By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW President Tony Khan spoke with the pro wrestling media on Thursday, November 12, 2026, to promote Saturday’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view. Refresh the page for the latest updates.
-Tony Khan opened the call by saying he’s “really excited” about Full Gear. He said he is more excited than he’s ever been about the outlook for AEW. They opened the line for questions. They had some technical difficulties with the system, but they were resolved quickly.
-Dave Meltzer asked what Khan’s goals are for 2027 and apparently about the situation with Skydance (apologies, I’m also dealing with a repairman). Khan said he’s met with Skydance Chairman and CEO David Ellison four times. Khan said he’s spent a lot of time with Ellison and knows he’s high on AEW, but he’s never negotiated with him. Khan mentioned the HBO Max and Paramount bundle that is in the works, and said it should help with AEW’s growth. Khan said they have a lot of time left on their current deal. He said he’s not the kind of person who chases people around and asks about contracts. He said he’s going to keep his head down and work hard. He said he’s trying to talk about what AEW has done, and said Ellison is very aware of AEW’s growth and that it is a top show on cable and a top show in the Warner Bros. stable.
-Sean Radican asked about changes in the DC Universe and how that will affect AEW. Khan spoke about working with various people within Warner Bros., which he addressed last month. He also said AEW has had a great relationship with DC, and he expects that to continue.
-John Powell asked about Will Ospreay’s issues with Kyle Fletcher and Callum Newman, and about Khan working with New Japan Pro Wrestling so well. Khan said he’s thrilled to help with Wrestle Kingdom. He recalled there being a Cold War between the companies in 2019 and 2020. He said he was happy to have Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley wrestling in NJPW during that time. Khan said he became close with Rocky Romero and recalled holding the first Forbidden Door event. He said it’s great to see so many of AEW’s wrestlers wanting to work for NJPW and help one of the company’s partners. The portion about Ospreay’s relationships with Fletcher and Newman was done in kayfabe mode.
-Dominic DeAngelo asked about Claudio Castagnoli and whether he will be in the world title picture. Khan spoke about Castagnoli holding the AEW Trios Titles at one time and said he’s one of the top stars in the company. He spoke about Castagnoli’s friendship with Jo Moxley and Bryan Danielson. He said they all love wrestling, and they fuel the company. Khan said you can tell that the bond between the Death Riders is very real. He spoke briefly about the death of Pac. Khan said Castagnoli is a huge part of what makes the faction the Death Riders, and a huge part of AEW. He said Castagnoli arrived in AEW at a time when they lost Adam Cole, CM Punk, and Bryan Danielson to injuries within a week. Khan said Castagnoli could be a great champion and can hold any championship in AEW. He said he feels fortunate to have Castagnoli in AEW.
-Andrew Baydala asked if Wrestle Dynasty will occur this year. Khan said this year’s Wrestle Kingdom event looks a lot like the Wrestle Dynasty card. Khan said they are supporting NJPW. He said Wrestle Dynasty complemented Wrestle Kingdom. He said it seems like this year NJPW officials want to make Wrestle Kingdom the biggest event possible. Khan said he thinks the event looks great.
-Baydala also asked if Khan sees himself in a position where he would need to take the biggest and best media rights offer. Khan said he wants to make the best deal possible, but he’s someone who really loves to play for his home team. He said he made that clear to the Warner Bros. Discovery executives during the last negotiations. Khan said a person who cares about the company and wants to work there is a good employee. He said that’s how he felt during the last negotiations.
-Jeremy Lambert recalled Khan saying that he would delay his flight to the Jacksonville Jaguars game to take more questions after Full Gear. Lambert told him not to. He mentioned that he has kids and the end time of last night’s three-hour block was a tough one. Khan spoke about how good he felt the show was. Khan spoke about how they had to move some things around during the three-hour block due to late arrivals (caused by wrestlers coming from the Jericho Cruise). Khan said he’s used to making changes, and he felt the shows came out great. He said there were people stuck in the airport who made it to the show and did a great job. Khan mentioned that Nick Wayne was one of the late arrivals, and he was able to get him on the show. Khan said he and Lambert should feel happy to work in pro wrestling because a lot of people would love to have their jobs.
-Lambert mentioned AEW Collision being held on the Jericho Cruise. Khan spoke about being able to do the show live, unlike in 2020. Khan said he thought it was an awesome night.
-Samantha Schipman asked about Marcus Mathers appearing in ROH and then getting a match on Collision. Khan confirmed that Mathers got the Collision match because he did so well at the ROH taping. Khan said Mathers came to the Jericho Cruise looking for work, and he came to the right place. Khan said it was a great week for Mathers, and he was very impressed by him. Khan said Christopher Daniels recommended Mathers. Khan said he didn’t realize that Mathers’ WWE ID deal had expired. Khan said he was blown away by Mathers’ match with Mark Davis in ROH, and said he did a great job during his match with Nick Wayne on Collision. Khan said he would expect to see more of Mathers in AEW and ROH, and potentially both.
-Lennard Surrao asked for an update on Christian. Khan said he couldn’t give an update other than to say that he’s doing well, and that he’s in the middle of a very challenging recovery.
-Carlos Aguilar asked about the name change from The Last Outfit to The Cut. Khan said it was a fair question. He spoke about putting a new group together. Khan said he has “such an affinity” for Jay White and the members of The Cut. Khan said they are doing a great job. Khan said it resonated when the members of the Bang Bang Gang aligned with two of the Dogs. Khan said Jay White embraced the idea. Khan said he believes in White and the group.
-Courtney Rice asked about Marina Shafir. Khan said Jon Moxley has been an advocate, a great mentor, and a partner for Shafir. Khan spoke of how hard Shafir worked and said she’s come a long way. Khan said Moxley has always believed in her and has done to bat for her, and is proud of what she’s accomplished. Khan said she’s worked hard and earned the opportunity to face Mercedes Mone for the AEW World Championship at Full Gear. Khan wrapped up the call with some closing comments and said he hopes everyone enjoys Full Gear on Saturday.
-The audio of this conference call will be available as a free ProWrestling.net Podcast once AEW sends the file.
Join me for my live review of AEW Full Gear on Saturday.
