Followers, pundits, and wrestling veterans all have opinions about All Elite Wrestling — what it’s, what it may be, and what it ought to be. However for many who had been hoping that AEW may change and conform with what they imagine a wrestling product is meant to be, don’t maintain your breath.
Within the wee hours of the evening, AEW President Tony Khan despatched out an announcement that could be probably the most trustworthy phrases ever uttered by a wrestling promoter. On X, Khan wrote, “I guide wrestling for the sickos as a result of that’s what I’m and that’s who I care about.” Later, Khan added, “Get up the bots and inform them that we’re having enjoyable over right here in @AEW.”
As somebody important of Khan for a while, my preliminary response to studying what he wrote was, “Hell yeah!”
Regardless of no matter its scores and ticket gross sales inform us, Khan’s message confirms what most individuals consider him and his firm whereas doubling down on its course. Khan’s put up conveys, “That is who I’m and who we’re, and we’re not altering. Cope with it.”
For higher or worse, AEW is what it’s, and confirms what Eric Bischoff mentioned about Khan and his model in Might, when Bischoff wrote on X, “It’s higher to embrace and have a good time it than to anticipate issues to vary. Tony resides his dream. Quite a lot of expertise are benefiting significantly. A particular (albeit smallest share) of followers dig the product. It’s what it’s. And its not going to vary.”
As conversations about AEW’s media rights offers and its ongoing negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery proceed, Khan’s late-night declaration suggests he’s dedicated to giving followers like him what they need from wrestling, no matter which community they land on. Whether or not that is good or unhealthy for AEW stays to be seen, nevertheless it clearly signifies Khan’s dedication to the wrestling trade.
Nonetheless, I’d be mendacity to myself and also you, pricey reader, if I didn’t inform you that I’m upset with what Khan needed to say. Whereas his authenticity is encouraging, it suggests an unwillingness to adapt and mature. It additionally subtly implies that AEW isn’t actually aiming to compete with WWE. If it overtakes WWE, nice. If not, that’s fantastic too as a result of they’re having enjoyable over there and AEW is the place to be.
Whereas which may resonate with Khan’s “sickos,” the large query is what it means for these working in AEW. I’m sure that Khan will trip AEW even after the wheels have lengthy fallen off. Once more, that’s nice for followers who get pleasure from his type of wrestling, but when AEW fails to develop, it would finally restrict monetary alternatives for expertise. Moreover, so long as they’re having enjoyable, issues about wrestler security will proceed to hold over the promotion.
However that’s for them to fret about. As for me, I’m thrilled to listen to such trustworthy phrases from Khan and hope he continues in that course. My expectations have shifted and thus set me free. Maybe I can now get pleasure from AEW for what it’s fairly than what it might be. Perhaps not. Regardless, Khan’s honesty and boldness are refreshing, and for that, I salute him.
Do you, boo.
