Steve Carrier on August 22, 2024
AEW President Tony Khan held a media call on Thursday, August 22, 2024, to promote the upcoming AEW All In pay-per-view event on Sunday. Stay tuned for live updates.
Tony Khan expressed that this is his favorite week of the year and confirmed that AEW is exploring potential locations in Australia for an event in 2025. He also mentioned plans for All In to take place in Arlington, Texas, next year. After his initial remarks, he opened the floor for questions.
Andrew Baydala inquired about AEW’s return to England for a TV or pay-per-view event in 2025. Khan responded that it’s under consideration and emphasized his strong affection for the United Kingdom.
Another caller asked about the decision to host All In in Arlington, Texas. Khan highlighted that some of his best moments as a promoter have occurred in Texas. He also shared that the Von Erich family would be part of All In weekend, bringing a piece of Texas wrestling tradition to London.
Tony Khan was asked whether the exclusivity period has expired and about potential interest from other network or streaming partners. Khan spoke highly of his relationship with WBD but refrained from commenting on outside interest. Tony expressed enthusiasm about future possibilities, noting that the negotiations were intricate and involved many details.
The next question centered on the addition of Kamille to AEW. Khan was positive about her involvement, particularly highlighting her dynamic with Mercedes Mone. He also took the opportunity to commend several matches scheduled for the All In card.
John Powell inquired about Khan’s feelings on featuring UK stars at the All In event. Khan responded with pride, appreciating the opportunity to showcase local talent. He expressed admiration for UK fans and noted his experience attending several UK shows over the years, emphasizing that having UK talent on the card is a significant point of pride.
Amy Nemmity asked about the feud between Toni Storm and Mariah May. Khan described May’s betrayal of Storm as one of his favorite moments in wrestling. He is excited for their title match at Wembley Stadium and compared Storm to a young Bette Davis. Khan mentioned he contacted May after last year’s Double Or Nothing to join AEW and started planning their storyline then. He also said Luther plays a key role in the story, which was designed from the start. Khan praised RJ City for helping write the story, saying it highlights everyone’s strengths. He called Storm “Timeless” and noted she has a larger-than-life presence. Khan added that introducing talent like May in this way is not typical for AEW.
Mark O’Brien asked Khan about having over 50,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. Khan said it shows they’ve defied the odds and is excited about the potential from new media rights deals. He encouraged London fans to attend and mentioned the earlier start time in the U.S., calling the event significant and well-attended. Khan said he loves London and is thrilled to host All In there.
Tony was asked about Bryan Danielson’s impact in AEW. Khan said Danielson’s three years in AEW have been crucial for both the company and his career. He expressed great respect for Danielson, calling him one of his favorite wrestlers and noting his hard work and respect from peers. Khan highlighted that fans see this time with Danielson as a bonus, given his previous retirement.
The next caller asked about Ricky Starks and his status with the company. Khan expressed high regard for Starks, confirming that he is still under contract with AEW and is a well-respected wrestler within the company. He mentioned that Starks would return to TV soon.
Stephanie Chase inquired about why Dynamite isn’t airing live in London and is delayed on Triller. Khan explained that due to his agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, it’s not legally possible to air the show live in London before it airs on TBS or TNT. He mentioned that he would like to simulcast the show, but time differences make it challenging, resulting in a late start in the UK.
Lyric Swinton asked about Swerve Strickland, Athena, and Mercedes Mone’s appearance at the All In Arlington press conference. Khan discussed the presence of top champions at the press event, highlighting that these three are not only great champions but also excellent representatives of the company.
A question was raised about whether AEW has a maximum roster size and how decisions are made for the All In lineup. Khan talked about the expansion of their weekly TV programming and detailed some of the All In matches. He expressed confidence in their pay-per-view track record, believing that everything is in place for All In to be a significant success story.
The next caller asked about potential returns at All In. Khan revealed that Orange Cassidy would be the first to enter the ring for the Casino Gauntlet match. He emphasized the unpredictable nature of the match, explaining that it could go on indefinitely, with stars continuously entering the fray as long as the match lasts. Khan praised the Casino Gauntlet as one of the best new match formats introduced to pro wrestling recently. His enthusiasm was evident as he discussed hosting the match in his hometown.
When asked about MJF, Khan discussed the character and his latest storyline, highlighting MJF’s return to a villainous role, which even his father was pleased to see.
Khan responded positively about running events in the UK again. He ended the call shortly after discussing this topic.
August 22, 2024 4:16 pm
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