AEW President Tony Khan has responded to recent comments made by William Regal regarding wrestler safety and high-risk moves.
William Regal posted on social media following AEW Worlds End, urging wrestlers to limit dangerous spots and reminding talent of the risks involved. The discussion gained further attention after a moment during the pay-per-view where Kyle Fletcher landed awkwardly on his neck, prompting concern among fans.
Speaking on The Mark Hoke Show, Tony Khan addressed Regal’s remarks and said he viewed the comments positively. Khan noted that professional wrestling inherently involves risk, but emphasised that AEW has avoided major long-term injuries since its launch.
“Pro wrestlers are always taking hard-hitting and high-risk chances,”
Khan said, adding that AEW monitors situations and has stepped in on occasion to prevent specific moves from being attempted. He stated that the company balances creative ambition with safety and the athlete’s well-being.
Khan concluded by saying that health and protection of performers is a constant priority, comparing the considerations to those faced across all professional sports.
“Everything you talk about, these are things you constantly balance in sports. Not just AEW, but all sports. Taking care of your athletes and doing things to protect the health and safety of the athletes to make the sport work.”
What Did Tony Khan Say About Claims That He Blocked Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura?
Tony Khan addressed rumours that he blocked a potential Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura match at Wrestle Kingdom 20, and instead inserted Kazuchika Okada into the match. Khan said that he was surprised to hear the rumours, as he said that this simply did not happen, but he did think it was an interesting story nevertheless.
Wrestle Kingdom 20 took place on January 4 and saw Kazuchika Okada defeat Hiroshi Tanahashi in Tanahashi’s retirement match. The match has been well-received by fans and critics alike.
