AEW President Tony Khan has promised that there are more surprises on the way, hinting that he might soon be adding to his talent roster.
2021 has been a year of incredible growth for AEW, both in terms of their fanbase and their now stacked roster. Early in the the year the company added Christian Cage, Andrade El Idolo and Malakai Black before adding huge names such as CM Punk, Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole. The end result is a locker room that is arguably stronger than it has ever been.
Not that Tony Khan is resting on laurels, in fact that AEW boss has hinted that there could be more arrivals on the way.
Appearing on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, said that he was looking forward to finishing the year strong, promising more surprises, adding that he plans to remain active in signing “great wrestlers.”
“There’s more to come, more surprises to come. I plan to be still active in signing great wrestlers, and I think it’s a great time to be a fan.”
During the conversation, Tony Khan also addressed his relationship with Eric Bischoff. Despite enjoying a strong working relationship, the two men have clashed in more recent times becoming involved in a war of words through a series of interviews.
The former WCW President criticised Khan for trying to talk up a wrestling war with WWE, his handling of CM Punk’s AEW run to date, at one point declaring that he “didn’t have a f**king idea” what he’s talking about.
For his part, Khan openly discussed not wanting to make the same mistakes as WCW in the past, branding many of the recent comments from Bischoff “laughable.”
Reflecting on the back and forth, Khan said that the pair haven’t spoken in a while but he has great respect for his friend.
“We haven’t talked in a while, I probably should at some point [reach out] to Eric because we’re friends.”
“WCW had their own buildings,” Khan stated. “They ran all over the country and had domed stadiums, and nobody’s done anything like that in the live attendance world since. That’s one of the reasons I have so much respect for Eric Bischoff.”
Khan explained that he felt it was important that they have a good relationship, as they represent two of only three men act as president of a wrestling company in the modern era.
“There’s only been three pro wrestling presidents in my lifetime that have had a big run and he’s one of them,” Khan explained. “Vince McMahon’s one of them. And now, thanks to the great wrestling fans, now I’m one of them. And so there’s only three of us, so it’s important for us to have a good relationship.”
One of AEW’s recent big-name signings Bryan Danielson stands on the brink of the AEW World Championship. After becoming the number one contender at Full Gear, it has been confirmed that Danielson will meet champion Hangman Adam Page at Winter is Coming.
H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.