Tony Khan Assures Fans About AEW’s Future Amid Warner Bros. Discovery Speculation

At the AEW Full Gear media scrum, held on November 4, 2023, in New Jersey, Tony Khan addressed concerns regarding the future of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) amid speculation about a potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Khan expressed confidence about AEW’s standing, stating he is “not worried at all” about any changes within WBD and emphasized the strong relationship between the two entities.

The media scrum featured appearances from several prominent AEW stars, including Mark Briscoe, Ricochet, and Kris Statlander. Briscoe celebrated his recent win, showcasing a custom TNT title belt gifted by Orange Cassidy. Reflecting on his journey, he noted, “I never thought a night like this would happen,” and expressed gratitude towards Khan, his family, and God for their support.

Khan also addressed Briscoe’s past struggles, particularly the ban on the Briscoes appearing on the network, attributing the change to new leadership under David Zaslav, the head of Warner Bros. Discovery. He expressed appreciation for the new direction taken by WBD, stating, “We have a great relationship with WBD and I’m optimistic about AEW’s future.”

Highlights from AEW Full Gear

During the event, AJ Big Boom praised his match experience, crediting veteran wrestler QT Marshall for his guidance. He also confirmed that a Big Boom AJ action figure is on the way, much to the excitement of his fans. Ricochet, who recently captured a title, described the victory as “familiar” and warned others in the division to “watch their backs.”

Statlander, addressing her status as a champion, conveyed her belief that being labeled an underdog is unjust, especially since she holds a title that Mercedes Mone never achieved. Khan responded to her inquiries about future challengers by assuring her that a long line of competitors would be emerging after Full Gear.

Khan also discussed the upcoming Continental Classic participants, promising an announcement soon. He revealed that Jon Moxley’s actions following their match had likely sidelined Kyle O’Reilly due to injuries. Khan took a moment to extend condolences to the families of Bob Caudle and George Tahinos, who passed away earlier that week.

A Look Ahead for AEW

Reflecting on AEW’s progress, Khan noted that the organization has maintained consistency over the past year, both in television broadcasts and pay-per-view events. He indicated that the latest pay-per-view could potentially be the largest in the HBO Max era, based on available data.

In terms of future talent, Khan highlighted three breakout wrestlers to watch in 2026: Kevin Knight, Speedball Mike Bailey, and Willow Nightingale. He praised Mone’s independent wrestling efforts while also acknowledging the international wrestling scene, mentioning interest from CMLL and NJPW in potential National title matches.

On scheduling, Khan expressed interest in adjusting start times for future shows, particularly on Sundays, citing differences in audience engagement on weekdays versus weekends. He stated that the current contractual agreement allows for shows up to three hours and forty-five minutes, which the organization has consistently met.

Khan’s deep passion for professional wrestling was evident as he remarked on his unwavering commitment to AEW, stating he has not taken a break from the sport and loves attending events. He concluded with enthusiasm about the successful acquisition of licensed music for wrestlers, like Hangman Page’s theme, emphasizing the effort involved in securing such elements for the shows.

In summary, Tony Khan’s remarks at the AEW Full Gear media scrum reflect a confident outlook for AEW, despite the backdrop of potential changes within Warner Bros. Discovery. His focus on talent development, scheduling improvements, and maintaining strong relationships sets a positive tone for the organization’s future.