During a recent conversation on Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown with Jon Alba, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan discussed how the company crafts its distinctive wrestling stories. Tony Khan AEW storytelling philosophy centers around authenticity and original presentation, setting AEW apart in the wrestling world.
Highlighting AEW’s Signature Style and Successes
Reflecting on AEW’s development, Tony Khan noted the importance of unique storytelling within the company’s matches and programming. He emphasized that AEW has succeeded in forging its own style rather than following established industry patterns. Khan cited memorable moments from the early days of AEW, including standout storylines and wrestling showcasing both athletic performance and meaningful rivalries between characters like Kenny and Hangman.
“I think it’s best for AEW to tell stories and put on wrestling matches with a focus that is best described as authentic to AEW. I think we found a really great presentation when we launched into 2020, 2021. There’s great stories that people could talk about at length if they’re AEW fans and want to point out, ‘Oh, there were a lot of stories in the early AEW.’ Hangman and Kenny is a great example of that. And looking at what happened in the early days of AEW — well, if you want to look back at some of these early shows and see how great the wrestling was, see how great the TV was. And there’s lots of wrestling out there. There’s lots of movies and TV. But in the world of wrestling, there’s there are some accepted practices of how to put on a wrestling TV show. And I thought we carved out a really great path for ourselves.”
– Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW
Maintaining Authenticity and Focusing on Wrestlers in 2025
For 2025, Khan highlighted a renewed commitment to being true to AEW’s founding principles. He stressed that AEW would not mimic other promotions but instead shine by prioritizing its own roster’s stories and relationships. The ongoing focus remains on elevating the wrestlers’ performances while continuing to deliver compelling stories that fans can follow across television and pay-per-view events.
“And this year, I’ve been trying to make sure that the presentation is authentic to AEW. Not trying to be like any other wrestling company. We can take the best wrestling we have and focus on the characters, the wrestlers in AEW, their presentation, their relationships between each other, but with the focus on the wrestling. And you don’t have to sacrifice the wrestling to tell great stories. And we’ve shown that in 2025. I think we’ve had more great wrestling matches across the TV and pay-per-views, and told more interesting stories.”
– Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW
Looking Ahead: What AEW’s Distinct Storytelling Means for Fans
Tony Khan’s approach signals that AEW will continue building on its unique foundation, letting wrestlers like Kenny and other stars define storylines through both athleticism and character development. Fans can expect AEW to preserve its authenticity, focusing on original narratives that resonate with audiences and ensure AEW remains a standout in professional wrestling.
