Ace Steel
Ace Steel, whose real name is Christopher Guy, is an American professional wrestling trainer, producer, and retired wrestler born on January 25, 1973, in Chicago, Illinois.[1] Standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he began his in-ring career on October 1, 1991, and competed until 2019 across numerous independent promotions, including tours with Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan starting in 2003.[1][2] Throughout his wrestling tenure, Steel achieved notable success, capturing multiple championships such as the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship twice, the AWA World Tag Team Championship twice with partner Danny Dominion, the WLW Tag Team Championship twice, and the WLW Heavyweight Championship once.[1][2] He gained prominence in Ring of Honor (ROH) as a key member of the Second City Saints stable alongside CM Punk and Colt Cabana, contributing to the group's feuds and storylines in the early 2000s.[2] Additionally, Steel co-founded the Steel Domain wrestling school in the late 1990s, where he trained influential talents like CM Punk and Colt Cabana, emphasizing technical proficiency and character development.[2] Transitioning from active competition, Steel established himself as a prominent coach and producer, working with major promotions including WWE—where he appeared as Chris Guy in developmental roles—and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), serving as a coach from 2019 until his release in 2022 following backstage incidents, before being rehired briefly in 2023.[1][2] In October 2023, he joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as a producer, continuing to mentor wrestlers like Joe Hendry, whom he credits for elevating through his guidance.[1][3] Steel is also the owner and head coach of The Foundation of Pro Wrestling, a training facility that carries forward the legacy of his mentor, Harley Race, the legendary NWA World Heavyweight Champion, with whom he developed a close professional relationship in the early 2000s.[2] His contributions extend to media, including production work on the Netflix/WWE film The Main Event and endorsements from WWE officials like Adam Pearce, highlighting his role in preserving wrestling's historical techniques.[4] In 2007, Steel portrayed Donald Trump in a WWE Raw segment, an opportunity that underscored his versatility in the industry. In October 2025, he served as a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center.[5][6][7]Early life and training
Early life
Christopher Guy, professionally known as Ace Steel, was born on January 25, 1973, in Chicago, Illinois.[8] Growing up in Chicago, Guy developed a passion for professional wrestling during his childhood by watching events from the American Wrestling Association (AWA).[9] His early exposure included broadcasts featuring prominent wrestlers such as AWA champion Nick Bockwinkel and the charismatic Ric Flair, whose styles left a lasting impression.[10] This interest was further fueled by local television airings of wrestling matches throughout the 1980s, which captivated young fans in the region.[9] By the early 1990s, inspired by these formative experiences, Guy transitioned to pursuing formal training in the sport.[9]Training and debut
Steel began his professional wrestling training in 1991 at the Windy City Pro Wrestling school in Chicago, Illinois, under the guidance of local promoters associated with the promotion.[9] This marked his formal entry into the industry shortly after graduating high school, where he honed fundamental skills in a regional environment focused on independent circuit talent development.[9] He made his in-ring debut that same year in October 1991, performing under the ring name Ace Steel—adopted from the outset of his career—in small Midwest independent promotions, including Windy City Pro Wrestling itself.[8] These early matches took place in modest venues across the region, providing Steel with initial exposure to live audiences and the rigors of professional bouts against fellow trainees and local competitors.[2] In these formative appearances, Steel developed his foundational wrestling style as a technician, emphasizing mat-based maneuvers and chain wrestling techniques suited to the unpolished, grassroots nature of Midwest independents during the early 1990s.[11] Drawing from the vibrant local Chicago scene, he incorporated elements of resilience and adaptability that would characterize his approach, though his initial focus remained on building core proficiency rather than specialized gimmicks.[9]Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit beginnings (1991–2002)
Ace Steel began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in the Midwest following his training and debut in October 1991 with Windy City Pro Wrestling, where he adopted the ring name Ace Steel.[2] Early in his career, he formed a tag team known as the LA Connection with Danny Dominion, competing in regional promotions and capturing titles such as the AWA World Tag Team Championship twice and NWA Midwest Tag Team Championship through intense feuds that showcased their athletic tandem offense.[12] These matches helped establish Steel as a versatile performer capable of both technical grappling and high-impact maneuvers during tours across Illinois and surrounding states.[2] By the late 1990s, Steel expanded his presence in promotions like the NWA, gaining notable exposure at the NWA 50th Anniversary Show on October 24, 1998, where he competed against established talents such as Christopher Daniels and Kevin Quinn.[2] He also began forging key alliances with emerging wrestlers, including training CM Punk at his Steel Dominion wrestling school in Chicago and collaborating on the independent scene, including high-profile matches like their January 5, 2002, encounter in IWA Mid-South for the IWA Mid-South World Heavyweight Championship.[13] These partnerships laid the groundwork for future collaborations and highlighted Steel's role in developing the next generation of Midwest talent.[2] Steel achieved significant success in Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA Mid-South), a promotion renowned for its hardcore environment, where he honed a style blending high-flying aerial techniques with brutal, weapon-assisted brawls.[2] On February 8, 2002, he defeated Kurt Krueger in Indianapolis, Indiana, to win the IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[14] Steel dropped the title to Vic Capri on March 8 but reclaimed it on May 3, 2002, in a 30-minute Iron Man match against the same opponent in Indianapolis, Indiana, holding it until stripped in June for failing to defend within 30 days.[14] Earlier that year, he also won the 2001 IWA Mid-South Sweet Science 16 tournament, solidifying his reputation through regional tours that emphasized endurance and innovative offense.[2]Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2002–2003)
Ace Steel joined NWA: Total Nonstop Action (TNA) shortly after the promotion's inception in June 2002, marking his entry into a national weekly pay-per-view format. Building on his early friendship and tag team experience with CM Punk from the independent circuit, Steel partnered with the up-and-coming wrestler to form the team Hatebreed, positioning themselves within the high-flying X Division.[15][16] Hatebreed quickly engaged in competitive tag team action, debuting on the September 18, 2002, episode by defeating Jimmy Rave and Derek Wylde as well as the Hot Shots (Cassidy O'Reilly and Chase Stevens) in a three-way elimination match. The duo also participated in larger multi-team contests, including the Gauntlet for the Gold on the same show, where they competed against prominent teams like America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), who ultimately claimed the NWA World Tag Team Championship. These bouts highlighted Hatebreed's role in the X Division's emphasis on innovative, fast-paced wrestling, though Steel also competed in singles matches against opponents such as Low Ki and Kid Kash, often involving stipulation formats like Iron Man and ladder matches for the NWA X Division Championship.[17] Despite initial momentum, Steel's appearances in TNA became irregular by late 2002, with his final documented match occurring on a December 18, 2002, taping for TNA Xplosion alongside David Young against Chris Vaughn and Johnny Slaughter. He departed the promotion in early 2003 to explore opportunities in other promotions, including Ring of Honor and international circuits like Pro Wrestling Noah later that year.[18][5]Ring of Honor (2003)
Ace Steel joined Ring of Honor in early 2003, quickly aligning with fellow Chicago natives CM Punk and Colt Cabana to form the Second City Saints stable, which emphasized hardcore, street-fight style wrestling reflective of their hometown roots.[19] The group's formation occurred on March 22 at the Night of Champions event in Philadelphia, where Steel and Punk lost a tag team match to Cabana and Raven, but Cabana immediately turned on Raven post-match to join them, solidifying the trio as a unit named after Chicago's nickname.[20] This alliance built on Steel and Punk's prior tag team experience from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, allowing them to bring a cohesive, aggressive dynamic to ROH's roster.[19] The Second City Saints soon entered a heated feud with The Prophecy, a dominant faction led by Christopher Daniels that included BJ Whitmer and Dan Maff, sparked by an April 2003 attack on the group's valet Lucy (Daffney) that was attributed to the rivals.[19] This rivalry escalated into multi-man tag matches, showcasing the Saints' underdog resilience against The Prophecy's established power. On April 26 at the Retribution event, Steel teamed with Cabana to defeat Dan Maff and Monsta Mack of Da Hit Squad (allied with The Prophecy) in a standard tag bout, advancing the faction warfare.[21] The feud peaked on June 14 at the Freeway event with a no-disqualification six-man tag match where the Saints (Steel, Punk, and Cabana) overcame The Prophecy (Daniels, Whitmer, and Maff), highlighting Steel's contributions through high-impact dives and brawling sequences.[20] Steel’s 2003 ROH run, though brief due to his upcoming tours elsewhere, cemented his legacy in the promotion by embodying its emphasis on stiff, no-holds-barred competition, with the Saints' intense bouts against The Prophecy helping define ROH's early faction-driven storytelling and attracting a dedicated indie audience.[19]World League Wrestling (2003–2005)
Ace Steel joined World League Wrestling (WLW), the Heartland-based promotion founded and operated by wrestling legend Harley Race, in 2003.[2] As part of his early involvement, Steel represented WLW on a tour with Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan during November and December 2003, showcasing the promotion's talent internationally under Race's guidance.[22] Race, known for his rigorous training methods emphasizing fundamentals and resilience, mentored Steel during this period, influencing his approach to in-ring psychology and match structure within WLW's regional style.[23] Throughout 2004 and into 2005, Steel competed in WLW's Midwest circuit, building momentum through singles and tag team bouts that highlighted the promotion's focus on hard-hitting, story-driven contests. In early 2005, he aligned with Superstar Steve (Steve Fender) as part of The Gold Exchange stable, which included Matt Murphy and was managed by Johnny Gold; this faction emphasized opportunistic teamwork and heel tactics in WLW's tag division. On May 7, 2005, in Ozark, Missouri, Steel and Superstar Steve defeated Wade Chism and Dakota to capture the WLW Tag Team Championship, marking Steel's first title reign in the promotion.[24] The duo made successful defenses, including a victory over Wild Bill and Gary Jackson on October 1, 2005, in St. James, Missouri, solidifying their dominance amid storylines involving rival Heartland teams challenging the stable's control.[25] Steel departed WLW after his tag team run concluded in late 2005, but returned briefly in 2014 for a career milestone. On July 26, 2014, in Troy, Missouri, he won the WLW Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match by defeating champion Leland Race and Dustin Bozworth, ending Race's reign and becoming a rare multi-time titleholder in the promotion.[26] Steel held the title for 112 days, defending it against challengers like Kyle Roberts before losing it back to Leland Race on November 15, 2014, in Troy, Missouri.[27] This brief comeback underscored his enduring connection to Race's legacy and WLW's tradition of elevating seasoned performers.[26]Pro Wrestling Noah (2003–2006)
In late 2003, Ace Steel embarked on an international excursion to Pro Wrestling Noah, marking a significant phase of his career focused on gaining exposure in Japan's premier strong-style promotion. His debut tour included multiple appearances starting in November, where he competed in tag team and multi-man matches against established Noah talent, showcasing his technical wrestling background against the promotion's high-impact style. Notable encounters during this period involved facing legends such as Mitsuharu Misawa in six-man tag team bouts, including a victory on November 21, 2004, alongside Michael Modest and Donovan Morgan over Misawa, Scorpio, and Yoshinari Ogawa. Similarly, Steel crossed paths with Kenta Kobashi in a six-man tag match on February 22, 2005, teaming against Kobashi, KENTA, and Tamon Honda, experiences that highlighted the physical demands of Noah's roster.[28] A pivotal moment came in Steel's singles match against Yoshinobu Kanemaru on May 19, 2004, during the Navigation with Breeze tour, ultimately falling to the opponent in a contest that tested his adaptability within Noah's junior heavyweight division. Steel continued touring through 2006, accumulating over 50 matches across four years, often in undercard roles that paired him with foreign heels like Doug Williams and Scorpio against Noah's homegrown stars.[28] Steel adapted effectively to Noah's strong-style wrestling, emphasizing stiff strikes, suplexes, and endurance-based sequences that contrasted with his prior light heavyweight experience in American independents. His performances earned lasting respect within Noah's junior division, where wrestlers like Naomichi Marufuji and Kanemaru acknowledged his growth and contributions during tours. In reflections on his time there, Steel noted the educational value of working against top Japanese talent, stating that each match helped him learn and gain admiration from peers in the promotion. This period solidified his reputation as a reliable international journeyman capable of thriving in puroresu's most demanding environment.[9][28]World Wrestling Entertainment (2004–2008)
Ace Steel made his initial appearances for World Wrestling Entertainment in 2004 through a series of dark matches on the Raw and SmackDown brands, where he competed against enhancement talent to build up established performers.[29] In early 2007, Steel participated in WWE tryouts that included a notable intergender segment on the January 8 episode of Raw, where he portrayed "Donald Trump" in a comedic match against "Rosie O'Donnell," played by Kiley McLean; Steel, as Trump, won the match by throwing a stuffed whale at his opponent, impressing WWE officials and contributing to him securing a developmental contract on January 18.[2][30] He was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE's primary developmental territory at the time.[2] During his time in OVW from 2007 to 2008, Steel primarily competed in tag team competition, often partnering with Jamin Olivencia; notable victories included defeats over JD Michaels and Seth Skyfire on the January 23, 2008 episode of OVW TV and The Insurgency (Ali Akbar and Omar Akbar) on the January 2, 2008 episode.[31] He also challenged for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship alongside Olivencia but lost to champions Paul Burchill and Stu Sanders on January 30, 2008.[31] Steel made occasional main roster appearances, including a dark match loss teaming with Funaki to The Gymini (Jake and Jesse) prior to the January 9, 2007 episode of SmackDown and a televised singles defeat to Chuck Palumbo on the October 2, 2007 episode of SmackDown.[31][32] Despite these outings, Steel's WWE run was marked by limited television exposure on the main roster. He was released from his developmental contract on February 4, 2008.[2]Return to Ring of Honor (2008–2009)
Following his release from World Wrestling Entertainment in early 2008, Ace Steel made his return to Ring of Honor in November 2008, participating in a six-man tag team match at Rising Above on November 22, where he teamed with Brent Albright and Roderick Strong in a losing effort against Chris Hero, Davey Richards, and Go Shiozaki of Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.[33] He continued his comeback by partnering with hardcore specialist Necro Butcher for a series of intense, no-holds-barred bouts, reflecting the indie promotion's emphasis on unrestricted violence compared to WWE's structured environment. On December 5, 2008, at Wrestling at the Gateway, Steel and Necro Butcher defeated Jimmy Jacobs and Delirious of The Age of the Fall in a brutal tag team match that showcased their aggressive, brawling style.[34] Steel and Necro Butcher's collaboration extended into multi-man warfare, including a 10-man steel cage match at Caged Collision on January 31, 2009, in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. In this high-stakes encounter, Steel joined Brent Albright, Erick Stevens, Jay Briscoe, and Roderick Strong to overcome Adam Pearce, Bobby Dempsey, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, and Tank Toland of Sweet 'n' Sour Inc., with the victory highlighting Steel's resilience in chaotic, weapon-filled environments typical of ROH's hardcore leanings.[35] These appearances marked a brief but energetic revival for Steel, allowing him to reconnect with ROH's gritty undercard scene. The return also reignited tensions from Steel's earlier ROH tenure, particularly with former Second City Saints stablemate Colt Cabana. Their personal and professional history—rooted in the original Chicago-based faction alongside CM Punk—fueled a short feud, leading to a singles showdown at Take No Prisoners on April 4, 2009, in Houston, Texas. In the opening match of the pay-per-view, Cabana submitted Steel with his signature Billy Goat's Curse, effectively concluding the rivalry and signaling the end of Steel's active ROH run.[36][35]Later independent appearances (2014)
In 2014, following several years away from in-ring competition, Ace Steel made a limited return to the independent wrestling scene, focusing on select appearances in Midwest promotions. His most notable activity centered on World League Wrestling (WLW), where he captured the WLW Heavyweight Championship on July 26 in a three-way match, defeating champion Leland Race and Dustin Bozworth at an event in Troy, Missouri.[37] The victory, which involved controversy over Steel's use of a foreign object, marked his first singles title in the promotion since earlier tag team successes there.[27] Steel defended the title successfully once during his 112-day reign, defeating Kyle Roberts on September 13 in Linn, Missouri, before dropping the championship back to Leland Race on November 15.[38] This stint in WLW represented a one-off return rather than a sustained commitment, aligning with Steel's ongoing focus on training and legacy in the region without plans for a broader comeback.[22] Beyond WLW, Steel appeared in a handful of brief matches across other Midwest independents, often positioned as tributes to his veteran status. On June 14, he competed in Metro Pro Wrestling (MPW), losing to Jeremy Wyatt in Valley Park, Missouri.[2] Later that year, on October 12, he faced Vic Capri in High Risk Wrestling (HRW) in St. Louis, Missouri, ending in defeat, and on December 6, he challenged Adam Pearce in MPW in Kansas City, Missouri, in what served as Pearce's final match for the promotion.[31] These isolated bouts highlighted Steel's enduring respect within the regional scene but remained sporadic, with no further regular activity following the year.[39]WWE Performance Center (2019–2022)
In November 2019, Ace Steel was hired by WWE as a coach at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, where he contributed to the training of developmental wrestlers.[40] His role involved instructing NXT talents on in-ring fundamentals and match psychology, drawing from his extensive independent circuit experience.[41] Steel's tenure was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic; on April 15, 2020, he was furloughed as part of WWE's widespread cost-cutting measures affecting producers, coaches, and performers amid event cancellations and revenue losses.[42] He returned to the Performance Center in October 2020, resuming his coaching duties during the gradual resumption of live events and NXT programming.[43] On January 5, 2022, Steel was released from his WWE contract alongside other Performance Center staff and NXT personnel, including William Regal and Road Dogg, as part of ongoing restructuring under the NXT 2.0 brand.[44] This departure concluded his behind-the-scenes role, which had focused on talent development rather than on-screen appearances.[45]All Elite Wrestling (2022–2023)
In early 2022, Ace Steel was hired by All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a producer following his departure from WWE.[46] He began working backstage for AEW events in February, including tapings of Dynamite and Dark.[46] Steel, a longtime friend and trainer of CM Punk from their days in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, joined the company amid Punk's high-profile return.[47] Steel became embroiled in controversy during the All Out event on September 4, 2022, when a physical altercation erupted backstage after Punk's post-show media scrum.[48] In the incident, known as "Brawl Out," Steel joined Punk in confronting The Elite—Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks—allegedly throwing a chair at Nick Jackson and biting Omega during the melee.[48] The fight led to suspensions for all involved parties, including Steel, and an internal investigation by AEW.[48] On October 18, 2022, Steel was released from the company as fallout from the brawl continued.[48] Steel was rehired by AEW in May 2023 in a remote producer capacity, ahead of Punk's return for the Collision brand premiere.[49] Despite limited on-screen appearances, he contributed backstage by consulting on production matters, offering ideas for Punk's segments, and maintaining periodic discussions with AEW President Tony Khan.[50] His role was restricted to off-site work due to concerns over being an "insurance risk" stemming from the prior incident.[50] However, on September 7, 2023—the same day Punk's contracts were terminated—Steel was released from AEW once again.[47]TNA Wrestling (2023–present)
Ace Steel joined TNA Wrestling in a backstage capacity in October 2023, initially serving as a producer during the Bound for Glory pay-per-view event as part of a tryout period.[51] His role was officially confirmed on February 20, 2024, when he revealed in an interview that he had been working with the promotion since the previous fall, contributing to television production and talent development.[51] This marked a return to TNA for Steel, distinct from his earlier in-ring appearances with the company in the early 2000s. In June 2024, Steel transitioned to an on-screen role as the manager for Joe Hendry, aligning with him during a TNA Impact episode to bolster Hendry's push toward the top of the card.[52] This partnership gained prominence at the Against All Odds event on June 14, 2024, where Hendry defeated Frankie Kazarian in a singles match; post-match, Steel intervened to protect Hendry from a further assault by Kazarian, culminating in Steel delivering a punch to Kazarian's face.[53] The alliance continued into subsequent storylines, including a Chicago Street Fight between Steel and Kazarian on the June 20 episode of TNA Impact, highlighting Steel's dual contributions as both a producer and an on-screen figure.[53] Steel discussed his renewed involvement with TNA in an August 14, 2024, interview, describing it as a "renaissance" in his career that allowed him to blend producing, managing, and occasional in-ring work within a supportive environment.[3] In October 2025, Steel made a brief return to WWE as a guest coach at the Performance Center, sharing his expertise with NXT talents alongside fellow veteran Jazz.[54] In November 2025, Joe Hendry publicly acknowledged Steel's guidance as instrumental to his achievements in TNA, crediting the partnership for elevating his in-ring performance and overall success.[55] As of November 2025, Steel continues to serve as a key producer for TNA's television programming while contributing to wrestler training and storyline development.[56]Championships and accomplishments
Title history
Ace Steel has held several championships across his career in independent promotions.[1]| Promotion | Title | Reign | Date Won | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Wrestling Alliance | AWA World Tag Team Championship | 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Won with Danny Dominion; exact dates unknown.[1] |
| American Wrestling Alliance | AWA World Tag Team Championship | 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Won with Danny Dominion; exact dates unknown.[1] |
| IWA Mid-South | IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship | 1 | February 8, 2002 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Defeated Cuefa in a tournament final to win the vacant title; lost the title to Vic Capri on March 8, 2002, after 28 days.[14] |
| IWA Mid-South | IWA Mid-South Light Heavyweight Championship | 2 | May 3, 2002 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Defeated Vic Capri; lost the title on June 1, 2002, after 29 days.[57] |
| World League Wrestling | WLW Tag Team Championship | 1 | August 1, 2001 | Springfield, Missouri | Part of The Gold Exchange stable with Matt Murphy and Superstar Steve (Freebird Rule); Ace Steel substituted and defended as champion; titles vacated on February 22, 2003, after approximately 602 days.[24][1] |
| World League Wrestling | WLW Tag Team Championship | 2 | May 7, 2005 | Ozark, Missouri | Won with Superstar Steve Fender (substituting for an injured Matt Murphy as part of The Gold Exchange); defeated Dakota and Wade Chism; reign ended sometime in 2005 (exact date unknown; titles later vacated).[58] |
| World League Wrestling | WLW Heavyweight Championship | 1 | July 26, 2014 | Troy, Missouri | Defeated champion Leland Race and Dustin Bozworth in a triple threat match; lost the title to Leland Race on November 15, 2014, after 112 days.[26] |