a 45t motor is well within the limit of a AE2 ESC, they can handle anything over 19t. And 45t is not even close.
generally u will find the higher the turn count the lower the current draw, and been a crawler there would be even less current draw because of the increased mechanical torque from the low gearing.
but....
The AE2 ESC is only rated to 2s lipo and 6cell Nimh
so by the sounds u run a 3s lipo and smoked it.... Whoops, Expensive mistake.
personally I would recommend one of these ESC over the Axial AE2..... HH Torquemaster
http://holmeshobbies.com/Holmes-Hobb...ter-BR-XL.html