Update On AEW Talent Who Was Reportedly Fired By Tony Khan Following Outburst
There is an update on the situation with the reported firing of an on-air AEW talent.
While AEW has fired talent in the past, it's usually for disciplinary reasons. The company typically lets the contracts of talent expire if their services are no longer needed. AEW has yet to confirm the reported release of a recent onscreen personality.
With that said, AEW founder Tony Khan has briefly touched on the matter.
The AEW talent in question is Kevin Kelly. PW Torch reported that the play-by-play commentator had been fired following an outburst on social media. Kelly claimed that Ring of Honor commentator Ian Riccoboni "libeled" him. Kelly also expressed his frustration with the way he was being used at the commentary desk.
In a statement released to POST Wrestling, Tony Khan had the following update on the reported release of Kevin Kelly.
"It’s an internal matter," Khan said. "We are handling it within the organization."
Khan did not confirm or deny Kelly's release from AEW. Scott Fishman of TV Insider asked Khan for a follow-up on Kelly's status, but the AEW boss didn't budge.
"I prefer not to comment on that, but I appreciate you asking," Khan said.
Kelly's AEW run certainly has not gone the way wrestling fans expected it to go. Kelly was renowned for his work as an ROH commentator before transitioning to New Japan Pro Wrestling. The general consensus is that Kevin Kelly had his best work under the NJPW banner, and for a time, was widely considered to be the best play-by-play man in all of wrestling.
Things don't appear to be as rosy these days for the former WWE on-air talent.
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