There is a lot more freedom in AEW than there is in WWE, especially with promos, as AEW talent has bullet points while those in WWE mostly work from scripted promos.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that AEW recently sent out a document outlining some of the changes they planned to implement regarding performer and fan safety.
While several people in the promotion have confirmed the document is legit, several wrestlers haven’t seen it.
The AEW medical team, coaches, and referees came up with the protocols to help protect talent, staff, crew, and fans. The document noted there is always risk in pro wrestling, but they want to minimize it while not compromising the quality of the talent’s performances and ability to be creative with their work.
A document that was sent out “outright banned unprotected chair shots to the head, shots to the back of the head, buckle bombs and blind moves backward 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.”
Blood on objects is also not allowed to be thrown into the crowd. The report noted, “There was also a group of spots that was much broader that was listed, but are still permitted.”
Medical and coaches must approve of them. Below is a list that could be adjusted by medical, legal, and coaching staff, and it is not set in stone. Here is the list that needs 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.”
Wrestlers were encouraged to speak with coaches, talent relations, medical team or legal about the list. One talent said they believe it’s a good move by helping “streamline the show, avoid repeat spots and moves in general, and make more of the athletic spots that talent are capable of.”
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