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AEW President Tony Khan took part in a media call to promote Sunday's AEW WrestleDream PPV. Highlights:
Khan is excited to honor Antonio Inoki and that his family is coming to Seattle to take part in the event.
Khan said it would be the end of a chapter in AEW and the beginning of a new one.
Khan was asked about Jade Cargill signing with WWE. Tony said he only has positive things to say and she's always welcome in AEW. He wishes her the best in her future.
Khan was asked about monthly PPVs and the potential of streaming. Khan said he's never said they've expected to go monthly but they've had great multiple events and have added some other big shows, including All In. That proves there's room to add to the schedule. He feels the last three PPVs they've done are the best run of three PPVs they've ever done. He noted WBD celebrated the success of the Grandslam viewership. He's open to a streaming platform. They are close enough to their current media obligations and that sounds like something that would be part of a new media rights deal. It's outside the scope of their current deal. There's great potential for all their events to be on a streaming service and the top choice in his eyes is MAX. There's a lot of work that would need to go into it and figure out how it would work. He's not interested in doing a tryout for it. He feels they've shown what they can bring to the table.
WrestleDream doesn't necessarily mean the beginning of monthly PPVs but he's really happy and proud to pay tribute to Antonio Inoki.
Regarding Adam Cole's status this weekend, his match is still slotted for the event. Cole's was a little "ginger" on the leg and they will address it on Dynamite tomorrow.
Khan was asked about rumors that he purchased New Japan. Khan said it's good they created speculation around the PPV but he's surprised that one has picked up and he was a little surprised to see it. He said he's enjoyed working with New Japan and put over the Forbidden Door PPV shows. He wants to continue the partnership for a long time and he doesn't know where the speculation began. He didn't say whether he buying NJPW or not, so I guess keep speculating!
On whether there was talk of holding the show in Japan, Khan said he thought it was a great chance for the American fans to pay tribute to Inoki.
Khan is excited for Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. They wanted to do it at the first Forbidden Door. It's amazing how far they have come since they last wrestled. They aren't the same talents they were 15 years ago.
Khan was asked if he would deny his comment about buying the PPV. He said he's not going to clarify anything as he wants people to buy the PPV. He'd love to know where the NJPW speculation came from as he doesn't know that speculation is credible. He's made bold proclamations before and said he's been proven right by them. 2023 has been their most adventurous year and he wants to continue to do adventurous things. He was never implying a purchase so he doesn't know where that started. He feels they have built their credibility. If you say they aren't doing the best shows right now, you are wearing a tinfoil hat or not watching. He felt this past Saturday was the best Collision. They've never been more organized. He said people say they don't tell stories and to that, he says show him you are actually watching the shows. They roll with the punches when there are injuries and they pivot but the quality of the show has been strong. It's no different then when a football player is hurt. You have to keep going with whatever script or game plan you can put together. He's very happy with what they are doing right now.
On Eddie Kingston vs. Katsuyori Shibata, this was a bout he's wanted to have for some time and he's wanted to link them together. They are two different personalities but two wrestlers who love pro wresting so much. No one ever questions Kingston's love of pro wrestling or his intensity. Shibata is wrestling to live and has been a massive part of the group this year. There are fans who will love this match all over the world who will love pro wrestling. This is a match he believes people want to see. He said Shibata has a chance to create a new Triple Crown for international wrestling.
Khan was asked about rumors WBD owning a piece of the company. Khan said that the financial and structural aspect of the company has been kept quiet. He would be open to it in a future deal for them to have "a piece or a bigger piece" but he has 100% voting control and would want to maintain that. He has the super majority of stock and that's important to him. There would be nothing bad about them having additional investment but he's not seeking a change in control as we've seen elsewhere.
On Wardlow, he's been a great star for the company and Khan is a very big fan. He'll be back on AEW TV when the time is right.
Khan said it's been a great summer for them. it's a lot easier on paper to run a company than it is in real life. it's a dream come true but it's around the clock work. Working in pro wrestling was something he's always wanted to do. The company looks different than it did a year or two ago. There's been a lot of changes and everyone has worked hard. To have the demo and audience as strong than it was this year especially with less cable viewers overall compared to a year ago - and seeing the Grandslam viewership go up. Stepping back and focusing on the wrestling product foremost is the best thing. They can't sign or keep everyone but they can try to use everyone to the best of their ability. There's no weeks off. He really appreciates every fan who buys a ticket and watches and stays with them, because it's 52 weeks a year for the fan as much as those in the business.
Khan was asked about the new ROH Champions appearing on Ring of Honor TV. He said you would see them on the ROH programming and said they've been doing really fun ROH TV weely on WatchROH.com. He said Athena is doing some of the best work in wrestling today.
Khan was asked about Julia Hart. He's praised her work and pointed out how many talents came to them through the Daily's Place era during the worst part of the pandemic.
Khan was asked about his use of ECW talents and interest in running The Hammerstein Ballroom. Khan said he thought RVD would be a great foil and then partner to Hook. They love having Rob and he's open to using him again. It's great to have RVD anytime he's available. He didn't comment on running Hammerstein, which is too small for them to run honestly.
On the positioning of MJF as a babyface, it hasn't changed the core of who he is. He's still a scumbag but he's our scumbag. Now you don't have to hate him as much anymore and that's been embraced by the fans. They have sold an "Ungodly" amount of merchandose for the Cole/MJF team.
On whether he sees FOX as a potential bidder for AEW, Khan said it wouldn't be right to comment on that. He's a WBD partner and he's a family business and there should be some loyalty. Even if he gets punched in the face, he's not going to take it out on the staff by cutting 100 people and then cut wrestlers. He's going to do everything he can to protect those working for him. That's the principle of a family business and that's how he has was raised. It is a business and they'll be up at the end of 2024. He'd like to stay with WBD forever. It makes sense there will be a lot of potential bidders but it's not right to speculate as he's with WBD right now. and he's loyal. FOX is a great place for sports and wrestling, but he'd like to keep AEW at WBD forever. He'd probably take "a penny or two less" to stay with WBD and he appreciates everything they have done for AEW. Speaking about other media companies would be disrespectful.
On Collision being added, Khan was frustrated trying to tell the stories they wanted to tell in just three hours and when WBD offered him two more hours, they've tried to do things to show they appreciate that opportunity and try to make it a great show that's different from Dynamite but just as strong every week. They will have two 2-hour flagship shows going forward to license and five hours to develop stories. He thinks since Collision lost, it's been the best AEW ever.
On The Righteous, Khan said he's been impressed with them since they came to ROH and he's tried to feature them more in AEW. They have history in ROH, which is why he thought it was a good way to feature them and now they are being featured more often. People have really responded to their promos and their match. Having them at Wrestledream makes a lot of sense as they are bringing talent from companies all over the world.
Khan plugged all the TV shows and WrestleDream this Sunday.
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