AEW Releases BJ Whitmer Following Domestic Violence Charge

Mark Izzo/AEW, Professional Wrestling/June 13, 2023

Last Modified: February 20, 2024

Credit: AEW

AEW Releases BJ Whitmer Following Domestic Violence Charge

AEW announced last night that they have released BJ Whitmer. Whitmer is a former wrestler mostly known for competing in Ring of Honor. He is a four-time tag team champion there.

However, he transitioned into a producing role and has been working for AEW. Whitmer has been with the company since 2019 as a producer and worked backstage to help talent. But following his charges, he was released by the company.

BJ Whitmer Arrested

BJ Whitmer was arrested on June 4th in Boone County, Kentucky. He has been charged with first-degree strangulation and second-degree burglary. A first-degree strangulation charge is choking another person, resulting in an injury. Second-degree burglary is a non-residential burglary. Whitmer will face a grand jury and has a bond of $25,000. He wasn’t released until Monday, June 12th.

AEW took to Twitter to comment on his release stating:

“B.J. Whitmer has been terminated following his arrest on domestic violence charges. While talent and staff are ultimately responsible for their own personal actions, this behavior is intolerable within AEW. AEW has reached out to offer support to those impacted by his behavior.”

The company did not waste any time in releasing the former producer from the company.

AEW star, Anna Jay, has spoken in the past about how BJ Whitmer has helped the women’s division in AEW. But his actions are inexcusable which led to his release from the company. He retired from in-ring competition in 2019, which is when he joined AEW. Whitmer joined the company in a backstage capacity and in a producing role.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233