Tony Khan would love for AEW to be on the same channel as UFC
Tony Khan is not shy about his view for the future in the potential post-WBD & Paramount Skydance world, saying he’d love for AEW and UFC to be on the same platform.
Khan spoke to the media for an hour Thursday to promote this Sunday’s AEW Revolution pay-per-view when he was asked by our Dave Meltzer about the narrative that TKO’s relationship with Paramount will force AEW to eventually go elsewhere.
Khan talked at length about his relationships with David Zaslav, WBD personnel and that of David Ellison who owns Paramount. He said he thinks the potential purchase would be “huge” for AEW given they will be on TNT and TBS for a long time in addition to a secure future on HBO Max.
“There are tons of sports that exist on those platforms. I’d love to be on the same channel as UFC. I have a great relationship with Dana White and Hunter Campbell. While their sister promotion is also in pro wrestling and it’s of a competitive nature there, I think on my behalf I’d love to be on the same channel as UFC. I see a lot of positive utility for that,” he said.
There has been speculative talk from TKO head Mark Shapiro about UFC appearing on TNT, also mentioned by Ellison in a recent call. UFC airs on Saturday nights as does AEW Collision on TNT.
The Paramount/WBD sale has plenty of legal hurdles to clear before it’s approved.
Khan later said there’s never been an opportunity for AEW to be on the same platform as the NFL and he is thrilled for the prospect to be part of a media company that carries games.
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.