Steve Carrier on November 21, 2024
AEW President Tony Khan addressed the pro wrestling media today, Thursday, November 21, 2024, to promote the upcoming AEW Full Gear pay-per-view scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2024. Below are the key updates from the media call.
Tony Khan is feeling the holiday cheer! The AEW boss couldn’t stop gushing about how much he loves this time of year. From the festive vibes to AEW’s Full Gear and everything wrestling, Khan says it’s one of his absolute favorite seasons.
Tony Khan is making big plans for AEW in Australia! He told Jason Powell they’re hoping Brisbane is just the start of AEW shows Down Under. Khan shared that thousands of tickets have already been sold for February’s Grand Slam event, though the time zone poses challenges for a traditional domestic pay-per-view. He hinted at a potential solution, suggesting fans might catch the action on Max, where Dynamite and Collision are already streaming. AEW’s expansion into Australia is shaping up to be huge!
Dominic DeAngelo asked Tony Khan about Chris Jericho holding the ROH Championship and its impact. Khan emphasized the credibility Jericho brings, stating it adds significant prestige. He also mentioned that there’s been serious interest in ROH media rights, and Jericho’s role as champion only strengthens that.
A write-in question about using The Costco Guys prompted Khan to share how much he’s learned about marketing from them, adding that it’s been a great experience. He revealed he’ll appear on Fox Business with Big Boom AJ on Friday. Khan also expressed excitement about having The Rizzler at Full Gear.
Amy Nemity asked Tony Khan about the stakes for Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy at Full Gear for the AEW World Championship. Khan highlighted the history between the two, pointing out the potential for violence when these two collide. He described the match as a clash of two distinct voices in AEW and noted their significance in the company’s five-year history. Khan expects it to be a standout match and believes AEW will come out stronger because of it.
Tony Khan told Dave Meltzer taping Dynamite and Collision on the same night will be a rare occurrence. The Australia tour created an exception, but Khan emphasized he prefers Collision to remain a standalone event whenever possible.
Joel Torres asked Tony Khan about AEW running shows in Mexico now that their TV programming is available there. Khan didn’t commit to standalone AEW events in Mexico.
Rick Ucchino brought up Harley Cameron, and Khan praised her energy, calling her promo delivery fantastic and highlighting her athleticism. He noted that she’s making great progress as a wrestler and sees her as a prime example of AEW’s rising talent.
Someone asked about Toni Storm retiring lol. Tony Khan says “reports of her demise are greatly exaggerated” and says she’ll have a great wrestling career
Tony Khan told Alex Hunt he’s excited to have Kenny Omega back in AEW soon. Khan said he wants Omega back as soon as possible and noted that he’s looking and sounding much better now.
Jon Alba asked Tony Khan about AEW running smaller venues for some upcoming shows. Khan pointed to the great atmosphere they experienced in Cedar Park, Texas, and said he’s looking for more venues that can capture that energy. He hopes future shows bring the same excitement fans in Austin delivered.
Bill Pritchard asked about AEW’s first show streaming on January 1. Khan revealed it will be “Fight For The Fallen,” held in Asheville, North Carolina. He shared that the decision was inspired by the area being hit hard by a hurricane, and AEW wants to help. Khan emphasized the importance of making a strong debut on Max and believes this event is the perfect way to do so. He also noted it will be a big week for AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery with the show airing on both television and Max.
Ella Jay asked Tony Khan about Mina Shirakawa’s future in AEW. Khan expressed hope that she could join AEW more frequently, highlighting the strong relationship with Stardom. He called Shirakawa a great star for both promotions and said Stardom is open to her working more in AEW. “I expect to see Mina Shirakawa here a lot in AEW,” Khan said.
Mike Johnson asked about pay-per-view events appearing on Max and their pricing. Khan said it’s too early to provide details, as much depends on Warner Bros. Discovery. He explained that streaming pay-per-views on Max will require significant technical work, so he doesn’t want to set a date yet. Khan noted it would happen sometime in 2025 and plugged AEW’s current pay-per-view providers “in the interim.”
A caller asked Tony Khan about AEW competing with WWE’s ID program. Khan explained that AEW is actively scouting top young wrestlers both internationally and domestically. He acknowledged the potential complications of bringing in talent under WWE’s ID deals, mentioning a possible matching option but refrained from sharing further thoughts. Khan emphasized that identifying young talent remains a key priority for AEW.
Sean Ross Sapp brought up AEW’s live events schedule and smaller venues. Khan reflected on the unique atmospheres they’ve experienced in those settings and highlighted their value.
Rich Fann asked Khan about Black singles stars and how AEW has balanced representation over time, along with plans for 2025. Khan pointed to Athena and Red Velvet in ROH, noting Athena’s arrival as an experienced free agent and Velvet’s rise through the ranks. He emphasized that AEW provides multiple paths to prominence and believes the roster is in a strong place. Khan said AEW will continue to pursue top free agents while maintaining a balance of homegrown stars and established names, united by their shared passion for wrestling.
Tony Khan was asked about the kickoff party for the All In Arlington event. He expressed excitement, praising the support from fans and local government. Khan also raved about the residency at Esports Stadium in Arlington and the buzz surrounding the event.
Brandon Thurston inquired about the future of AEW Rampage and whether it will remain a weekly TV show in 2025. Khan shared that while Rampage isn’t currently part of the WBD media rights package, he’s exploring opportunities for where the show or other AEW programming could land. He highlighted the importance of their extended WBD deal, which brought a significant financial boost, and noted that David Zaslav emphasized its importance as well.
Brian Zilem asked about All In VIP package numbers. Khan didn’t have all the figures on hand but expressed optimism, saying the event will be one of AEW’s biggest ever and a monumental show at Globe Life Field.
Khan closed the call by sharing his excitement for Full Gear, reflecting on the history of past venues that hosted the event. He promised fans a great show and mentioned a post-show press event.
November 21, 2024 1:58 pm
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