All Elite Wrestling has been fined $10,000 by the Maryland Athletic Commission for violating state regulations during the Lights Out Match between Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega at AEW Full Gear from November 2019.
The complaint was filed by former WCW announcer Christopher Cruise. The commission previously stated that Maryland “prohibits wrestlers from deliberately lacerating themselves or their opponents, or introducing human or animal blood into the match, none of which happened in that match.” Still the commission decided to fine the company $10,000 for lacerations and blood spilled in the match.
AEW will have 30 days to pay the fine or their license in the state will be suspended.
Speaking on his Facebook page, Cruise said the fine is a “black eye for AEW and for their business”:
“Look, the easy thing to say in response to the $10,000 fine levied on AEW by the MSAC is that it is pocket change for a billionaire. I get that. But it ain’t nuthin. And it is public, or will be on May 20th when the Commission meets and then posts the consent order on its website, and distributes it to all other commissions throughout the country. And keep in mind that the next violation will result in a revocation of their license in Maryland and possible show stoppage. In the middle of a match. The Commission is on notice now that others are watching its actions. This puts AEW on notice, as well, and it embarrasses the company. By this time tomorrow the story will have spread far and wide. And it will appear in mainstream publications. This is a black eye for AEW and for the business.”
You can view the full consent order below: