Tony Khan Claims Most of the Top Black Wrestlers in the World Are in AEW

AEW head honcho Tony Khan isn’t shy about saying what many wrestling fans already believe: AEW is where the best talent thrives. And now, the company is spotlighting Black wrestlers in a big way.

Since AEW’s launch in 2019, it’s become a wrestling powerhouse with a stacked roster, but recent months have seen a significant rise in Black talent reaching new levels of success. Case in point: Swerve Strickland making history as AEW’s first Black world champion at AEW Dynasty and The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin) dominating as one of the most formidable groups in the business.

During a recent chat with CHGO Sports, Khan was asked about AEW’s intentional push for diversity, especially the rise of stars like Strickland, The Hurt Syndicate, and Ricochet. Was it a conscious decision or just about raw talent?

Khan didn’t miss a beat, saying, “I think you just said it. I’m conscious of it, but I also think that these are some of the best wrestlers in AEW you just named. So we’re really lucky to have those great stars.”

Tony emphasized that while awareness plays a role, the primary focus is always on talent. “We’ve been fortunate to be able to build up some great stars and also have a lot of great free agents come in to where I think so many of the top wrestlers, some of the top Black wrestlers in the world are in AEW, and I really think most of the top Black wrestlers in the world are now in AEW. But I think that is a conscious thing, but I also think it’s great,” Khan added.

With AEW’s reputation as a stage for top-tier wrestling talent, Khan’s remarks only cement the company’s commitment to showcasing a diverse range of athletes who bring unmatched skill to the ring.