CM Punk and Ace Steel had a notable lawyer from the wrestling world help them with their recent legal battles with AEW.
Fans of Jim Cornette’s podcast will be familiar with the attorney Stephen P. New as he is often referenced by Cornette when any stories regarding legal disputes in wrestling come to light and has previously been a guest on the podcast. As Punk and Steel faced action following the events that took place at All Out 2022, the duo enlisted New to fight their side of the battle in the courtroom.
New was recently interviewed by House of Kayfabe to discuss all that he was legally allowed to about the infamous Brawl Out incident and a variety of other topics. With Stephen P. New being a close friend of Cornette, the attorney did admit that when he first started representing talent, some believed that there might be a conflict of interest:
It got better with time. I will say this. It got better with time because, at first…when AEW started, Cornette was calling Orange Cassidy ‘my little dog pockets.’ Cornette was calling Joey Janela, ‘Jelly’ and otherwise taking a crap over AEW. I doubt that sat well with people at AEW, including the legal team. When situations arose, and we had many, and I had to deal with AEW’s legal team, I think they thought I was an extension of Cornette. They treated me, at first, like I was an avatar of Cornette, particularly where Janela was concerned.
New would admit in the interview that he once accidentally called Joey Janela “Jelly” and was promptly chastised for it as a result. Following the rocky start, it was stated that the relationship between the Virginia lawyer and AEW’s legal team would improve over time.
When asked about how he became connected with Punk following Brawl Out, New stated that it took 2 months before he got the call and was very impressed with the way that Punk and Steel represented themselves:
About two months. Representing someone else, who shall remain unnamed. That started the day after Brawl Out. A couple of months later, CM Punk got my phone number, texted me, and was just able, from that point forward…Punk had a legal team already. Ace Steel, not so much. We talked about different things. I’m greatly limited in what I can say, just like Ace was on another podcast.
What I would like to say, from all of that, those two are two of the most stand up, greatest guys that I’ve ever known, particularly around the pro wrestling industry, which can get a little carny at times. Both of those guys are straight shooters. Both of those guys are honest to a fault. Both of those guys are loyal, fiercely loyal, to one another and the people within their camp.
It became readily apparent that we were going to be good friends and that I could provide an outsiders perspective on what they had to deal with and some legal expertise as someone who has had this connection to the pro wrestling business, both as a fan, I understand this stuff. I know who the personalities are and from representing other folks, I had some information that hadn’t been previously known, let’s say.
Although the investigation seemingly concluded with Punk returning to AEW on the debut episode of Collision in June and Ace Steel being terminated from his position, it was likely that New would need to be called upon once again. In regards to the next steps, New stated that he was always a phone call away if his services were required, which included the events that took place at Wembley Stadium in August 2023:
The relationship remained and it was an ongoing relationship, and that’s about all I’m comfortable saying. It was an ongoing relationship so they had me at their disposal if needed. [Were you waiting for a phone call when the Wembley Stadium altercation occurred?] Of course. It’s no different with that situation than anything else. I’ll always be a phone call away for those guys. No matter what. No matter where, no matter what. I’m a phone call away.
Concluding the interview, Stephen P. New once again described how easy it was to work with Punk and Steel during the legal issues that took place in AEW and will always be there if they need him in the future:
To take us home here, Ace Steel is a legitimate sweetheart, just the greatest guy. His love for this business knows no bounds. He worked with Harley Race in Harley’s later years. It’s guys like that, that he holds in the highest esteem. Ace Steel and CM Punk are real. They are the realest of the real. You never had to guess what’s on their minds, they’re going to tell you what’s on their mind.
My Grandma had a saying, ‘Plain talk is easily understood.’ That’s how I feel every time I talk with Ace Steel or CM Punk. Plain spoken, get to the point, don’t have to guess what they’re thinking or anything like that. That’s why I’ll always be a phone call away.
CM Punk Prepares For WWE Return Match
Now back in WWE, many fans are hotly awaiting the return to action of the former World Champion. In a somewhat surprising announcement to many, CM Punk’s first match since returning to WWE will not be televised, but will take place in a legendary venue.
H/t to Fightful.