Booker T Slams Tony Khan Over “Boxing Up” Talent Like Athena

Booker T isn’t holding back when it comes to criticizing AEW President Tony Khan’s handling of talent. On a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, the wrestling legend called out Khan for sidelining some of AEW’s best talent, using former WWE star Athena as a prime example.

“AEW… one thing about AEW is they have an abundance of talent—a plethora of talent in that company. But when you don’t know who they are, who they’re working with, or why they’re working, it can be very, very confusing to watch the show,” Booker said.

Booker specifically highlighted the handling of Athena, a standout performer who has been relegated to AEW’s Ring of Honor brand. Despite being one of the most talented women in wrestling today, Athena’s absence from AEW’s main programming has left fans scratching their heads.

“Look at someone like Athena. I would imagine—though I could be wrong—that Athena would fit right into the AEW women’s roster. She’s just as good, if not better, than anybody on that roster. But instead, they stick her in a box and put her in Ring of Honor,” Booker added.

The former five-time WCW Champion didn’t stop there. He also took aim at AEW’s approach to storytelling, particularly with its women’s tournaments. “Take, for example, the tournament they just had with the women. There were so many different organizations involved that it was hard to grasp the concept. Is this AEW, or is it a bunch of different groups working together? That kind of thing.”

Booker’s frustration extended to AEW’s ratings, which have faced challenges as of late. “I don’t know what Tony Khan’s concepts are, but if I saw the ratings drop that low, I’d be thinking about getting some help or shutting it down—one of the two,” he said, making it clear that changes are needed if AEW wants to maximize its potential.

Athena’s sidelining in ROH serves as a focal point for the larger issue Booker sees within AEW: too much talent and not enough clear direction. With fan-favorite stars like Athena boxed into ROH rather than being showcased on AEW’s flagship shows, many are questioning whether the company is fully utilizing its roster.