A lawsuit has been filed against AEW and Jon Moxley for negligence, along with civil assault and battery.
Sports Illustrated is reporting that the lawsuit was filed by Christopher Dispensa, a member of the wrestling and entertainment production crew who has worked on a contractual basis with AEW since 2019.
Dispensa was not directly employed by AEW but instead was associated with Broadcast Service Group at that time, which supplies AEW with its crew.
The lawsuit was submitted on May 30 in Wayne County Circuit Court. Dispensa has not been involved with AEW since December 5, 2024. His legal representatives (Raitt Law PLLC) indicated that he had been demoted to a carpenter role without any explanation.
Dispensa alleges that the incident occurred during the May 10, 2023, episode of AEW Dynamite, in which he was pushed to the ground by Moxley during a match with Kenny Omega. It was a cage match but also involved brawling outside the ring. At one point, as Moxley grabbed a screwdriver, he shoved Dispensa, which was purportedly not scripted.
Dispensa claims he later underwent cervical fusion surgery, shoulder surgery, and treatment for various other injuries. His attorneys assert that Moxley either intended to harm Dispensa or, at the very least, showed complete disregard for the possibility of causing harm.
The lawsuit further claims that Moxley “had a history of disciplinary issues before this incident involving other people while under [AEW’s] employ, agency and/or contractual relationship.” It also states that “past disciplinary offenses by [Moxley] include a documented history of unpredictability as well as a lack of control by Defendant AEW, all of which were known or should have been known to Defendant AEW at the time of this assault.”
Several “high-level” AEW sources who are familiar with Moxley’s history in AEW have stated that they do not have knowledge of any disciplinary issues involving him. They noted that Moxley is respected within AEW by staff and management and is seen as a “locker room leader.”
The lawsuit further alleges that both Moxley and AEW acted with gross negligence. It states,
“By going off-script and violently shoving Plaintiff, who was only a crew member, to the ground, [Moxley] demonstrated a substantial lack of concern for whether a severe injury would result to a production crew member at the event. 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.”
AEW is also accused of negligence in the hiring and training of Moxley. The filing states that AEW should “exert reasonable control over its employees, agents, and/or contracted individuals to ensure the safety of other performers, production crew, and the general audience.”
Dispensa’s legal team claims that AEW management was aware of the situation, but he did not discuss it with them. He mentions having a meeting with CEO Tony Khan and AEW General Counsel Chris Peck several months later regarding full-time employment, although he admitted he did not address his injuries.
Dispensa’s attorney stated that his client did not submit an official incident report because he had another job to return to, but noted that he spoke to three individuals that night about feeling hurt. Those included Dr. Michael Sampson, Director of Performance Psychology, Chris Manzione, and a member of the athletic training staff.
Dispensa claims that Sampson expressed concern because all stunts or interactions outside the ring must receive his approval prior to occurring. Sampson allegedly urged him to speak with the training staff.
Dispensa’s lawyers further stated that he was eventually informed that AEW’s training staff would no longer treat him, and the incident was never addressed again. Dispensa and Moxley had no further discussions about the incident aside from a brief conversation shortly after it happened.
Dispensa seeks compensation for “injuries suffered due to actions of the wrestler and the company he worked for” in an amount “in controversy that exceeds $25,000.” He is pursuing damages for medical costs, disability, permanent and serious disfigurement, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, exemplary damages for mental and emotional anxiety, humiliation and/or indignity, damage to his business reputation and opportunities, other known and unknown economic and non-economic damages, along with all other damages permissible under Michigan law.
An AEW representative declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. A status conference is scheduled for August 29.
