Tony Khan Gloats About AEW’s Music Licensing: “We Did It the Right Way”

AEW President Tony Khan wants to make sure that everything in his company is always received well by fans and critics alike and this includes his focus on theme songs. In fact, Khan has now gloated about AEW’s music licensing.

AEW focuses on using licensed music whenever possible and the likes of Bryan Danielson using “The Final Countdown” come to mind. During the November 16th episode of AEW Collision, a promo for the upcoming Full Gear pay-per-view featured Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” as well, making it clear Tony Khan will always pay for music he really wants to use.

While speaking to Wrestfriends, Tony Khan talked about how important music is in creating special moments in wrestling. He gave examples like Brian Danielson coming out to The Final Countdown and The Gunns using Many Men. AEW also recently made a video using November Rain by Guns N’ Roses, which he thought was a big deal.

Sometimes the wrestlers suggest songs they want to use, and other times Tony picks the music. For example, when AEW started Collision, Tony wanted the Saturday night theme to be something special, so they made sure to get the rights for it.

“I like to think people really understand how important music is to those big moments in wrestling. For example, Brian Danielson coming out to The Final Countdown or The Gunns using Many Men. Recently, we even made a promotional video using November Rain by Guns N’ Roses.

Sometimes, the wrestlers suggest a theme song they’d like to use, and other times, I come up with ideas myself. For example, when Collision started, everyone was talking about the Saturday night theme song. I wanted it to be something special, so we went all out to secure it.”

Khan noted that AEW has also used songs that wrestlers had used before without permission. For example, Bryan Danielson used The Final Countdown in the past, but the band, Europe, wasn’t paid. AEW fixed that by getting the rights to the song, and now it’s officially part of their shows. Orange Cassidy has used songs like Where Is My Mind by Pixies and Jane by Jefferson Starship, and AEW made sure to legally license them and pay the artists.

Tony Khan explained that ECW had used November Rain in the past for promotions, but they didn’t get permission from the band, so it was illegal. In AEW’s case, since they’re on TBS and TNT, they had to do things the right way and follow the rules. He said that Guns N’ Roses is a great band to work with when you approach them fairly. Tony was really happy with how it turned out and proud that the video will be remembered. He also mentioned that while November Rain was used in wrestling before, this is the first time AEW used it legally and properly.

“In some cases, we’ve used songs wrestlers previously used illegally, like The Final Countdown. Brian Danielson had entered to that song before AEW, but the band, Europe, was never compensated. Now, they are, and we’ve created lasting memories using that music. Another example is Orange Cassidy. I initially wanted to use Where Is My Mind by Pixies, but we also licensed Jane by Jefferson Starship, which he had used in the past but never legally. We were happy to compensate the artists and make it official.

ECW did use November Rain as a promotional vehicle, but they did it illegally, without the permission of the artist. In this case, we’re on TBS and TNT, so we have to do things by the book, and it’s also the right thing to do. Guns N’ Roses is a great band, and they’re great to work with if you actually call them and try to work something fair out with them. They were awesome, and I was really so pleased we were able to do it. And again, it’s one of those things that will live on, in perpetuity. That video will be able to play, and it’s not the first time November Rain has been used to promote a major wrestling event in November, but it was the first time we’ve done it in AEW, and the first time it’s ever been done legally and the right way. We did it the right way. I’m really proud of it.”

Tony Khan always aims to make the best decisions for his company, and ensuring that artists are paid fairly for their music is definitely part of that. We’ll have to wait and see which licensed song he will decide to use next.

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