Steve Carrier on November 16, 2023
AEW President Tony Khan participated in a media briefing to discuss the upcoming AEW Full Gear pay-per-view event happening this Saturday, November 18, 2022. Below are the key highlights from the discussion.
Tony Khan began the conversation by expressing his fondness for Full Gear, both in the wrestling world and in his personal life.
The topic of Sting’s retirement came up, along with its impact on Darby Allin. Khan pointed out that Allin’s star was already rising even before Sting joined AEW. Khan believed that Allin played a crucial role in reintroducing Sting to wrestling after his hiatus and assured that Allin would continue to be associated with Sting even after retirement. Khan praised their partnership as one of the most rewarding experiences he’s had.
Another caller brought up Sting’s retirement and his overall significance in the AEW. Khan emphasized how Sting holds a special place within the organization, describing him as the kindest person he’s ever known, characterized by his generosity and warmth. Khan expressed his admiration for Sting and acknowledged that Sting’s last match would likely take place at Full Gear in Los Angeles. He anticipated that Sting would exit the wrestling stage with a memorable performance, highlighting Sting’s unwavering commitment to entertaining the fans. Khan also noted that Sting’s willingness to undertake daring maneuvers in his matches was a testament to his desire to ensure the audience had an enjoyable experience. In conclusion, Khan affirmed their dedication to providing Sting with a remarkable farewell run in AEW.
When questioned about the representation of female voices in AEW’s backstage operations, Khan acknowledged the hiring of another male figure, Jimmy Jacobs, and the reported departure of Megha Parekh. However, he also highlighted the significant contributions of Madison Rayne and Sarah Stock in the company.
When asked about his approach to handling injuries and other unforeseen challenges, Khan mentioned that AEW gained valuable experience in adapting to such situations during the lockdown era of the pandemic. He noted that the presence of COVID-19 had led to changes in plans and restrictions on travel for some individuals. However, he also highlighted the silver lining in these moments, citing examples such as Lance Archer and Eddie Kingston unexpectedly participating in the Casino Battle Royale, which eventually led to a headline match between Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston at Full Gear three years ago. Khan acknowledged that while injuries and changes in plans could be frustrating, they had sometimes resulted in great outcomes.
He mentioned the losses of Adam Cole and Jon Moxley due to injuries but emphasized that AEW had been on a successful run of pay-per-view events since the inception of AEW Collision. Khan explained that the five hours of television they produce each week allowed them to tell more intricate stories and put them in a better position heading into pay-per-views, which in turn made those events even more special. He expressed the company’s eagerness to continue their successful streak at Full Gear, acknowledging that there had been numerous changes leading up to this year’s event. However, he likened this situation to Full Gear 2020, which had also seen its share of changes and remained one of his favorite events.
When questioned about the significance of MJF within the company, Tony Khan praised MJF and highlighted his role as a strong leader. Khan expressed his admiration for MJF as one of AEW’s exceptional homegrown talents, describing him as an “indelible wrestling talent.” He emphasized that MJF embodies the type of performer they want to have in AEW for an extended period and expressed the company’s hope to keep MJF as a part of AEW for the long term.
Regarding Bryan Danielson’s status and his recent absence from the WrestleCade event, Tony Khan explained that they were waiting for final clearance for Danielson to fly to certain locations. He mentioned that Danielson was able to appear at AEW Collision in Oakland because he could drive to the show. However, the upcoming shows in Pittsburgh and WrestleCade in North Carolina were far away from where Danielson lives. Khan admitted that he wasn’t very familiar with WrestleCade, so he couldn’t provide more information on that matter.
Khan also addressed the ongoing feud between Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland. He expressed that it wasn’t his place to punish the heels for some of their actions, as professional wrestling is a platform where wrestlers can settle their disputes in the ring. He emphasized his excitement for Full Gear being held at the Forum and the prospect of a Texas Death Match coming to Hollywood. Khan clarified that issues like the home invasion angle should be handled by legal authorities, and he spoke positively about the Page and Swerve segment from a recent episode of Dynamite.
When asked about the diversity in Los Angeles and if he has learned from past shows in the area, Tony Khan highlighted the presence of top lucha libre stars in AEW. He mentioned the recent appearance of Mistico and noted that Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix are two highly decorated wrestlers in AEW who contribute to the promotion’s diversity. Khan also mentioned the return of Rush and Dralistico for the weekend’s event, emphasizing Rush’s ability to bring authenticity to his matches.
Khan acknowledged that the LFI (Los Ingobernables de México) faction can be polarizing in AEW but noted that many fans support them. He praised Andrade El Idiolo as a great competitor in recent times and mentioned Komander. Khan expressed excitement about the return of Bandido from injury, even though he wished Bandido could have returned for the upcoming weekend’s event, reassuring that Bandido would be back in action soon.
Tony Khan shared his excitement about the upcoming Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm match for the AEW Women’s Championship, describing it as a great rivalry. He highlighted the compelling sit-down interview that took place last week, emphasizing the excellent points made during the segment. Khan noted that in 2023, Shida has not been pinned or submitted, showcasing her impressive record.
Khan recalled a pivotal moment in the rivalry when Shida asked Storm what had happened to her, and Storm blamed Shida for her recent struggles. Khan viewed this as a significant turning point in their storyline. He characterized their rivalry as a friendly, competitive one and acknowledged that Storm had been a unique figure in AEW, serving as a “poster girl” for the company in a distinct manner.
While some might perceive Storm’s journey as a “fall from grace,” Khan saw it differently. He explained that he had introduced Storm to old Hollywood movies, which had inspired her to embrace the role of a Hollywood starlet. Khan praised Storm’s dedication and commitment to this character, stating that she had fully immersed herself in the role and had essentially become the Hollywood starlet she aimed to portray.
Khan expressed his efforts to provide Storm with opportunities to showcase her character on the show in a distinctive way, making her stand out from the rest of the roster. He mentioned her iconic look, comparing it to someone painting themselves black and white to dress up as Storm for Halloween. Khan believed that Storm had created an unforgettable character that would be remembered for a long time, and he anticipated that it would continue to evolve and improve. Ultimately, Khan credited Shida for setting Storm on this path of transformation and character development.
Tony Khan provided insight into his decision-making process regarding when to tease special announcements and how much hype to generate for them. He explained that they constantly weigh these considerations because they have to announce various elements like matches, moments, and signings. Sometimes, they base their decisions on what feels right at the moment and aim to engage the audience effectively.
Khan cited an example of building awareness around the Wembley Stadium show by creating a lot of fanfare around the announcement. He also mentioned that they had generated awareness for the December 1 on-sale date. However, there are times when Khan enjoys keeping the audience surprised, like the announcement of the Continental Classic tournament. He promised that more details about the tournament, including its direction and participants, would be revealed immediately after Full Gear.
Khan expressed his excitement about an upcoming signing, believing that the addition would be significant for AEW. He emphasized that there are various approaches to making announcements, but the primary goal is to create excitement and generate positive buzz about the company.
When asked if AEW is close to achieving a million-dollar gate for Full Gear, Tony Khan stated that they are approaching it. Currently, they are closer to $900,000, and they have a chance to reach the milestone with a strong walk-up crowd. Khan expressed his fondness for the Forum, where the event was being held, mentioning that it’s one of his favorite wrestling venues in the world.
Regarding the question of whether AEW plans to add more pay-per-view events to their calendar, Khan noted that every company that has expanded its pay-per-view schedule has been happy with the decision. He mentioned that he had penciled in the WrestleDream event roughly a year in advance after Antonio Inoki’s passing and felt strongly about adding All In to the calendar. Khan stated that they have built a sustainable calendar of pay-per-views for the year, which has been their best year in terms of revenue and buys. He highlighted the success of All In, with an impressive live gate and around 200,000 pay-per-view buys, surpassing the numbers from the prior year. Expanding the pay-per-view calendar has proven to be a positive move for AEW. Khan also mentioned that ticket sales for the Worlds End event are off to a good start.
When asked about leaving clues for fans to follow in the Devil Mask saga, Tony Khan didn’t want to confirm whether he was dropping clues or red herrings intentionally. However, he mentioned that they have shared a lot of information throughout the course of the story.
Khan acknowledged the challenges they faced due to Adam Cole’s injury, noting that Cole was on a great run and had exceeded expectations upon his return from a head injury. He emphasized Cole’s importance to AEW and expressed his anticipation for Cole’s healthy return to the company. Khan believed that the main event of Full Gear featuring MJF and Jay White showcased a great rivalry between one of AEW’s top homegrown stars and one of the best recent additions to the roster.
He also suggested that fans should keep an eye on the identity of the Devil in the storyline. Additionally, Khan mentioned that Samoa Joe is looming large and willing to solve MJF’s problems for a price, while Wardlow is also a significant figure in the unfolding narrative. Khan expressed his frustration with the Devil, particularly for their role in taking out The Acclaimed.
Tony Khan had positive words for working with Adam Copeland (Edge), describing him as someone with a good heart and a strong family orientation, similar to Sting. He mentioned that Copeland’s character in AEW was initially in denial about who Christian Cage had become since his arrival and transformation into The Patriarch. Khan expressed his satisfaction that Sting and Darby Allin had opened Copeland’s eyes to Christian Cage’s current persona.
Regarding planning for events in the Los Angeles area and considering the Hispanic population, Khan explained that AEW aims to cast a wide net for its pay-per-view events and mentioned that they have performed well in L.A.
Finally, when asked about the possibility of cross-promotion between MJF and Adam Copeland’s upcoming films, even if they are not under the Warner Bros. Discovery banner, Khan couldn’t provide specific details but believed there was a great opportunity to promote “The Iron Claw” movie. Khan concluded the call and mentioned that he would be catching a redeye flight after Full Gear to return to Jacksonville for a Jaguars game.
November 16, 2023 4:11 pm
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