Tony Khan on WWE counterprogramming AEW: It hasn’t cost us anything
Tony Khan says WWE counter programming AEW big shows has never cost his company anything.
Khan was a guest on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday and was asked about WWE scheduling shows at the same time that AEW already has a big event announced. Khan said that this type of counter programming has occurred frequently in the wrestling industry and it’s not something he takes personally.
Khan said:
“I do think it’s done on purpose and I understand it and it’s part of wrestling and I think we’ve seen a lot of it but I think other wrestling promotions that have been the challenger wrestling brand in our lifetime have seen a lot of it. Jim Crockett Promotions, which was the forerunner to WCW, saw a lot of this.”
He continued:
“I do think that we’ve seen that kind of counter programming and those things and I understand and looking back at wrestling history, kind of expect that.”
When asked if WWE’s counter programming frustrates him, Khan responded that it’s always worked out well for AEW in the end.
“I think it’s okay because for us it’s always worked out and we’re in a great position. It hasn’t ever been a thing where it’s cost us anything. And even when you do something like AEW All In Texas where we do the show in the afternoon, it really worked out for us great and it was one of the best days in the history of the company so…”
Asked if he takes it personally, Khan responded:
“It’s something that is a part of the wrestling business and I definitely don’t take it personally. I think it’s no more personal to me than it was towards Jim Crockett or even maybe less so than it was with Ted Turner, or similar amounts as with Ted Turner. But definitely I think all of us have seen that kind of counter programming and could speak to that. And certainly with AEW, I’m very proud that we continue to really run strong and be that great challenger brand in pro wrestling.”
Earlier this year, AEW moved its All In: Texas pay-per-view at Globe Life Field on July 12 to the afternoon to avoid going head-to-head with Saturday Night’s Main Event. However, shortly after, WWE announced NXT Great American Bash for that same afternoon. Similarly, WWE announced Wrestlepalooza for September 20 after AEW had already announced All Out for that date in Toronto. AEW would eventually move that show to the afternoon as well.
Khan’s interview with Ariel Helwani is available below:
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.