Dave Meltzer Says AEW Stars Have Legitimately Been Fined For Swearing On TV

AEW has always been lenient when it comes to strong language on its programming, to the point where even the strongest language doesn't get censored on some services. Shows on cable television, as well as satellite television and streaming services aren't obligated to keep language clean like shows that air on network television, but wrestlers in AEW have reportedly gotten into trouble for cursing.

During a recent edition of "Wrestling Observer Radio," Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez were reviewing the September 16 episode of "AEW Dynamite" when they touched on the segment where Francesco Akira said "Let's kick the s*** out of the Death Riders." Akira's tag team partner for the night, Will Ospreay, apologized and mentioned that he would pay a fine, which led Meltzer to reveal that fines for strong language in AEW are very real. "There's a fine for swearing...legit too. Guys have been fined legit, yeah, I think it's a $500 fine." Alvarez followed up by saying that the fine only being $500 is probably the reason why so many people swear in AEW because the fine is so low.

It wasn't that long ago that AEW were actually told to tone down the language on its programming. Back in 2022, Warner Brothers Discovery reportedly sent a letter to All Elite Wrestling requesting the strong language be scaled back following the June 1, 2022 episode of "Dynamite" in Los Angeles, California where WBD executives were in attendance. That was the night where MJF infamously cut a scathing promo on Khan where he ended by calling the AEW President a "f****** mark," though it was never officially confirmed if that promo was the reason for WBD asking for the softer language.

Please credit "Wrestling Observer Radio" when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.