Tony Khan Responds to WWE’s Counterprogramming — Diplomatic, But Very Serious
The conversation around WWE’s aggressive counterprogramming of AEW has been heating up all year, and now AEW President Tony Khan has finally addressed the matter.
With Saturday Night’s Main Event running against All In Texas, NXT Heatwave scheduled opposite Forbidden Door, and WWE’s upcoming Wrestlepalooza going head-to-head with All Out 2025, fans have speculated endlessly on how AEW’s top executive feels about the competition.
Speaking on the Forbidden Door media call, Khan avoided direct confrontation but made it clear he’s not ignoring the situation. Instead of firing shots, Khan opted for a diplomatic tone, praising AEW’s momentum and reinforcing the company’s identity.
“We’ve had a great 2025 in AEW and I believe that, in large part, that’s because everyone in AEW is really focused on making AEW a tremendous promotion and continuing this excellent year we’re having,” Khan said.
He continued:
“I want to be able to continue that, and the most important thing for us is to talk about AEW and work really hard on AEW every week. It means not necessarily focusing on what every wrestling promotion is doing, but I do like watching wrestling and keeping up with what other wrestling promotions are doing.”
Khan also pointed out AEW’s position as an alternative since 2019, emphasizing that while WWE isn’t the only game in town, AEW’s focus is on delivering the best wrestling possible.
H/t Fightful
🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Tony Khan is clearly taking the high road here — but make no mistake, he’s paying attention. His tone was measured, but you could sense the seriousness underneath, especially when he stressed his desire to “continue this” with AEW. That phrasing says a lot: Khan knows WWE is targeting AEW dates, but he’s determined to double down and prove AEW belongs on equal footing.
By not biting on the bait, Khan’s playing a long game — one rooted in confidence in his roster, his fans, and his product. But don’t be fooled: this was more than just diplomacy. This was Tony Khan signaling that he’s ready for the fight, and AEW isn’t backing down.
