Tony Khan says recent NJPW ownership change ‘something to keep an eye on’
With NJPW as a key part of this weekend’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, AEW head Tony Khan was asked about his thoughts on the recent ownership change with his longtime partner.
In a surprise move in late-May, Bushiroad announced that it transferred all of its shares in the promotion to TV Asahi and CyberAgent.
Khan spoke on the matter during Thursday’s pre-Forbidden Door media call, calling it “an interesting transaction and something to keep an eye on.”
He noted there have been no changes in terms of how AEW works with NJPW since the change as it’s the same administration he worked with earlier this year and last year in Hiroshi Tanahashi (pictured above with Khan) and Gedo. Khan said he is looking forward to working with the new owners and keeping the continuity.
At this point, NJPW participation in this year’s Forbidden Door has been limited to Zack Sabre Jr., Shingo Takagi and Shota Umino.
On the same day the sale news was released, it was also announced that AEW programming would be leaving NJPW World in August when the two sides’ contract comes up given the launch of MyAEW. Khan was asked Thursday about the potential of NJPW being a strategic content partner on the service and he pointed out they have their own.
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.