Steve Carrier on December 17, 2024
Tony Khan opened up during the ROH Final Battle media call and dropped some key updates. He started by thanking everyone and dove right into the questions.
When asked about Billie Starkz, Khan said it’s been amazing to watch her growth and gave her props for her storyline with Athena. He also mentioned that Friday will be the first time he sets foot in the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom.
Khan spoke highly of Red Velvet, calling her a star in the making for years. He said she’s really stepped up in the ring this year and continues to impress.
On Chris Jericho vs. Matt Cardona, Khan called it a double main event alongside Athena vs. Starkz. He broke down the story and said it’s an exciting matchup. Khan is a big fan of Cardona, especially after his work with Adam Copeland earlier this year, and praised him for getting a fantastic reaction. He called Cardona one of the top independent wrestlers and a true New York guy, saying he’s open to doing more with him. If Cardona wins the ROH title, fans can expect to see a lot more of him.
When asked about the ROH Tag Team Title match, Khan said it’s a deeply personal feud. He admitted he didn’t know about Dutch’s connection to the late Dusty Rhodes but is excited for the upcoming double bullrope match — the first of its kind in ROH. Khan praised Dustin Rhodes for his work and said Sammy Guevara can learn a lot from him. He also believes Guevara has the potential to be one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Khan gave an update on the ROH Trios Championship and The Von Erichs. Ross Von Erich will be back soon after a longer-than-expected recovery, but Khan assured everyone that it’s all good. He also promised the Six-Man Titles will make their return soon.
Tony Khan addressed the growing conversation about AEW’s relationship with GCW, saying, “it remains to be seen.” He pointed out that Matt Cardona has bookings all over the world and mentioned Cardona played a key role in setting up Chris Jericho’s recent GCW appearance to help promote Final Battle. Khan seemed more focused on Cardona, noting that AEW has done cross-promotional appearances and angles across the independent scene, especially with New Japan, to spread AEW’s reach.
When asked about Dustin Rhodes, Khan praised his legacy, saying he grew up watching and loving Dustin’s work. He reflected on how wild it is that they’ve now been working together for five and a half years, calling Dustin’s AEW match against Cody Rhodes one of the best. Khan praised Dustin’s continued importance in AEW and ROH, where he currently holds two titles, and said he’s been a huge part of the company’s success.
Tony Khan spoke about the potential for Hammerstein Ballroom shows influencing future residencies, saying they have great opportunities to replicate similar runs in other places. He expressed a desire to do more shows at Hammerstein, noting that, barring anything unforeseen, this weekend will be a fun time. Khan believes they’ve “found something here” that could become a tradition for AEW. He discussed how exciting it is to host shows in NYC as they build toward World’s End and said that if all goes well, he’d love to return to the venue again.
When discussing AEW’s packed schedule over the next three weeks, Khan mentioned Fight for the Fallen on MAX and TBS, which will raise funds for hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina. He hopes the event will help people in need while bringing awareness to the cause. Khan also emphasized World’s End as the end of an era for AEW as they prepare for simulcasting on MAX. He reflected on Final Battle being the three-year anniversary of the last ROH show under its previous ownership, mentioning the legacy of Jay Briscoe and the unforgettable FTR-Briscoes trilogy.
Tony Khan confirmed there will be a media scrum following Final Battle and another media call next week to preview World’s End.
December 17, 2024 3:36 pm
Disqus Comments Loading...
