Tony Khan Says This AEW Star Is “Our Ric Flair”—And Fans Might Actually Agree
In a bold statement sure to spark debate, AEW President Tony Khan has crowned Jon Moxley as the Ric Flair of AEW, highlighting the former world champion’s unmatched versatility and hardcore legacy in the promotion.
Khan made the declaration during an appearance on 103.5 KISS FM’s Hot Tag Wrestling Podcast, when asked if AEW had a performer who mirrored what The Nature Boy was to the NWA. Without hesitation, Khan named Moxley.
“He’s somebody who could be the top hero or the top villain. He bleeds buckets. Mox is the ultimate blue-collar wrestler. Ric Flair? The ultimate white-collar wrestler. But they both have that hard-hitting, world-class presence,” Khan said.
Moxley, whose gritty and unfiltered style has defined AEW’s identity since its earliest days, recently competed in a brutal Texas Death Match at All In: Texas, where he lost the AEW World Title to “Hangman” Adam Page.
🤝 Tony Khan Opens Up on AAA “Double Cross”
In a separate interview with Q101, Khan reflected on AEW’s former relationship with Mexican promotion AAA—and the moment it turned sour.
While AEW and AAA once shared a strong partnership, including talent exchanges and storyline crossovers (with Kenny Omega famously holding the AAA Mega Championship for 740+ days), things fell apart abruptly when Dragon Lee jumped ship.
“We were caught off guard,” Khan admitted. “Right after Dynamite ended, Dragon Lee announced he was signing with WWE. It was a double cross. That would never happen now.”
AEW has since moved on, forming a new alliance with CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), one of the oldest and most respected lucha libre companies in the world.
🎙️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take
Tony Khan calling Jon Moxley AEW’s Ric Flair is more than just a spicy soundbite—it’s a calculated move to elevate Mox’s legacy in the post-Punk era of the company. While the comparison might seem far-fetched on the surface (Moxley’s grit vs. Flair’s glitz), the logic tracks: both are cornerstones, both can flip from beloved to brutal, and both bleed for their brand.
As for the AAA drama? It’s a reminder that in pro wrestling, loyalty is as temporary as a title reign. Khan’s candor shows AEW is still learning how to play the global game, but with CMLL in their corner and Mox at the core, they're not tapping out anytime soon.
