There could be some major changes coming to the in-ring All Elite Wrestling product very soon.
Fightful has learned of a document that was sent out within the company recently that outlined some of the changes that the company was planning to make in regards to performer and fan safety. It’s important to note that while multiple people in the company confirmed the document was legitimate, there are numerous talent who said that they hadn’t seen it is of yet.
There were protocols developed by the AEW medical team, coaches and referees to help protect talent, staff, crew and fans. The document said that while there is always risk in pro wrestling, they wanted to minimize the risk without compromising the quality of the talent’s performances and ability to be creative.
Specifically, a document was sent out that outright banned unprotected chair shots to the head, shots to the back of the head, buckle bombs and blind moves backwards into the turnbuckle, fencing responses (unnatural position of arms following a concussion), seizure sells, spitting, bleeding in the crowd, weapons or projectiles in the crowd, taking drinks or food from guests in the crowd, or physical contact with the crowd. We’re told that nothing with blood on it should be thrown into the crowd.
This will affect the offense of a few wrestlers, but largely buckle bombs and attacks of the like seem to be the only ones not allowed. However, there have been several instances of bleeding wrestlers in the crowd, and MJF has been known for his physical interactions with fans, as has Bryan Danielson for seizure-esque sells.
There was also a group of spots that was much more broad that was listed, but are still permitted. However, they must be approved by medical, and the coaches assigned to the match. It was noted that the list was not a comprehensive one and could be adjusted by medical, legal and coaching staff. When approved, the moves are to be performed in accordance with safety protocols in place.
Below is a list verbatim from the document of moves that need to be approved by a coach:
"- Spots and bumps on the ring apron and outside
- Table/ladder/chair spots in and out of the ring (Only allowed with padding)
Any elevated spots outside of the barricades (dives and ladder spots on stage, around the arena, and other places outside of the ring)
- All piledriver/tombstone variations, including: sit down drivers, inverted/poison hurricarana and vertebreakers
- High-risk dives or top rope moves (450, 630, double moonsaults, SSP, etc.) Intentional bleeding (of any sort, not just blading)
- Throwing people into/through/over ring steps, commentary table, bell table, or guardrails/barricades Weapon usage:
- Chairs, pipes, kendo sticks, hammers, ring bells, bats, chains, etc. Title belts
- Thumbtacks, skewers, barbed wire, and other sharp/puncturing objects o Powders, aerosol sprays, or liquids
- Throwing any weapons or objects- chairs, etc.
- Choking/strangling with hands or a weapon or hanging spots
- Injury spots or angles, whether or not medical is involved/called to the ring
- Any physicality in the crowd or crowd brawling
- Any physicality involving referees, managers, extras, celebrities, or special guests"
If aggregating this story, we ask that you make sure to differentiate which are completely prohibited and which require approval to avoid reader confusion.
The document said that providing the necessary parties with notice to plan “creative stunts and spots” is helpful that way they can plan for them to be done as safely as possible. Talent were encouraged to speak to coaches, talent relations, medical team or legal as early as possible for things that would require such planning.
One talent we spoke to said they believe this is a good move and will help streamline the show, avoid repeat spots and moves in general, and make more of the athletic spots that talent are capable of. It is also expected to help instill some authority to the coaches, and help production prepare for spots.
We’ll be asking more talent about their reactions as they become aware of it, but most we’ve heard from agreed it was a necessary “tightening of the screws” as the company grows.
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