Ace Steel’s AEW Release Caught Him By Surprise

Ace Steel was formally released from All Elite Wrestling on October 18th, with the decision seemingly not expected by Steel.

News broke on Wednesday, October 19th via Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio that Ace Steel had been released from his AEW contract. The decision appears to have officially gone down the day before on Tuesday, October 18th, ending the former Second City Saints man’s time with the organisation.

Steel had been heavily involved in the infamous ‘Brawl Out‘ situation following the events of the AEW All Out media scrum, during which he’s alleged to have thrown a chair at Nick Jackson and bitten Kenny Omega. He was suspended alongside everyone else involved, pending an investigation. Until now, he was the only backstage employee to have not returned to work.

Responding to a user on F4WOnline, Dave Meltzer claimed that his release caught Ace Steel by surprise, as he expected to return to the company:

“Nope, he actually thought the opposite [he was remaining in AEW] and was surprised.”

Dave also noted how it had been a week since Ace Steel tweeted indicating his release, but the news of his official departure was only made public knowledge this week:

“It has been about a week since Ace Steel tweeted “Freedom” by the Blues Brothers Sounds like he was told he was being let go, but the news got out today.”

A veteran of three decades, Ace Steel has worked for Ring of Honor, Total Nonstop Action, and Pro Wrestling NOAH throughout his career as an in-ring performer, and was working as a coach for WWE until his January 2022 release. Steel subsequently moved to a similar role with All Elite Wrestling shortly thereafter.