The appeal in the lawsuit brought against AEW, Tony Khan and Ian Riccaboni by former play-by-play announcer Kevin Kelly and talents Brandon and Brent Tate has been dismissed.
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics is reporting that the 11th Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal which had initially been sought for review of the district court order for their case to go in arbitration. This past June, a judge had ordered that the case be sent to arbitration.
Thurston notes because the case was stayed (this is when a court temporarily halts or suspends the proceedings, often to allow for an appeal or to await certain conditions to be met) and because of this, the appellate judges could not review the decision.
Kelly and the Tates filed their respective lawusit against AEW in the summer of 2024. Kelly alleged defamation from AEW and Riccaboni as a result of Riccaboni making defaming and damaging comments on social media about Kelly for his support of the Sound of Freedom film, based on Human Trafficking.
The Tates were terminated from AEW back in April 2024. Khan had stated they were let go due to no-showing events. The Tates, however, said it was part of miscommunication with AEW management and themselves. The Tates lawsuit was also for defamation against AEW. They have said as a result, they have not been able to find work.
Brandon Tate took to Facebook last month, claiming that AEW CEO, President and General Manager Tony Khan and AEW pulled The Outrunners from an independent wrestling event, with the Tates taking on the popular tag team at an EEC Wrestling show on September 28. Brandon would then go on to make disparaging comments about Khan.
The Facebook post has since been removed.
Secondary source: F4WOnline.