Speeding into Full Gear this Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, AEW President Tony Khan hopped on a media call Thursday and touched on a number of things from his excitement around wrestling at this time of year to the upcoming media rights deal and streaming.
“The biggest thing right now is Full Gear,” he crowed.
As for new marketing ways, Khan iterated his excitement about the near future, looking ahead to 2025. He also mentioned visiting new cities and venues in the upcoming year.
With regards to Grand Slam Australia, Khan hopes this will be the first of many shows in Australia. Tony said the time zones present a real challenge in domestic presentation.
The media rights deal allows for the TV shows to be streaming specials on Max.
As for the Ring of Honor brand, Khan mentioned that Chris Jericho holding the title adds credibility and prestige to the promotion. “There’s been some serious media interest in ROH,” he said, and a name like Chris Jericho can only add to that.
Full Gear has a unique appearance. Khan noted that part of the appeal with the Costco Guys is the father-and-son dynamic. He gave a nod to the attention AEW received from Big Boom AJ and Big Justice appearing on The Tonight Show. They’ve taught him a lot about marketing.
The “November Rain” promo between Orange Cassidy and Jon Moxley was brought up next and Khan praised both of their work in AEW. “They represent very different parts of the history of AEW… also clashed in front of 81,000 people… There’s always an opportunity for violence.” The two bring different voices and attitudes to the promotion.
Khan said taping shows on the same night is a rarity but noted it often relates to international travel. Negotiations are ongoing with AEW as well as ROH events. Dynamite (TBS) and Collision (TNT) only get taped around touring and scheduling. Khan ensured the two being taped together would not become commonplace.
With the shows now getting Spanish coverage, Khan has addressed in the past that he’d like to bring the promotion to Mexico. The partnerships with Fox Sports Mexico and CMLL present a great opportunity to do a stand-alone AEW show south of the US border. He said Arena Mexico would be a “dream venue” but only “with the full support of CMLL.”
Harley Cameron at WrestleShowNJ on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Hazlet, Hazlet, NJ. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com
Harley Cameron’s ascending star was a specific question and Khan noted her energy and adaptability. “Every time we can use Harley Cameron, I’m excited about it.” He praised her athletic abilities, promos, and fan connection. She’s earning her spot every chance she gets.
Toni Storm’s recent retirement announcement surprised fans all over. Khan tapered those announcements, saying they’ve been exaggerated hopes that “Timeless” Toni Storm can find herself and make a great return to AEW soon.
Speaking of returns, Kenny Omega is also wanted back in AEW. Khan wants to get him going “as soon as possible.” He’s excited about Omega being healthy and sounding good again.
Khan said he likes the smaller venues. He pointed out Cedar Park in Austin, Texas, as a “great venue for TV.” The Prudential Center hosted Full Gear 2022 and will again Saturday. Khan wants AEW to be at more venues like Cedar Park in 2025 with that same energy. The more intimate venues present a real opportunity for AEW and Khan wants to hit as many of them as possible.
There will be a number of new venues AEW will be hosted at in the coming year. Khan mentioned Cedar Park again. “You can’t replicate the people.” He said venues of that scale with “people screaming their heads off.” Getting that energy week in and week out is something Khan is looking to build.
Khan loves Texas and is excited about All In and the build-up to it. The Live Events team and Texas Live have gotten him really “pumped about the event. I’m so grateful for the fans.” He noted Texas fans as always showing out and some of the best in the country. Globe Life Field in Arlington always presents big events and Khan is excited about AEW’s future at the venue.
Asheville, North Carolina will host Fight for the Fallen. “I just wanted to try to do something to help out and put a spotlight on these people… It’s the right thing to do to come in and help.” The first-ever Dynamite on Max presents AEW putting their best foot forward and Fight for the Fallen is the perfect setting.
AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (C) (w/ Luther) Vs. Mina Shirakawa at AEW Forbidden Door at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY, on Long Island, on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, https://georgetahinos.smugmug.com
Mina Shirakawa being back in AEW is something Khan has optimism in. “We’d like to have her here as much as possible… We have a great relationship with Stardom… she adds a lot to AEW.” He expects to have her on AEW programming a fair bit.
Max will also potentially host pay-per-events events but Khan said Warner Bros. Discovery has a better understanding of that at this time as it’s still early. Upgrades and technical work will be needed before anything like that can be considered. “I will have to punt on that question,” said the football executive. He brought attention to the current PPV streaming providers and pointed out that Max is working on it. This will be hopefully ready “at some point in 2025.
In balancing the AEW team, Khan again praised the roster and how some of really worked their ways up the card and pointed to ROH Women’s Champion Athena and TV Champion Red Velvet. “There [are] so many ways to get to a position of prominence.” Khan always wants to bring in the best free agents to “strengthen the company.” The top stars of AEW are a mix of “big-name free agents and people who have risen through the ranks here… These are people that really love wrestling and wanna be here.” However they get to the top matters as each wrestler’s history is vital to their career but there’s a balance between building their own stars and signing free agents.
Khan said they’re still working on media rights for Rampage and he really enjoys doing it. The current media rights deal doesn’t include time for Rampage but he wants to continue to grow that brand. “All of our focus in 2024 had to be the media rights renewal.” The new deal “allows us to add new value.” Rampage has been around since 2021 and Khan wants to keep it going however possible.
He is clearly pumped about Full Gear, citing it as one of his favorite AEW specials.
TOP PHOTO: Tony Khan at AEW Dynamite, at the Liacouras Center, in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Photo by George Tahinos, https://georgetahinos.smugmug.com
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