Tony Khan, known as the AEW President, has earned a reputation among wrestling fans and insiders not just for his booking decisions but also for his genuine kindness behind the scenes. Former TNA star Grado, who has worked with several promotions including AEW, recently shared his admiration for Khan’s positive attitude during their brief collaboration in 2023.
Grado, a Scottish wrestler recognized for his appearances in Insane Championship Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Elite, TNA, AEW, and NOAH, made a notable impact with his surprise appearance at the 2023 All In pre-show. Teaming with Paul Wight and Anthony Ogogo, he faced off against a lineup including Jeff Jarrett, Satnam Singh, Jay Lethal, and Sonjay Dutt. Reflecting on his experience, Grado praised Tony Khan as one of the kindest figures he has encountered in wrestling, highlighting a memorable opportunity where Khan invited him to participate at Wembley.
Grado Recalls Tony Khan’s Genuine Kindness and Visionary Approach
In an exclusive interview with ITR Wrestling’s Shounak Chakrabarti, Grado expressed high regard for Khan’s warmth and vision. He described Khan as exceptionally kind during their interaction and credited him for making his experience special by getting him to perform at Wembley Stadium. Grado also emphasized how Khan’s ability to understand fans’ desires stems from a lifelong passion for wrestling, turning his childhood dreams into the successful AEW product today.
“First of all, he’s one of the nicest guys in the world, because he couldn’t be any nicer when he got me down to Wembley last year, so I’m very much looking forward to catching up with him. He’s just a guy that I think, he knows what the wrestling fans want to see, what he sees in his brain, what he’s envisioned as a wee boy, he’s managed to, you know, his fantasies become a reality, and that’s what I love about Tony.” —Grado
Grado Explains How Tony Khan’s Fan Background Benefits AEW’s Success
Grado further elaborated on why he believes Tony Khan has built an excellent wrestling promotion. Sharing his own experience as an avid wrestling fan who sought out tapes and participated in fan forums around the world, he pointed out that Khan shares this deep-rooted passion. This shared background, Grado argued, allows Khan to create a product that resonates strongly with fans by understanding their expectations and blending various wrestling styles.
“Tony is so good, because he was a wrestling fan, a wrestling maniac growing up, right? And so was I, he was sort of the same as me, growing up, tape trading, loving all the independent stuff, you know, I remember back in the day, everybody was watching all the mainstream wrestling, I was getting tapes sent over for Japan, I was getting tapes sent over for Europe, and I was obsessed with it, I was on all the fan forums and all the rest of it, and Tony was the same, so Tony is so good, I believe it, at giving fans what they want, you know, he’s got an excellent product.” —Grado
This perspective highlights how Tony Khan’s intimate familiarity with diverse wrestling cultures, both mainstream and independent, has allowed him to craft AEW as a product that appeals widely to wrestling enthusiasts. His ability to turn childhood visions into reality continues to inspire the wrestling community and raises expectations for AEW’s future offerings.
What Fans and Industry Can Expect Next from Tony Khan
Grado’s praise adds to a growing chorus of voices recognizing Tony Khan’s positive influence on the wrestling world. By maintaining a fan-first approach and fostering a welcoming environment for talent, Khan’s leadership promises to sustain AEW’s momentum. Fans can anticipate continued innovation in AEW’s events and storytelling as Khan channels his passion into the company’s growth.
Given the enthusiasm of former stars like Grado and AEW’s expanding global footprint, Tony Khan’s role as the nicest wrestling promoter is becoming an integral part of the company’s identity. His approach not only shapes the product but also builds meaningful connections within the wrestling community, creating an optimistic outlook for the promotion’s future.
