AEW not concerned with same-market WWE competition
AEW isn’t worried about trying to outdo WWE when both promotions have shows in the same market.
At the post-Double or Nothing 2026 press conference, Tony Khan was asked if he has anything special in mind to “attack the market” with when AEW comes to Detroit this July. Dynamite and Collision are taking place in the city on July 29-30, with AEW’s visit coming just nine days after Detroit hosts WWE Raw. The events are being held at different venues with Little Caesars Arena hosting Raw and AEW’s shows being held at the smaller Masonic Temple Theater.
“Right now, we’re very focused on just doing the very best shows we can with AEW,” Khan responded. “I believe, I think, in my opinion, it’s showing up. You can see everybody’s working so hard, and it feels like it’s really connecting with the fans. In the back too, it really feels like there’s a spirit that is as strong as it’s been maybe since the pandemic or ever. It feels like right now is as good of a connection between AEW backstage as a company and also the fans watching the shows. I loved the pay-per-view tonight. I think we’re on a roll of great shows this year, the TV and pay-per-views. And that goes back to last year, so I just believe we can keep putting on strong events. The wrestlers are doing such a great job, the fans have been supporting us so well, and I just want to keep it going.”
Khan added that, when it comes to other promotions, he’s only focused on positive things like helping out AEW’s partners.
“We really, for the last few years, have not thought a lot about what other promotions are doing unless it’s people we’re partnering with and going into events like Grand Slam Mexico or Forbidden Door and collaborating with our partners,” he said. “Or trying to support Wrestle Kingdom or Wrestle Dynasty and events that our partners have put on. Or sending great wrestlers to Arena Mexico [or] collaborating with independent promotions, working with other people, trying to bring other promotions in for MyAEW, trying to find ways to support indies. Those are all really positive things, so I feel like we’re just focused on what we do and also how we can help.”
AEW in Detroit —
Khan called Detroit a great wrestling city that he has a “huge affinity” for. Because Detroit built the American auto industry, Khan’s father Shad was able to make his business fortune in auto parts.
“I would like to do more events there. Detroit is such a great wrestling city,” Khan said. “Some of my favorite nights in AEW have been there. We had the original Blood & Guts and the original Royal Rampage. Mox and Kenny in the cage. Really just great, great events in Detroit.”
Tickets for the July 29-30 AEW events are going on sale to the general public on June 1. WWE Raw tickets are already on sale.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.