsened, which then led to further discussions with AEW’s outside legal counsel. However, despite the issue between Punk and Perry, Nemeth said that he continued to feel ignored by AEW.
November 2023, Nemeth worked his final match for AEW. His contract expired in March of this year 2024. Nemeth went on to claim that he feels that AEW holds him responsible for Punk’s termination, which took place in September 2023. Reportedly, AEW made an offer to Nemeth to settle the matter, which would have been roughly three years of his salary, but only if he agreed to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Nemeth rejected the offer per his legal team, which said that offer for Nemeth was off the table with no further explanation from his legal counsel.
The report concluded by noting that Nemeth alleges that Chris Peck, who is AEW’s current legal representative, threatened him with a lawsuit after he (Nemeth) submitted his timeline of events to the company. Nemeth also notes in his claims that AEW’s lack of response and that other talent within AEW voiced similar concerns regarding Punk, but they were ignored. Nemeth did express his appreciation for his co-workers in AEW, saying they all deserve a safe work environment.
At the time of Fightful’s report, AEW has not commented publicly regarding Nemeth’s claims.
Ryan Nemeth is currently signed to TNA Wrestling, alongside his brother Nic Nemeth who is the promotion’s current World Champion.
Below are some of the dates and 2023 incidents outlined by Nemeth in his document which is courtesy of Fightful Select and F4WOnline.
On April 16, Nemeth claimed he contacted now former chief legal officer Megha Parekh with concerns that he would be targeted by Punk.