AEW has filed a lawsuit against the production company behind the Queen of the Ring movie over $105,000 in unpaid sponsorship fees.
As noted by Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, Ring Productions LLC, the company that produced the movie, signed a sponsorship deal with All Elite Wrestling, agreeing to pay approximately $350,000. In exchange, Queen of the Ring received sponsored matches on AEW programs. Members of the film’s cast were featured in the front row during broadcasts, there were in-arena screenings of the movie trailer, and the talent promoted the film on their social media accounts, among other benefits.
The movie starred Emily Bett Rickards as Mildred Burke. AEW wrestlers also had roles in the film, including Toni Storm (as Clara Mortensen), Kamille (as June Byers), and Britt Baker (as Debbie Nichols). Jim Cornette, Mickie James, and WWE’s Naomi also appeared in the film.
While the production company paid $250,000 by May 23, 2025, it allegedly failed to meet a February 28 deadline to settle the balance. According to the lawsuit, Ring Productions LLC still owes $100,000 in sponsorship fees and over $5,000 in contractual talent travel expenses. AEW is also seeking interest on late payments at a 1.5% monthly interest rate, as defined in the contract. The company attached the contract along with a related amendment as exhibits to the lawsuit filed in Duval County, Florida.
Released in March 2025, Queen of the Ring turned out to be a box-office failure, drawing around $657,718, which might explain why the production company is behind on payments. The $350,000 invested in AEW to promote the film is more than half of the film’s gross. The company’s COO, Paul Leighton, and Director of Brand Strategy, Josh Eldridge, didn’t respond to POST Wrestling when asked for comments.
AEW followed up four times but didn’t get a reply
Brandon Thurston further noted that the sponsorship agreement between AEW and Ring Productions LLC included a clause for resolving any legal disputes through arbitration. It’s the same stance the promotion has for handling talent contract disputes, preferring to handle legal matters confidentially rather than taking them to public courts.
However, it’s unclear why the promotion filed its claims in open court in Duval County instead of with its arbitration provider, JAMS. AEW media relations did not respond to POST Wrestling’s request to comment on the decision.
According to the court filings, AEW followed up with the production company four times by email about the pending payments between September and December 2025. However, they didn’t receive a response. The promotion’s outside counsel, Gunster Yoakley & Stewart, became involved in the matter. On March 24, 2026, attorneys from the firm sent a formal notice, demanding payment within seven days. The lawsuit states that COO Paul Leighton acknowledged the company owed $105,262.51, but there was no further communication regarding the matter.
The production company is yet to file a response
Thurston noted that if Paul Leighton acknowledged his company owed AEW money, the admission could help the promotion’s case. However, an email record showing the alleged acknowledgment has yet to be added as an exhibit in the case.
Since Jacksonville, where AEW headquarters is located, is part of Duval County, Florida, the company filed the lawsuit with the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Duval County on June 26, 2026.
However, Ring Productions LLC hasn’t filed a response to AEW’s lawsuit yet. The production company hasn’t been officially served with a lawsuit yet, according to the court docket. After it’s done, the company will have 20 days to file a response.
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