AEW’s President and CEO Tony Khan feels as though he hasn’t received enough credit for what he provided to women’s wrestling during NWA EmPowerrr. Spearheaded by Mickie James along with a slew of other big named producers such as Gail Kim, Jazz, amd more, NWA’s all-female pay-per-view event was a huge success.
With the emergence of EmPowerrr capitalized by the return of IMPACT’s Knockouts Knockdown, Khan was recently asked in a Full Gear media press conference if he would go the same route for an all women’s event. The question was asked by Ella Jay of SEScoops and the answer wasn’t exactly what was expected.
The AEW President cut off answering Ella Jay’s question and went a different route feeling that he personally has not been given enough credit for what he has contributed recently to women’s wrestling.
“I don’t think I get enough credit for what I did for the NWA show because a good number of people who wrestled on the NWA show were wrestlers I sent and paid. I do think I contributed because the highest-paid wrestlers on that show were people I paid separately what they already make in AEW to go wrestle on that show. I don’t think they did a very good job of telling people that. I wish they told more people that because it was one of the points I made when we closed it, ‘I think it would be nice if you told people I’m paying the wrestlers’ because it is a big contribution from me. I did pay the wrestlers for that show. It’s like when you pay for a dinner and nobody thanks you. That was one thing. I have really been making a big effort to grow and improve the women’s division and I think I have made a lot of strides with your women’s division.”
Khan continues, “As a company, we’ve added big free agents and I’m really excited with what is happening with the TBS tournament right now. Among the big free agents are Thunder Rose, who came over from the NWA, and Ruby Soho. I had a great conversation with Ruby. She’s in the TBS tournament and has been in a lot of tournaments. I was talking to her about the tournament and she’s the ultimate straight shooter and she said she loves this tournament and has never been in a tournament like this and loves all the stories in it. There’s a story building with her and Kris Statlander. I’m excited for Jade vs. Red Velvet, Shida vs. Nyla Rose, and we’ve seen great build towards Thunder Rosa vs. Jamie Hayter. I have been and am trying to actively make big strides in women’s wrestling. As far as stuff that’s been happening on the all-women’s shows at other places, I’ve made great contributions, including financial contributions, which they could have done a better job telling people about. “ [h/t – Fightful]
At NWA EmPowerrr, some AEW stars such as Red Velvet, KiLynn King, Diamante, and Leyla Hirsch were a part of that event. Not all of these women have received the ‘All Elite’ banner to confirm them as full-time contracted talent within the company. As the event approached, Khan did have Kamille appear on AEW programming to advertise her match against Hirsch for the NWA World Women’s Championship. A title that was defended on AEW programming when both Thunder Rosa and Serena Deeb held the belt.
Since this response from Khan, he has reached out privately to Ella Jay to apologize.
What are your thoughts on his response? Join the discussion below.
