Tony Khan Is Not Granting Release Requests For AEW Talent

AEW has certainly come far since its inception back in 2019. While it has undergone quite a few changes, not everything has been smooth sailing for the company. Some stars want out, but it seems that Tony Khan isn’t going to play that game.

AEW sent an e-mail to WWE co-CEOs Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon, warning them ‘not to tamper’ with their talent. As previously reported, Malakai Black wasn’t the only AEW star who asked for his release.

While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Tony Khan will no longer Release AEW talent. This could change in the future, but he’s not about letting talent go back to WWE after their regime change.

“Nobody is getting released. That’s the doctrine. Tony Khan made that very clear in the last couple of days, so now he’s not getting released. Buddy Matthews isn’t getting released. Now they may be back sooner than beore, or whatever. You know the situation. They were both wanting to go and find a way out, but that’s the decision that was made.”

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“I mean it’s not to say it’s hard and fast and there will be no way and nobody’s getting released, but I think it’s pretty much the deal that if this happened in the other company, ‘would those people get releases?’ and the answer is ‘no.’ They signed a contract, and so basically now their option is to sit at home, and he can extend the contract if they sit at home, or wrestle. So now they’re gonna wrestle. It’s kinda a weird thing cause he waved goodbye, and now he’s back, and I’m sure he’s gonna blame me, but that’s what happened … no release.”

Malakai Black also made it clear that he isn’t leaving AEW at all. We’ll have to wait and see how much the new regime will affect the company in general. In the meantime, the House of Black will probably stay together if Tony Khan has anything to say about it.

Transcription by Ringside News