On August 27, 2025, immediately following AEW’s Dynamite episode at the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Tony Khan honors Taz legacy with a deeply emotional tribute that moved the wrestling community. The event highlighted a memorable moment when All Elite Wrestling’s president and the full roster celebrated the career of wrestling legend Taz, resulting in a touching scene that brought the veteran to tears.
The 57-year-old Taz was visibly emotional as Tony Khan and the AEW talent donned Taz’s signature orange t-shirt, approaching him near the announcer’s desk and sharing a heartfelt embrace. Khan then delivered a powerful speech paying homage to Taz’s influence and legacy within this iconic venue, which holds a significant place in wrestling history.
Tony Khan Reflects on Personal Connection and Taz’s Impact on the 2300 Arena
During his speech, Tony Khan expressed a deep personal connection to Taz and the 2300 Arena, recounting his own youthful admiration of the wrestling legend. Khan revealed that this AEW event marked only the second time he had stepped inside the arena, the first being 29 years earlier as a 13-year-old fan wearing a Taz t-shirt.
After a great night here for the first-ever AEW show in the 2300 Arena, I can’t think of a more fitting way to end AEW’s first night here than to pay homage to pay respect to the greatest legend, in my opinion, in the history of this building! Let’s give it up! It’s been an honor following you almost my entire life. This is only the second time I’ve ever been in this building, it’s the first time I’ve set foot in this place in 29 years, since I was 13 years old and the only other time I came here I never dreamed I’d be able to set foot here, but I was here, I was 13 years old and I was wearing a Taz shirt. You’re a hero to me, you’re a hero to millions of people around the world.
—Tony Khan, AEW President
Khan’s tribute underscored Taz’s vital role in shaping the wrestling culture associated with the 2300 Arena, which was famously known as the ECW Arena. The respect extended was palpable, as the entire AEW roster visibly honored Taz’s contributions by wearing his commemorative apparel.
Taz Responds to the Tribute with Gratitude and Reflection
Taz responded with heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging the surprise and depth of the tribute. He shared how the moment was layered with emotions, including personal touches from his family who had been part of a subtle setup for the tribute. He also expressed appreciation toward the AEW fans and roster while reflecting on his rich experiences within the wrestling world.
Obviously didn’t expect any of this. And it’s so nice of my wife to kayfabe me on this. And then my son to kayfabe me on this. I did get worked. And it’s not the first time I’ve been worked in this building. That’s another story. But no, listen, first, I need to thank all the fans here and the support for AEW, obviously. AEW has an extremely, pun intended, an extremely type of fighting spirit that we had in the ’90s here in ECW. It’s very similar. It’s just a lot bigger roster with a lot more money. And we love you, Tone. But I just seen all you guys out here, the roster, you know, I can’t thank you guys enough. And I’m speechless. And I, you know, talk for a living, you know? And I don’t know what to say here. It’s kind of embarrassing. I didn’t expect this. And I never… I appreciate it. I love you guys, too. I’ve been blessed to have great memories in this building, like great, amazing memories, some bad ones, but mostly all good, you know? But mostly all great, actually, and I’ve been very blessed, and I’m blessed to be in this company. I’m blessed to have the family I have. And I’m very blessed to be, like I said, in this company, what men and women on this roster, top to bottom, just bust their ass every fucking time, you know? So… Tony, thank you, you know, I didn’t expect this at all, obviously, I wanna thank all you guys for coming.
—Taz, Wrestling Veteran
This emotional response highlighted Taz’s humility and connection to the wrestling community, emphasizing how the spirit of competition and camaraderie remains strong in AEW and echoes the grit of the 1990s ECW era.
Historical Connection: Khan’s Own Memory of the 2300 Arena
Adding a personal touch to the tribute, Tony Khan revealed he was present in the 2300 Arena crowd back in 1996, donning the same iconic orange t-shirt worn by Taz. This shared history between Khan and Taz enhances the sincerity of the moment and illustrates the lasting impact Taz has had on multiple generations of wrestling fans and professionals alike.
Taz is set to be formally recognized and immortalized at the 2300/ECW Arena venue in the days following AEW Collision, reinforcing his legacy in one of wrestling’s most revered locations.
Tony Khan Discusses Deonna Purrazzo’s Absence and Future in AEW
During the recent ROH Death Before Dishonor media call, Tony Khan addressed the status of Deonna Purrazzo, who has been absent from AEW programming. Khan acknowledged Purrazzo’s past success and potential to regain momentum within the company.
I think Deonna is a really, really great wrestler. I think she had a great, you know, when she came into AEW, she had a lot of success. And I think she still could find her footing here and do really, really well.
—Tony Khan, AEW President
He openly discussed challenges Purrazzo encountered during her recent stint in Mexico with AEW’s partners, describing it as a learning experience despite the difficulties involved. Khan revealed that a match involving Purrazzo had been planned for an upcoming pay-per-view but was canceled due to injury, signaling that AEW remains invested in her career revival.
I guess I’ll just be honest, I think Deonna had gone down to Mexico, and again, this is something that I think you can grow and learn from, but had an experience down there that wasn’t positive with our partners. There was a match I had planned for, actually, this pay-per-view that I had called off due to injury. And I really wanted to get Diana going again because, I think, I’m just being really honest, it’s okay if something doesn’t go well. And I want to be able to give somebody an opportunity to come back from something.
—Tony Khan, AEW President
Khan’s remarks emphasize AEW’s willingness to support wrestlers through setbacks, aiming to provide opportunities for resurgence within the promotion.
Brief Update: Kurt Angle’s Upcoming Role
In other news, Kurt Angle is preparing for an upcoming high-profile role within AEW programming. Although further details remain limited, fans anticipate significant developments involving the former Olympic gold medalist and wrestling icon.
