During an interview with TMZ Sports, Tony Khan, AEW President and CEO, provided insights on how much
“Tony Khan on AEW fan influence”
matters to the company. He shared that fan engagement and input are integral to how All Elite Wrestling evolves and adapts, recognizing the important role fans play in shaping the organization’s direction and atmosphere.
Khan emphasized the impact fans have had on AEW’s recent trajectory. He stated,
“The fans are a huge, major influence on me personally and on AEW. I really believe in listening to fans, and the fans have been so positive about AEW in 2025. I think it’s the most positive it’s been in four years, maybe ever. Right now we’re having great trends. We’ve been able to grow viewership quarter over quarter, multiple quarters in a row.”
—Tony Khan, President & CEO
Positive Reception Drives AEW’s Growth
According to Khan, the enthusiasm and constructive feedback from the wrestling community inspire him to continuously improve the product. He values positive responses and draws motivation from them to maintain momentum. Khan said,
“When the fan feedback is really positive, it feels good. I want to keep that going. It feels like people really like what’s happening in AEW this year, the conversation has been really good and I like hearing what the fans have to say, positive or any kind of feedback — especially if it’s constructive or anything you can use to make AEW better, that’s good for us.”
—Tony Khan, President & CEO
This ongoing conversation between fans and the AEW team helps guide decisions and refine storylines, contributing to consistent quarter-over-quarter viewership growth. Entities like Fightful play a role by sharing and amplifying fan sentiment, making fan perspectives even more visible to AEW management.
Sting’s Journey and Milestone Achievements
Tony Khan also highlighted personal favorite moments in AEW, a brand shaped by both fans and legendary wrestlers. Reflecting on Sting’s involvement, Khan said,
“He’s one of my all-time favorite wrestlers. That’s one of my favorite moments. Also, when Sting and Darby Allin won the world tag team championships in Phoenix. Going into their final match as a team, and Sting’s final match as a pro wrestler. I think the greatest retirement send-off imaginable.”
—Tony Khan, President & CEO
Sting’s retirement, which took place after an acclaimed tag team championship victory alongside Darby Allin in Phoenix, stands as a historic event for AEW and wrestling fans alike.
Looking Ahead for AEW and Its Community
As AEW continues to evolve, Tony Khan’s commitment to listening to fans, recognizing legendary achievements like Sting’s, and dedication to delivering compelling wrestling events will likely shape the brand’s future path. The sustained engagement from fans, key wrestlers, and media organizations such as Fightful suggests AEW’s positive momentum will continue to grow, with feedback remaining a vital cornerstone of the company’s success.
