AEW President Tony Khan runs the company in the way he sees fit, but that doesn’t always give good results. In fact, it seems that many talent in AEW have no respect for Tony Khan at all.
While speaking on the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, Konnan said that Tony Khan is basically a money mark who got into places most people couldn’t and often throws tantrums. He said Khan doesn’t have real leadership skills, saying that leaders are either born with them or taught, but Khan isn’t a natural leader. Instead, he comes off weak and indecisive, often saying one thing and then changing his mind.
“He’s a money mark and was able to get into the places most people wouldn’t, and throwing tantrums. And you know, this is what—what can he do, what can he do? Bro, first of all, you have to have leadership qualities. You’re either born with them or somebody teaches them to you, but he’s not a natural leader. He’s not a strong leader. He’s very wishy-washy. He’ll tell you one thing, then another, and then another, and you’re like, ‘Bro, you told me this, and you told me that, but now you’re telling me this.’”
According to Konnan, many people around Khan don’t want to argue because they’re getting paid, so they just go along with whatever he wants to do. Some even admit they don’t care about the ideas as long as they get their paycheck, which Konnan thinks is a bad situation to be in.
Konnan also said Khan knows he has the power, but a lot of wrestlers don’t really respect him. Konnan made it clear this isn’t about CMLL, being left out, or bitterness on his part.
Konnan insisted he’s just being honest, pointing out that others like Jake Hager have said similar things. He believes more people will eventually speak up and agree with him. Konnan ended by saying he has no reason to lie or make stuff up; he’s simply telling it how it is.
“And then, you know, a lot of people don’t want to make waves. They’re getting paid, and they’re like, ‘Whatever he wants to f****** do.’ And I don’t want to say names, because there’s people that I tell him, I go, ‘Why do you do that?’ He goes, ‘Tony’s idea.’ And I go, ‘Why do you go along with it?’ He goes, ‘I don’t give a f***. Just pay me.’
And when you’re working like that, that’s not a good place to be. And he knows he has the power. And he’s not a guy that a lot of the boys over there that talk to me respect.
And that has nothing to do with he went to work with CMLL, or he doesn’t want to use me, or any other stupid excuse that you can come up with because I’m bitter against him. No, I’m telling you how it is. You’re hearing it from Jack Swagger. You’ve heard bits and pieces from other people, and as time goes on you’re going to hear even more. And at the end, people will go, ‘You know what, Konnan was right,’ because I don’t have any reason to lie. I don’t have any reason to make s*** up. There’s no reason. I’m telling you as it is.”
This comes after Jake Hager accused Tony Khan of treating wrestlers like playthings. Regardless, it’s clear Tony Khan will not change the way he runs AEW and fans will have to accept that.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
Do you believe Tony Khan hasn’t done anything to get respect from AEW talent? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
September 2, 2025 6:19 am
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