A public dispute has emerged between former multi-time women’s champion Gail Kim and journalist B.J. Berthel over Kim’s communications with All Elite Wrestling. Kim has strongly denied a claim made by Berthel that she sought an opportunity with the promotion, providing her own version of events in which AEW initiated contact with her. The entire exchange unfolded on social media.
The situation began when Berthel alleged on Twitter that Kim had been the one to pursue a role. “In the least breaking news, Gail Kim contacted several people about an opportunity at AEW at some point, longer than a couple weeks ago. No one reached out to her,” Berthel wrote.
Kim issued a direct and forceful rebuttal to the journalist’s statement. “I don’t know you but this is a perfect example of someone lying and has zero integrity,” Kim stated. “At least when I say what I say, I’m saying what I feel and am truthful and will defend myself with facts. ZERO INTEGRITY here.”
In a subsequent post, Kim detailed her only interaction with the company, which she says occurred after her recent departure from TNA Wrestling. She clarified that AEW official Sonjay Dutt sent her a text message to inquire about her interest in wrestling. Kim also reaffirmed her current career status, stating she is retired and has no plans for an in-ring return.
“The real news about what happened with AEW since people will lie etc. I was saving it for interviews but oh well it’s now,” Kim wrote. “I got one text from AEW when I was terminated from TNA. It was from Sonjay [Dutt] and inquiring more about whether I wanted to wrestle. I’m retired. End of story.”
The controversy involves one of the most decorated competitors in modern North American women’s wrestling. Kim is the inaugural TNA Knockouts Champion, a title she held a record seven times, and a former WWE Women’s Champion, which she captured in her televised debut match.
This public confrontation follows other recent high-profile statements from Kim concerning AEW. On September 24, she offered a critique of the on-screen presentation of wrestler Riho. Those remarks drew a social media post from AEW executive Kenny Omega that was widely interpreted as a response to Kim.