AEW Redemption media scrum notes: Tony Khan on All In build, Kenny Omega’s legacy
Media scrum notes from Sunday’s Redemption.
Members of the AEW roster, as well as Tony Khan, took questions from the media following AEW Redemption in Montreal. Here are the highlights:
Maya World
- World took time to thank Tony Khan for believing in her. Khan wished her a happy birthday. In regards to the Mercedes Mone match, she credited Mone for elevating her.
- Regarding who she would like to face at All In, World mentioned Athena’s name but also said she would face anyone.
- She was asked if she has rewatched her match. Her response: “Somebody has to!”
- World said she never thought she would be signed as a tag team wrestler, but is still interested in teaming with Hyan. She mentioned the last tag team match the two sent to one another was one featuring Sinner and Saint.
Speedball Mike Bailey
- Bailey brought in his International title match contract he earned by winning the ladder match. He said it was the first time his mother has ever watched him live.
- After speaking in French, he translated saying that the goal for independent wrestlers in Quebec was always about being the best in Quebec. His goal, however, was to be the best in the world. Quebec and the wrestlers involved have made him great.
- During the segment, Kyle Fletcher arrived as he was due to take questions next.
- Bailey also took time to praise Sexxy Eddy, El Generico, and Kevin Steen, saying he “missed them dearly.” He also said that there were wrestlers at Redemption that he helped train that were working as extras.
- Bailey exited and went to shake Fletcher’s hand, but the International Champion refused as Bailey left.
Kyle Fletcher
- Fletcher said in terms of wrestling a celebrity, he would like to face Tom Holland.
- He was asked about his tension with Okada. Said there would need to be hard discussions the next time they team together, but are strong enough to get through this.
Willow Nightingale
- She opened with a story saying one day she was giving a pep talk to her sister, saying she could be a great writer or actress but one day, she would be the “top of the wrestles.” She felt she accomplished that on Sunday by winning the AEW Women’s title.
- Nightingale noted she wasn’t diagnosed with depression, she self diagnosed herself, but was dealing with issues in the last year and got help through AEW.
- She had a hard time being herself during the countdown special, noting it’s unrealistic to be a happy smiley girl 24/7, so it’s good to acknowledge when you aren’t. Wrestling, however, brings her joy.
- She said she was desperate to try to make it to Double or Nothing to wrestle but it didn’t happen, and that was hard on her. Khan noted she couldn’t even lift up her arm at the time. She later revealed the injury was an AC sprain.
- Khan mentioned they should have a celebration for her on Wednesday, and she agreed.
Tony Khan
- When asked about building to Redemption while also building to All In, Khan said that there were many moments tonight that paved the way to Wembley, including announcing the three PPV matches for All In. He put over the success of recent TV and PPV numbers. He said he was more excited for the future of AEW than he’s ever been.
- Someone asked about visa issues. Khan mentioned that Komander, Best Mortos, Clon, and Mark Davis have all recently come back and while there’s still a “few obstacles,” it’s not as bad as it was before.
- When asked what he would tell his 2019 self, Khan said there were things that he wished were different, such the deaths of both Brodie Lee and Jay Briscoe. He learned a lot from them, and thinks the best show AEW has ever done was the tribute show to Lee. He said he’s also a better person from learning from Briscoe. He got emotional while talking about both, saying that they were “still with us.”
- There will be interactive experiences for All In, and more to come for future major AEW events.
- He said he wanted to make sure Redemption was over before midnight eastern and tonight’s show had an earlier endtime than other shows. He said there was a lot of wrestling for people’s dollar.
- Khan said that a AEW podcast network would be coming soon.
- He’s looking for a new golf course for a future Fairway to Hell show. Khan also said he had been playing golf more this year than in previous years.
- He reiterated that Mistico was scheduled for Redemption but has been “out of action “since he was attacked in Arena Mexico. He hoped Mistico could make it for Grand Slam Mexico.
- Khan noted he had to spend most of yesterday on a plane due to traveling from the San Diego Comic Con and thanked Warner Bros. Discovery for the opportunity.
- He’s not well-versed in the Canadian indie scene but put over the history of wrestling in Quebec and partnering with MLP and Scott D’Amore.
- When asked about Kenny Omega’s value to wrestling, Khan noted he was writing episodes of Dynamite well before there was a Dynamite and never stopped, and Omega was part of those shows that he wrote. There would be no AEW without Kenny Omega.
- Regarding a sequel to the Fight Forever video game, Khan said it was a good thought and something that he has been interested in.
Bryan Rose
Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.