A stunning civil lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court is sending shockwaves through the professional wrestling world. The suit, brought by former production crew member Christopher Francis Dispenza, accuses AEW (All Elite Wrestling) and its top star Jon Moxley (real name Jonathan David Good) of assault and battery, gross negligence, and premises liability stemming from a May 10, 2023 event at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.
Filed on May 30, 2025, the complaint alleges that Moxley — during a live AEW performance — violently deviated from a scripted segment, injuring Dispenza in the process. The lawsuit, meticulously detailed in a Sports Illustrated report by Jon Alba, outlines a case that could have both financial and reputational consequences for AEW, one of WWE’s primary competitors in the global pro wrestling landscape.
What Happened in Detroit?
According to the legal filing, Dispenza was working as part of AEW’s backstage production team on May 10, 2023. His role included handling props during the event. As described in the complaint, he was specifically instructed to hold a screwdriver for Moxley — a notorious figure in wrestling known for violent, hardcore performances.
What transpired next, however, allegedly went off-script.
Instead of simply retrieving the screwdriver, Moxley reportedly grabbed Dispenza’s face and shoulder and “violently shoved [him] to the ground” — an unscripted physical interaction that, per the lawsuit, resulted in serious injuries. Dispenza ultimately required cervical spine surgery, shoulder surgery, and continues to suffer from radiculopathy, ongoing pain, and lasting disfigurement due to surgical scars.
This was not an in-ring talent, not a performer, and not someone cleared for physical contact — Dispenza was a crew member. The legal argument hinges on this distinction and the alleged lack of warning or consent before the altercation.
Legal Claims and Structure of the Lawsuit
The 49-paragraph, multi-count complaint brings forward a compelling legal argument under several doctrines:
- Negligent Hiring, Training & Supervision – Asserts AEW failed in its duty to properly monitor and control its talent.
- Civil Assault & Battery – Targets Moxley for the alleged physical attack.
- General & Gross Negligence – Claims both AEW and Moxley acted with reckless disregard.
- Premises Liability – Says AEW failed to maintain a safe environment for staff.
- Respondeat Superior – Argues AEW is vicariously liable for Moxley’s actions.
- Damages – Seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and reputation harm.
The legal standing of the suit appears significant. Dispenza was not a performer, nor had he been warned or briefed on becoming part of an on-screen angle. The filing argues that AEW failed in its duty of care to someone working in a non-wrestling capacity — a key point that could hold weight in a Michigan courtroom, especially under general tort and employment liability statutes.
Does This Hold Legal Weight?
The claims are serious — both in terms of legal scope and implications. While professional wrestling blurs the line between scripted performance and physical contact, non-performers enjoy greater legal protections. If Moxley’s actions were, as alleged, truly off-script and unsanctioned, the legal exposure for AEW becomes multifaceted:
- Vicarious Liability: AEW may be held accountable for Moxley’s behavior if it occurred during the course of his employment.
- Negligence and Safety Protocol: Failure to protect crew members or enforce script adherence can trigger broader workplace safety violations.
- Reputation and Risk Management: Depending on how AEW’s backstage culture and disciplinary systems are portrayed in discovery, this could damage the company’s public image.
In a post-pandemic, corporate-compliance era, these types of suits — particularly when they involve serious physical injuries to non-combatants — are not easily dismissed.
Implications for AEW and the Wrestling Industry
This lawsuit arrives at a critical time for AEW. As the company works to expand its global footprint and secure broadcasting deals, any courtroom drama involving high-profile talent could shake investor and sponsor confidence. Jon Moxley is not only a former world champion but one of AEW’s most recognizable and bankable stars. Any public testimony or evidence revealing a pattern of misconduct, or AEW’s lax oversight, could lead to long-term reputational harm.
Moreover, this suit sets a precedent: what responsibilities do wrestling companies have toward their backstage crew when physicality is introduced into their work environment? The blurred lines of pro wrestling’s hybrid nature — theater meets combat sport — will likely be central to both the legal and philosophical debate.
Jon Alba’s Sports Illustrated reporting offers a vital lens into this lawsuit, situating it within the broader context of AEW’s evolving backstage structure and performer accountability. While lawsuits are not uncommon in the wrestling business, this one feels different. The emphasis on a non-performer being injured in an unscripted spot, combined with claims of previous disciplinary issues surrounding Moxley, casts a shadow that AEW may struggle to step out from — especially if this case proceeds to trial.
As the legal process unfolds, the wrestling world will be watching. For AEW, the stakes are far higher than a single night in Detroit — they’re about the safety culture and legal boundaries of an entire industry.
Sources:
- Sports Illustrated – “AEW Sued Over Alleged Assault by Jon Moxley at 2023 Event” by Jon Alba
- Wayne County Circuit Court Case No: 25-____-NO – Complaint filed by Thomas W. James of Raitt Law, PLLC
- Publicly filed court documents dated May 30, 2025
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