Jon Moxley, AEW sued for negligence, civil assault over 2023 Dynamite incident

A civil lawsuit filed in Michigan accuses Jon Moxley of deviating from the script and injuring a production team member during a 2023 episode of AEW Dynamite.

As first reported by Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated, the suit was filed by Christopher Dispensa in Wayne County on May 30. Dispensa claims he suffered significant injuries, including cervical spine and shoulder damage requiring surgery, after being shoved to the ground by Moxley during the May 10, 2023 broadcast.

The incident occurred during the steel cage match between Moxley and Kenny Omega that headlined the show. Dispensa, who was not an AEW employee and had been brought in by Little Caesars Arena to work the event, was instructed to hand Moxley a screwdriver during the match. The lawsuit alleges that Dispensa was given no warning that Moxley would physically engage with him afterward by shoving him.

The incident can be seen at the 3-minute 54-second mark of the below video:

Lawsuit against Jon Moxley, AEW

The lawsuit reads:

• On or about May 10, 2023, Plaintiff was a business invitee of Little Caesars Arena in Detroit Michigan as a production team member for the event Defendant AEW was putting on within the arena.
• Plaintiff was tasked with holding a screwdriver for Defendant MOXLEY to use during the performance.
• Plaintiff was not a performer and was not warned of spontaneously becoming a performer.
• Plaintiff held the screwdriver for Defendant MOXLEY to take from his hand, as intended and scripted.
• 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.
• 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.

Lawsuit alleges past disciplinary measures against Jon Moxley

Dispensa’s legal filing alleges negligence on the part of AEW in hiring, training, and supervising Moxley, claiming the company “knew or should have known” of Moxley’s “documented history of unpredictability” and prior disciplinary issues. No specific past incidents are detailed in the complaint.

“Upon information and belief, Defendant MOXLEY had a history of disciplinary issues before this incident involving other people while under Defendant AEW’s employ, agency and/or contractual relationship.”

“The past disciplinary offenses by Defendant 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.”

“As a proximate cause of Defendant AEW’s negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention of its employees, agents and/or contracted individuals, Plaintiff was seriously injured.”

The lawsuit states that the extent of Dispensa’s injuries are still unknown at this time.

“Defendant MOXLEY’s actions did harm Plaintiff, the extent of which is still unknown, as Plaintiff continues to have physical issues related to the incident.”

Compensation sought

The filings from May 30 state only that the damages sought exceed $25,000, with the exact amount to be determined by the court. Under Michigan law, stating that damages exceed $25,000 is required to bring a case in circuit court, with the actual amount to be determined later.

Dispensa’s lawyers are seeking compensation for:

“A. Medical expenses;
B. Disability;
C. Permanent and serious disfigurement;
D. Wage Loss and Lost Earnings Capacity
E. Pain and suffering;
F. Exemplary damages for mental and emotional anxiety,
humiliation and/or indignity;
G. Diminution in business reputation and opportunities
H. Other economic and noneconomic damages not yet known.
I. All other damages available under Michigan Law
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Defendants in an amount to be
determined by the jury, together with costs, interest, and such other relief as this Court”

Neither AEW nor Moxley have publicly responded to the lawsuit as of this writing.