by Amy Nemmity with Wrestle Joy will be on the AEW Media Call with Tony Khan as we head into All Out, Live on PPV this Sunday September 5th. This thread will be updated as the call goes on.
Tony Khan on putting together the card for All Out:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
We have so many great stars, which gives me the ability to book a lot of great matches. All Out has the biggest card we've ever presented, period, and it's been a long time in the making.
Q Stephanie Chase#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says CM Punk has been 18 months in the making. Talks about the Jericho Cruise, talking with Darby about Revolution w/ Sammy. He wanted to build to an epic come back, and he got one of the biggest pops in Atlanta, coming back with Mox. Says Darby is on fire. #AEWAllOut
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan says that in some ways it's the most work to put this kind of card together, but that the reward for the fans and everyone else is going to be incredible. It's a great card and people are going to be really excited about this show. #AEWAllOut
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan says the wrestling business has changed since The Rock/Stone Cold, and says it might even be better. You can make more now than you ever could in the past, engagement is different, and we will keep delivering great shows with great engagement.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Q Sean Radican#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says that he has put in 8 figures of his own money into #AEWGames and he's very excited with how it's going. It's going to be profitable and exciting. He also invested his own into Dynamite, until it very quickly became a proving ground for TNT. #AEWAllOut
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan says he will continue to invest in the business. He's still a huge fan, he's been where we are, writing about matches, fantasy booking, and talking excitedly about it. Wants to maintain momentum by maintaining the essence of pro wrestling. #AEWAllOut
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan says wrestling is a huge part of his lifestyle, and wants wrestling to be a huge part of the lifestyle for fans. He wants wrestling to be something people look forward to coming home from work/school, and it being a bit part of our lives.#AEWAllOut
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan on #AEWDARK @ Universal
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Dynamite/Rampage are the A shows. Dark/Elevation are great shows, you'll see big stars there, and stars that have been developed there and have rocketed upwards.
Likens it to WCW Worldwide that was also taped there.
Q Garrett Martin#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says Universal Studios will be a great place for veterans as well as developing young talents. The fans that come will see some top stars and great wrestling.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
"I want to bring back the spirit of WCW Worldwide, which holds a great place in my heart"#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan on Trios Title
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
It would be great to add a trios title. Right now, it's a lot of stuff. We have three hours of major TV with different formats. As we grow, there's definitely a place for that, and for other championships to expand, too.
Q Voices of Wrestling#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
"In the future, a trios championship would really kick ass."#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan: Dark and Elevation have, up to this point, been taped in the arenas along with Dynamite/Rampage. We will continue Elevation live, Dark specifically will be most weeks at the studio format with Universal Studios.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Q Jim Varsallone#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
There used to be a lot of camaraderie in the wrestling business, and I'd like to get back to that. I loan a lot of talent out, and the Chris Jericho Cruise is no exception. Will have Rampage that Friday, Dynamite Saturday, and the cruise should be great fun.#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan on AEW's position in goals/targets from TK.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
I was hoping to get a big contract extension for Dynamite, and we did that faster than anyone anticipated, 4 months after we were on the air.
Things have fallen into place faster than I ever would have expected#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan on AEW West and Itn'l Travel:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Plans to expand internationally next year. Says Craven Cottage being a home for AEW in the UK would be great. Will come out west next year, esp for Double or Nothing in Vegas, barring plans changing with the pandemic.#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says he's not sure there's such a thing as a Full Roster. People & stories are all evolving & changing. Unlike football, he's not capped by a salary cap or roster size. Parameters are how much they can grow, evolve, and maintain momentum.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Big Gold Belt Media#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says 2.0 specifically have been super valuable to AEW. They, along with Daniel Garcia have a huge amount of potential. The trio fit the need for a spot they had at the time.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Not every signing has to be CM Punk. New fresh faces can help a great deal. #AEWAllOut
Tony Khan on the Forbidden Door
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Great unique relationships with Billy (NWA), Konnan (AAA), Scott/Ed (Impact), and NJPW Pro Wrestling with Gedo/Rocky Romero, who he says he really likes a lot. Says he's done a LOT of favors, hoping for great karma.
Q: Ego TV Israel#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan on collaborating with CM Punk:
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
We're having a great time. I had a great time in the trailer last night putting things together, at dinner, etc. The First Dance, Darby. He has a great mind, and he's a fun, cool guy with interesting ideas.
Q Michael Johnson#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says he has open collaboration with everyone. Kenny Omega and the stolen keys, Mox, Britt Baker, etc. We have an open line of communication and a lot of sharing of ideas with what we do in AEW. #AEWALLOUT
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan on Sting: Originally, he came in fairly tentative, but it was about pacing. His character has evolved in a really cool way. It wouldn't make sense for him to come in & get real physical, he had to ease into it. Now he's having the time of his life. #AEWALLOUT
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan says that some of the stuff CM PUNK was asked to do before he left wrestling didn't make any sense.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
He says that if there's ever someone who has something that doesn't make sense, they have an open line of communication. All the time. #AEWALLOUT
Tony Khan says he never wants his wrestlers to feel like they've been put in a bad position, and wants to keep those lines of communication open. He may be the President, CEO, and booker, but that doesn't mean he's not open to conversation/collaboration.#AEWALLOUT
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan on the AEW Women's Division
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Is working with other companies in addition to AEW, specifically with NWA, was really excited about that. Casino Battle Royale has a much better roster, lots of great stars participating. Expects a great match at All Out.#AEWAllOut
Tony Khan says AEW Dark ended up being a developmental show for much of the roster. Spent hours and hours taping during the pandemic, working a lot with the women's division, devoting an entire day in an empty arena. SO much growth in this year. #AEWALLOUT
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan shouts Red Velvet, Tay Conti, and Thunder Rosa as people who've come in during the pandemic era, and have taken off with fans.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Anna Jay's return got a huge pop and he was really excited to see that. Has high hopes for the Casino Battle Royale#AEWALLOUT
Tony Khan says there's no disrespect being on the Buy-In. We've had Hangman Page, MJF, and other big stars in that position repeatedly.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Matt Hardy, Jungle Boy, Orange Cassidy, Luchasaurus, Private Party, Best Friends, those are all on the Buy-In. #AEWALLOUT
"Matt Hardy was excited to be in the Buy-In. Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy were really excited too. The Best Friends were excited for that spot.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Except Orange Cassidy. He doesn't get excited about anything."
-Tony Khan#AEWALLOUT
Tony Khan says pre-show matches aren't something that dismisses people or their talents. Looks back to when he saw Stone Cold on a pre-show match. Says the narrative that the Buy-In isn't worthy of the main card needs to change. It's a great position to be in. #AEWALLOUT
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan puts over Kenny Omega as having a great eye for scouting talent, and spends a lot of time with him going over the roster, and looking at talents they can bring in. Says the joshi talent have been incredible. #AEWALLOUT
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Breaking: Tony Khan announces that Riho will be in the AEW Women's Casino Battle Royale, along with Shida, Emi Sakura, and the rest of the announced talent.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Says there will be more surprises in store. #AEWALLOUT
Tony Khan says that @Jade_Cargill has a world of potential and is doing really great in AEW. Definitely someone to keep an eye on. #AEWAllOut
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Tony Khan says the TNT Championship is NOT a midcard title. The only people who've held it so far is Cody Rhodes, Brodie Lee, Darby Allin, and Miro.
— 🔥Phoenix🔥 (@AmyNemmity) September 2, 2021
Says it's a prestigious title, and none of the championships have been a stretch. #AEWALLOUT
