Crew member sues AEW & Jon Moxley for assault, negligence after Dynamite incident
(Courtesy : AEW)
A former AEW crew member has sued Moxley & the company
According to Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated, AEW and Jon Moxley have been named in a civil lawsuit alleging negligence and assault following an incident in 2023.
A longtime production crew member has filed a civil lawsuit against All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and current AEW World Champion Jon Moxley (real name Jonathan Good), alleging multiple counts of negligence, civil assault, and battery in relation to an incident that occurred during an episode of AEW Dynamite in 2023.
Christopher Dispensa, a veteran production specialist in the wrestling and entertainment industries, filed the lawsuit on May 30 in Wayne County Circuit Court.
He has been working with AEW since 2019 through Broadcast Service Group, a third-party vendor that supplies crew for AEW events.
Despite not being an AEW employee, Dispensa was actively involved in the promotion until December 5, 2024. His legal counsel at Raitt Law, PLLC, verified that he has not worked for AEW since that date and was demoted by Broadcast Service Group with no explanation.
What are the allegations put on AEW & Jon Moxley?
Dispensa claims he suffered significant neck and shoulder injuries during the May 10, 2023, episode of Dynamite in Detroit, Michigan. The program had a high-profile steel cage battle between Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega.
According to the lawsuit, during a scenario in which Jon Moxley acquired a screwdriver for use in the bout, he reportedly shoved Dispensa, who was standing outside the ring, to the ground without warning or pre-arranged choreography.
As a result, Dispensa alleges he needed cervical fusion, shoulder surgery, and therapy for various problems. The lawsuit describes Moxley’s conduct as outside of the intended performance, claiming that the shove constituted civil assault and battery and was either purposefully hurtful or excessively negligent.
The lawsuit also claims that Moxley had a “history of disciplinary issues” while working at AEW, which multiple high-ranking AEW sources reject.
Speaking anonymously to The Takedown on Sports Illustrated, these individuals praised Moxley as a “locker room leader” and voiced astonishment at the depiction, citing no known disciplinary difficulties.
The lawsuit heavily criticizes AEW, charging the organization with extreme carelessness in both its handling of the event and its control of Moxley.
It claims that AEW failed to adopt proper safety precautions for the production crew and neglected to monitor the behavior of its hired entertainers. Dispensa’s legal team claims that AEW is to blame for not exercising reasonable supervision over its talent and failing to avoid foreseeable harm.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Dispensa alerted various AEW staff members about his injuries on the night of the event. Ringside physician Dr. Michael Sampson, director of performance psychology Chris Manzione, and an athletic training staff member are said to have been alerted.
Dr. Sampson, who was purportedly present throughout the event, is claimed to have voiced worry and advised Dispensa to get medical assistance. However, Dispensa did not file a formal complaint, claiming responsibilities from another tour engagement.
What is Dispensa seeking from the lawsuit?
The claim demands damages in excess of $25,000, citing medical bills, lost income, impaired earning ability, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the possibility of long-term deformity. The complaint also seeks exemplary damages for emotional and reputational loss.
AEW has declined to comment on the ongoing case, claiming via a spokesperson: “AEW does not comment on pending litigation.”
Moxley, who has been a significant role in AEW since joining the company in 2019 and is presently the AEW World Champion, will defend his title against “Hangman” Adam Page at AEW All In on July 12. A status conference for the case has been scheduled on August 29.
This evolving legal case adds a substantial off-ring difficulty for AEW as it prepares for one of the year’s biggest events.
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