AEW Wrestlers Have Received Fines for Profanity

The promotion is issuing penalties to talent for using strong language during live television broadcasts.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Wrestling

Expressive editorial sports illustration showing a wrestler in dynamic motion inside a ring with bold brushstrokes and navy and gold tones. — AEW is now issuing $500 fines to wrestlers for using unauthorized profanity during live television broadcasts to address network partner concerns. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should television networks and promoters penalize performers for using strong language during broadcasts?

AEW wrestlers now face a $500 fine for using unauthorized strong language during televised segments. The move follows ongoing efforts by management to address profanity during broadcasts.

Why it matters

The company introduced these financial penalties to manage the tone of its programming. This policy responds to long-standing requests from network partners to curb the use of strong language on air.

Wrestlers are now subject to a $500 fine for each instance of strong language used on television. This financial penalty follows a 2022 request from network partners to reduce profanity during broadcasts.

The players

Francesco Akira

He is a professional wrestler who used profanity during a recent televised segment.

Will Ospreay

He is a professional wrestler who committed to covering the costs of a colleague's fine.

Warner Brothers Discovery

This media conglomerate is the network partner that requested AEW scale back strong language.

The details

The enforcement of these fines became a topic of discussion after Francesco Akira used profanity during the September 16, 2026, episode of AEW Dynamite. Following the incident, wrestler Will Ospreay publicly stated he would pay the fine incurred by the usage of language.

June 1, 2022: Warner Brothers Discovery executives attended a broadcast in Los Angeles.
2022: Warner Brothers Discovery requested that AEW reduce the use of strong language.
September 16, 2026: An episode of AEW Dynamite featured instances of unauthorized profanity.

Season Trajectory

The implementation of these fines marks a shift in how the promotion manages its broadcast standards to align with network expectations. This policy adjustment reflects a broader effort to maintain programming compliance throughout the season.

The introduction of a $500 fine for specific infractions establishes a direct financial consequence for talent behavior during matches. Fans may observe a change in the frequency of strong language used during live broadcasts moving forward.

The takeaway

The promotion is balancing its creative freedom against the requirements of its network broadcast partners. Talent must now weigh their verbal choices against specific financial penalties during every live appearance.