Browsing: Khan

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AEW WrestleDream saw the return of “The Icon,” Sting, who helped his once-protege during his brutal I-Quit match against Jon Moxley, after the Death Riders took one too many liberties to turn the tide in Moxley’s favor. Naturally, since Sting was back in action for a segment, Tony Khan was asked about “The Icon’s” status with AEW during the WrestleDream presser.

“Sting’s still a huge part of AEW and he’s still part of the family,” Khan said, noting how the legend has been away for some time off screen but has still been around backstage. “We did get to see him in Philadelphia, and he was at the show, and we did a tribute to one of his mentors: the late-great ‘Hotstuff’ Eddie Gilbert.”Â

Khan added how he’s spoke to Sting in the past about a special one-off return when needed and claimed that “The Icon” was on board with coming back, especially if it had anything to do with Darby Alllin. The AEW President went on to note how deep the bond is between Sting and Allin, and recalled how they reacted to each other the day he introduced them.Â

“Who would’ve ever thought what the partnership could ever yield? That they would have gone on this run, that they would have the greatest tag team run in all of AEW,” Khan recalled. The AEW President further emphasized that there’s no “showbusiness” between the two, and teased that if Allin ever gets into a situation he can’t handle on his own, Sting will always be there to help him.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the AEW WrestleDream Presser and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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Tony Khan has commented on the WrestleDream steaming issues.

During the PPV post show, the AEW President was asked about the Amazon Prime video feed cutting multiple times during the show. Khan mentioned that it was something completely out of their control:

“Itâ€s something out of AEWâ€s control. It was a technical problem with the Amazon delivery. I think our other streams are unaffected. It was something with their systems internally there.”

Some fans were able to get refunds from Amazon after complaining to their helpdesk. The E-commerce giant however has not addressed the issues officially or announced wider compensation for everyone who bought the PPV through them.

Tony Khan mentioned how the whole thing reminded him of similar issues with Death Before Dishonor PPV earlier this year. At that time, the company had given free Honor Club credits to users and put the whole show on YouTube for free:

“I thought the show was perfect, the wrestling was perfect and the replayâ€s gonna be available there for everybody through them and I think theyâ€ll address that and hopefully Amazon will get that figured out but for AEW, everybody here did a fantastic job.

I was really glad to hear that HBO Max delivered the pay-per-view without any issues. All of our other providers did really well. But that was an unusual thing and it did remind me because we had a problem with just certain web browsers that were affected for that Death Before Dishonor show and in that case, I was able to at least address it because it was a streaming service that I owned,â€

Apart from this, Tony Khan also addressed the surprising absence of Bryan Danielson from WrestleDream commentary and gave two different reasons for it. You can check out what he said here.

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Image: JJ Williams

AEW stars spoke to the media following AEW WrestleDream.

Brodido, Kris Statlander, Kyle Fletcher, and Tony Khan all took questions following the events of Saturday’s AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view in St. Louis, Missouri. Here are the highlights:

Bandido and Brody King

• When asked about his upcoming match against Kazuchika Okada on Wednesday, Bandido said they were going to see who is the best.
• Talking about his struggles to get where he is now, Bandido said he had a concussion at the start of the year but everyone still believed in him. He is blessed for his life and for himself as a person, heâ€s really happy with everything and hopes to do the best for all the fans.

Kris Statlander

• Statlander was asked if she wanted to headline Full Gear next month against Mercedes Mone and have it be a title for title match. She said that while sheâ€d love that, itâ€s okay if it isnâ€t. This is her moment to beat her, sheâ€ll do it any time of the week.
• When asked how she reinvents herself, Statlander says she’s still in the process of things and commented how it isn’t nice to shame someone for not knowing who they are immediately upon their debut on a national stage.
• Statlander mentioned that Marina Shafir might be someone to challenge her for the title, but she is open to any and all challengers, even Wheeler Yuta.

Kyle Fletcher

• Fletcher was asked if this was it between himself and Mark Briscoe. He replied that the score seems to suggest that, but things change in pro wrestling constantly.
• When asked about his World Championship aspirations, Fletcher said that he wanted to focus on the TNT title. He does want to be the greatest of all time, so itâ€s absolutely in his mind, itâ€s just a matter of when.
• He says he has not checked in on Will Ospreay and immediately asked for the next question.
• Regarding next challengers for the TNT title, Fletcher said heâ€ll be at Dynamite on Wednesday and anyone that faces him will meet the same result.

Tony Khan

• Khan called this event one of the greatest shows the company has held.
• Renee Paquette mentioned that Jon Moxley’s arm was bleeding following the show as the fish tank got him really bad.
• Khan said Lou Theszâ€s wife Charlie enjoyed the show and was blown away, saying he was glad she was there live.
• When asked about the Amazon Prime issues, Khan said that was something on Amazon’s end but thankfully other feeds were fine. He was dissapointed that both Death Before Dishonor and this show, two of his favorite shows, had feed problems.
• Khan said Bryan Danielson had a family obligation and thatâ€s why he wasnâ€t at the show tonight, saying it was probably best to take that commitment considering the main event.
• Regarding another cross-promotional event during Wrestle Kingdom weekend, Khan seemed to insinuate that the weekend should be focused on Hiroshi Tanahashiâ€s retirement. He said that Konosuke Takeshitaâ€s win was a big deal, putting over his history with the company and said that Takeshita was an AEW guy.
• Regarding a future Okada vs. Takeshita title for title match, Khan said it would be a very interesting thing to happen, but has no control over the IWGP World Championship in NJPW. It would be something to keep an eye on. Heâ€s excited about Bandido vs, Okada this Wednesday on Dynamite.

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You never know when a technical issue will ruin your day. This is more true for some than others, but certain AEW fans didnâ€t have the best night during WrestleDream.

AEW WrestleDream 2025 went down on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. That being said, it wasnâ€t the smoothest show for every fan. AEW saw a lot of issues on Amazon Prime during WrestleDream. That was a subject Tony Khan had already been educated on.

During the press conference after their pay-per-view, Tony Khan was asked about the WrestleDream issues on Amazon Prime. He simply explained that it wasnâ€t AEWâ€s doing, but he seemed hopeful that these issues wouldnâ€t continue in the future.

“Yeah, itâ€s something thatâ€s out of AEWâ€s control. It was a technical problem with Amazon delivery. Our other streams were unaffected, but I think itâ€s the other systems there. It does remind me of something that happened during ROH Death Before Dishonor.â€

Tony Khan said that everyone in AEW did a great job. HBO Max also delivered during the show, but Amazon Prime has some issues to iron out. He remained positive about the fact that Amazon will fix things.

We will have to see if AEW is able to fix these issues with Amazon Prime. This was out of their control, but this was certainly a learning experience.

Whatâ€s your take on Amazon Prime going out during AEW WrestleDream? Do you believe that these issues will keep you from buying another AEW pay-per-view? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

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Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File) Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has removed Lahore Qalandars from his social media bio, following his countryâ€s decision to withdraw from the upcoming tri-nation T20I series in Pakistan. The withdrawal comes in protest against recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, which reportedly killed eight civilians, including three young cricketers.

Rashid Khan X handle

Rashid, widely regarded as one of Afghanistanâ€s most influential cricketers, had previously listed all his major teams on X (formerly Twitter), including the national side, Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, and Lahore Qalandars in the PSL. The latest update now shows the Qalandars removed, leaving only his IPL and BBL affiliations alongside the Afghanistan national team.

Pak-Afghan Border Clash: Airstrike Kills 3 Afghan Cricketers, ACB and Rashid Khan Blast Islamabad

The change followed a strongly worded statement from Rashid condemning the airstrikes and expressing support for the Afghanistan Cricket Boardâ€s (ACB) decision to pull out of the series scheduled in Lahore from November 17 to 29. The tri-series was to feature Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

Rashid Khan post on X

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes — a tragedy that claimed women, children, and young cricketers aspiring to represent Afghanistan on the global stage,†Rashid wrote on X. “These unlawful actions are a grave violation of human rights. I fully support the ACBâ€s decision to withdraw. Our national dignity must come first.â€The ACB confirmed that the three cricketers killed in the attacks — Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — were from Paktikaâ€s Urgun district, while seven others were injured.Afghan players have expressed strong reactions to the incident. All-rounder Gulbadin Naib posted: “This brutal act by the Pakistani army is an assault on our people, pride, and independence, but it will never break the Afghan spirit.â€The move by Rashid Khan, both in public statements and his bio update, underscores the growing tension and the emotional toll of the attacks on Afghan cricket, as the team takes a firm stand on national dignity and respect for the lives lost.

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Tony Khan has officially introduced AEWâ€s womenâ€s tag team championships, but he isnâ€t giving everything away just yet.

Speaking during the AEW WrestleDream Preview with Conrad Thompson, Khan confirmed that more details will be revealed after WrestleDream wraps up. While discussing the Tailgate Brawl pre-show and highlighting the womenâ€s tag match featuring Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron against Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford, Khan used the moment to make the confirmation clear:

“Thereâ€s womenâ€s tag team championships coming very soon, okay? More to be talked about that coming out of this pay-per-view, but weâ€ve got womenâ€s tag titles coming to AEW.â€

The announcement makes it clear that AEW is investing deeper into its womenâ€s division, but the specifics — including the official tournament format, the timeline for crowning the inaugural champions, and the championship belt details — will most likely be revealed in the aftermath of WrestleDream.

By tying the reveal to the fallout of the pay-per-view, Khan has positioned the womenâ€s tag titles as the next big development for AEW programming. This ensures fan anticipation stays high while also signaling that the womenâ€s division is about to get a major spotlight in the weeks ahead.

How do you think the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship titles should be determined? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

October 18, 2025 11:39 am

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Tony Khan has narrated the origins of AEW and how it came to be following a chance meeting with the TBS and TNT president.

Khan, a lifelong pro wrestling fan, stated in a recent interview with “Going Ringside” that he pitched the idea of a new pro wrestling company to the then-president of TBS and TNT at a party.Â

“When I launched it, I was in LA. I was at a cocktail party and saw the president, at the time, of TBS and TNT. I knew him, so I went up and said, ‘With the way wrestling TV rights are going, I think it would make a lot of sense for us to start a wrestling league.’ I would put the shows on TBS and TNT,” he recalled.

Khan stated that there was a history of wrestling shows broadcast on both networks, although there hadn’t been one for nearly 20 years before AEW began. He recalled speaking to the then-president of TBS and TNT, Kevin Reilly, and had several meetings with him. He also revealed that he signed wrestlers to the then unnamed promotion, even before signing a television deal.

“In 2018, I went to the president of TBS and TNT and said, ‘Let’s look at this,’ and he took it seriously. We had a lot of meetings. It was over a year before anything really happened, but there were a lot of discussions. I started to realize there was definitely a market for this. I began signing the wrestlers. It was a major commitment and actually a bit of a gamble because I started signing wrestlers before I had the TV deal. I could feel the deal was coming and that there was a market for what AEW was going to do.”

The AEW CEO had previously discussed how becoming a pro wrestling promoter was his childhood dream, something he had envisioned back in seventh grade.

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File pic – Afghanistan cricket team (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: Afghanistan have withdrawn from a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month following the killing of three local cricketers in an attack, the countryâ€s cricket board confirmed on Friday. According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana in eastern Paktika province, near the Pakistan border, to participate in a friendly match.The ACB stated that “after returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering” in what it described as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”

Pakistan-Afghanistan Clashes: Heavy Fighting Along Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Border, Taliban Posts Damaged

The board identified the three players as “Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon,” and added that five other people were also killed in the attack. No further details about the incident were provided.The ACB said it “considers this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family,” while extending its “deepest condolences and solidarity to the bereaved families.”It added that the decision to withdraw from next monthâ€s tri-series was made “as a gesture of respect to the victims.”Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan took to social media and wrote: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.””It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed.“In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACBâ€s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else,” he wrote. Afghan international cricketer Fazalhaq Farooqi expressed his grief on social media, writing: “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous, unforgivable crime.”Another international player, Mohammad Nabi, commented: “This incident is not only a tragedy for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket family and the nation as a whole.”

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During a Thursday media call, AEW head Tony Khan talked about the contract situation with Andrade El Idolo (somewhat) in addition to the new ratings system, injury updates to two stars, potentially two Blood & Guts matches, and more.

The full audio from the call can be found below.

Andrade

Asked about the Andrade contract situation, Khan didn’t directly answer the question, even when offered the chance to do so on a follow-up. Khan said he has a ton of respect for him, calling him an amazing wrestler and said he would echo his statements at Worlds End in December 2023. He felt he left on a high note then and still feels that way. He’s excited to see what’s next for him and that was all he could say about it.

Nielsen ratings changes

Khan was asked about the new “Big Data + Panel” ratings methodology by Nielsen & how it’s affected wrestling. He said it will be interesting to look at and thinks they are overall having a really good year and “some of the best results of anybody.” Khan said he’s a part of different sports leagues and is aware of the differences & trying to learn from them. They need to adapt to the changing environment, but they are still trying to figure everything out.

Two Blood & Guts matches

Asked about whether there will be two Blood & Guts matches this year, he thinks they are heading toward both the men and women doing just that. He didn’t directly say the Greensboro, North Carolina, show in November will host two such matches, but he certainly seemed to hint at it.

Kota Ibushi & Swerve Strickland

Asked about Ibushi following his injury last week, Khan said the injury was “devastating for many reasons.” He was planned for the WrestleDream card and they had to make changes accordingly. He is looking forward to having him back if & when he is able. He added that sitting with Kenny Omega and Ibushi together at the Daily’s Place office last week was a “dream come true.”

On Strickland, Khan says he hopes he can come back “relatively soon” and based on conversations he had as recently as today, “he’s on a good pace and sooner than later.”

WrestleDream card updates

Khan said he has “undeniably” changed things for Saturday, but expects WrestleDream to be “an excellent, excellent show.” He is making changes and “going to try some things.” Ibushi was one of the things that necessitated a change.

Future AEW training/developmental facility?

Asked about interest in an AEW developmental/training facility, Khan said he’s interested in that, but was surprised at yesterday’s Fightful report about Asheville, North Carolina, saying there was some truth but was only part of the story. He played it off as kayfabe, saying he would be interested if FTR, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage could all make amends. He confirmed there were talks about such a place, but those issues would need to be figured out first.

Other Notes:

• He also mentioned the wife of Lou Thesz is expected to be at WrestleDream as he wants to honor the spirit of wrestling in St. Louis. He said he would honor Antonio Inoki (for whom the event was initially done in tribute to) but didn’t specify how.

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World Wrestling Entertainment is making history by taking its flagship event, WrestleMania, to Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking the first time WrestleMania 43 will be held outside of the United States or Canada. WWE President Nick Khan discussed the landmark decision at the JOY Forum 2025 in Riyadh, emphasizing the companyâ€s commitment to becoming a truly global brand.

A Natural Evolution for WWE

Speaking at the forum, Khan described the Saudi Arabia partnership as an organic progression for the companyâ€s international strategy. “It was a natural next step for us,†Khan stated. “In WWE, we realized a number of years ago that we canâ€t simply pipe American product out globally and hope to be a global product. You actually have to have boots on the ground.â€

This philosophy has already transformed WWEâ€s event calendar. According to Khan, approximately half of the companyâ€s Premium Live Events now take place outside of the United States, reflecting a deliberate shift toward international engagement rather than simply broadcasting American content worldwide.

The move to Saudi Arabia follows another historic milestone: the Royal Rumble in January 2026 will also be held in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time that event has taken place outside North America.

Building on Strong Relationships

Khan emphasized that WWEâ€s decision-making process is fundamentally relationship-driven, particularly highlighting the companyâ€s long-term partnership with Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabiaâ€s General Entertainment Authority.

“WWE had received a number of different offers from entities outside of the US, and to me, as I try to help lead the company, itâ€s all about relationships,†he explained. Khan praised the partnership with Al-Sheikh as one built on mutual trust and direct collaboration.

The negotiations proved remarkably smooth. “When Turki expressed interest in having it here, we got together for a couple of different meetings, worked out the deal in short order, and had the good fortune of announcing it the day before Canelo-Crawford, our first fight together in Las Vegas,†Khan revealed. He described the process as respectful and productive, with both sides quickly finalizing the agreement.

A Star-Studded Spectacle in the Making

WWE is approaching this historic WrestleMania with significant confidence and ambition. “Weâ€re excited. We think viewership is going to be strong. We think people will come to the Kingdom to see our show and weâ€re going to put on a spectacle,†Khan said, emphasizing the companyâ€s commitment to delivering a spectacle-level show that will attract global fans to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi partners are reportedly pushing for the “most star-studded show ever,†with speculation about potential appearances or matches from legendary figures. Reports suggest that Dwayne “The Rock†Johnson is being heavily pursued for a main event role, potentially facing either Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns. Other legendary names like “Stone Cold†Steve Austin have also been discussed for the historic event.

Why 2027?

The timing of WrestleMania 43 holds special significance for Saudi Arabia. According to reports, WWE originally wanted to host the event in 2028, but Saudi Arabia pushed for 2027 to celebrate the 300-year anniversary of the founding of the first Saudi state, making the event part of a broader national celebration.

Nick Khanâ€s Leadership Vision

Under Khanâ€s leadership, WWE has experienced unprecedented global expansion and financial success. Since joining the company in 2020, Khan has been instrumental in negotiating major media deals and expanding WWEâ€s international footprint. His philosophy of prioritizing relationships and maintaining “boots on the ground†in key markets has proven successful, with the company regularly breaking attendance and revenue records.

The companyâ€s optimism appears well-founded, given Saudi Arabiaâ€s demonstrated enthusiasm for major sporting and entertainment events. The Kingdom has been actively pursuing high-profile international events as part of its Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy and establish itself as a global entertainment destination.

Looking Ahead

WrestleMania 43â€s expansion to Saudi Arabia represents more than just a business deal—it signals WWEâ€s evolution from an American wrestling promotion to a global entertainment powerhouse. By prioritizing on-the-ground presence over simple content distribution, WWE is betting that authentic international engagement will build lasting connections with fans worldwide.

As the 2027 event approaches, all eyes will be on whether this bold move sets a new standard for how major entertainment properties expand their global footprint. With the Royal Rumble 2026 serving as a precursor to this historic WrestleMania, WWE and Saudi Arabia are poised to reshape the landscape of professional wrestlingâ€s biggest stages.????????????????

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