Veteran wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer has suggested that AEW President Tony Khan is hesitant to take bold actions against WWE due to potential negative responses. Meltzer conveyed this perspective during discussions surrounding the ongoing Tony Khan AEW WWE rivalry, emphasizing that WWE‘s team might react emotionally if Khan were to make aggressive moves.
At the Forbidden Door 2025 media scrum, Khan revealed a new rule for the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Casino Gauntlet Battle Royals: challengers must announce their intention to compete for the world title one week ahead. This approach deliberately differs from WWE’s Money in the Bank cash-in mechanic, reflecting AEW’s desire to maintain a unique style without openly criticizing WWE.
On the Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer elaborated on Khan’s reluctance to speak negatively of WWE, saying:
“He will not say anything bad about WWE because it causes everybody to cry from WWE’s side even if it’s valid. So he basically says like, ‘We want our championship to have credibility and just because the other guys do it we don’t need to do it.’ I’m glad okay, because actually I think that’s stupid too. But in modern pro wrestling the biggest thing that there is is freaking cashing that thing in, people love it.”
Meltzer’s comments highlight the complex relationship between the two wrestling organizations and Khan’s cautious approach in navigating this rivalry.
Khan’s Response to WWE’s Counter Program on the Same Night as AEW’s Major Event
WWE’s recent announcement of Wrestlepalooza, scheduled for September 20, directly challenges AEW‘s All Out pay-per-view by occurring on the same date. This move adds another layer of tension between the two promotions as they compete for fan attention.
When questioned about WWE’s counter-programming strategy during the Forbidden Door 2025 media call, Tony Khan focused on AEW‘s strengths rather than WWE’s actions. He emphasized the company’s commitment to quality wrestling and fan engagement, stating:
“The most important thing for us to do is talk about AEW and work hard on AEW. We’re focused on us, and trying our best to be the best. We have the best wrestlers. This year, we have the best TV shows. The best PPVs, and the best fans,” Tony said.
Khan’s statement reflects his strategy to prioritize internal development and confidence in AEW’s product despite WWE’s competitive tactics.
Implications for the Future of the AEW–WWE Competition
The ongoing rivalry between Tony Khan’s AEW and WWE continues to generate intense competition, especially as both promotions plan major events on the same night. Khan’s avoidance of direct confrontation and his refusal to mimic WWE’s controversial cash-in system suggest that AEW intends to differentiate itself through its own values and style.
WWE’s counter-programming could create challenges for AEW’s pay-per-view success, but Khan remains focused on providing top-tier wrestling content and cultivating a loyal fanbase. As the battle for ratings and market share intensifies, how each company‘s strategies affect their long-term position remains to be seen.
Fans and industry watchers will be closely monitoring upcoming events, including the valid responses from both sides in this high-stakes wrestling rivalry.
