AEW News: Tony Khan Forbidden Door Media Call
Tony Khan Addresses AEW’s Momentum, Future Plans, and London’s Growing Importance
Table of Contents
- Tony Khan Addresses AEW’s Momentum, Future Plans, and London’s Growing Importance
- AEW focused on Internal Success, Not WWE Competition
- pay-Per-View Remains a Key Component of AEW’s Strategy
- Scheduling Flexibility and Prioritizing Talent Opportunities
- London Emerges as a Key Market for AEW
- Behind-the-Scenes Decisions and Talent Considerations
- Dream Match Realized: Tanahashi in the Lights Out Cage Match
- AEW’s Gaming Future: Learning from Past Experiences
AEW focused on Internal Success, Not WWE Competition
All elite Wrestling (AEW) President Tony Khan addressed the media on Thursday, August 21, 2025, ahead of this Sunday’s “Forbidden Door” pay-per-view event in London, England. Khan largely deflected questions regarding direct competition with world Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and their recent media rights deals, choosing instead to emphasize AEW’s strong performance throughout 2025.He highlighted successes in television viewership, streaming on Max, and live event attendance, particularly noting the impact of events like “Forbidden Door.” khan stated he remains focused on AEW’s internal growth and doesn’t dwell on the strategies of other promotions.
pay-Per-View Remains a Key Component of AEW’s Strategy
Despite industry discussion about the potential decline of conventional pay-per-view (PPV) events, Khan reaffirmed AEW’s commitment to the model. He celebrated the success of AEW’s PPV offerings and the strength of its existing partnerships.Khan expressed optimism about the future,specifically mentioning his anticipation of HBO Max’s eventual integration into the PPV distribution landscape,though he did not provide a specific timeline for this development.
Scheduling Flexibility and Prioritizing Talent Opportunities
Khan explained that scheduling complexities, specifically related to New japan Pro-Wrestling’s (NJPW) G1 tournament and Stardom‘s schedule, influenced the late addition of Bozilla to the TBS Championship four-way match. He indicated that while such situations may arise,his priority remains maximizing opportunities for talent and delivering the best possible event experience. He suggested future scheduling will be more streamlined, but flexibility will remain key.
London Emerges as a Key Market for AEW
Khan revealed that Sunday’s “Forbidden Door” event is projected to be among the top five highest-attended events in AEW history. Remarkably, he noted that three of AEW’s four highest-attended events are expected to be held in London, including two iterations of “All In” at Wembley Stadium. This underscores London’s growing importance as a key international market for AEW.
Behind-the-Scenes Decisions and Talent Considerations
Khan shared insight into the decision-making process surrounding talent utilization. He recounted a situation from the previous year where he was advised against having Yota Tsuji challenge then-AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, due to Tsuji’s relative lack of established prominence at the time. Ultimately,Will Ospreay pitched for the chance and was granted the match. This illustrates Khan’s willingness to consider input from talent and adapt plans based on evolving circumstances.
Dream Match Realized: Tanahashi in the Lights Out Cage Match
Regarding the highly anticipated “Lights Out” cage match, Khan stated the lineup was precisely what he envisioned. He described a simple conversation with Hiroshi Tanahashi, where he extended the invitation, and Tanahashi readily accepted, demonstrating a shared enthusiasm for the match.
AEW’s Gaming Future: Learning from Past Experiences
Khan acknowledged being caught off guard by questions about the future of AEW video games following the release of ”Fight Forever.” He admitted he isn’t an expert in game development but emphasized his commitment to learning from the experience and incorporating feedback from fans and industry professionals. He expressed a desire to create a significantly improved future game and confirmed AEW intends to continue exploring opportunities in the gaming space.