Tony Khan is currently being urged to take important cues from WWE when it comes to handling wrestling talent, as AEW contends with major storyline hurdles ahead of its biggest U.S. show at All In Texas. The conversation about Tony Khan learning from WWE booking has intensified, particularly in the wake of WWE’s effective approach to injured wrestlers and ongoing character arcs.
AEW’s Momentum Ahead of Its Landmark Show
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is experiencing significant momentum lately as it builds towards its highly anticipated All In Texas event, which promises to be the company’s most prominent U.S. spectacle yet. At the upcoming show, Jon Moxley will put his AEW World Title on the line against Hangman Adam Page, who is determined to bring an end to Moxley’s reign as champion. Mercedes Mone, after her victory in the women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament, has secured a title shot against Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s World Title.
Despite these major matches, AEW has encountered criticism about its booking approach, especially concerning how it deals with stars sidelined by injury. This scrutiny has become more pronounced as comparisons with WWE’s handling of similar situations grow.
Calls for Tony Khan to Rethink AEW Storytelling
One key area where AEW is being urged to improve relates to the treatment of injured performers. In WWE, Liv Morgan’s recent injury, which will keep her out of action for months, has been intelligently woven into ongoing storylines. Her tag partner, Raquel Rodriguez, continues her rivalry with Rhea Ripley and has now received support from Roxanne Perez in Morgan’s absence.
Commentator Bryan Alvarez, speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, drew attention to the difference in booking philosophy between the two companies:
“One of the things about WWE booking that is great and Tony Khan actually should learn from is when somebody gets hurt, they find a way to make it work in storyline. So Liv is hurt and Raquel is her tag team partner so if this was AEW, Raquel would just disappear. Liv and Raquel would be gone, you wouldn’t hear about them, they would just vanish for months on end. Here, Liv is out, Raquel needs a partner, they hate Roxanne, Finn hates Liv so he’s schmoozing with Roxanne, and now Roxanne has helped Raquel, Raquel gave her a hug afterwards. Raquel and Roxanne are getting buddy-buddy which is going to lead to Liv being furious when she comes back. It’s actually very clever the way that they do this.”
—Bryan Alvarez, Wrestling Observer Live
Alvarez emphasized that WWE maintains character visibility and narrative progression, even when performers are sidelined, whereas AEW is often accused of simply removing injured stars from television with no explanation or storyline continuity.
Recent WWE Developments Highlight Storytelling Contrast
The impact of Liv Morgan’s injury is a prominent example of WWE’s storytelling adaptability. The change to her tag team partnership with Raquel Rodriguez has led to new rivalries and alliances, maintaining fan interest and character relevance despite Morgan’s absence. Rhea Ripley’s ongoing feuds and the involvement of fresh faces like Roxanne Perez have kept the division’s narratives active and engaging.
In contrast, AEW has faced persistent criticism for abruptly halting the stories of wrestlers who become unavailable, without offering updates or narrative closure. This practice has prompted experts and fans to call on Tony Khan to adopt WWE’s more seamless and adaptive storytelling patterns.
High Stakes and Growing Pressure on AEW’s Creative Direction
While AEW’s event slate remains strong with headline matches like Jon Moxley versus Adam Page and Mercedes Mone challenging Toni Storm, the promotion’s approach to injuries and long-term bookings is under increasing scrutiny. Notable incidents, such as Dominik Mysterio speaking out about his injuries leading to match cancellations in WWE, as well as Drew McIntyre taking an extended break, only reinforce WWE’s more structured handling of such situations.
Additional high-profile WWE stories, such as the upcoming Night of Champions matches featuring Rhea Ripley and big title bouts on Raw, demonstrate how WWE layers in injuries and absences to build anticipation and shape future feuds. The company’s ability to maintain complex storylines through shifting circumstances is often cited as a key to its enduring success.
What This Means for Tony Khan and AEW’s Future
The expectation is mounting for Tony Khan to refine the way AEW integrates real-life events, like injuries, into ongoing story arcs. Industry insiders like Bryan Alvarez suggest that adopting this element of WWE’s playbook could result in sustained viewer engagement and deeper character development, especially as AEW continues to expand its brand with major shows like All In Texas.
If Tony Khan commits to learning from WWE booking, AEW could better navigate storyline challenges, retain audience investment, and position itself as a more dynamic wrestling company in the evolving U.S. and global markets.
