A lawsuit has been filed against AEW World Champion Jon Moxley and All Elite Wrestling following an incident that took place during a live broadcast of Dynamite.
Christopher Dispensa filed the lawsuit against Moxley, real name Jonathan Good, and AEW on May 30th. As reported by Jon Alba of The TakeDown on SI, who also obtained a copy of the lawsuit, Dispensa is a wrestling and entertainment production crew member who worked with AEW since 2019, but was not an employee of the company. It is noted that Dispensa worked for the Broadcast Service Group, which supplies crew members for AEW. In a statement given to Alba by Dispensa’s legal team, he has not worked with AEW since December 2024.
The route of the claim stems from the 10th May, 2023 episode of Dynamite, where Moxley faced off against Kenny Omega inside a steel cage. During the match, Moxley shoved Dispensa to the ground while going to grab a screwdriver. As listed in the lawsuit, Dispensa alleges that Moxley went off script and violently shoved him to the ground. Dispensa stated that surgical procedures were required as a result of what took place:
11. Plaintiff was tasked with holding a screwdriver for Defendant MOXLEY to use
during the performance.
12. Plaintiff was not a performer and was not warned of spontaneously becoming a
performer.
13. Plaintiff held the screwdriver for Defendant MOXLEY to take from his hand, as
intended and scripted.
14. Upon receiving the item and without warning, explanation or prior discussion,
Defendant MOXLEY unexpectedly deviated from the planned script by placing his hands on
Plaintiff’s face and shoulder and violently shoving Plaintiff to the ground.
15. Plaintiff sustain extensive injuries as a result of this violent and unscripted assault,
ultimately culminating in a surgical procedures of CERVICAL SPINE SURGERY, SHOULDER
SURGERY plus other serious injuries that necessitate significant medical treatment.
The lawsuit also claims that Moxley “had a history of disciplinary issues before this incident involving other people.”
The TakeDown on SI also provided the following still image, showing the incident in question:
The lawsuit further details the negligence claim against the World Champion and AEW, stating that both defendants showed a “reckless disregard” for safety:
36. By going off-script and violently shoving Plaintiff, who was only a crew member,
to the ground, Defendant MOXLEY demonstrated a substantial lack of concern for whether a
severe injury would result to a production crew member at the event.
37. Defendant MOXLEY’s actions demonstrated a clear and reckless disregard for the
health and safety of the production staff, Plaintiff.
38. In taking no precautions or preventative measures to protect production staff,
Defendant AEW’s actions likewise show a reckless disregard for the safety of production staff
which goes beyond simple inadvertence.
Dispensa’s legal team told The Takedown on SI that AEW management was aware of the incident, but never discussed it with them.There is also a claim that he met with Tony Khan and AEW General Counsel Chris Peck about a full-time employment opportunity, but the prior injury was never mentioned.
Dispensa’s legal team also adds that the injury was relayed to ringside physician Dr. Michael Sampson, director of performance psychology Chris Manzione, with Sampson being allegedly upset over what happened as all stunts or outside interactions needed to be approved by him beforehand. Dispensa’s team also added that he was eventually told by AEW medical staff that he would not be treated by them and the incident was never acknowledged again.
Along with claiming financial losses and damages, Dispensa’s lawsuit also states, “The amount in controversy exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand ($25,000.00) Dollars.”
AEW Issues Responses To Jon Moxley Lawsuit
Alba’s article contains an official response from an AEW spokesperson along with off-the-record comments from company sources. The official statement from the company regarding the lawsuit is as follows:
“AEW does not comment on pending litigation.”
Multiple high-level sources also spoke with Alba in a non-official capacity on the promotion’s behalf, noting that they were unaware of any disciplinary issues with Moxley and that he is very respected by those in the company, both talent and management. One source described Moxley as a “locker room leader.”
Moxley made his AEW debut at the first pay-per-view, Double or Nothing 2019 and was one of the first major signings following the initial round at the start of the year. Often regarded as one of the workhorses of the promotion, Moxley is the current World Champion and is on his 4th reign with the title. Also representing the promotion in New Japan Moxley is also a former IWGP World Champion, becoming the first wrestler to hold the top prize in WWE, AEW and NJPW.
Featured image: AEW
