On Thursday, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) owner Tony Khan participated in a media call ahead of their pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, which returns to Las Vegas for the first time since their inaugural show. Last Word on Sports took part in the call and has notable notes from Khan regarding Hangman Page vs. CM Punk, going international, and so much more. Here’s what Khan discussed during the AEW Double or Nothing media call Thursday.
AEW Double or Nothing 2022 Media Call with Tony Khan
MJF Discussing his Free Agency in 2024
Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes asked Tony Khan about MJF using his contract situation on television. Khan responded by saying that bringing back the excitement that was there during the Monday Night Wars where wrestling thrives from off-screen drama. It has allowed MJF to share his true feelings about it and enhanced the feud between MJF and Wardlow.
Warner Bros. Discovery Relationship
Jon Alba brought to attention the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger and where AEW is in the relationship. It was all good news from Khan, who noted that AEW is already being featured in the best way possible so far with Dynamite on TNT and Rampage on TBS as they continue to get great feedback from the higher-ups at Warner Bros. Discovery. AEW will get a party for their Los Angeles debut by Warner Bros. Discovery and multiple of the company’s top executives will be attending Dynamite at the Kia Forum.
CM Punk and the AEW World Championship
Connor Casey of ComicBook.com wanted to know about CM Punk and holding back on thrusting him into the main event picture when he signed with the company in August. AEW’s general manager said that like everyone else who signs with the company, Punk had to earn his way to an AEW World Championship match. Citing the match with Darby Allin and feuds with Eddie Kingston and MJF, Khan feels Punk has done the work which is why he main events Double or Nothing on Sunday.
Marc Raimondi of ESPN later asked how Punk can balance being a top star while also helping out the younger talent as he hoped. Khan explained how Punk has already had great matches with the young talent of the roster including Allin and Daniel Garcia. The biggest note is Punk has been a great mentor backstage to the men and women of the roster along with helping the veterans of the roster, too.
Success for Double or Nothing 2022
Tony Khan stated Double or Nothing has $1.1 million in ticket sales, their highest gate in history.
All Out Returning to Chicago?
The tradition of All Out in Chicago is something that Khan stated he doesn’t take lightly, indicating AEW could be returning to the area once again despite the AEW x NJPW event, Forbidden Door, is taking place from The United Center two months before.
Attracting More Viewers to AEW
Sean Radican of PW Torch asked what innovations or changes can AEW make to bring in the next level of fans to the promotion. Khan said the best thing they can do is to develop and take care of their wrestlers. Developing wrestlers for the future and creating an atmosphere where free agents will want to sign. It was also added by Khan that he’d like to try and hit new outlets through a streaming service also.
The Purchase of ROH and Plans for the Future
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics asked Khan about his purchase of Ring of Honor (ROH) and why he bought it outright as he did rather than through another company. Khan made it clear he wants ROH and AEW to work together but also be separate commodities, which is why he will be running them both separately. The success of Supercard of Honor was around 20-times the buys of recent ROH pay-per-views.
Later in the call, Nick Hausman of Wrestling Inc. asked about when fans should expect news about ROH. Khan noted that he is still working through a lot of details still but hopes to bring an ROH TV show to television or a streaming service. It was indicated he’s had discussions with Warner Bros. Discovery about ROH. The plan also is to continue ROH pay-per-views in the future.
Johnny Elite is #AllElite Coming Soon?
Stephanie Franchomme asked about Johnny Elite‘s debut as the Joker of the Owen Hart Memorial Men’s Tournament and if there’s a chance Khan wanted to sign him in the future. The AEW CEO said how he was interested in signing Johnny Elite prior to the debut but after the match, he was even more interested after seeing his match with Samoa Joe.
Introduction of Women’s Tag Titles and Trios Titles
AJ Awesome asked about the potential introduction of an AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship, which Khan said he has thought about and will consider in the future. The AEW CEO made it a point that it could come into play when the roster expands more. The same goes for the trios title, adding when certain wrestlers become healthy and come back into the fold. Khan wants the introduction of new titles to make sense.
More from LWOS Pro Wrestling
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.
