Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including the latest on a potential sale of WBD and how it could affect AEW, Tony Khan’s media call yesterday, Smackdown and Full Gear line-ups, AAA going half head-to-head, your questions and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tag: Tony Khan
Tony Khan AEW media call notes: Wrestle Dynasty future, Tanahashi vs. Okada, WBD rumors
In a week where Tony Khan made plenty of headlines from his interview with Ariel Helwani, Thursday’s media call to hype up AEW Full Gear didn’t have as much major news items or notes coming out of it.
The full audio is available below.
One interesting bit of information included the future of Wrestle Dynasty (the Forbidden Door-esque card) which debuted earlier this year following Wrestle Kingdom. However, that is not the case for this January.
Khan said he doesn’t think there will be another Wrestle Dynasty event in 2026 even though he said it was successful and is open to doing it again in the future.
Continental Classic field
Khan said he would have loved to announce the Continental Classic field before Full Gear, but wants to gauge health of everyone in the hours following Full Gear. He thought last year’s tournament was better than the prior year’s. He is very proud of the Classic in its young history and has only had to make one change in its history due to injury (Juice Robinson).
WBD future
Asked about thoughts on AEW’s future with all the WBD rumors, Khan says he has to be careful in how he answers given it’s talking about people’s jobs. He said AEW has continued to both grow and integrate into WBD through their changes and that support has been reciprocal. He said AEW is in an advantageous position and an existing place given they are a hugely grateful beneficiary of WBD’s support. He is very optimistic about where this is all going in the future.
“It feels like AEW is in an incredibly strong position,” he said.
Blood & Guts
Khan confirms there will be another women’s Blood & Guts match someday and that the first one “knocked it out of the park.” He said Warner Bros. Discover was “so happy” with it, the fans really enjoyed it, and he was relieved there weren’t more injuries coming out of it. He put over the women for the amount of preparation and time they put into it. He also put over the effort and relief about no serious injuries in the men’s match as well.
Here’s some additional news & quotes:
- Asked about why he has so many titles in AEW and ROH, Khan didn’t directly answer but alluded to the changes that have taken place since he started AEW which includes Collision, more PPVs and buying ROH.
- He said the discussion of Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi in his final match came up at AEW Double or Nothing while he and Tanahashi went to dinner. Both sides thought it was both an opportunity for an incredible business success for Wrestle Kingdom and a fitting tribute to Tanahashi.
- Khan said fans might see more ROH events on YouTube in the future given the success of Death Before Dishonor, Global Wars, etc.
- Khan said he sees opportunities for the AEW National Champion to defend the title in other promotions domestic & international, confirming that will happen at ROH Final Battle.
- He reiterated one of his biggest regrets is not having The Briscoes on AEW TV, but says he did the best he could. However, he still thinks about it every day.
- Khan calls DC ‘possibly the most significant sponsor’ AEW has had.
WOR: AEW & WBD, Dynamite recap, Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani, news~!
Image: AEW
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including tons of notes on AEW and WBD, ratings notes, Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani, Ricky Steamboat, the WWE Raw angle on Monday, Arena Mexico lineup, plus tons of thoughts on AEW Dynamite and Collision from Wednesday.
A packed show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Dave’s thoughts on Bob Caudle, George Tahinos
7:14: The latest on potential WBD and streaming numbers
21:45: Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani
34:55: Ricky Steamboat comments on Women’s Blood & Guts match, Cam Skattebo angle from WWE Raw gets criticism
42:20: Dave’s thoughts on the two different versions of Raw replays, CMLL notes, ratings
59:22: AEW Dynamite recap
Click Here to Listen (sub needed)
WOL: Tony Khan on Ariel Helwani, NXT fury, more!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including everything that drove Bryan nuts about NXT last night, the full Dynamite line-up for tonight’s show, tons of notes from Tony Khan’s interview with Ariel Helwani, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
Tony Khan gives update on ‘AEW Shockwave’ status
AEW no longer has any plans to launch a new show called Shockwave.
In September 2024, a trademark was filed for the term “AEW Shockwave” — which was rumored to be the name of a possible new television series the promotion was hoping to debut on Fox. A partnership between AEW and Fox has not materialized to this point. And the Shockwave name became the subject of a trademark dispute between AEW and the NWA, who had a digital series titled “NWA Shockwave” back in 2020.
Tony Khan appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show this week and was asked about his plans for Shockwave. Khan said he does not believe he’s going to use that as a show name anymore. He had a good conversation with NWA President Billy Corgan and told Corgan that the NWA is free to use Shockwave however it wants.
“Well, it’s just an idea. I file lots of different names and ideas of shows and things like that. And that was a name that I actually at the time did not know anybody else had used,” Khan said.
“I’m probably not going to do it. I had a really nice talk with Billy — Billy Corgan, who owns the NWA. I like Billy. And even before I became a wrestling promoter, I had met him. And I think he’s just a great artist, and I like him. So when I talked to him on the phone, I said, ‘If that’s a show that you might do again… if that’s something you want to do and you did it first, then you can do that. That’s fine.’ And he said, ‘Oh, that’s great. I appreciate that.’ So that was nice.”
The trademark application for “AEW Shockwave” is listed as having been abandoned on November 17, 2025.
Khan and Corgan’s conversation was also in regards to the new AEW National Championship that was recently announced. Khan confirmed that the lineage of this title is intended to be separate from the NWA National Championship that already exists.
Tony Khan addresses potential AEW interest in Killer Kross & Scarlett
Image: WWE
While AEW head Tony Khan has been open to signing free agents in the past, he has not spoken to one prominent figure: Killer Kross.
Khan was asked on Tuesday by Ariel Helwani if he has spoken to the free agent who parted ways with WWE in August along with wife, Scarlett Bordeaux.
“I have not spoken to him in many, many years,” Khan said, later adding that it would be “interesting at some point to talk to him again.”
Khan said there was “a great chance to reconnect” on the night Kross teamed with Darby Allin at a New York City indie show in early-October as he was in town with Allin for Comic Con. However, the schedule that night didn’t allow for it. Khan said Allin told him he had a great experience in the ring with Kross.
In October, Kross and Bordeaux told Chris Van Vliet that them joining AEW at that point wouldn’t be fair to Khan given the timing of their exit.
In a May 2022 report from Fightful, Kross discussed a one-off match with Khan as part of an AEW angle between MJF and Wardlow. However, they couldn’t come to terms on a deal as Bordeaux wasn’t going to be involved and Kross “was concerned that his introduction to the AEW audience would mimic that of his WWE debut against Jeff Hardy as opposed to the successful NXT formula that helped lead him to two NXT Championships.”
Kross and Bordeaux acknowledged the meeting in the Van Vliet interview with the latter saying “…but the story wasn’t — it didn’t really make sense for (Kross) at the time.”
Tony Khan hopes to have Will Ospreay return early next year
AEW President Tony Khan believes Will Ospreay will be back by next year.
Earlier this year, Will Ospreay revealed that he had been dealing with a serious neck injury. Despite battling the issue for nearly 10 months, he kept it private until finally announcing it after All In 2025. Needing surgery and extended time off, Ospreay went on hiatus following Forbidden Door 2025. Now, a few months later, Tony Khan has provided an delightful update on Ospreay’s future. Stating that The Aerial Assassin is expected to return next year, he said,
“Will Ospreay’s gonna be back with AEW, I think, hopefully earlier next year”. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani show, Khan further said, “I can’t say exactly when but it’ll be next year, and I hope it’ll be in the first half of next year.”
The Lights Out Steel Cage match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door in late August was the last time Ospreay wrestled before undergoing surgery.
Tony Khan also shares an update on Adam Cole’s injury
Alongside Will Ospreay, former TNT Champion Adam Cole also went on a hiatus earlier this year. Suffering from concussion, Cole required time-off and had to step away from in-ring action. In the same interview with Ariel Helwani, Khan shared an update on Cole’s future.
He said, “I think it would have to be the right situation for Adam [Cole] to wrestle again. I think it’s at least possible we would keep Adam as part of the family. I want to get to where he feels good about traveling and doing things every week again. I have been open with him that when he’s ready, there’s always a role in AEW for him.”
While Ospreay and Cole both recover from their serious setbacks, the former NXT Champion was recently announced as a part of the voice cast for the video game “Curiosity” from DarkBear Studios.
Tony Khan announces first time ever matches for AEW Dynamite
Two first time ever AEW matches have been added to this Wednesday’s Dynamite with big stakes.
With just a day remaining before the three-hour AEW Dynamite/Collision special on Wednesday, Tony Khan announced a match between former WWE stars Bobby Lashley and Ricochet who will clash against each other for the number one spot in the AEW National Title Casino Gauntlet match at Saturday’s AEW Full Gear.
Currently feuding in AEW, the duo have only crossed paths in trios and other multi-man matches. While Lashley and Ricochet never been in a singles in match in AEW, they have had multiple singles bouts back in WWE.
Soon after, Khan announced Shelton Benjamin vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey for the number two spot in the gauntlet match.
AEW Dynamite lineup announced for Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 | Boston, MA
Apart from the announced Ricochet and Bobby Lashley match, the TV special episode from Boston, MA, is also set to feature several other huge matches and segments. Here is the current updated list:
- Hangman Adam Page vs. Katsuyori Shibata
- Double Jeopardy match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Mascara Dorada
- AEW Women’s Tag Team title tournament quarterfinal: Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa vs. Riho and Alex Windsor
- ROH Women’s Television title unification match: Mercedes Mone vs. Red Velvet
- AEW Women’s Tag Team title tournament quarterfinal: TayJay vs. Megan Bayne & Marina Shafir
- Kenny Omega appearance
- Bobby Lashley vs. Ricochet for the no. 1 spot in the National title Casino Gauntlet match at Full Gear
- Mike Bailey vs. Shelton Benjamin for the no. 2 spot in the National title Casino Gauntlet match at Full Gear
Tony Khan feels ‘it would have to be the right situation’ for Adam Cole to wrestle again
During a Tuesday interview, AEW head Tony Khan didn’t sound confident when talking about Adam Cole resuming his in-ring career anytime soon.
Khan was asked by Ariel Helwani about Cole’s status as he’s been out since July with a concussion suffered at the Collision held the Thursday prior to the July 12 All In: Texas pay-per-view.
“I think it would have to be the right situation for Adam to wrestle again. I think it’s at least possible we would keep Adam as part of the family,” Khan said. “I want to get to where he feels good about traveling and doing things every week again. I have been open with him that when he’s ready, there’s always a role in AEW for him.”
Prior to the concussion, Khan said he was excited about what Cole had done in 2025 after returning from a lengthy injury absence following his severe ankle injury which Khan said “could have been career-ending.” He was glad Cole admitted to him that “he wasn’t feeling good about wrestling anymore” when it came to pulling out of All In: Texas.
While he didn’t shut the door on Cole returning, everyone involved would have to be comfortable with the situation.
“If he ever did want to wrestle again and it was the right situation and everyone could wrap their heads around it, so to speak, I think it could make a lot of sense,” Khan said, adding that when it comes to injuries, he always wants to evaluate whether it makes sense and the outcome would be safe for everyone involved.
Last month, Cole was announced as part of the voice cast for the video game “Curiosity” from DarkBear Studios.
Rebel thanks Tony Khan for gift after cancer diagnosis
Tony Khan and AEW are showing their support for Rebel as she battles a very difficult health situation.
Over the weekend, Rebel (Tanea Brooks) shared that she has been diagnosed with pulmonary lymphoma. The diagnosis came after a year of her battling lung issues without a definitive answer being found. What originally was thought to be cryptococcal pneumonia ended up being diagnosed as cancer after Rebel was seen by the Mayo Clinic. Along this “tumultuous journey,” she has had many health issues including a neurological disorder that has limited her movement and made it difficult for her to speak clearly.
On social media today, Rebel shared a photo holding a gift basket that Khan sent her. She thanked him for the kind words he wrote in the card.
“Thank you @tonyrkhan for the kind words and gift basket,” she wrote. “Your support means the world to me.”
After an infection that she’s battling clears up, doctors will be able to determine what kind of treatment Rebel needs. She’s hoping that cancer treatment will begin around the start of 2026.
Rebel, a former TNA wrestler, is best known to AEW fans for the on-screen pairing she had with Britt Baker. When she first joined AEW, Rebel worked backstage as a makeup artist. She remains under contract with the company.
Tony Khan addresses Adam Copeland-John Cena final WWE opponent rumors
AEW President Tony Khan has opened up about the rumors surrounding Adam Copeland potentially serving as John Cena’s final opponent.
Earlier today, Khan appeared for an interview with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show, where he responded to the ongoing speculation about Copeland’s involvement in Cena’s retirement storyline. Denying the rumors, Khan clarified that WWE had never reached out to All Elite Wrestling with such a proposal. He said,
“Never say never in wrestling, because I would imagine they could always extend [John Cena’s] date past the end of the year. But no—Adam’s going to be here with us through the year.
Adam Copeland is a huge part of AEW, and I have so much respect for him. I really, really like Adam a lot, and I’m glad to have him here. Even though he’s away filming, he’s still with us and will continue to be.”
Raw, NXT, and SmackDown stars are currently competing in the ‘Last Time is Now’ tournament to determine Cena’s final opponent for the December 13th edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. While, Copeland was also a rumored participant, it never happened. Interestingly, Matt Cardona, aka, Zack Ryder and Nic Nemeth as Dolph Ziggler made their surprise returns in the tournament.
Tony Khan addresses WWE-AEW counterprogramming tactics
In the same interview with Ariel Helwani, Khan opened up in detail about WWE’s recent counterprogramming tactics.
“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.”
“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.”
Earlier this year, WWE clashed directly with AEW All In with their Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution 2025. It later followed it up with NXT Heatwave against Forbidden Door 2025 and WrestlePalooza against All Out 2025.
Tony Khan says he & Miro ‘at times had different visions of things’ during AEW run
Image: JJ Williams
AEW head Tony Khan addressed Miro’s departure from the company earlier this year and acknowledged they had some differences on the creative end of things.
Khan spoke to Ariel Helwani on Tuesday and during a segment in which he was asked about specific wrestlers, Helwani inquired about the current Rusev in WWE and what happened in AEW.
“I think he and I just, at times, had different visions of things. That’s ok because everyone is entitled to different opinions and different ideas,” Khan said. “We just kind of drifted into some different ideas of what we should be doing and that’s ok.”
Khan noted Miro/Rusev had worked in WWE before and “clearly that was a good experience for him so clearly he was excited to go back and did go back. I wish him the best.”
The 39-year-old was released from his AEW contract this past February after requesting it initially in the early fall of 2024. The former TNT Champion hadn’t wrestled in AEW since December 2023’s Worlds End pay-per-view after initially debuting in September 2020. He wrestled just 36 times for AEW during his run.
He returned to WWE this past April on the Raw after WrestleMania. His wife, Lana/CJ Perry, signed a WWE Legends deal at the same time but has not been seen on TV.
Updates on AEW status of Andrade, Chris Jericho & Britt Baker
Image: JJ Williams
As part of a wide-ranging interview with Ariel Helwani Tuesday, AEW head Tony Khan was asked about the status of several big name wrestlers in addition to his relationship with UFC head Dana White.
Andrade El Idolo
Khan was careful when talking about the contractual situation of Andrade El Idolo, reiterating when he initially left AEW, it was on the “best of terms.” Khan said he was thrilled to see him again and whenever he is free, he hopes to work with him again.
When asked if Andrade misrepresented his status following his departure from WWE that reportedly has come with a one-year non-compete, Khan said he couldn’t speak to that.
Andrade reappeared with AEW in October after his firing from WWE and attacked Kenny Omega. However, he quickly disappeared off TV afterward.
Chris Jericho
Similar to Andrade, Khan reiterated his past sentiments about wanting Chris Jericho to return. He said he couldn’t speak to when Jericho could return but that he’s always welcome to come in. The former AEW World Champion hasn’t been on AEW TV since this past April.
Asked about where he has been, Khan said some of it is just working out the dates and wouldn’t confirm when Jericho’s contract is up (Jericho had previously said his deal is up at year’s end.)
Khan says he hopes to have Jericho back in AEW and that when you are dealing with talents like that, you have to negotiate a certain number of dates.
Britt Baker
Khan again reiterated some of his past comments and that he’s really had some good talks with Baker. “I’m still looking for the right time with Britt,” he said, adding that he “would love to have her back in AEW. Britt is going to be back, I really believe, in AEW and I hope soon. It has to be the right situation for her and everyone involved. I want to make sure she’s 100% and that’s important to me.”
Baker hasn’t wrestled for AEW since November 2024.
Dana White
Despite Dana White being under TKO’s umbrella with the UFC, Khan said he and White are “still close” and recently attended a University of Miami football game with several Jacksonville Jaguars executives, Dan Lambert, and White.
For more coverage of Khan’s hour-long talk with Helwani, visit our AEW section.
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:
Tony Khan defends decision to air CM Punk AEW backstage altercation footage
Airing backstage footage of CM Punk’s altercation with Jack Perry from AEW All In 2023 is a decision that Tony Khan stands by.
The footage aired on an episode of Dynamite in April 2024 in response to comments Punk had made on The Ariel Helwani Show. During his own interview with Helwani today, Khan addressed the decision to show the footage on television and explained why he thought it made sense to do so.
“I didn’t necessarily agree with the description of how it all happened,” Khan said about how Punk described the altercation. “I didn’t necessarily agree with everything that was said in that interview about how things happened.
“But also, it’s a TV show and it did a very strong number. So, for many reasons, I think that it made sense. And it was a thing that was advertised, and it got a lot of attention that did a very strong number. And also, it’s in the eye of the beholder.”
Helwani asked Khan if there’s anything specific he wants to refute about what Punk said.
“I think the tape spoke for itself,” Khan responded. “And I think that I didn’t agree with how it happened. And obviously, it was a major part of why things were no longer able to continue with us, even though I would have liked to have been able to and it’s clear that I wanted to reconcile and do those things.”
Khan said AEW had some great times while Punk was there, but he believes AEW was on a great run before Punk debuted and is on a great run now. At this moment in time, Khan believes the AEW roster is better than it has ever been.
The altercation with Perry led to Punk being terminated from his AEW contract and then returning to WWE shortly after. He’s once again become one of the top stars in WWE, currently holding the World Heavyweight Championship.
“I think AEW’s doing really well right now, and I’m really happy with what the people on the shows are doing. It wasn’t the first time that [Punk] and I disagreed about something, and it may not ever be the last. And that’s okay,” Khan said.
“But I had tried to reconcile and I wanted to find a way for everybody to be able to work together, and that didn’t work. And that’s okay. It seems like everybody is happier and doing better right now. I know in AEW right now everybody is really happy.