The ongoing legal conflict between All Elite Wrestling and former roster member Ryan Nemeth has encountered a procedural hurdle, with the promotion claiming that Nemeth is actively avoiding being served legal documents.
According to legal reporting from Brandon Thurston, AEW filed a motion on September 3, 2026, requesting an extension of its deadline to complete formal service on Nemeth. AEW informed the court that Nemeth’s alleged evasion has stalled the normal progression of the case.
Court Grants Extension & Issues Warning
On September 4, 2026, Magistrate Judge Patricia Barksdale granted AEW’s motion for an extension. In her ruling, Judge Barksdale included a explicit warning directed toward Nemeth and his legal team should they be actively tracking the docket without acknowledging service.
“In the event the defendant and his counsel are monitoring the docket,” Judge Barksdale noted, warning that Nemeth could ultimately be held financially responsible for the expenses AEW incurs while attempting to formally serve him.
Battle Over Arbitration & Unsealed Contracts
The service delay comes as AEW continues its effort in federal court to compel Nemeth into private arbitration in Florida. AEW argues that the dispute—which stems from Nemeth’s original 2025 complaint alleging breach of contract and hostility involving Tony Khan and CM Punk—must be resolved via private arbitration near Duval County, where the promotion is headquartered.
However, the contract language itself has sparked a secondary legal dispute:
- Motion To Seal Rejected: In July 2026, Judge Barksdale denied AEW’s attempt to keep Nemeth’s three wrestler contracts completely sealed from the public record following an opposition filed by Thurston.
- Redacted Filings Required: AEW was granted the option to submit redacted versions alongside a new request to protect specific proprietary information.
- Evidentiary Impact: If AEW chooses to withdraw the contracts entirely to protect confidentiality, the court will be unable to rely on those documents when ruling on whether to compel Florida arbitration.
While the procedural maneuverings do not resolve the underlying merits of the dispute between Nemeth, AEW, Khan, and Punk, the immediate ruling gives AEW additional time to execute service while placing Nemeth on notice regarding potential accrued legal costs.
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