Tony Khan Reacts to WWE’s ID Program and AEW’s Strategy to Compete for Top Talent

Tony Khan didn’t shy away from the tough questions during the AEW Full Gear media call, where the topic of WWE’s Independent Development (WWE ID) program came up. The WWE ID initiative, designed to scout and develop top independent wrestling talent, has been making waves with its recent signings, and fans wanted to know how AEW plans to compete.

When asked about WWE’s program, Khan acknowledged the growing competition but made it clear AEW is also in the game to secure the best young talent in wrestling, emphasizing AEW’s commitment to building its future roster.

While Khan admitted he doesn’t have full insight into WWE ID contracts, he addressed their potential impact. Khan mentioned that it will be interesting to see what happens when they bring in a talent who is under a WWE ID deal.

“It will be interesting to see the first time we have a talent that is under one of those (WWE ID deals) that we bring in. I’m not completely sure how those deals are going to work. I’ve heard some stuff about there being matching rights with the people that have signed them, which would be an interesting thing.

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“I have some thoughts on it, but I will reserve my judgment until I actually test such a mechanism. I only know what I’ve read about them, but it’s interesting.

“I think for us, we have a great roster right now of wrestlers spanning all ages, from very very young wrestlers to decades of experience. And identifying young talent is really important to us, so it’s something to continue looking at.

“We bring a lot of top young wrestlers into AEW and Ring of Honor, and so far it has not been a major conflict with any of those talents being signed elsewhere and it impeding their ability to work with us, but it’d be interesting to see how that goes in the coming future.”

Khan chose to keep some of his thoughts under wraps but hinted at a strategic focus on finding and nurturing rising stars.

The WWE ID program has recently signed multipled new talents, further raising the stakes in the battle for top prospects. Khan’s comments suggest that while WWE is ramping up its developmental efforts, AEW is determined to stay ahead by focusing on a diverse mix of international and domestic talent.

As AEW and WWE compete to secure wrestling’s next generation, it’s clear both companies are in it for the long haul.