AEW Name Considered An "Insurance Risk", BANNED From Shows
There isn't an insurance policy strong enough to contain this controversial AEW name.
AEW reportedly told Ace Steel that it considers him an "insurance risk," hence why the producer isn't permitted to attend the company's shows.
Steel was involved in the infamous post-All Out brawl of September 2022, where he and CM Punk fought with Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks following Punk's incendiary media scrum appearance. Alleged to have bitten Omega during the fracas, Steel was later fired from his production role and brought back ahead of Punk's return earlier this year. It was reported then that Steel would be working remotely, rather than in-person.
In an update, Fightful Select reports that although Steel is on AEW's payroll, sources have indicated that due to his involvement in 'Brawl Out', Steel was branded an "insurance risk." The outlet reiterates that he cannot attend shows.
Meetings with AEW founder and CEO Tony Khan led to an agreement that Ace could return to AEW while not being on the road with the company. Those talks took place earlier this year, with Khan also consenting to Steel seeking work outwith AEW.
Apparently, Steel's AEW contract is set to expire in the fall of 2024.
The former Ring of Honor wrestler's role involves "conferring on a lot of things," including specific suggestions for Punk, with whom Steel has a close friendship.