By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW President Tony Khan spoke with the pro wresting media on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 to promote Saturday’s AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view. Refresh the page for the latest updates.
-Tony Khan opened the call by talking about WrestleDream and it becoming an annual event. Khan also spoke about the media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery and said he expected some questions on that today.
-I asked about the possibility of a roster split now that the television deal is done. Khan said it’s a good thought and an interesting idea. Khan said he has considered it, but it’s too soon to say. He said it’s something he would and could consider.
-Sean Ross Sapp asked if WBD has any equity in AEW. Khan said it’s a fair question, but he would not get into the ownership situation. He said he holds the vast majority of shares in the company and is the sole voting owner. Khan said he is a controlling owner with 100 percent control of the business.
-Kevin Kellam asked about Bryan Danielson’s importance to the company at this stage in his career and whether he could have a role once his in-ring career is finished. Khan spoke highly of Danielson and said it’s a monitor sellout whenever he wrestles.
-Rick Ucchino asked about negotiations with Daniel Garcia and whether he was ever a time when he feared he could lose him. Khan said he understood why Garcia wanted to take the time to make such an important decision. Khan said he considers Garcia a homegrown star even though he was a top independent wrestler when he was signed. Khan spoke about the growth that Garcia has shown over the last few years and the enjoyment of seeing a young wrestler make those improvements. Khan said he was happy to extend Garcia’s contract to keep him in AEW for many years.
-Dominic DeAngelo mentioned the returns of Lance Archer, Jake Roberts, and Rush. He asked if the new TV deal will lead to these and other talents appearing more consistently. Khan said he’s always cared about that. He spoke about the trade that played out on Dynamite and said he hasn’t seen that in many years in pro wrestling. He talked about how trades can change careers in professional sports and how he’s seen that happen. Khan said he feels everyone involved in the trade will be better for it. Khan said the TV deal gives them security and a platform for longterm planning.
-Samantha Shipman asked about ROH not being included in the WBD deal and whether they are still shopping the show. Khan said he’s a big ROH fan and is really excited about the show. He pushed Thursday’s show. He also spoke about ordering the Kenta Kobashi vs. Samoa Joe match years ago and including that match on last week’s show. Khan spoke about falling in love with pro wrestling and how he’s going through one of those phases where he’s fallen even more in love. Khan said it’s not part of the television deal as things stand, but it gives them a lot of great opportunities in the marketplace. Khan mentioned that the deal brings in Max and said that’s huge. He said ROH is a major priority for him going forward. He mentioned that their international rights are still out for bid in many countries.
-Andrew Baydala asked if Khan could provide more information on the Max pay-per-view model and the discount being offered to subscribers. Khan said he wants to stay in lockstep with WBD when it comes to rolling out the details. Khan said Max will starting simulcasting Dynamite and Collision in January and he thinks that’s a huge thing for AEW. He spoke of the entire library also being available on Max. Khan also spoke about learning more about the value of AEW pay-per-views. He spoke about using Taylor Swift’s stage at Wembley Stadium at the All In pay-per-view. Khan said he thinks Max took notice of AEW pay-per-views, the avidity of AEW fans, the feedback about the quality of the events. Khan said he’s happy that WBD will be involved in the pay-per-view business in an even more meaningful way. Khan mentioned that Bleacher Report era of AEW pay-per-views is over and the fans will need to use one of the other platforms. Khan said the people at WBD were fair and honest when it came to negotiating the deal. He said it was complicated with everything they had to look at, but they were as fair as possible and both sides reached an agreement that they are happy with.
-Courtney Rice touted the women’s division in AEW this year. Khan agreed with her. Rice asked for his thoughts on the Mariah May vs. Willow Nightingale match for the AEW Women’s Championship and what’s the focal point moving forward. Khan said he really enjoys working on the women’s matches. He said the quality of the women’s roster keeps getting better in AEW and ROH. Khan also mentioned Britt Baker’s illness. He said she’s a big star and he really likes working with her. Khan said Baker is a huge part of the division and he likes her personally. Khan said he saw Baker at former AEW attorney and current Jacksonville Jaguars EVP Megha Parekh’s wedding and she got really sick afterward. Khan said they had to make a lot of changes to Dynamite and upcoming shows, causing Khan to work until 4 a.m. Khan also spoke about Kris Statlander’s turn and eventually working with Kamille and Mercedes Mone. Khan also noted that he gained a lot of experience in making show changes due to the pandemic. He said the hurricane damage this week really puts things in perspective. Khan said he’s thinking about fans, wrestlers, staff, and people he’ll never meet who are affected by the storms. Khan said if he spends 18-19 hours in an office working on a wrestling show, he knows there are people who have it much worse and he’s very lucky to be able to do what he does. Khan said he prays for everyone affected by tragedies, including the hurricanes. Khan mentioned Adam Copeland calling him last week during the AEW Collision taping. Khan said Copeland was working with the FEMA workers and they were digging bodies out. Khan said he was six cups of coffee in and pulling his hair out because of people missing flights or not being able to be at the taping. Khan said he realized they could work through it. Khan said he feels lucky to do what he does. Khan said Copeland, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler are pitching in on the relief efforts. Khan said we all have problems of our own, but even sparing 50 cents or a dollar can help, and that’s why they’ve been putting the relief graphics on their television shows.
-Khan closed out the call by talking about his excitement for the WrestleDream lineup. He mentioned they honor Antonio Inoki with this show and spoke briefly about him.
Powell’s POV: This was one of the better Tony Khan media calls just in terms of him being forthcoming while answering questions. My only criticism is that he got a little wordy in some of his answers, which is normally fine, but it surely deprived some wrestling media members from asking relevant questions about the WBD deal. That said, Khan showed off a side of himself that we normally don’t get to see (or hear in this case) while talking passionately about the hurricane relief efforts. Adam Copeland stated on Busted Open Radio that Khan provided Starlink devices to the Asheville, North Carolina police department, and Khan has also made financial contributions. To his credit, Khan didn’t publicize any of this or take a bow when it was brought up by a caller. Rather, it was Copeland and Harwood who publicly praised Khan, and then Khan tried to turn the spotlight back on their work. We should have the audio of this call available later today. Join me for my live review of AEW WrestleDream on Saturday night.
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