Wrestling Observer

Pro wrestling news & podcasts on WWE, AEW, NXT, ROH, NJPW | Home of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan & Vinny

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

WOL: it's Thursday here on the program and we have a lot to talk about, a busy PLE weekend across many brands, AEW Forbidden Door, TNA news, and so much more ~!

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[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Tony Khan said "absolutely yes" to a question of whether he has interest in MyAEW being a broadcaster for a week of indie wrestling action ahead of a big event like next year's Revolution might be shaping up to be.

He said there's a lot of interest from promoters to do something around an AEW event, noting that fans could see something around August's All In as local promoters have reached out with interest in collaborating.

(AEW Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked if he would be interested in buying TNA, Tony Khan asked at what price? When given the option of $40 million, he said no.

He said TNA has value, but would have to be at the right price. It's not the top priority as an acquisition right now and nothing he's had serious conversations about. He said it could be interesting if the purchase was right, but noted that was the way with a lot of things in life.

(AEW Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked about the challenge in keeping FD special and unpredictable while balancing storyline needs with partners given it's an annual event, Khan said it creates a different process and has been honest with them in delivering what he said he will. He puts over the CMLL relationship and how sharing a continent has made it easier for talent like Mistico and Persephone to appear on shows.

(AEW Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked if he's interested in more dual contracts, Tony Khan said it's worked out quite well with CMLL and while there are opportunities to do that as well with NJPW and/or Stardom, "it takes two to tango" and hasn't been a focus as of now.

(AEW Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked about major surprises and debuts at FD given the free agents linked to AEW, Tony Khan points out that many of the names that have been linked are still under contract with another promotion.

(AEW Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked if Puerto Rico is a priority market for AEW in the future, Tony Khan says that it is and he's very interested given their wrestling history and fans.

(AEW Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked about if the World Cup is affecting AEW, Tony Khan said he's watching it very closely both for the sport itself and the dates in terms of putting his matches in the best possible position.

He said last night's Dynamite was a great night to put Mistico and Bandido in prominent positions before the Mexico WC game started.

He mentioned there are opportunities to work with FIFA and venues, mentioning Claudio Castagnoli going to do FD media when Switzerland played in the Bay Area recently.

(Forbidden Door media call)

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked if there is interest in library acquisition for MyAEW like Lucha Underground and PWG, Tony Khan said he is interested in promoting companies and working with active promotions on MyAEW and their wrestlers. He said buying a library depends on the situation and the only one he's ever done is ROH.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked about the recent NJPW ownership change during the FD call, Tony Khan said it was an "interesting transaction and something to keep an eye on."

He said there are no changes in terms of how AEW works with them as it's the same administration he worked with earlier this year and last year in Tanahashi and Gedo. He is looking forward to working with the new owners and that the continuity hasn't changed to this point.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

On the FD call when asked about Jack Perry's future in AEW given the recent stories on contract negotiations, Tony Khan put him over strong and that the plan is to have him remain in AEW for "a long time." He didn't give any other details on when he hopes a deal will be finalized.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

On the FD media call, Tony Khan said Sareee came to AEW ready to wrestle against Skye Blue and was armed with clearance from her doctor, but AEW medical personnel didn't clear her as they didn't feel it was safe for her to wrestle that night in the Owen Hart tournament.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked on the FD media call about the status of Toni Storm, Keith Lee, Britt Baker and Jay White, Tony Khan said all of them are in different positions and some are closer to coming back than others. He didn't give any further info.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked on the media call if visa issues affected the AEW Forbidden Door card, Tony Khan says "it has been a massive challenge for this event" as has injuries.

He specifically mentioned Hechicero, Komander, Gabe Kidd, Beast Mortos and Mark Davis as those going through the process. He also mentioned he's wanted some Stardom wrestlers in, but have also had issues.

He hopes to have all them back soon.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked about the possibility of adding NJPW, Stardom and CMLL as strategic content partners on MyAEW, Tony Khan says those conversations have taken place with CMLL but points out that NJPW has New Japan World.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked about whether the ROH Tag Team titles will be on the line at FD if there's a title change Friday, Tony Khan said it was presumptive to assume any result for Friday. When the three-way was signed, he said it wasn't factored in.

[Wrestling Observer @WONF4W]

Asked by our @davemeltzerWON to confirm if there will be 10 AEW PPVs this year with the addition of July's Redemption, Tony Khan confirms by saying Redemption will be the tenth PPV on the calendar this year.