Tony Khan isnt letting the haters get to him. The AEW President has built a reputation as one of wrestlings most accessible promoters, always open to hearing fan feedback. But when it comes to bad faith criticism, Khan knows when to draw the line.
Speaking with Iridian Fierro for WGN Radio, Khan addressed the negativity surrounding AEWs historic All In event at Wembley Stadium in 2023. Despite claiming to selling a record-breaking 81,035 tickets, some critics tried to downplay the achievement, questioning the numbers.
Sometimes fans have a good perspective, and a lot of times its really worth listening to the feedback, Khan explained. But sometimes, if its disingenuous, theres nothing you can do. Sometimes its fans of a different promotion that dont really have anything positive to say, no matter what you do, and thats fine.
Khan didnt mince words when calling out the doubters. We sold 81,035 tickets at Wembley Stadium, and there were people trying to tear it down. People were saying, Oh, they only got 73,000, as if thats bad, he said. Thats more people than were at the Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight, and people were trying to say that, like, it was a bad number for AEW. Its insane sometimes.
Despite the noise, Khan is staying laser-focused on AEWs growth and future. You do have to be willing to take it all with a grain of salt because weve accomplished a lot with AEW, and we still have so much more to do, Khan said. Really, it, in many ways, began here in Chicago. So, its very fitting that we keep coming back here to this great city.
Khans ability to brush off baseless criticism while embracing genuine fan feedback is one of the reasons AEW continues to thrive. With a strong foundation and ambitious goals, hes determined to keep proving the naysayers wrong.
What's your thought's on Tony Khan still defending the AEW All In ticket sales? Do you think he should move on from it? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
