Originally published at Tony Khan pre-AEW All Out media call notes: TV deal, Grand Slam Australia, Powerhouse Hobbs, Aussie Open
Highlights from the media call.
Ahead of AEW All Out on September 7th, company President Tony Khan fielded questions from the media on his pre-PPV media call.
Here are the notables:
- He’ll have to think about domestic distribution for Grand Slam: Australia in February. AEW has a strong relationship with Arthur Ashe Stadium and expects some pickup for that show this month after All Out.
- He thinks a women’s Casino Gauntlet is a good idea, but feels building to it and advertising is it is the better route to go than just adding the match to All Out.
- ‘Great conversations’ with Warner Bros. Discovery about television rights are still ongoing.
- Khan was asked if Sting is under AEW contract. He did not confirm, but said Sting is part of the AEW family.
- Powerhouse Hobbs was backstage at the 9/4 Dynamite. He still needs recovery time, but Khan said it was great to have him backstage.
- He believes over the course of the next TV deal, AEW will be what MJF described them as, which is the second most profitable wrestling company in history.
- The TV deal is in the ‘red zone.’ It will be a huge touchdown for AEW. The deal just needs to be pushed in.
- He was asked about his relationship with GCW and Josh Barnett. Khan respects and likes Barnett a lot but does not know the GCW team that well.
- Khan said the response to the Swerve Strickland-Hangman Adam Page burning house angle has been overwhelmingly positive.
- The future of Aussie Open was brought up as it pertains to if Kyle Fletcher will remain a singles talent. Khan said their futures remain to be seen, but Mark Davis had surgery on his arm and AEW is looking forward to having him back.