Steve Carrier on December 28, 2023
AEW President Tony Khan held a conversation with the professional wrestling media on December 28, 2023, to promote the upcoming AEW Worlds End pay-per-view event. Please refresh this page for the latest updates.
Tony Khan commenced the call by expressing his enthusiasm for the current state of AEW television. He mentioned that the call would be particularly exciting and that he would delve deeper into the intricacies of professional wrestling, a departure from his usual discussions.
The first caller inquired about AEW’s choice of the Nassau Coliseum as a venue, given other options in the market. Khan justified the selection by highlighting the venue’s rich pro wrestling history. He also mentioned the successes of Wrestle Dream and All In events. Khan reminisced about attending the last playoff game the New York Islanders won at the Nassau Coliseum and assured that Worlds End would be an exceptional show.
When asked if “The Devil” storyline was inspired by the Black Scorpion and whether the character’s identity would be revealed at Worlds End, Khan hinted at potential revelations during the pay-per-view. He expressed excitement about discussing AEW’s recent developments and emphasized the storyline’s episodic nature.
Another question posed to Khan was regarding AEW’s long-term partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and whether there were backup plans in case of non-extension. Khan emphasized their strong relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery, noting that they were approaching their five-year anniversary. He eagerly anticipated working with WBD in 2024 and hinted at discussions regarding AEW’s television rights beyond that point. While he acknowledged their current exclusive agreement with WBD limited his comments, he acknowledged growing interest from external parties, including Ring of Honor. Khan suggested that there would likely be many potential suitors for AEW, with more clarity as the year progressed. He reiterated the exceptional experience of working with WBD, emphasizing that it would take a substantial offer to consider other options.
Khan also shared his thoughts on Daniel Garcia’s performance in the Continental Classic, stating that Garcia emerged from the tournament as a better wrestler than when he entered.
Regarding Hiroshi Tanahashi’s appointment as the new president of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Khan expressed his excitement and praised Tanahashi’s predecessor. He commended Tanahashi’s intelligence, preparedness, and professionalism, highlighting the respect he garners from both AEW and NJPW. Khan described Tanahashi as an outstanding individual, professional, and leader.
Dominic DeAngelo inquired about Tony Khan’s booking strategy for the upcoming year of 2024 and whether he had contemplated expanding his booking team to delegate more creative responsibilities. Khan responded by acknowledging their excellent team of individuals, including Bryan Danielson, Mike Mansury, Will Washington, Jimmy Jacobs, Sarah Stock, Dean Malenko, and others who were actively involved in the creative process. Khan revealed that he had a hands-on approach initially but believed that they had been on an extraordinary run of successful shows.
He pointed to the rankings on Cagematch.net, highlighting the numerous AEW shows that had made it into the top 100. Khan emphasized their willingness to experiment with their booking. He explained that when conducting experiments, there is typically an experimental group and a controlled group. He discussed the scoring system they implemented in the Continental Classic, awarding three points for wins and not allowing anyone at ringside. Khan expressed how enjoyable it had been to work on the Continental Classic, even mentioning that he watched some of the tournament with his family on Christmas.
Khan elaborated on their experimental approach, describing the controlled group as what they had been doing traditionally, and the experiment as a more straightforward, old-school wrestling style adopted for the Continental Classic. He mentioned that AEW Collision had a sports-based approach from the beginning and that despite facing stronger competition, they had achieved their best set of shows to date. While there was no historical comparison for Collision since it was in its first year, they managed to boost ratings against the NFL, which Khan considered a success. He expressed his intent to continue with the sports-based approach moving forward.
For those seeking character-driven programming, Khan mentioned The Devil storyline and Toni Storm’s character. He drew a comparison between the Riho storyline and the movie “Kill Bill.” Khan emphasized that their focus on women’s wrestling was a deliberate choice and that everyone in that division had been stepping up their game. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, Khan was thrilled to have Thunder Rosa back and believed that the women’s division had elevated its quality significantly. Khan concluded by stating that their experiments were yielding positive results, and he now had a better understanding of what direction to take in the coming year than ever before.
When Dave Meltzer inquired about key individuals who have departed or are leaving the company, specifically mentioning Dana Massie, QT Marshall, and Rafael Morffi, Khan expressed his appreciation for each of them and their contributions. He acknowledged the challenges of having them step away but emphasized that AEW is in a growth phase, and he is excited about the company’s future. Khan mentioned that he has been exploring the possibility of making new hires, particularly as contracts often expire at the end of December. He teased that there would be new developments and announcements at the upcoming Worlds End event, fueling his excitement for the company’s expansion on both the wrestling and business fronts.
Khan was asked to reflect on the overall state of the women’s division in 2023. The caller praised the division’s recent performance and highlighted several wrestlers before inquiring about changes and standout character developments. Khan expressed gratitude for the compliments and hoped not to repeat himself in his responses. He commended the work of Athena and Billie Starkz in Ring of Honor and expressed pride in the “Timeless” Toni Storm character, considering it one of his personal favorite characters on television. Khan noted that AEW fans have desirable demographics for advertisers in terms of income.
He expressed his desire to incorporate Riho into storylines whenever she’s available to work in the United States. Khan also praised Julia Hart and Abadon in anticipation of their TBS Title match at Worlds End. He discussed the ongoing storyline between Julia Hart and Skye Blue, emphasizing its positive trajectory and its connection to Thunder Rosa’s return. Khan mentioned Saraya, Ruby Soho, and Harley Cameron’s role as a personal assistant. He highlighted an excellent match between Skye Blue and Kris Statlander on Dynamite.
Khan also recognized Willow Nightingale’s successful year and listed some of her key matches. He concluded by stating that the women’s division is currently in its strongest position and encouraged listeners to imagine its future potential. Khan expressed his intention to remain active in free agency and mentioned that Jamie Hayter and other talents would be returning.
Bill Pritchard inquired about the impact of Kenny Omega’s bout with diverticulitis on Worlds End and whether it hastened Sammy Guevara’s return. Khan acknowledged that Omega’s health condition had a significant impact. He expressed enthusiasm for Guevara’s return, describing him as a “huge star.” Khan also extended his excitement and best wishes to Guevara and Tay Melo on the birth of their child. Khan revealed his anticipation for the eight-man tag team match added to Worlds End, which would replace the originally scheduled AEW World Tag Team Title match. He explained that Kenny Omega is irreplaceable, and they chose to adjust the card rather than attempt to fill his shoes.
The following caller inquired if Khan had plans to host pay-per-view events in France and Germany. Khan mentioned their strong focus on London for the All In pay-per-view event. He noted that they had a substantial number of fans from France and Germany who attended All In at Wembley Stadium, which he referred to as the “mecca of sports.” Khan highlighted the event’s impressive $10 million gate. While not ruling out future events in France and Germany, he emphasized that these markets could be great destinations for AEW to tour in the future.
When asked about Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee, Khan explained that the timing of their match was intentional and part of their strategic planning. He mentioned that they have been working to build both men as significant talents within AEW. Khan expressed satisfaction with Swerve’s rapid ascent in the company and noted that Keith Lee has experienced a resurgence, with a series of excellent matches in recent times.
Khan expressed his excitement about AEW Collision and emphasized that Keith Lee’s performances have been a notable part of the show’s success. He also highlighted the fact that Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee had formed a great tag team and had been involved in some of his favorite matches.
Regarding their upcoming match, Khan saw it as something he had been holding in reserve for the right moment. He believed that the timing was now ideal for this match and that he wouldn’t change anything about how they’ve handled Swerve’s trajectory. Khan described Swerve vs. Lee as a match he had wanted to see for a long time, especially since it would mark their first singles encounter against each other.
Jim Varsallone’s final question revolved around the possibility of a women’s Continental Classic tournament. In response, Khan emphasized how their top women wrestlers had risen to the occasion and achieved significant success recently. He stressed their commitment to highlighting the strengths of the wrestlers and their wrestling program.
Khan pointed out that the Continental Classic had been a massive success, both in terms of in-ring competition and the development, growth, and momentum of the AEW women’s division. He expressed his determination to maintain this positive trajectory and continue developing the women’s division.
In conclusion, Khan wrapped up the call by acknowledging the special time of the year and his desire to provide fans with another wrestling show. He believed it was an excellent reason for people to gather with friends during the winter break. Khan also shared that he had enjoyed Christmas at home with his family and wished everyone a pleasant holiday season.
December 28, 2023 12:22 pm
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