Tag: Tony Khan

Tony Khan Provides Insight on Adam Cole’s Absence, Says In-Ring Return Would Require “The Right Situation”

Adam Cole’s status has been one of the bigger question marks in AEW over the past several months, and Tony Khan has now offered a clearer—though still cautious—update on where things stand.

Cole has been away since AEW All In: Texas, where he vacated the TNT Championship after informing Khan he wasn’t well enough to compete. Reports since then have suggested his latest setback is tied to concussion-related issues, adding another layer to a long road of injuries that already included the serious ankle injury that sidelined him for over a year.

During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Khan opened up about the situation and made it clear that Cole’s health is the priority. According to the AEW President, getting the call on the morning of All In was “incredibly difficult,” especially given how hard Cole had battled back from previous injuries to rebuild momentum in 2025 and reclaim a top spot as TNT Champion.

Khan emphasized that Cole’s ankle injury alone could have ended his career, noting the pain and recovery process were far more serious than many realized. Cole’s comeback had been one of the more inspiring stories in AEW before this latest setback forced him to step away again.

As for an eventual return to the ring? Khan didn’t shut the door, but he made it clear that AEW will only consider it if every factor—medically and situationally—lines up. He expressed that Cole will always have a place within the company, even if wrestling isn’t in the immediate picture. Cole has already contributed as a commentator and show host, and Khan believes those avenues remain open whenever Cole feels ready to resume regular work.

Khan stressed that anything involving head injuries has to be treated with caution, and AEW would only move forward if it can ensure the safest possible environment for Cole and everyone involved.

For now, the message is simple: Adam Cole’s health comes first, and AEW is leaving the door open—but not rushing anything.

Credit to The Ariel Helwani Show

Tony Khan Confirms Changes Coming To AEW Women’s Blood & Guts And Tag Tournament

AEW’s first-ever Women’s Blood & Guts match is just days away, but it looks like the company’s historic bout is already being reshaped behind the scenes. During a Halloween night livestream on X (formerly Twitter), AEW President Tony Khan gave fans a major update on the women’s division — and confirmed that both the Blood & Guts lineup and the ongoing Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament are being adjusted due to injuries.

Despite some uncertainty, Khan reassured fans that the Women’s Blood & Guts match, set for November 12 in Greensboro, North Carolina, is still happening as planned. “It’s going to have to change,” Khan admitted, explaining that the match lineup will be slightly altered. He also promised that additional announcements would be made on tonight’s AEW Collision: Fright Night special.

One of the biggest shake-ups involves Penelope Ford, who’s now sidelined indefinitely with a torn UCL. Ford’s absence means her tag partner Megan Bayne is searching for a new teammate to continue in the tag title tournament. In an interesting twist, Marina Shafir has stepped up to fill that spot — and the newly-formed team will make their debut tonight against Nixon Newell and Miranda Alize.

The Women’s Blood & Guts match has been building since late September, when former AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter threw down the challenge after a string of brutal attacks from the Triangle of Madness — the dark alliance of Julia Hart, Skye Blue, and Thekla. With Hayter’s team still taking shape and Khan hinting at more surprises, fans can expect major reveals heading into the event.

Meanwhile, the men’s side of AEW isn’t slowing down either — Dynamite saw Orange Cassidy challenge for the annual Men’s Blood & Guts showdown, potentially setting the stage for a clash between the Conglomeration and the Death Riders.

With AEW’s biggest double dose of chaos just around the corner, November is shaping up to be one of the most violent and unpredictable months in company history.

Tony Khan Confirms AEW Interested In Launching Developmental Program

AEW could be taking a major step toward building the future of its roster — one that mirrors WWE’s approach with the Performance Center and NXT.

During the AEW WrestleDream media call, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed recent reports that the company has discussed launching its own developmental system and training facility. Khan said the idea has been on the table for some time, and while nothing is finalized, there’s definite interest in moving forward with the concept.

“I am interested in it and it’s something I’ve talked about,” Khan said. “I was kind of surprised to see the report because I’m still interested in that. There’s truth to what’s out there, but like a lot of things, it’s not the whole story.”

According to Fightful Select, AEW had previously explored opening a training center in Asheville, North Carolina, with early plans targeting 2025 for development. The proposed lineup of trainers was impressive — FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood), Adam Copeland (Edge), and Beth Phoenix were reportedly being considered to help lead the project.

However, the initiative was shelved due to budget concerns, and AEW’s creative direction shifted as storylines evolved — particularly with the on-screen fallout between FTR and Copeland’s circle earlier this year.

Khan addressed that dynamic, acknowledging the real-life and storyline ties between those involved:

“They are fantastic mentors — FTR, Cope, and Christian,” Khan said. “But clearly, earlier this year the dynamic between Adam Copeland and FTR changed a lot. If everyone can get back on the same page, I’d love to revisit that project. We talked about having an AEW-affiliated training school in Asheville with those guys leading it.”

While AEW’s current focus remains on weekly programming and its expanding pay-per-view schedule, the company’s leadership clearly sees the long-term value in building a dedicated system to nurture the next wave of talent.

If the plan does come together, AEW’s developmental program could mark a major milestone for the promotion — creating a true homegrown pipeline to rival WWE’s Performance Center.

Tony Khan Says Collision Was Last AEW Event At Daily’s Place Until After Renovations

AEW is saying goodbye—for now—to one of its most meaningful homes. Company president Tony Khan has confirmed that this week’s AEW Collision taping at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, was the final event the promotion will hold there before the venue undergoes extensive renovations.

Daily’s Place holds a special place in AEW’s history. Connected to EverBank Stadium—the home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars—the open-air amphitheater served as AEW’s primary base during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With travel restrictions and crowd limitations affecting live events, the company essentially made Daily’s Place its home arena, producing a full year of Dynamite episodes there from 2020 through 2021.

Khan, whose family owns the Jaguars, is closely tied to the future of the facility. The amphitheater and adjacent stadium are both publicly owned, but Shahid Khan—the Jaguars’ owner and Tony’s father—played a key role in financing the complex. The current construction project, dubbed the “Stadium of the Future,” is set to reshape the area with sweeping renovations expected to continue through 2028, carrying an estimated price tag of $1.3 billion.

Daily’s Place originally opened in 2017, making it one of Jacksonville’s newer entertainment venues. Despite its short history, it’s become a major landmark for AEW fans—hosting everything from the Fight for the Fallen event in 2019 to numerous Dynamite and Rampage tapings.

This week’s Title Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite and the following Collision episode marked AEW’s final stop at the venue before work begins. While the company’s home base is temporarily out of commission, Khan made it clear that AEW’s relationship with Jacksonville is far from over.

Once renovations are complete, it’s safe to assume AEW will return to Daily’s Place—bigger, louder, and ready to make new memories in a rebuilt home that helped the company thrive during some of its most challenging early years.

Tony Khan Promises AEW Will Keep Ticket Prices “Family Friendly” As WWE Costs Soar

With ticket prices for WWE events climbing higher than ever, AEW President Tony Khan is making it clear that his promotion isn’t following that path. As WWE fans voiced frustration over skyrocketing costs — especially after WrestleMania 42 seats were revealed to start at a jaw-dropping $850 — Khan reassured fans that All Elite Wrestling remains committed to keeping live events “family friendly” and financially accessible.

Speaking with The Sportster, Khan said affordable ticketing has been a top priority since AEW launched in 2019.

“From our very first show, we wanted to make AEW something families could attend together,” Khan explained. “We’ve always kept our entry prices reasonable, and that’s been a consistent philosophy since day one. I really believe AEW is the best value in professional wrestling.”

That value-driven approach doesn’t seem to be hurting AEW’s bottom line. In fact, Khan noted that 2025 has been a record-breaking year for the company in terms of live event revenue. Major shows like All In, All Out, and Forbidden Door each generated gates exceeding $1 million, making them some of the biggest financial successes in AEW’s six-year history.

Khan credited the company’s pricing strategy as a key part of its continued growth, saying that fans have been vocal in their appreciation for AEW’s balance between affordability and quality.

“We’ve had a lot of great feedback this year,” Khan said. “People tell us all the time that AEW tickets are one of the best values in live entertainment, and that’s something we’re proud to maintain.”

Meanwhile, WWE’s rising ticket costs have sparked debate among fans about accessibility. The company’s partnership with TKO Group Holdings has brought major business moves — including record-setting revenue — but also a noticeable increase in the price to attend live shows. With entry-level WrestleMania tickets nearing $1,000 and premium seats well into the thousands, many longtime fans worry the product is moving out of reach for average families.

For Khan, AEW’s more budget-friendly approach has become part of its identity — an alternative not just in style and presentation, but in how it treats its fanbase.

Credit to The Sportster

Tony Khan Addresses ROH Streaming Issues, Offers Free Credit & Confirms Delay of Taz’s Hall of Fame Induction

Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor 2025 may have delivered inside the ring, but the broadcast didn’t go as smoothly as planned. During the post-show media scrum, ROH/AEW CEO Tony Khan openly addressed the technical issues that plagued the live stream and also provided an update on Taz’s postponed Hall of Fame induction.

Streaming Troubles Lead to Free Show & Free Credit

Fans watching via WatchROH.com ran into problems depending on their browser of choice, with Chrome, Firefox, and even Microsoft Edge users experiencing streaming errors. Khan explained that once the problem was identified, he quickly made the call to upload the full pay-per-view to YouTube for free worldwide — a bold decision made while the show was still in progress.

To make good with paying subscribers, Khan also announced that all current WatchROH.com members will automatically receive a one-month credit. While he acknowledged the financial hit — noting that “hundreds of thousands of dollars” worth of subscription revenue would be lost — Khan said the overwhelmingly positive response from fans made the decision worth it.

“The show we delivered was fantastic, and I think new fans must have seen it,” Khan said. “It was a lot of money to eat, but the response on social media was almost unanimously positive.”

The company will now work with streaming partner Brightcove to ensure the issue isn’t repeated.

Taz’s Hall of Fame Induction Moved to Dynamite

Another topic addressed during the scrum was the postponed 2300 Arena Hardcore Hall of Fame induction for Taz. The ceremony was originally scheduled for Death Before Dishonor, but at Taz’s request, the moment has been moved.

According to Khan, the ECW legend wanted more time to arrange for his family to attend the special honor. As a result, the induction will now take place on the September 3rd edition of AEW Dynamite.

“He asked if we could please wait until Wednesday so he could get his family lined up. It’s the least we can do for Taz,” Khan explained. “It’s a real honor for us to celebrate him in that building.”

Big Takeaway

While technical hiccups threatened to overshadow ROH’s biggest summer event, Tony Khan’s quick response and willingness to eat the cost turned what could’ve been a PR nightmare into a goodwill gesture. Fans not only got the show for free, but subscribers were also compensated — and the buzz online shows it paid off. Meanwhile, Taz’s induction being shifted to Dynamite gives the legend an even bigger stage for the recognition he deserves.

Tony Khan Announces Major Rules Change For MJF’s Guaranteed AEW World Title Contract

AEW’s Forbidden Door 2025 wasn’t just about dream matches—it also came with a major announcement from AEW President Tony Khan that could reshape how future title opportunities are handled.

During the event, MJF once again tried to reclaim the AEW World Championship, challenging reigning champion “Hangman” Adam Page. As expected, Friedman leaned heavily on his usual bag of tricks in an attempt to steal the victory, but the plan unraveled when Mark Briscoe got involved, ensuring Hangman kept the gold.

While MJF walked away without the championship, he’s not out of the picture. Thanks to his win in the Casino Gauntlet, he still holds a contract guaranteeing him another AEW World Title shot. But coming out of Forbidden Door, Khan made it clear that this kind of contract will look very different going forward.

Speaking at the post-show media scrum, Khan explained that AEW will no longer allow surprise, spur-of-the-moment cash-ins similar to WWE’s Money in the Bank concept. Instead, all contract holders will now be required to give at least one week’s notice before their title opportunity.

“I don’t think stripping him of the contract is in the spirit of the sport,” Khan said. “But I’ve been listening to the fans, and I think people want championships in AEW to have integrity. Going forward, I want these matches to be advertised, and for title changes to feel meaningful—not shock decisions.”

The change means MJF will still get his one last crack at the AEW World Championship, but he’ll have to declare it in advance. That leaves fans speculating not just about when he’ll cash in, but whether Adam Page will still be champion when Friedman finally decides to pull the trigger.

One thing is for sure: the next time MJF steps up for the gold, the spotlight will be squarely on him—and in AEW, that’s exactly how Tony Khan wants it.

Tony Khan Opens Up on Last-Minute Decision to Pull Adam Cole from AEW All In 2025

AEW All In: Texas featured plenty of big moments, but one of the most emotional came when Adam Cole walked to the ring — not to wrestle, but to announce he wasn’t medically cleared to compete. Even more concerning, Cole hinted through tears that his wrestling career might be hanging in the balance.

Cole’s AEW journey has been a frustrating one, plagued by a string of injuries and setbacks. Just when it looked like he was about to regain his footing, another issue would knock him off course.

During the post-show media scrum, AEW President Tony Khan shed some light on the difficult decision to pull Cole from the card — a move that came together at the last minute.

“Somewhere between late last night and early this morning, we talked, and he wasn’t feeling well,” Khan revealed. “That’s the unpredictable nature of these kinds of injuries. It’s important that Adam Cole takes the time he needs to get right. Right now, there’s no timeline on when he’ll be able to wrestle — or even speak publicly again.”

Khan admitted the change caught him off guard. Up until the night before the show, Cole was still set to defend the TNT Championship against Kyle Fletcher.

“We had everything lined up for the pay-per-view. The plan was Adam Cole versus Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Title,” Khan confirmed.

For Cole’s fans, it’s been a tough stretch — one filled with hope, only to be met with more bad news. At this point, the focus may be shifting from when he’ll return to the ring to simply hoping he regains his health and quality of life beyond wrestling.

AEW & Jon Moxley Hit With Lawsuit By Former Crew Member Over Alleged Backstage Incident During 2023 Dynamite Tapings

All Elite Wrestling and current AEW World Champion Jon Moxley are at the center of a new legal storm, as a former production crew member has filed a lawsuit accusing both parties of negligence and civil assault. The suit stems from an incident that allegedly took place during the May 10, 2023 episode of AEW Dynamite at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.

According to court documents obtained by The Takedown, the plaintiff, Christopher Dispensa—a longtime veteran of wrestling and entertainment production—was working that night as a contracted crew member. His role, as stated in the lawsuit, was to hand Moxley a screwdriver during a match against Kenny Omega, part of an ongoing storyline between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club.

However, Dispensa claims that what was supposed to be a scripted handoff turned violent without warning. The lawsuit alleges that Moxley “violently shoved” him to the ground, resulting in serious injuries that required surgery and continued medical treatment. The alleged moment did not air as a focal point during the broadcast, but it reportedly took place ringside amid the chaos of the bout.

The suit further claims that AEW bears responsibility due to what Dispensa describes as negligent hiring practices, stating the company failed to properly train, monitor, or discipline talent to ensure a safe working environment for non-wrestling personnel. Moxley’s alleged history of “unpredictability” and “lack of control” is also cited as a contributing factor, with Dispensa accusing the former AEW World Champion of acting with “clear intent to harm” or showing “complete disregard” for safety protocols.

Dispensa is pursuing damages related to medical costs, lasting physical injury, emotional trauma, and punitive compensation for the distress caused.

This legal development arrives at a time when AEW is already navigating multiple legal battles. The promotion recently succeeded in moving lawsuits filed by ex-commentator Kevin Kelly and tag team The Tate Twins to arbitration, while former AEW talent Ryan Nemeth dropped his lawsuit voluntarily in April.

As of now, neither AEW nor Jon Moxley has publicly commented on the allegations.

Tony Khan Unveils ROH Women’s Pure Championship, First Champion to Be Crowned at Supercard of Honor

AEW Collision had a little extra buzz this past Saturday night — and it wasn’t just the in-ring action. Before the Ring of Honor television tapings kicked off, AEW CEO and ROH owner Tony Khan made a major announcement that’s got fans talking: the introduction of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship.

The new title brings a fresh layer of prestige and competition to ROH’s growing women’s division, with a focus on the signature Pure Rules that have defined the men’s Pure Championship. These matches typically emphasize technical wrestling, limited rope breaks, and strict enforcement of in-ring conduct — something that should shine a spotlight on the division’s most disciplined and skilled performers.

Khan also revealed that the inaugural champion will be crowned at this year’s Supercard of Honor, set for Friday, May 2, at the Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The annual Supercard event has historically been one of ROH’s biggest nights of the year, and adding a new title to the mix only ups the stakes.

While no participants have been officially announced for the championship match just yet, expect ROH to highlight some of the top names from both the ROH and AEW women’s rosters in the coming weeks. With stars like Athena, Billie Starkz, Mercedes Martinez, and more in the mix, the competition is sure to be fierce.

The creation of the Women’s Pure Championship is another sign that Khan and ROH are serious about expanding and evolving the brand’s identity. It also offers another platform for women in the company to showcase their in-ring technical prowess under a unique ruleset that prioritizes clean, strategic wrestling.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com as more details emerge on who will compete for the ROH Women’s Pure Championship at Supercard of Honor!