CM Punk, real name Phil Brooks, was terminated by All Elite Wrestling this past Saturday following an internal investigation into a backstage altercation he had with Jack Perry at AEW: All In London. This was not the first time Punk had gotten physical with other AEW talent, as he was infamously involved in a locker room melee with members of The Elite following his heated AEW: All Out media scrum. His good friend and AEW agent, Ace Steel, was also involved in the incident and was the only person released by the company for his involvement.
As Haus of Wrestling previously reported, Steel was re-signed shortly after his release, and we are told he received back pay for his time away. He was scheduled to be an agent for AEW: Collision, but those plans changed shortly before Punk’s return was announced, holding up his inclusion as part of the Collision rollout. Steel was not allowed backstage at tapings due to his presence making some talent uncomfortable, but he did continue to send input and ideas to Punk and Khan remotely.
PWInsider reports that Steel was released by AEW earlier today. His one and only AEW TV appearance took place the week before AEW: All Out 2023 on AEW: Dynamite, when he passionately convinced Punk to accept an AEW Championship match against Jon Moxley.
Haus of Wrestling is working to confirm Steel’s release from AEW and gather any other information about it that we can.