Ace Steel Considered “Insurance Risk” To AEW
More details have come to light regarding CM Punk’s friend Ace Steel’s position in AEW.
The events following AEW All Out have become the stuff of legend. Moments after recapturing the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley, CM Punk sat beside Tony Khan in a media scrum in which he blasted former friend Colt Cabana, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, and though he didn’t call them out by name, the AEW EVP’s, who he said “couldn’t manage a Target.”
Enraged, The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega reportedly confronted Punk, and the two sides got into a brawl that also involved Punk’s friend and backstage producer Ace Steel. Not only were punches thrown, Steel reportedly threw a chair at Nick Jackson and bit Kenny Omega.
Everyone involved in the brawl was suspended, and Steel was later fired as the result of an internal investigation, but has since been rehired and is working remotely.
Why Isn’t Ace Steel Allowed At AEW Collision?
CM Punk has reportedly been unhappy that Ace Steel was unable to return to a backstage role in AEW, and this fact nearly derailed his return on the debut episode of Collision. While Punk did eventually agree to return, the issue continues to cause tension within the company.
In fact, Punk has reportedly forbidden Christopher Daniels from attending Collision tapings due to the fact that Daniels was also involved in the brawl and Punk sees it as unfair that he would be allowed when Ace Steel isn’t, despite Daniels being the AEW Head of Talent Relations.
An update from Fightful Select sheds more light on the situation surrounding Steel, confirming that steel is on the AEW payroll but not allowed to be in the building for tapings as he’s considered to be an “insurance risk” to the company.
According to the report, Steel has met with AEW President Tony Khan multiple times in recent months, and that it was determined he could continue working for AEW while not on the road. He is also permitted to seek work elsewhere.
Steel reportedly confers with Tony Khan regularly on a variety of topics and makes multiple suggestions specifically regarding Punk.