Dave Meltzer, via Wrestling Observer Radio, first broke the news of Ace Steel departing All Elite Wrestling, with the AEW coach having been suspended from the Tony Khan-helmed promotion following his involvement in the All Out backstage incident. Despite him not expecting to get fired, Jim Ross believes Steel did a “nice job” while employed.
The WWE Hall of Famer and now AEW broadcaster spoke positively of the former Second City Saints member, expressing his loyalty to CM Punk throughout the situation. Steel had reportedly bitten Kenny Omega during the wild incident on September 4th, amidst other ongoings.
“He’s A Smart Guy” – Jim Ross On Ace Steel
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross expressed how Ace Steel can be of benefit wherever he goes next, if anywhere, owing to his vast knowledge of the product:
“He’s a smart guy. He has a lot of product knowledge. Solid hand. I thought he did a nice job. I didn’t work with him directly a lot. I have seen him at TV and he was always friendly and approachable. I’m sorry to hear that [he was released] because I thought he was a good hand and did a nice job there. Things have a way of working out, you never say never, but I always thought he did a nice job for us.
He was very loyal to CM Punk, nothing wrong with that, they were buddies. I’m assuming CM Punk is the guy that got Ace Steel his job. I don’t know where all of that is going. I hate to see anybody lose a job, lose a paycheck. While he was there, he seemed to be a viable asset, but again, I didn’t work with him directly. I didn’t have any issues, pro or con, with him. The bottom line is, another guy lost his job. That’s what’s regrettable.”
Ace Steel appears to have been officially let go from All Elite Wrestling on October 18th, making him the first release following the All Out incident. CM Punk, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks remain employed, but absent from the company.