Brandon Tate, formerly of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has publicly accused Tony Khan of deliberately undermining his and his brother Brent’s wrestling careers. The allegation surfaced in a now-deleted social media post, in which Tate also claimed that Khan’s actions extend beyond AEW and affect their opportunities in the independent wrestling circuit.
The Tate Twins, known for their time in Ring of Honor (ROH) as The Boys alongside Dalton Castle, began appearing regularly in AEW starting May 2021. They briefly reunited with Castle’s faction, The Party Peacock, in ROH during 2023. However, by April 2023, both brothers were released from AEW after Khan accused them of repeatedly missing scheduled appearances. The twins disputed these claims and, alongside commentator Kevin Kelly, filed a lawsuit against the promotion in September 2023.
Accusations of Interference Beyond AEW
In his deleted Facebook post, Brandon Tate alleged that Tony Khan intervened to prevent their return to the ring at an independent event promoted by ECC Wrestling. The Outrunners, a well-known AEW tag team, were initially scheduled to face the Tate Twins in their first match in over a year. Tate claims Khan removed the Outrunners from the card, directly impacting the match’s viability and the event itself.
“It was announced that my brother and I were returning to the ring after being away for two years. Today I was informed that Tony Khan and All Elite Wrestling had removed the opponents from our match that was supposed to take place next weekend. Not only are they causing issues to continue outside of AEW where we no longer work and our personal life, but effecting the independent promotion, wrestlers, fans and everyone involved or planned on attending the show next weekend.” Brandon Tate, Former AEW Talent
Tate further criticized Khan’s handling of his roster and his impact on independent wrestling, referencing their ongoing legal battle.
“My brother and I have grinded for almost two years trying get our life back from the hole they left us in and were finally able to return to wrestling and make a little money for ourselves to try and bounce back. This dude has ruined over nearly two and a half decades of one of the best companies to ever exist in professional wrestling Ring of Honor and is now pulling talent from the independents just to get his way, but claiming his roster are ‘independent contractors’. I hope he realizes the company he once praised about changing wrestling for the better for EVERYONE is going completely backwards and this will one day all catch up to him.” Brandon Tate, Former AEW Talent
Background and Legal Conflict Involving The Tate Twins
The Tate Twins gained recognition in ROH before transitioning to AEW, where their appearances increased their profile. Still, their AEW tenure ended abruptly after accusations from Khan concerning their attendance. Their counterclaims and subsequent lawsuit suggest deeper tensions regarding contracts and treatment of talent within AEW. With Kevin Kelly also involved in the legal proceedings, the dispute has attracted attention given AEW’s rising status in professional wrestling.
Upcoming AEW All Out 2025 Event Details
Amidst these allegations, AEW prepares for its upcoming annual pay-per-view, All Out 2025, scheduled this Saturday at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. Fans can expect a packed card featuring ten marquee matches, showcasing top AEW stars across multiple championship bouts and special stipulations.
- Adam Copeland and Christian Cage vs FTR – A tag team clash featuring veterans Copeland and Cage taking on fan-favorites FTR.
- The Hurt Syndicate vs Ricochet and GOA – A dynamic battle between a dominant group and a high-flying tag team pairing.
- Mercedes Mone (c) vs Riho [TBS Championship Match] – The TBS title on the line in a contest between the reigning champion and challenger Riho.
- Mark Briscoe vs MJF [Tables N’ Thumbtacks Match] – A hardcore match guaranteed to be brutal and unpredictable.
- Big Bill vs Eddie Kingston – Two powerful wrestlers square off in a personal showdown.
- Brodido (c) vs The Young Bucks vs JetSpeed vs Hechicero/Josh Alexander [World Tag Team Championship Four-Way Ladder Match] – A multi-team ladder match for the World Tag Team titles, blending speed, skill, and daring heights.
- Kazuchika Okada (c) vs Konosuke Takeshita vs Mascara Dorada [AEW Unified Championship Match] – A triple threat bout featuring top international stars competing for AEW’s highest accolade.
- Jon Moxley vs Darby Allin [Coffin Match] – A stipulation match where victory requires placing the opponent into a coffin.
- Toni Storm (c) vs Jamie Hayter vs Thekla vs Kris Statlander [AEW Women’s World Championship Four-Way Match] – A highly competitive four-way match for the Women’s World Championship.
- Hangman Adam Page (c) vs Kyle Fletcher [AEW Men’s World Championship] – The AEW World Champion defends his title against a formidable challenger.
This event reflects AEW’s continued emphasis on delivering high-stakes entertainment for wrestling fans worldwide. Tony Khan’s role as the company’s leader ensures that All Out remains a significant moment on the wrestling calendar, though the ongoing allegations surrounding his treatment of talent continue to overshadow it for some.
Potential Outcomes and Industry Impact
The accusations by Brandon Tate against Tony Khan highlight the complex and often contentious relationship between wrestling promotions and their performers. The lawsuit involving the Tate Twins could set precedents affecting wrestler contracts and independent engagements in AEW and beyond. Meanwhile, how Khan’s management style influences talent retention and AEW’s reputation remains under scrutiny.
As AEW moves forward with its high-profile events such as All Out 2025, fans and industry observers will watch closely to see how these internal disputes unfold and what consequences they might hold for the wrestling landscape.
Tate Twins accuse Tony Khan of pulling The Outrunners from an independent showhttps://t.co/dvWPW0AYZf pic.twitter.com/uVTSFEwSiK
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) September 18, 2025
