Ex-WWE Writer Vince Russo Demands Royalty Fees from Tony Khan

AEW President Tony Khan is the driving force behind a lot of decisions in the company, for better or for worse. In light of AEW’s recent struggles, a former WWE writer is demanding royalty fees from Khan.

Reports indicate that Zaslav and TNT Sports’ Luis Silberwasser are keen to retain AEW on TNT and TBS. However, Khan himself is “disappointed” by the current offer on the table for his content. AEW’s negotiation status with Warner Bros Discovery was then revealed as well.

Former WWE writer Vince Russo recently lashed out at Tony Khan, the President of AEW. On his podcast The Brand, Russo delved into his demand for royalty fees from Khan, claiming that AEW uses concepts he originated over 25 years ago. Russo also suggested that Khan’s struggles in securing a new television deal with Warner Bros. Discovery should come as no surprise.

“Tony Khan, I want my royalty fees. Do you hear me bro? Because now, now, bro after everything else failed, bro. After actually believing that people care about fake wrestling matches and finishes to fake fights and a star system and match quality, bro. And where has that gotten you? I’ll tell you, bro. It looks like it may have cost you a renewal with WBD… Now word on the street is, oh, you’re a little disappointed in the negotiations with WBD. Really, bro? When for five years people like me have been telling you, ‘Stop listening to Meltzer, bro.’ That is not what the mass audience wants. Stop playing to the minority.”

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Russo went on to lambaste Khan for relying on Dave Meltzer’s advice and highlighted the decline in viewership for AEW Dynamite over the past half-decade, suggesting that Khan shouldn’t be surprised by the downturn in television negotiations.

“That show started, bro, with 1.4 million viewers, bro. That’s where Dynamite started and you are at half of that after five years and you’re disappointed? Disappointed in the negotiations? What do you think, bro, they should be knocking down your door for losing half of the audience?”

We have also reported the estimated value of AEW’s next TV rights deal with Warner Bros Discovery. It remains to be seen what the company will end up getting in their deal once and for all.

Are you in agreement with what Vince Russo had to say? Sound off in the comments section below!