Last year, the story of Mildred Burke hit the silver screen. “Queen of the Ring” featured AEW’s Toni Storm, Britt Baker, and Kamille. AEW helped to promote the film with sponsored matches, airing the <a href="https://cinemamix360.com/website_97b25373/2026/07/15/tom-cruise-unveils-unrecognizable-transformation-in-digger-trailer/” title=”Tom Cruise unveils unrecognizable transformation in 'Digger' trailer”>trailer in the arena, and having some of the stars ringside. Now, as AEW is suing the production company behind the film for unpaid sponsorship fees for promoting “Queen of the Ring.”
Ring Productions, LLC paid $205,000 by May 2025, but AEW alleges they didn’t pay the remaining $100,000. They also owe $5,000 in contractual talent travel expenses. As defined by their contract, AEW is also seeking 1.5% in monthly interest rates on the late payments. After sending four emails between September and December 2025, AEW’s attorneys got involved in March 2026. A lawsuit was filed on June 26 and alleges that Ring Productions COO Paul Leighton acknowledged that he knew the company owed $105,262.51.
Ring Productions has not filed a response as of this writing and has yet to be formally served. They will have 20 days to respond once they have been served.
“Queen of the Ring” was only in box offices for a short period and grossed only $657,718. The film also features WWE Superstar Naomi along with Jim Cornette. Jim Ross was an executive producer for the film. One memorable promotion moment came when actress Damaris Lewis, who played Babs Wingo, said before the Revolution main event that she learned wrestling matches are pre-determined. Many AEW wrestlers such as Mercedes Moné, Harley Cameron, and Christopher Daniels attended the film’s premiere and talent promoted the film on their social media accounts.
