Tony Khan has admitted that the logistics of booking the cross-promotional Forbidden Door can be challenging.
When the first Forbidden Door event was held in 2022, it was co-promoted by AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. In 2026, the event has only grown, and the promotions involved now also include both CMLL and STARDOM.
During an appearance on Morning Q Crew on Q93, Tony Khan admitted that some of the most challenging aspects of the show come down to the logistics and working with other promoters.
“There are a lot of logistics, of course, securing the visas, sometimes there can be a great international wrestler that doesn’t have their work visa and you want to try to get those people in.
“Then you’re working with the other promoters to try to utilize the stars they want to use, and you might have different ideas from your counterparts in these other companies.”
Despite the challenges, Khan says it’s worth it, as bringing in so many of the world’s best wrestlers makes the event a lot of fun for him.
“For me, I love working with other wrestling companies and other promoters. And especially I love bringing in lots of the best wrestlers in the world. That’s what’s so fun about this event, the Forbidden Door, and that’s what makes this week so fun.”
Tony Khan Names AEW’s Current ‘Four Pillars’
In the same interview, Tony Khan named the modern-day ‘pillars’ of AEW. The AEW President said that while it was a tricky question, he would choose rising stars Thekla, Kevin Knight, and Kyle Fletcher, as well as the veteran Mercedes Mone.
