Tony Khan, president of AEW, expressed that the wrestling style showcased by his company is exactly what he would have enjoyed watching as a youngster. This passion for wrestling was a key topic during his appearance on 1035 KissFM’s The Hot Tag on Tuesday, where he also highlighted AEW’s upcoming residency at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. Khan emphasized AEW’s broad appeal, stating it’s a promotion designed for fans of all ages.
Remembering ECW and Influences on AEW
When asked about the wrestling he admired in his youth, Khan spoke fondly of ECW, the promotion known for its intense and gritty matches. He recalled attending two consecutive ECW shows near Philadelphia, marking his earliest live wrestling experiences outside his hometown of Champaign, Illinois. Khan also reminisced about seeing legendary wrestler Sabu in a stretcher match against Rob Van Dam, noting the recent passing of Sabu as a significant moment in wrestling history.
Early Wrestling Dreams and the Aragon Ballroom Connection
Growing up, Khan and his friend Todd engaged in fantasy booking, creating wrestling shows through email. While Khan imagined his own show as Wednesday Night Dynamite, Todd focused on events held at the Aragon Ballroom, which he nicknamed the “Aragon Brawl Room.” This early passion for wrestling production foreshadowed Khan’s current projects, as AEW prepares for its residency at the very same venue in Chicago where Todd once envisioned hosting matches.
Building Momentum with AEW’s Most Successful Shows
Khan described AEW’s recent All In Texas event as the company’s best show to date. This pay-per-view, which was streamed on Amazon Prime, attracted one of AEW’s largest crowds in North America, marking a milestone for the promotion. Khan praised the wrestlers for their intense performances and credited the lively audience for creating an outstanding atmosphere. As AEW embarks on a three-week residence in Chicago, the energy from such landmark events is expected to carry forward.
Looking Ahead to AEW’s Chicago Residency
The upcoming residency at the Aragon Ballroom signifies a major step in AEW’s growth and connection with fans. By bringing matches to a venue with personal meaning from Khan’s youth, AEW is blending its history with fresh opportunities to engage a diverse audience. This residency promises to deepen the promotion’s footprint and continues to reflect Khan’s long-standing passion for professional wrestling.
“All ages. AEW, when I was a kid, is the wrestling I would love to watch.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“I absolutely loved watching that. And the first wrestling show I ever went to outside of Champagne, Illinois was actually in Philadelphia, was ECW.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“The first two shows I ever went to outside of Champagne were back to back, outside Philadelphia Friday night and then in Philadelphia Saturday night in the ECW arena and it was fantastic stuff. The late great Sabu passed away recently and I actually saw his stretcher match with RVD.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“I grew up in Champagne, Illinois and when I was 12 years old, I started writing a show in an email thing with my friend and we would write shows and email them to each other. We drafted all the wrestlers and split all the wrestlers in the world up and wrote our shows and mine was Wednesday Night Dynamite and his show was at the Aragon Ballroom. He called it the Aragon Brawl Room and we’re bringing it to life. My buddy Todd.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“It was the best show we’ve ever done. AEW All In Texas.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“It’s the biggest pay-per-view we’ve ever had on Amazon Prime and one of our biggest pay-per-view shows ever. One of our biggest crowds ever. The biggest crowd AEW’s ever had on this continent in North America ever.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
“It was just a great experience. Fans live were great. The show was great. The wrestlers fought so hard. Our biggest rivalries, the best night. And it sets up tomorrow night. We’re here in Chicago and we’re beginning a three-week stay.” —Tony Khan, AEW President
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Tony Khan a billionaire?
A. Forbes says that Shahid Khan, Tony Khan’s father, has a net worth exceeding $12 billion. Although Tony’s exact wealth isn’t public, he’s said to be worth about $1.5 billion because he owns AEW.
