AEW Implements New Health & Safety Protocols – New List of Banned Moves & Things for Shows

AEW reportedly recently implemented a new health and safety protocol in the company, according to Fightful Select.

It was reported that their sources stated that a new internal document was recently sent within the company that outlined some of the new changes that AEW officials was planning to make in regards to performer and fan safety at events. It was also reported that while multiple people within AEW have confirmed that this document is legitimate, many talent spoken to stated that they have not seen it as of yet.

These new protocols reportedly were developed by AEW’s medical team, coaches, and referees to help protect talent, staff, production crew, and fans. In the document, it was stated that while there is always a risk in professional wrestling, they wanted to minimize the risk without compromising the quality of a talent’s performance and creativity.

In regards to things that are now outright banned, this includes:

• 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
• Physical contact with the crowd

It was reported that AEW officials no longer want anything involving blood on it should be thrown into the crowd during shows.

In regards to the new ban’s impact on talent, it was reported that this will affect the offense of a few wrestlers but only buckle bombs and similar style attacks appear to be the only moves that are actually banned. This new ban reportedly would put an end to the several instances of wrestlers bleeding while in the crowd, MJF’s physical interactions with fans, and a repeat of Bryan Danielson’s controversial fake seizure sell spot that was done at this past June’s Forbidden Door II.

It was also reported that the document also includes several other spots that would still be permitted as long as talent receive approval first by AEW’s medical team and coaches assigned to the match. Those spoken to reportedly stated that the ban list is not a comprehensive one and could be adjusted by AEW’s medical, legal, and coaching staff when needed. Talent who are given approval for certain spots will now be required to perform those moves in accordance with the new safety protocols in place.

In regards to moves that are not banned but require approval first by a coach, these are:

• 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

It was reported that the document also states 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 reportedly are encouraged to speak to those needed as early as possible for things that would require such planning.

One talent spoken to reportedly stated that they believe this is a good move done by AEW and will help streamline the show, avoid repeat spots and moved in general, and make more of the athletic spots that talent are capable of performing. This same talent reportedly also stated that this will help instill some authority to AEW’s coaches and help production prepare for the spots.

In regards to the general reaction from talent who have become aware of the new document, it was reported that most agreed that it was a necessary “tightening of the screws” as the company grows.