AEW CEO, General Manager, and Head of Creative Tony Khan spoke with the media today about the upcoming pay-per-view event, Ring of Honor: Supercard of Honor; however, it started out with the question on all wrestling fans’ minds: What does he have to say after CM Punk’s comments on the Ariel Helwani show?
When asked, Khan refused to answer entirely but acknowledges that he did hear what the comments made by ‘The Best in the World.’
“No, I’d prefer not to talk about that,” Khan said. “I’d really rather focus on Supercard of Honor, but I do appreciate you for asking.”
No other comments about happened following his answer.
The media briefing then followed with questions concerning AEW. With recent cuts to both the AEW and Ring of Honor rosters, Khan was asked about his remarks earlier about cutting the roster down. In particular, he was asked about the release of the tag team, The Boys. Khan stated that he had to be honest.
“They didn’t show up to work on more than one occasion, and it’s not acceptable,” Khan said. “I think the whole locker room knew about it and you can’t do that, so I had to make the tough call.”
Khan said he will expand AEW’s budget and continue to aggressively pursue free agents in the market, acknowledging the signings he had already made with Kazuchika Okada, Mercedes Mone, and Will Ospreay.
Another question that was raised was about pay-per-view platforms. Khan said that AEW’s switch to YouTube pay-per-view and Thriller for the United States will help expand its outreach and continue to grow the promotion.
“It’s amazing how much our pay-per-view audience and revenue have expanded since we’ve grown,” Khan said.
The CEO gives credit to the reputation they’ve built by delivering in their events. Khan adds that 2023 was their biggest year yet and has high hopes for this year.
With Athena and Hikaru Shida facing off for the ROH Women’s World Championship, Khan talked about how he is proud of the Minion story that transpired on Ring of Honor TV, Khan said he loves working with Athena, Billie Starkz and Lexy Nair. He thinks that the matches will be great and adds that he thinks Queen Aminata should be considered for the Most Improved Wrestler Award.
Challenger Hikaru Shida and champion Athena (with Billie Starkz) at the contract signing for the ROH Women’s title match taking place at ROH Supercard of Honor.
Photo by Steve Argintaru (Twitter/Instagram: @stevetsn) at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario on Sat. March 30, 2024
Ring of Honor will partner with World Wonder Ring Stardom again. Khan said that the relationship with Stardom is better now and that he is grateful that their new management is easy to work with.
“President Taro Okada has been great friends with us,” Khan said. “It’s a young relationship with Stardom, but Taro is a great guy and very honest. It’s very open, and it’s been 180 degrees of what it has been like working with Stardom.”
Khan expresses his excitement for the women’s matches in Ring of Honor and that the best of the best will be competing on Friday because of their new relationship with World Wonder Ring Stardom.
Ring of Honor: Supercard of Honor card:
ROH World Championship – Eddie Kingston vs. Mark Briscoe
ROH Women’s World Championship – Athena vs. Hikaru Shida
ROH Women’s World TV Championship – Queen Aminata vs. Billie Starkz
ROH World TV Championship – Kyle Fletcher vs. Lee Johnson
Women’s six-man tag team match – Mina Shirakawa, Maika, & Mei Seira vs. Saya Kimitani, Tam Nakano, & AZM
Ring of Honor: Supercard of Honor will be taking place in Philidelphia at The Liacouras Center on Apr. 5. It will be streaming on watchroh.com.
TOP PHOTO: Tony Khan on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Photo by George Tahinos, https://georgetahinos.smugmug.com
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