Tony Schiavone has taken to social media to give an explanation for AEW President Tony Khan’s appearance on AEW Dark: Elevation.
Khan appeared on the new AEW show commentated on by Schiavone and Paul Wight to make a match between AEW Champion Kenny Omega and Matt Sydal. After Sydal and his brother had competed in tag team action, Omega would interrupt their backstage interview. Omega would challenge Sydal to face his sidekick Michael Nakazawa. Should Sydal win, he would face Omega on Dynamite, and should he beat the champion, Sydal would be granted a shot at the gold.
Sydal defeated Nakazawa but immediately following the match Omega would attack. Omega then said he would face Sydal there and then before delivering the One-Winged Angel to Sydal. Declaring that to be the promised match, Omega would pin Sydal as Nakazawa made the referee count to three.
An irate Khan made his way to the stage to tell Omega that he would face Sydal in nine days. Khan also let Sydal know that the stipulation stood that if he beat Omega he received an AEW World Title shot.
This is the first time Khan has been seen on AEW television as an authority figure. Something that Khan has reportedly been reluctant to do. AEW announcer Tony Schiavone tweeted the reason that Khan had to step in.
Schiavone stated:
“I know @TonyKhan very well. He never wants to take up TV time with an appearance, but needed to deliver a message tonight on #Elevation to an out-of-control Kenny Omega. He’s never done that on Dynamite and never intends to, but tonight he was the only one that could do it. @AEW”
I know @TonyKhan very well. He never wants to take up TV time with an appearance, but needed to deliver a message tonight on #Elevation to an out-of-control Kenny Omega. He’s never done that on Dynamite and never intends to, but tonight he was the only one that could do it. @AEW
— Tony Schiavone (@tonyschiavone24) March 16, 2021
Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone have both been seen regularly on IMPACT Wrestling in recent months. Appearing together in ‘paid advertisements’ during IMPACT on AXS TV. The two men take shots at IMPACT while promoting AEW events.