Tony Khan had an interesting topic to bring up in conversation when talking to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
On top of running AEW, Khan is also heavily involved in the NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is owned by his father Shad Khan. looking to cross-promote wherever possible, Khan has discussed AEW while appearing on NFL programming and has frequently had wrestlers as guests at Jags games. With some in the NFL unfamiliar with the top stars of All Elite Wrestling, Khan found a rather unique way to introduce his World Champion to Goodell.
While being interviewed by TV Insider, Khan was very complimentary of Swerve Strickland and recalled how he told the commissioner about the violent Texas Death Match between Strickland and Adam Page at Full Gear 2023. When the topic of the staple gun came up, Strickland confirmed he was assaulted with the object:
“Swerve is a great wrestler. I also brought him to meet my dad and the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell on the sidelines at the Jaguars Monday Night Football game. That was cool because Swerve is a huge football fan. He really enjoyed that. I was telling Goodell about Swerve versus Hangman Page. I mentioned to him how Swerve got stapled in the face. Roger looked at him and said, “Really? He got stapled in the face for real?” Swerve was smiling and said, “Yeah it’s true.”
Khan continued and added that when Goodell walked away he told Strickland that although the topic of the match came up, the most divisive spot did not:
“After Roger walked away I said, “ Well, Swerve you just met the commissioner of the NFL. I was telling him about the staples in the face, but did you notice I conveniently left out the drinking blood part? He started dying laughing. I love bringing the NFL and AEW together on that day and this week. Making lemonade out of lemons, I brought my recovery to the NFL Draft this year. I was blessed that Rich Eisen gave it so much coverage on the broadcast several times. He is doing great things with St. Jude through Run Rich Run. It’s such an awesome cause.”
Tony Khan Hints At New Onscreen Figure
Khan has continued to sell the attack by The Elite that took place on the April 24th episode of Dynamite. According to the latest update, Khan has been advised not to travel to the taping in Winnipeg. With AEW in the middle of a “Power struggle”, Tony Khan has teased a new authority figure may be introduced.