Add as a preferred source on Google AEW has filed a lawsuit against Ring Productions LLC, the company behind the film Queen of the Ring, seeking more than $105,000 in overdue payments.
According to Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, the two sides signed a sponsorship deal in January 2025 worth roughly $350,000. In exchange, the film received promotion throughout AEW programming, including sponsored matches, the trailer airing inside arenas, front-row seats for cast members, and social media posts from AEW talent.
Ring Productions paid $250,000 by May 23, 2025, but reportedly missed the contractual deadline of February 28. AEW says it’s still owed $100,000 of the sponsorship money, along with more than $5,000 in travel expenses for talent and 1.5% interest per month.
Tony Khan’s company also alleges it sent four payment demands by email between September and December 2025 without receiving a response. This past March, AEW’s lawyers granted Ring Productions another seven days to pay.
Operations director Paul Leighton reportedly acknowledged a debt of $105,262.51, but the conversation went nowhere.
Queen of the Ring tells the story of Mildred Burke, a pioneer of women’s wrestling played by Emily Bett Rickards. Toni Storm and Kamille were also part of the cast, while Britt Baker, Mickie James, Trinity Fatu, and Jim Cornette appeared in the production.
The film hit U.S. theaters on March 7, 2025, and grossed just $657,718 worldwide.