Frustrated AEW Talent Refuse to Execute Tony Khan’s Creative Ideas

AEW burst onto the scene in 2019 with considerable momentum, hitting its peak after All Out 2021, where many anticipated it would dominate the pro wrestling world. However, the current landscape is notably different, as AEW encounters challenges in selling tickets for their shows. In addition to that, quite a few frustrated AEW talent are now outright refusing to execute Tony Khan’s creative ideas.

Since its launch in 2019, AEW positioned itself as an alternative to WWE, aiming to provide stability in contrast to the reported chaos backstage during the Vince McMahon administration.

While speaking on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez revealed growing resentment among the roster. He highlighted the frustration due to the lack of communication, with many finding out about their involvement in the show only on the day of the event.

“I don’t want to compare this to like WWE back in the day but it is very, very much like that and a lot of people are very frustrated because they don’t find out the Tuesday before. Some people do, some people will know what they’re doing because there are a couple of matches usually advertised in advance. But most people are showing up the day of the show and finding out if they are doing anything or not. There’s very little communication.”

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Alvarez also mentioned that certain AEW stars outright refuse to comply with requests. And often, Tony Khan gives in, leading to last-minute changes in plans.

“I hear about it all the time. Some people don’t want to do something, and Tony doesn’t force them. There’s a constant struggle of ‘Will this person agree? If not, what’s the alternative? Can we find a solution?’. The process of putting together these shows is filled with a lot of frustration.”

This recent surge in frustration is not the first for AEW. The future will reveal whether AEW can address these issues and enhance the overall environment for their talent, as we head towards the Revolution pay-per-view on March 3rd.

Are you surprised AEW’s backstage environment has become like this now? Let us know in the comments section below!