This is Tony Khan’s AEW and you’re just going to have to deal with it | Opinion
I sometimes wonder what both the wrestling content industry and social media complaint industry would do without AEW.
If you start up your modem and log on anywhere where fans congregate these days, you can’t get away from hot takes, opinions, predictions of glory, predictions of doom, debates, joy and furor about the promotion Tony Khan started back in 2019. If you take a pause and think about it, it’s really something compared to every other non-WWE promotion.
There’s a lot of reasons for that: social media’s propensity to promote vitriol, the fact they are a WWE alternative with money behind it, the in-ring quality, the pro-WWE crowd who are sick of tired of people shitting on their favorite company and want to watch the rest of the wrestling world burn, yadda, yadda, yadda. Love them or hate them, people want to talk about their love and hate for AEW.
With that discussion comes the “Here’s what I would do if I were AEW” commentary. Making suggestions about something you have no direct involvement in is just part of being human. We’ve all done it. Whether it’s a chain restaurant, your country, movies, music, the process of buying a car or anything we have a gripe with, we all have a solution the people actually running what we’re complaining about have never considered. Thankfully, they have us!
When AEW first launched and through its nearly seven years in existence, Khan has always come across as very open to fan critiques and suggestions. He’s a fan first so, of course, that means he understands us and will make changes on the fly (remember Mina Shirakawa’s music change before and after a match?) if we shout loud enough.
Perhaps, but let’s not get it twisted. This is his AEW and more so than it’s ever been before.
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I thought a lot about this the past few weeks as SOME PEOPLE really like to give their thoughts on AEW. The nerve!
But, it doesn’t matter what media or fans or critics or former bookers suggest or say: Khan is going to do it his way. Sure, he may smile and nod and listen about how you would do things but unless he wants to do it, he ain’t bowing down. It’s his company.
Oh, you don’t like pay-per-views that go past midnight on the East Coast even on Sunday nights with no holiday on Monday? Too bad! Drink a few extra cups of coffee like ol’ TK does. Don’t dare him to run a 12-hour PPV. He’ll do it and you’ll watch every minute.
Wait, you think Dynamite should end within two hours on a regular basis? HA! How about a surprise extra 30 minutes on a week when there’s already a PPV and a Collision?!? Take that!
Hold up…you want more women featured? Got it. How about they get put in that 30-minute overrun AND with a commercial break? Boom.
I’m sorry if Redemption doesn’t feel big enough and is being talked about as a transitional PPV. Save your money and get the FOMO of your wrestling life on X while the rest of your friends enjoy the show (which starts earlier and might still end after midnight. Bang!).
You like Ring of Honor. Nice. How about Tuesday AND Thursday shows? Maybe one episode will switch to Friday so you have to stay home to watch as Athena continues her 18-year title reign in another Proving Ground match.
Considering going to Dynamite and Collision when it comes to your area? Awesome. Want to know who’s going to be on the show? Get bent. Also, if you’re in the arena for a combo Dynamite/Collision night and want to know who’s actually on Collision because the announcements on TV never get made in the arena, don’t ask. Just sit in your damn seat and enjoy who comes out.
Think the roster is too big? LOL. Get ready for the next month. Who needs a third yacht when you can bring in a few new tag teams, a former WWE women’s wrestler or two, and whomever else might enjoy visiting Jacksonville every few months for a 30-match TV taping?
On that note, you want to know where Britt Baker or (insert your favorite missing AEW wrestler) is, eh? Collecting a check, that’s where. They might come back, but you’ll have to watch to find out. They may even show up with no notice. Shut up, Alvarez!
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The above is obviously in jest, but these are all complaints I have heard and read, including from my own mouth from time to time. I have come to the realization that perhaps I, and you, are screaming into the void with our complaints. I know. I can’t believe it either.
As AEW approaches an important year when it comes to TV rights amid a strangely uncertain future, Khan isn’t letting anything go to chance in terms of control. He’s talked a lot in the last few years about taking less advice and going with his gut. That’s part of the benefit of being the boss and that famous saying about trying to please everyone resulting in pleasing no one is stuck in my head writing this column.
We can make all the suggestions and pick all the nits, but we’re just fueling the content fire. AEW is whatever Tony Khan wants it to be, like it or not. See you Sunday for Redemption with a large cold brew in hand. Who needs sleep?
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.